About this site

The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group is a community-based organisation campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender human rights in Tasmania.

The TGLRG led the successful 1988-1997 campaign for gay law reform in Tasmania, as well as subsequent campaigns for state anti-discrimination and same-sex relationship laws.

For more about these historic campaigns visit our archives.

Its ongoing activities include parliamentary lobbying, media liaison, community education and direct action. It has a commitment to visibility and community empowerment.

The Group continues to campaign for LGBT law and policy reform in Tasmania and nationally.

To find out more about what we're up to read on...

McClelland "wrong" on Tasmanian registry / Feds must answer hard questions on marriage

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 1.5.08.

Academics and activists have slammed Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, for what they say is "misrepresentation" of the Tasmanian relationship registry, and for using it to dodge the same-sex marriage debate.

In his dispute with the ACT Government over gay partnerships, Mr McClelland has endorsed the Tasmanian registry as a preferable model to the ACT's proposed civil partnerships scheme because the former "registers existing relationships" rather than "creating new ones through a ceremony", something advocates for the Tasmanian scheme say is wrong.

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Rudd Gov't move against same-sex bias welcomed / Call on Opposition to support reform

This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 30.4.08.

Gay rights advocates have welcomed a Federal Government commitment to begin removing discrimination against same-sex de facto couples within months, and have called on the Opposition to "get behind" reform.

Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland will today announce that legislation removing discrimination in areas including superannuation and aged care will be introduced in the winter session of Parliament, with a delayed implementation in areas like social security and veterans affairs to be completed by mid 2009.

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Tas Gov't challenged to rule out church exemption from anti-bias law

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 27.4.08.

Tasmanian gay activists have called on the State Government to rule out any new exemptions for religious organisations in the state Anti-Discrimination Act.

The call has been prompted by fears the Government is set to release a report recommending the Act be watered down to allow religious schools to discriminate against students who are from a different religious background.

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Passage of Vic partner registry welcomed / Call on Federal Government to recognise state relationships

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 10.4.08.

Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed the Victorian Parliament's enactment of a civil union registry modelled on Tasmania's.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that the Tasmanian registry has allowed same-sex and other couples the practical benefit of proving their relationship status if challenged, and the symbolic benefit of official recognition.

"The Tasmanian civil union registry is not a substitute for same-sex marriage, but an alternative that is based on the principles of recognising diversity in relationships, and allowing partners to decide for themselves how they access relationship entitlements and with whom", Mr Croome said.

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Gay row erupts: activist accused of stereotyping Tasmania

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 10.4.08.

Tasmanian gay community representatives have rejected claims that homophobia "reigns unopposed" in small-town Tasmania.

Coming Out Proud program co-ordinator, Julian Punch, has attracted national attention with claims that openly-gay developer Stephen Roche has quit the sea-side town of Penguin because of "an old, dominant homophobic culture" in rural and regional Tasmania, a claim denied by Mr Roche who said he found most Penguin residents "open and accepting".

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, and Peter Power, spokesperson for same-sex partner lobby group, InDeed, have also dismissed Mr Punch's claim, accusing him of unfairly stereotyping rural Tasmania.

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Libs / Timber Lobby to answer for election hate

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 8.4.08.

Tasmania's anti-discrimination watch dog has decided the Liberal Party and Timber Communities Australia have a case to answer over allegations they incited hatred during last year's Federal election.

Commissioner, Sarah Bolt, has referred to the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal a number of complaints against pamphlets and TV ads which declared same-sex marriage, as well as the recognition of intersex conditions, to be "dangerous" and "harmful".

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Tasmanian surrogacy inquiry welcomed

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on April 1st, 2008.

The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group has welcomed a parliamentary inquiry into recognising altruistic surrogacy in Tasmania, announced today by State Upper House member, Lin Thorp.

Spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that the law should recognise the right of women to become surrogates for whoever they wish.

"Altruistic surrogacy allows childless same and opposite-sex couples to receive the gift of parenthood, often from close friends or relatives", Mr Croome said.
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Loss of community stalwart mourned

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 24.3.08

Many Tasmanians are today mourning the loss of a woman described by gay activist, Rodney Croome, as a brave defender of human rights.

Dr Yvette Sneddon, 49, of Natone on the state's North West Coast, died on Good Friday in a hit-and-run accident near Burnie.

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Tassie gays welcome Vic registry

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 13.3.08.

Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed endorsement of a Tasmanian-style civil union registry by Victoria's parliamentary Lower House but are concerned by continued myths about such registries.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said Tasmanians should be proud that their state - the last to decriminalise same-sex relationships - is now leading the nation when it comes officially recognising same-sex unions.

"If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Tasmanians should feel very flattered indeed", Mr Croome said.

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