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...

New environmental party slammed over anti-gay marriage stance

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 17.1.10

"Legal inequality and discrimination are neither ethical nor sustainable."
- Rodney Croome

Gay activists have dismissed claims by the public officer of the new, Tasmanian, pro-environment Ethics and Sustainability Party, Kathleen Petrovsky, that same-sex marriage is "radical" and "trendy", and they want a meeting with Dr Petrovsky to discuss the issue.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that same-sex marriage has widespread public support.

"According to opinion polls, same-sex marriage has the support of 60% of Australians, not to mention support from Tasmanian Labor Party state conference and numerous large Australian corporations and unions - it is anything but "radical", Mr Croome said.
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Tasmanian in second place on world list of emerging gay travel destinations

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 20.11.09.

Tasmania has claimed second spot in a list of the world's top ten emerging gay travel destinations.

The list, compiled by Hotel Travel Club, showcases those cities and regions which have not traditionally been associated with gay travel.

Other destinations include Nova Scotia, Lisbon, Nashville and Mexico City. No other Australian destination makes the list.

The site says of Tasmania,

"Over the past few years, locals have put aside their conservative views and have welcomed lesbian and gay residents and travelers alike. The island offers a GLBT tourist guide and a number of incredible tourist sites."
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Same-sex parent law passes final hurdle

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 17.11.09.

A Tasmanian Government law giving legal parental status to the same-sex partner of a woman who has a child through fertility treatment has passed its final hurdle and will now become law.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the move will bring legal peace-of-mind to many Tasmanian families.

Womens' Legal Service Managing Solicitor, Susan Fahey, said her service will now begin the process of educating same-sex couples, their families and the broader community about the impact of reform.
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Officially-recognised relationship ceremonies welcome

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 17.11.09.

Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed today's announcement by the Tasmanian Government that couples entering State Deeds of Relationship can now have officially-recognised ceremonies involving celebrants and witnesses.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the new ceremonies will allow same-sex couples to declare their love and commitment in front of friends and family members in a way which is dignified, solemn and has official recognition.

"Until now, registering a Deed of Relationship has been a dry, administrative process, but the Government's initiative allows it to be linked to, and marked by, an officially-recognised declaration of love and commitment overseen by a celebrant and witnessed by loved ones", Mr Croome said.
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Tasmanian Upper House passes & upgrades same-sex parent law

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 29.10.09

The Tasmanian Upper House has passed and improved a new law giving equal recognition and protection to families headed by same-sex couples.

The Legislative Council has unanimously endorsed a State Government initiative that will recognise the same-sex partner of a woman who has a child through fertility treatment as the child's other legal parent.

An amendment proposed by Windermere Independent, Ivan Dean, which was also unanimously supported by Upper House members, has improved the new law by backdating the recognition to include all those children born to two mothers through fertility treatment since same-sex couples were first recognised in Tasmanian law six years ago.
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Tas provides official ceremonies for recognised partners / Same-sex couples can now have their 'special day'

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 30.9.09.

Couples entering a Tasmanian Deed of Relationship will soon have the option of an official relationship ceremony.

From November 1st the Tasmanian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages will change its procedures to allow a couple to bring their Deed of Relationship into effect by signing their relationship certificate in a ceremony presided over by a marriage celebrant.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, welcomed the initiative saying "this provides same-sex and other couples with a way to have that 'special day', on which they officially declare and affirm their relationship in front of friends and family members".

"Tasmania led the nation with the establishment of our registry of personal relationships, and now it is leading with official ceremonial recognition of these relationships."
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Tasmanian Relationship Stats as of 30/09/2009

Here are the latest statistics on Deeds of Relationship registered in Tasmania.

Tasmanian Relationship Stats as of 30/09/2009:

· Number of relationships registered = 136

· Out of these, number of significant relationships registered = 134

· Number of caring relationships registered = 2
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Tas Social Inclusion Strategy first in Aus to acknowledge GLBTI exclusion but still 'short on details'

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 21.9.09.

Gay activists say the Tasmanian Social Inclusion Strategy sets a new Australian standard by acknowledging the exclusion faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people, but is still "short on solutions".

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the Strategy, released today by Social Inclusion Commissioner, Professor David Adams, is the first in Australia to cite levels of discrimination and disadvantage faced by GLBTI people but fails to propose any solutions, despite highlighting ideas for tackling the exclusion of a wide range of other social groups.

"We are pleased the Strategy is the first in Australia to acknowledge the exclusion GLBTI people face, but frustrated there's no pointers for how to tackle this exclusion", Mr Croome said.
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Timber Communities Australia apologises for harmful election advertising / Pledges to work on educational brochures

This media release was jointly issued by the TGLRG and Timber Communities Australia on 16.9.09.

At a joint media event today, Timber Communities Australia (TCA) Tasmanian State Manager Barry Chipman handed over letters of apology to Martine Delaney and Peter Power for ads the TCA published during the last federal election.

Ms Delaney and Mr Power made complaints to the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner over the TCA television advertisement aired during the run-up to the 2007 Federal Election.

The advertisement attacked Greens' policies relating to same-sex marriage and the legal recognition of intersex people - using poison symbols, danger signs and audio effects to describe these policies as extremely dangerous.
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