Anti-hate laws must be wider than race
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 20.4.11
Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed a state Law Reform Institute report calling for tougher laws against racial abuse, but say any reform of the Tasmania's anti-hate laws must include other grounds such as sexual orientation and gender identity.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said failure to strengthen laws against sexual and gender vilification and abuse will send the message that hate-motivated attacks against gay and transgender people are acceptable.
"Vilification and other hate-motivated crimes on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity is at least as common and just as damaging as racial abuse, and they must be subject to the same penalties", Mr Crome said.
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Tas Liberals support same-sex surrogacy after their push to ban it fails / Libs say same-sex couples can have surrogacy if they wait three way
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 12.4.11
The Tasmanian Liberal Party has decided to allow same-sex surrogacy after the Party's attempt to outlaw it failed.
The about-face occurred during debate on the Tasmanian Government's Surrogacy Bill and comes after many same-sex couples with children contacted the Liberal Party expressing outrage at the Party's original proposal allowing surrogacy for heterosexual partners and singles but criminalising it for same-sex couples.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, welcomed the Liberals' decision, but added that conditions imposed on same-sex surrogacy must be the same as those imposed on other couples entering surrogacy arrangements.
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Equality in surrogacy
This call to action was issued by the TGLRG on 6.4.11
The Tasmanian Liberal Party has proposed an amendment to the Government's Surrogacy Bill which means surrogacy will be decriminalised for heterosexual married and de facto couples, and singles, but not for same-sex couples.
By directly targeting same-sex couples, this is a deeply prejudiced and insulting amendment.
The Government will oppose the amendment, as will the Greens, so it will not pass in the Lower House.
However, it still important to protest the amendment because a) it shows the Liberals have veered to the far right after a decade of tolerance on LGBTI issues and b) the amendment will be proposed in the Upper House.
Please write to all Liberals expressing your concern about this amendment. Also write to all Upper House members urging them not to support it.
Below there is a list of dot points you can include in your letter, as well as the email addresses for all State Liberals and all Upper House members.
Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested. In the coming days I will be in touch again with details of further actions you can take on this issue.
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Christian Lobby & State Libs oppose best interests of children / 'Homophobia' tag defended
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 6.4.11
Tasmanian gay activists say the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) and the State Liberal Party are putting outdated prejudices ahead of the best interests of children by proposing the continued criminalisation of same-sex surrogacy.
Responding to claims by the ACL that it is in the best interests of children to have a father and a mother, Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said love makes a family, not gender.
"The overwhelming conclusion of parenting studies around the world is that it is in the best interests of children to have parents who love them, regardless of the gender of those parents", Mr Croome said.
"By proposing to keep same-sex surrogacy illegal, the Australian Christian Lobby and the State Liberal Party are putting outdated prejudice ahead of the best interests of the children raised by same-sex partners."
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Punished for being gay: Tas Libs to make same-sex couples criminals
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 6.4.11
Tasmanian gay activists are furious the State Liberals want same-sex surrogacy to remain a crime, despite the decriminalisation of surrogacy for heterosexual married and de facto couples, and singles.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the move will encourage prejudice and deepen stigma against same-sex couples and their children.
"The Tasmanian Liberals are making criminals of gay people for doing what the Liberals are happy for everyone else to do", Mr Croome said.
"This is a profoundly bigoted position which is at odds with the acceptance of same-sex relationships and families in Tasmanian society."
"The move is completely out of line with principles of non-discrimination in Tasmanian relationship law, and surrogacy law in the majority of other states - principles which a majority of the State Liberals have previously supported (see timeline below)."
"The only possible reason for allowing single surrogacy but not same-sex surrogacy is pure and unadulterated, homophobic prejudice."
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Same-sex marriage recognition begins in Tasmania
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 1.4.11
A new Tasmanian law recognising civil partnerships and same-sex marriages from other places came into effect on April 1st.
An amendment to the Relationships Act, passed in September last year, allows the Tasmanian Government to automatically recognise interstate civil partnerships and overseas civil partnerships and same-sex marriages after each scheme has been through an assessment process.
From April 1st, civil partnerships from Victoria, NSW, the ACT, New Zealand and the UK will be automatically recognised in Tasmania, along with civil partnerships and same-sex marriages from all thirteen Canadian provinces.
Partnerships and marriages from other jurisdictions are currently being assessed.
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Protesters brave cold to send pro-equality message
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 30.3.11
100 marriage equality supporters braved chilly weather in Hobart this evening to send a pro-equality message to those attending a church meeting against same-sex marriage at the University of Tasmania.
Protesters at the "Vigil for Equality" held up photos and personal stories of same-sex couples who wish to marry, as well as banners declaring LOVE, FAMILY, COMMITMENT = MARRIAGE EQUALITY and IF YOUR MARRIAGE NEEDS SAVING I KNOW A GOOD COUNSELLOR.
About 250 people attended the "Save Marriage" meeting at the University which was convened by the Presbyterian Church and addressed by Jim Wallace from the Australian Christian Lobby and Liberal Senator Guy Barnett.
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Bartlett law reform agenda welcomed / Childs' bashing highlights need for anti-hate law
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 24.2.11
Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed the progressive law reform agenda announced yesterday by new state Attorney-General, David Bartlett, but say it must also include laws against hate crime.
The call follows the bashing in Hobart on Sunday of celebrity musician and X-factor winner, Altiyan Childs, who was taunted by his bashers as a "dirty faggot".
"Mr Bartlett is to be applauded for proposing reform in areas like surrogacy and anti-discrimination, but the Government must also clamp down on hate-crime with tougher criminal penalties."
"Attacks motivated by hatred are too common and too vicious to be dismissed as random loutishness."
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Gays hold out hope for more 'equal, tolerant and inclusive Tasmania under Premier Giddings
This media release was issued on 24.1.11
The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group has welcomed the appointment of Lara Giddings as the State's new premier.
Spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said he looks forward to Ms Giddings' continued strong support for human rights in her new role.
"As Attorney-General, Lara Giddings showed her commitment to equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people by championing the legal recognition of same-sex parents, state civil union ceremonies and overseas same-sex marriages", Mr Croome said.
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Non-discriminatory surrogacy law welcomed
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 8.12.10
Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed the State Government's intention to legally recognise altruistic surrogacy arrangements including those involving same-sex couples.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said surrogacy is an important option for many couples wishing to become parents, including same-sex couples.
"A woman who chooses to give the gift of parenthood to a gay friend or relative should have that choice legally recognised and respected", Mr Croome said.
"It is in the best interests of all children born through altruistic surrogacy, including those raised by same-sex couples, to have the legal security and protection that the Government's proposed legislation will allow."
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