TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday December 9th 1998
TAS PARLIAMENT PASSES HUMAN RIGHTS LAW
TAS GAY LAWS "AUSTRALIA'S BEST"
The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group's ten year campaign for
anti-discrimination legislation ended today with the passage of
what it
describes as one of the country's best Anti-discrimination Acts.
Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that the passage of
the Act
should be a source of immense pride for all Tasmanians.
"This is one of the best pieces of anti-discrimination legislation
in the
country and its passage through Parliament reflects and enshrines
the
tolerant, inclusive and diverse society which Tasmania has
become", Mr
Croome said.
"It allows lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people to
participate
fully in Tasmanian society without fear of exclusion and unfair
treatment."
"For Tasmania's sexual minorities the passage of this legislation
is cause
for particular pride and celebration because, together with the
equality we
achieved last year under the criminal law, this Act allow us to
live under
what is arguably the most favourable legal regime enjoyed by
lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgendered people anywhere in Australia."
The Anti-discrimination Act makes it unlawful to discriminate or
incite
hatred on the ground of sexual orientation. There are no
exemptions.
The legislation was passed but amended slightly by the Upper House
last
night. The amendments were accepted by the Lower House early this
afternoon.
Until the passage of the Anti-discrimination Act Tasmania was the
only
state without broad-based anti-discrimination legislation. Four
Anti-discrimination Bills were unsuccessfully put before the
Parliament
before the passage of the current Act.
The passage of the Anti-discrimination Bill through the Upper
House
coincides with the tenth anniversary of the end of the arrests at
Salamanca
Market in 1988, as well as the fiftieth anniversary of the
Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
For further information contact the TGLRG office on
(03) 6224 3556 BH, (03) 6223 2309 AH, (03) 6223 6136 Fax.
You can also page us on (03) 6223 3866 quoting 37294.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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