Gay businesses push boycott campaign
By Kath Gelber
The struggle to repeal Tasmania's anti-gay laws has taken on a new edge with the launch of a boycott campaign by gay businesses around Australia and internationally. The campaign aims to put economic pressure on Tasmanian businesses to force the repeal of Sections 122 and 123 of the Tasmanian Crimes Act which criminalise homosexuality.
Tasmania's food and beverage industry is worth $500 million a year in revenue. At least 250 gay-owned or run businesses in Australia have so far agreed to participate in the boycott by refusing to stock or sell items such as King Island dairy products, Cadbury chocolates, Tasmanian smoked salmon, apples, pears, oysters, scallops, wine and Cascade beer. Twenty nine Tasmanian businesses have been notified in writing of the boycott campaign.
Businesses such as the Brisbane "Free Business Association" have been joined by importers in New Zealand, Indonesia and the United Kingdom. Anecdotal evidence from individuals supporting the campaign suggests that some Sydney restaurants are missing half their menus!
Some Tasmanian businesses have already responded to the boycott. Dick Friend, chairman of the "Buy Tasmania" campaign has stated that some firms will consider demanding compensation from the state government if their sales are adversely affected.
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce, however, is attempting to blame the organisers of the boycott for any loss in income to the state.
The boycott demonstrates the huge support that exists in other states for a repeal of Tasmania's antiquated laws. The TGLRG reports that gays and lesbians in Tasmania are experiencing a greater level of abuse and harassment on the streets and blames government inaction — both federal and state.
Federal Attorney-General Michael Lavarch is delaying taking action to override Tasmania's anti-gay laws and at this stage the Tasmanian government remains unrelentingly opposed to repeal of the laws.
In the meantime the campaign continues. A public meeting was held in Hobart on July 14 to express support for law reform, and the TGLRG is continuing its campaign of gay men "turning themselves in" to police, highlighting the fact that the law is unenforceable.