Protests target Tasmania's anti-gay laws
By Tom Flanagan
Protests demanding the repeal of Tasmania's anti-gay laws were held in a number of cities on July 14.
Rohan Gaiswinkler reports from Hobart that 800 people attended a rally in City Hall. The rally called for the removal of Sections 122 and 123 of Tasmania's criminal code that outlaw consenting sex between adult males in private.
Organised by the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group (TGLRG), the rally heard from representatives of the TGLRG, Amnesty International, the Tasmanian Greens, the Labor state opposition and the Democrats.
Common themes expressed by the speakers were the precedence of human rights over so-called state's rights, and the contribution of the anti-gay law to ignorance, fear and hatred. Speakers pointed out that Liberal politicians in Tasmania were whipping up hysteria about homosexuality for short-term political gain.
Rodney Croome from the TGLRG received loud applause when he noted that while politicians such as state attorney general Ron Cornish and federal Liberal MP Chris Miles were making a fuss about men getting into bed with other men, they were prepared to get into bed with the far right.
Croome attacked Cornish for using the bible to justify anti-gay laws and called on the federal government to overturn the "ridiculous laws that make gay men criminals because of who they love".
Lavinia Savell, also from the TGLRG, explained that even though Tasmania's anti-gay laws make no mention of lesbian sex, the laws do oppress lesbians. This is because they amount to state-sanctioned homophobia, of which lesbians are a target.
Speaking on behalf of Amnesty International, Katie Ault told the crowd that the Tasmanian government was damaging the movement for human rights world wide. "In rejecting the UN's judgement, the Tasmanian government has attacked the only mechanism we have for international human rights protection", she said.
In Sydney, Tyrion Perkins reports that a lively picket was held outside the Tasmanian Government Tourist Bureau. Protesters waved placards, blew whistles and chanted "We're here, we're queer, and we're not going to Tasmania". Passers-by showed their support by signing a petition calling for the repeal of the anti-gay laws.
In Brisbane, twenty people picketed the office of the Tasmanian Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation.
Further events in the campaign for gay and lesbian rights are planned. People interested in getting involved can contact the TGLRG on (002) 243 556.