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...

Tas move to recognise interstate and overseas personal unions welcomed / Recognition of voerseas same-sex marriages as Tas civil partnerships 'sensible and respectful'

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 31.8.10

Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed the passage of legislation through the State Lower House which will allow couples in interstate or overseas unions to be automatically recognised under Tasmanian law without the need to re-register their relationship.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said couples in Tasmanian Deeds of Relationship (a form of civil partnership) are already recognised in other states and in some countries overseas, and reciprocal recognition of couples will bring important benefits to couples travelling in, or relocating to, Tasmania.

"Couples in Tasmanian Deeds of Relationship have benefitted in a range of areas from being recognised in places like the UK and New Zealand, and couples coming to Tasmania will benefit in similar ways when their unions are recognised here", Mr Croome said.
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Major parties disappoint on key GLBTI issues

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 18.8.10

Tasmanian gay activists say the major parties' responses on key issues facing GLBTI Tasmanians is disappointing

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that in their written responses to the Group's election survey both Labor and the Liberals confirmed their opposition to marriage equality.

"The opposition of the major parties to allowing same-sex couples to marry is a scandal given that 60% of Australians support this reform", Mr Croome said.

Mr Croome said Labor has the edge on the Liberals by giving a stronger commitment to national laws preventing discrimination in the workplace and by promising to fund programs to reduce higher levels of discrimination against GLBTI people in aged care facilities and higher levels of suicide among young GLBTI people.
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Rally for marriage equality sends message to major parties: 'you're out of touch'

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 14.8.10

600 supporters of same-sex marriage attended a rally this afternoon in Hobart where federal election candidates who support reform knocked down a symbolic wall of discrimination.

The larger-than-expected crowd heard candidates for the Green, Democrat, Secular and Socialist Alliance Parties as well as Tasmanian gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) community representatives Martine Delaney and Rodney Croome.

Ms Delaney said the rally sent a strong message to the major parties that they are out of touch with mainstream opinion.
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Libs 'no show' at Launceston gay community election forum / Hobart rally for same-sex marriage to hear from candidates

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 13.8.10.

Tasmanian gay activists are disappointed the Liberal Party failed to send a representative to last night's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community election forum in Launceston.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said about 30 people quizzed candidates from the Labor, Green, Democrat and Secular Parties, as well as independents, on issues ranging from same-sex marriage and discrimination laws to tackling higher rates of suicide among young gay and transgender people.

"This was the first gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community election forum since 1996 that a Liberal representative has not attended, and that sends a strong message to the community that the Liberals do not care about our issues and do not want our votes."
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Napier remembered as a campaigner for individual freedom

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 5.8.10

Tasmanian gay activists have praised former Tasmanian Liberal leader, Sue Napier, following news she has died after a two year battle with cancer.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

"On issues affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, particularly the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 1997, Sue Napier was a voice for individual rights and human compassion within the Liberal Party."

"Mrs Napier made an invaluable contribution to a more inclusive and tolerant Tasmania, and many Tasmanians will mourn her passing."

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Tasmanian Liberal candidate declares support for same-sex marriage

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 4.8.10

The Liberal Party candidate in the Hobart-based seat of Denison, Cameron Simpkins, has said he will "take up the sword" for same-sex marriage if elected on August 21st.

Speaking last night at a Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group election forum in Hobart, Mr Simpkins described the problems facing his gay friends and family members because of legal and social discrimination, and said he personally supports allowing same-sex couples to marry even though the Liberal Party opposes the reform.

"I believe in personal freedom - people should be able to live their lives without the government telling us what to do or in this case who to love", Mr Simpkins said.

"If I am elected and there is a conscience vote within the Liberal Party to allow same-sex couples to marry, I will vote for that for reform."

"I will take up the sword for full legal equality for all Australians whether they are heterosexual or homosexual."
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Tasmanian LGBTI federal election forums

You are invited to our forums in Hobart and Launceston and the National Day of Action rally in Hobart.

The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group is conducting two candidate forums for the 2010 federal election.

Candidates from a range of political parties will be present to offer their views on GLBTI issues and to take questions from GLBTI community members.

It would be wonderful if you could come. Please also pass on the details to others. Full details are below.

Also below, please find details for the rally in Hobart on Saturday August 14th to mark the National Day of Action of Marriage Equality.

Please call me if you have any questions.

All the best,
Rodney Croome.
0409 010 668

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Libs fail to sign election anti-hate pledge / Delaney vows to challenge any election hate materials

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 31.7.10.

For downloadable photos from pledge signing visit:
http://news.webshots.com/album/578289497oFfrdC

The Liberal Party has again failed to sign a pledge against election hate, despite all other major parties and independents signing the pledge today at Salamanca Market in Hobart.

Today's pledge signing was a response to election advertising authorised by the Liberal Party and members of the Exclusive Brethren during the 2006 state election, and the Liberal Party and Timber Communities Australia during the 2007 federal election, which vehemently attacked the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people.

Human rights campaigner, Martine Delaney, who has challenged anti-GLBTI election material before the State Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, securing apologies from members of the Exclusive Brethren and from Timber Communities Australia, said the pledge is designed to set a higher standard for electioneering.
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Coalition election commitments 'disappointing'

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 30.7.10

The Federal Coalition's response to the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group's election survey has been described as "disappointing".

In its response the Coalition says it
- recognises there may be a need for stronger national laws to stop discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, but does not commit to supporting these laws
- will seriously consider a report recommending the removal of discrimination against transgender and intersex people (although it mis-names the report), and
- supports the UN Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

However, the Coalition has ruled out allowing same-sex marriages or civil unions and have no plans to specifically address health problems or violence faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people.
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