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...

Red Cross accused of 'playing on fear' as gay blood ban case closes

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 17.11.08.

The landmark Tasmanian case on gay blood donation has ended with claims the Red Cross is 'playing on fear'.

Peter Tree SC, lawyer for Launceston man, Michael Cain, who was refused the opportunity to donate blood in 2004 when he revealed to Red Cross staff he was in a sexual relationship with another man, has told the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal that the Red Cross has exaggerated the HIV risk associated with male-to-male sex.

"Witnesses for the Red Cross have consistently over-stated the risk of men who have sex with men being infected with HIV or passing it on", Mr Tree said.

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Passage of Fed gay parent law puts pressure on Tas Gov

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 10.11.08.

Tasmanian gay activists say the passage of a federal law recognising both parents of children born to same-sex couples through IVF and surrogacy arrangements puts pressure on the Tasmanian Government to do the same.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that the State Government has dragged its feet on the recognition of same-sex parents.

"Children born through IVF or surrogacy benefit from the legal and emotional security that comes from having two legally-recognised parents rather than one", Mr Croome said.

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Gays hopeful of further reform after family bill passed / Pressure increases tp pass Vic parent reform

This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 10.11.08.

Gay rights advocates are hopeful that financial and legal discrimination against same-sex partners will soon be eliminated from federal law following the passage today of a Family Law amendment recognising unmarried and same-sex co-parents where children are born through IVF and surrogacy.

Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson Corey Irlam said,

“The recognition of same-sex parents was arguably the most controversial aspect of those reforms needed to provide equity in federal law, and the fact it has been supported by the Senate gives us hope further reform in areas like superannuation will pass with overwhelming support".

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Removing blood ban would help save lives

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 7.11.08.

The Red Cross would have more safe blood available for people in need if it accepted blood from gay men who have safe sex.

The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal in Hobart has heard closing submissions in the case of Launceston man Michael Cain who was refused the opportunity to give blood in 2004 because he indicated he was in a same-sex relationship.

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Gay blood donor case hears final 'crucial' evidence

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 31.10.08.

Gay activists have described as "crucial", final evidence presented today to the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal in a case against the Australian gay blood ban initiated by Launceston gay man, Michael Cain.

In a written statement, leading US epidemiologist and bio-statistician, Dr Scott Halpern, challenged calculations of risk associated with allowing gay blood donation that were also presented today by Australian epidemiologist and former Red Cross advisor, Prof John Kaldor.

Dr Halpern said that Prof Kaldor had significantly over-estimated the prevalence of HIV in the gay community and failed to distinguish multiple from monogamous relationships in a way which "will result in the highest possible risk".

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Applause for Tas Gov's human rights and social inclusion initiatives

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 30.10.08.

"If there had been a charter of rights in Tasmania in the 1990s, our former anti-gay laws could have been judged in a Tasmanian court according to standards set by Tasmanians, rather than by judges on the other side of the world. It's time to bring human rights home."
- TGLRG spokesperson, Rodney Croome

Gay rights advocates have welcomed a State Government commitment to investigate a charter of rights and develop a social inclusion strategy.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that vulnerable Tasmanians including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people still suffer prejudice, discrimination and violence.

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Same-sex law reform passes important hurdle / Call on Opposition to drop objections to detail of reform

This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 16.10.08.

Gay rights advocates today welcomed amendments to the Family Law Act recognising children born to same-sex partners through IVF and surrogacy.

Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson, Corey Irlam, praised the decision of Senators "to act in the best interests of children".

"It is in the best interests of the children raised by same-sex partners for both their parents to have the same legal rights and responsibilities as parents of children who are in an opposite sex relationship", Mr Irlam said.

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Kirby "confused" over partnership registries / Tas/ACT schemes "some of the best in the world"

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 16.10.08.

Academics and activists say retiring High Court judge, Michael Kirby, is confused about the civil partnership registries that currently operate in Tasmania and the A.C.T.

Yesterday Justice Kirby said the registration of relationships is "rather like a dog or busker's licence".

In response, Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, dismissed the comment as "confused".

"All important life events - including births, deaths and marriages - are registered on a register by a registrar in a registry, and the registration of a civil partnership is no different", Mr Croome said.

"I share Justice Kirby's deep disappointment that same-sex couples are not permitted to marry in Australia, but it is unfair of him to direct his indignation at state and territory civil registries."

"They were not intended as a substitute for same-sex marriage, but as an alternative way for couples who can't or don't wish to marry to formalise their unions."

Australian National University law lecturer, Wayne Morgan, said that Australia's civil registries are not only fully-fledged civil union schemes but some of the best of the kind in the world.

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HIV researcher says STIs no basis for gay blood ban

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 30.9.08.

HIV researcher, Prof John Kaldor, has agreed rates of sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV are not a basis upon which to ban gay men from blood donation.

The concession came during evidence from Prof Kaldor to the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal hearing into gay blood donation which continued in Hobart today.

During his evidence, Prof Kaldor has also agree that gay oral sex is safe and that having a period of celibacy from gay anal sex that is longer than the current HIV-detection period of nine days is "conservative".
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