Tas Gov't to fund programs targetting anti-gay discrimination and violence / Greens secure key election commitment
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 18.6.10.
Gay community advocates have welcomed the State Government's announcement that it will contribute $150,000 to community projects which reduce prejudice, discrimination and violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) Tasmanians.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Jen Van-Achteren, said the fund, announced yesterday as part of the 2010 State Budget, will help reduce levels of workplace discrimination and hate-motived assault which are some of the highest in the nation.
"While Tasmania has some of the best laws and policies on GLBTI issues in Australia, surveys have shown community attitudes have not kept pace", Ms Van-Achteren said.
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Red Cross under fire for blood donor 'double standard'
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 16.6.10.
Gay blood donation advocates have slammed the Australian Red Cross Blood Service for "blatant double-standards" after the organisation revealed the reason behind a recent decision to make it easier for people with tattoos and piercings to give blood while maintaining the current blanket ban on gay blood donation.
Following criticism last week of new donor guidelines that reduce from 12 to 6 months the period people who have had tattoos, piercings and acupuncture must wait before giving blood, the Red Cross issued a statement saying the decision was based on "a new screening test for hepatitis B (that) shortens the window period when the infection can exist in the blood without detection".
However, gay blood donation campaigner, Michael Cain, said similar technology for detecting HIV has been used for ten years without any corresponding reduction in the current 12 month period a man who has had sex with another man must wait before he can give blood.
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Appointment of new anti-Discrimination chief welcomed
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 12.6.10.
The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group has welcomed the appointment of new Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Robin Banks.
Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said Ms Banks has a long and successful career as a human rights lawyer and advocate, including for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
"I am confident Ms Banks will be a strong defender of those Tasmanians who remain vulnerable to discrimination and prejudice", Mr Croome said.
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Red Cross challenged over new blood donor rules
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 9.6.10.
"...the Red Cross decision-making process appears at best arbitrary and at worst homophobic."
- gay blood donor campaigner, Michael Cain
Gay blood donation campaign, Michael Cain, has called on the Australian Red Cross to explain why it has made it easier for people with tattoos and piercings to give blood but has maintained its blanket ban on all gay blood donors.
According to the 2010 blood donation form, to come into force on July 4th, people receiving piercings, tattoos and acupuncture treatment, will only have to wait six months before giving blood, down from the year-long ban which previously applied.
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Gay footballers urged to ignore Akermanis's 'closet' comments / Secrecy is the real threat to team cohesion / Tas Sports Minister declares no place in sport for discrimination
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 20.5.10.
Tasmanian gay activists have urged Tasmania's gay Aussie Rules football players to ignore Jason Akermanis's call to "stay in the closet".
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said there is no room in sport for prejudice or discrimination.
"A gay player should feel equally able to be honest about his partner, his family and his life, as a heterosexual player", Mr Croome said.
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Transgender human rights advocate remembered as 'quiet trailblazer'
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on May 12th 2010.
Tasmanian transgender and gay community leaders have paid tribute to the Tasmanian transgender human rights activist, Roz Houston, who died on Monday in Burnie after a long illness.
Ms Houston was one of the first transgender Tasmanians to speak out against discrimination and prejudice.
She led pioneering efforts to educate police, teachers and community members about gender diversity, helped establish support services for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Tasmanians, and was responsible for a landmark anti-discrimination case that set new standards in anti-discrimination law across the nation.
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Tas Gov't must act on human rights charter
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 21.4.10.
Tasmanian gay activists have called on Tasmania's new Labor-Green Government to make a state Human Rights Charter a top priority.
The call comes in the wake of a statement by Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, in which he ruled out a federal human rights charter.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
"Both government parties gave firm, unqualified election commitments to a state Human Rights Charter, and they have on their desk an excellent model for such a Charter from the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute".
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Red Cross gay blood ban review welcomed / Campaigners warn review must be 'thorough and transparent'
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 12.4.10.
"I believe it's unsafe sex, not gay sex, that poses a risk to the blood supply, and if all potential blood donors - gay and straight - are screened for the safety of their sexual activity the blood supply will be even safer than it is."
- gay blood donation campaigner, Michael Cain
Australia's leading campaigner for gay blood donation, Michael Cain, said he is "very pleased" at reports today the Red Cross will review its ban on gay blood donation, but Mr Cain and his supporters cautioned that the review must be "thorough and transparent".
In today's edition of gay community newspaper, SX News, a Red Cross spokesperson, Nick McGowan, said that the organisation will review its current policy of deferring all men who have sex with other men from blood donation.
The ban was challenged by Mr Cain before the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal in 2008. The Tribunal ultimately upheld the ban, but also agreed with Mr Cain that some gay men would be low risk donors, and supported a future review.
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Tas gays push for renewed commitment on LGBTI issues
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 9.4.10.
Tasmanian gay rights advocates have welcomed the appointment of a State Labor minority government but warned that they will be seeking rapid progress in a number of areas.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
"The last Labor Government took some important steps forward, but there is still much to be done before LGBTI Tasmanians are treated equally and without prejudice, so we will not allow the Government to rest on its laurels."
"Labor is committed to improvements in LGBTI-related legislation, policy, consultation and services, and we will be holding it to all these commitments."
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Tas election result inspires hope for "rapid progress" / Community action "stopped hate"
This LGBT media release was issued by the TGLRG on 22.3.10.
Tasmanian gay activists say the Tasmanian election result holds out hope for rapid progress on LGBTI-related law reform, education and health issues.
Saturday's Tasmanian election gave no one party a majority of seats, leaving the Greens with the balance of power.
"The fact that all three parties made stronger LGBTI election commitments than ever before, the fact that many of these commitments overlap, plus the fact the Greens, who have a very detailed LGBTI policy, now have the balance of power, creates the potential for rapid and dramatic change across a wide range of areas", Mr Croome said.
"These areas include reform of the Anti-Discrimination, Relationships and Adoption Act, and better funding for school anti-homophobia programs and LGBTI support services."
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