Council arrest apology claims rejected
This LGBT media release was issued by the TGLRG on 16.6.08.
Tasmanian gay activist, Rodney Croome, has rejected claims by two Hobart City Councillors that the banning of a gay law reform stall from Salamanca Market in 1988 was justified.
Alderman John Freeman has claimed the stall was distributing sexually-explicit material, while Alderman Darlene Haigh has said there were numerous complaints against the stall.
Their claims were sparked by last week's endorsement of an apology for the stall-banning by the Council's Community Development Committee.
Mr Croome said there was no sexually-explicit material on the stall and that the ban was sparked by a single, anonymous complaint.
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Council urged to support gay arrest apology
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 12.6.08.
Tasmanian gay activists have urged the Hobart City Council to say "sorry" for closing down a gay law reform stall at Salamanca Market 20 years ago and ordering the arrest of over 100 stall supporters.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said an apology would sent a clear message that Tasmania is now a far more open and inclusive society than it was when gay activists began campaigning for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1988.
"It was a traumatic time for everyone involved, and an apology will allow there to reconciliation between those who were arrested and those who did the arresting", Mr Croome said.
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Same-sex law reform letter presented to Nelson / Strong LGBT presence at Gov't human rights consultation
This LGBT media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 12.6.08.
A coalition of LGBT human rights organisations has presented a letter to Opposition Leader, Brendan Nelson, asking him not to delay reform of superannuation laws to recognise same-sex couples.
The letter, initiated by the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, also sought a meeting with Dr Nelson and included case studies of same-sex partners for whom reform is very urgent.
The Opposition has said it will establish a Senate inquiry into reform to look at issues such as the recognition of interdependent relationships.
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Call for gay blood donor review in wake of teen donor reform
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on June 6, 2008
In the wake of a reduction of the Tasmanian blood donor age to 16, gay activists have called on state health officials and the Red Cross to review the ban on gay blood donation.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that gay men who have safe sex within monogamous relationships are at less risk of HIV infection than many heterosexuals who have unsafe sex but are still allowed to donate blood.
"If the guidelines can be changed to allow younger people to donate, why not gay men whose blood is safe", Mr Croome said.
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Same-sex partners "not companions" / Concern over possible delays to same-sex law
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 4.6.08.
Gay rights advocates have strongly opposed any attempt to badge same-sex couples as "interdependents" or companions.
During debate this evening on a Rudd Government law removing discrimination against same-sex de facto partners, Opposition leader, Brendan Nelson, flagged that the Coalition will attempt to amend the legislation to recognise companions, and possibly include same-sex partners within that category.
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Gov't move on gay couple super welcomed / Commitment sought on family law / In-principle support for recognition of 'companions"
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 28.5.08.
Gay rights advocates have welcomed the Federal Government's first step towards removing financial discrimination against same-sex couples, with amendments to superannuation and government pension laws introduced today.
Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that the reforms have the support of the great majority of Australians and will have a positive impact on the lives of same-sex partners and their children.
"Same-sex couples will breath a sigh of relief because they will soon have the same level of financial security as their heterosexual counterparts in the event of retirement or death", Mr Croome said.
"We call on the private superannuation funds affected by this change to ensure they implement equal treatment for all couples as quickly as possible."
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Gays have high hopes for Bartlett / Giddings
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 27.5.08.
Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed the appointment of David Bartlett to the office of State Premier.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that Mr Bartlett, and his Deputy, Lara Giddings, have excellent records on social inclusion and human rights.
"We are hopeful Mr Bartlett will re-invigorate the legal and social reform program that characterised the early years of the current State Labor Government", Mr Croome said.
"We are confident he will be a premier for all Tasmanians."
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'Short on romance'
This letter to the editor was sent to the Australian newspaper on 26.5.08. An extract from the article by Christian Kerr to which the letters responds comes first.
(From 'Gay outcry, roos in the land of Grassby lovers', the Weekend Australian, May 24-25, p31)
Exciting (the new ACT registry) may be, but it can also come up a little short on romance. Couples wishing to register their relationship have four options to choose from. Two of these are simply over-the-counter transactions: pay $192.50, get the paperwork fixed and that’s it.
They can go down the path of a full commitment ceremony with a civil celebrant, but that will give them no further legal standing. The process effectively offers nothing but a statutory declaration.
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Letters to the Editor
The Australian
Dear Editor,
In his recent commentary on the new ACT civil partnerships scheme, Christian Kerr mischaraterises this scheme in a way which illustrates a broader misunderstanding in Australia about what constitutes a civil union.
Partnership certificates, as they are currently issued in Tasmania, the ACT or soon Victoria, are not as Kerr claims "effectively statutory declarations".
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Former Family Court chief calls on Rudd Gov't to broaden gay reform proposal
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 22.5.08.
One of Australia's most senior former judges has written to the Federal Government urging it to allow same-sex couples access to the Family Court, and to recognise state civil union registries in federal law.
Professor Alastair Nicholson, who is the former Chief Justice of the Family Court, has appealed to the Government on the eve of the introduction of reforms which will give equal financial and workplace entitlements to same-sex de facto partners.
"As a long-time supporter of equal legal treatment for same-sex couples and their families, I want to see the Government's proposed reform remove as much discrimination as possible", Professor Nicholson said.
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Criticism of national same-sex law reform slated / Benefits of recognition will far outweigh costs
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 19.5.08.
The Australian Coalition for Equality says that the Federal Government's proposal for removing discrimination against same-sex relationships in national law will bring wide ranging financial benefits to same-sex partners.
ACE spokesperson, Rod Swift, was responding to claims by the Coming Out Proud Program that reform will impose a financial cost to partners without any gain in symbolic recognition through a national civil union scheme.
"Equality for same-sex de facto couples will mean financial benefits and entitlements in many different areas including Medicare, taxation, pensions and superannuation", Mr Swift said.
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