Groundbreaking gay blood ban case starts Thursday
This media alert was issued by the TGLRG on 5.8.08.
What: start of gay blood donor case
Where: Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, Magistrates Court, 23-25 Liverpool St, Hobart
When: 10am, Thursday 7th August with opening addresses for 3-4 hours
Who: gay blood donation litigant, Michael Cain, TGLRG spokesperson, Rodney Croome
More: www.gayblooddonation.org
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The first full hearing in a groundbreaking gay blood ban case begins in Hobart this Thursday before the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.
The case was lodged in 2005 by Launceston gay man, Michael Cain, after he was refused the opportunity to give blood at the Launceston blood collection centre because he indicated he was in a sexual relationship with another man.
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Bullying shame sparks call for more school anti-homophobia funding / Commitment of independent schools questioned
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 3.8.08.
Tasmanian gay activists have called on the State Government to increase funding for school anti-homophobia programs in an effort to reduce bullying.
The call comes in the wake of the revelation that 40 Tasmanian students are suspended for bullying every week.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that anti-gay prejudice is one of the leading causes of school-yard bullying.
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'Historic' Canberra forum tackles same-sex reform
This LGBT media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 28.7.08.
Federal Government agencies have met with members of the gay and lesbian community to discuss same-sex couple law reforms.
The meeting, last Wednesday, was convened by the Attorney-General's Department to thrash out technical legal matters and discuss how reform will be implemented.
Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson, Corey Irlam, described the forum as "historic".
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Call for AFL anti-homophobia policy
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 27.7.08.
Gay rights advocates have called on the AFL to adopt an anti-homophobia policy that parallels its successful anti-racism policy.
Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that players and club staff should be able to contribute to the game without fear of discrimination.
"The AFL has a long tradition of tolerance and inclusion which an anti-homophobia policy will build on", Mr Croome said.
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Supporters of equality urged to write to couple inquiries
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 8.7.08.
The Australian Coalition for Equality (ACE) has urged all members of the LGBTI community to take 5 minutes to make a submission to the current Senate inquiries into the rights of same-sex couples.
ACE Spokesperson, Corey Irlam, said "We urge the LGBTI community to mobilise, be loud and vocal by making a personal submission to the Senate inquiries, to prevent a watered down version of equality.”
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Support for gay marriage free vote / Call for inquiry to 'hear community voice'
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on July 1st, 2008.
Gay activists have welcomed a move by the Greens to secure a free vote from the major parties on the issue of same-sex marriage, adding that a parliamentary inquiry is also necessary to hear the community's voice on the issue.
According to Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome,
"Those MPs in major parties who support the principle of marriage equality should have the right to demonstrate this support", Mr Croome said.
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Same-sex couple Family Court access applauded
This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 25.6.08.
Gay and lesbian rights advocates have welcomed a Federal Government initiative to allow property disputes between former same-sex de facto partners to be resolved by the Family Court.
Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson, Corey Irlam, said that the move will mean partners in same-sex relationships which have broken down will no longer be required to resolve their disputes in state Supreme Courts.
"Equal access to the Family Court will mean disputes can be resolved with less expense, less trauma, and greater privacy", Mr Irlam said.
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State same-sex marriage law welcomed / Right to marry key to legal equality
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 20.6.08.
Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed moves to enact state same-sex marriage legislation.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that marriage is an important way to affirm the love and commitment in relationships, and should not exclude same-sex couples.
"Same-sex couples wish to marry for all the same reasons as heterosexual couples, and they should have that choice", Mr Croome said.
"It's painful for many same-sex couples to see their counterparts in places like California taking solemn legal vows of life-long commitment while knowing they cannot do the same in their own country."
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Settlement reached in Tas gay hate cases
This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 17.6.08.
Tasmanian gay activists have announced the successful conclusion of gay hate speech cases against radio announcer, John Laws, and TV personality, Sam Newman.
Michael Dempsey, the man behind the claims launched in 2005, said a settlement had been reached in both cases and he is pleased by the outcome.
"I agreed not to reveal the details of the settlement, but I can say I will not benefit personally, and that I am very happy with the outcome because it will be of great, on-going benefit to the Tasmanian gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community", Mr Dempsey said.
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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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