Gay-bashing victim applauded for speaking out / Call for Tas Gov't to do more to stop gate hate crime
These media releases were issued by the TGLRG on July 4th 2011
Tasmanian gay activists have applauded a young Ulverstone gay-bashing victim for speaking out and have called on the State Government to do more to curb anti-gay hate crime.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the attack on Daniel Stanley, 23 of Ulverstone, last Sunday was not an isolated incident and resembles a practice known in Tasmania as "fag-running" where gangs of youths in cars follow men suspected of being gay, cornering and bashing them, and then boasting about it on facebook.
"Unfortunately most of the victims of anti-gay hate crime are too scared to report to the police, or, if they do report, hide the fact it was a hate crime, so I applaud this young man for taking action particularly when his bashers threatened reprisal", Mr Croome said.
"The only way to end this kind of unacceptable violence is a two-fold strategy of anti-homohobia courses in all schools and increasing penalties for hate crime."
"Despite the fact that homophobia still runs deeper in Tasmania than in other parts of Australia, the State Government has dropped the ball on this issue in the past few years, with relevant initiatives in education, justice and policing all grinding to a halt."
"Education Minister, Nick McKim, Attorney-General, Brian Wightman, and Police Minister, David O'Byrne, know exactly what they should be doing in their respective ministerial roles to make Tasmania a safer place for gay people, and I urge them to act now to prevent yet more bashings, or God forbid, a murder."
For the original news report, go to:
http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/bashed-for-being-gay/2214403.aspx
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
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TAS GAY COMMUNITY ANGER OVER BASHING
Tasmanian gay advocates say there has been an angry response within the state's gay community to the bashing of openly-gay Ulverstone man, Daniel Stanley, as well as admiration for Mr Stanley's stand.
"There is shock and anger in Tasmania's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community about what happened to Daniel Stanley", Mr Croome said.
"We don't accept this kind of violence and abuse as part of our lives any more, and neither should any one else."
"As well as anger, there is a strong desire for the Government and the community to take responsibility for ending this kind of violence."
"The only way to end this kind of unacceptable violence is a two-fold strategy of anti-homohobia courses in all schools and increasing penalties for hate crime."
"Tasmania's reputation will suffer if the authorities fail to respond effectively to gay hate crime."
Mr Croome labelled Mr Stanley "a hero".
"In the GLBT community there is profound admiration for the stand Daniel has taken despite threats of reprisals against him. He may not realise it, but he is a hero in the eyes of lots of people including me."
"My advice to GLBT Tasmanians is to be vigilant, don't be out alone after dark, and write to your local politicians calling for action."
For the original news report, go to:
http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/bashed-for-being-gay/2214403.aspx
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.