Praise for Tas Labor over support for same-sex equality

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 7.8.11

Tasmanian gay activists have praised the State Labor Conference for supporting legal equality for same-sex couples and their families.

Today the State Conference overwhelmingly supported a motion calling on the Labor National Conference to adopt of policy in favour of same-sex marriage. Yesterday evening the conference strongly supported a motion calling for same-sex couples to be allowed to adopt.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said legal discrimination has no place in Tasmanian society.

"Labor's support for same-sex equality in marriage and adoption law sends a clear message that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Tasmanians have an equal and valued place in family and community life", Mr Croome said.

"This is the second time Tasmanian Labor has endorsed marriage equality which highlights just how out-of-step Julia Gillard is with Labor rank and file."

"The current bar on same-sex adoption stigmatises same-sex couples and their families, and is not in the best interests children, including those children fostered by same-sex couples who would benefit from adoption by their foster parents."

In 2009 the Tasmanian Labor Party State Conference was the first in the nation to support same-sex marriage. It has since been joined by all state and territory branches except New South Wales which deferred the issue to the Party's National Conference.

Since 2003 step-parent adoption has been available to same-sex couples in Tasmania, but they are barred from adopting children relinquished by other people. All forms of same-sex adoption are permitted in WA, the ACT and NSW.

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

~ Further background: same-sex marriage and adoption in Tasmania

In 2003 Tasmania adopted Australia's first civil partnership scheme. In 2005 it was the first state to debate state same-sex marriage legislation proposed by the Greens. In 2010 it became the first state to recognise overseas same-sex marriages in state law.

Only one or two Tasmanian children a year require adoption by non-related couples, but same-sex couples are permitted to foster and there are instances where the foster child would benefit from adoption by his or her same-sex foster parents. Earlier this year the Tasmanian Government moved to legalise altruistic surrogacy arrangements, including those involving same-sex couples.