NSW government finally issues apology 40 years after state’s brutal anti-gay laws overturned
Lismore Labor MP Janelle Saffin has joined other Northern Rivers residents applauding a long-awaited NSW government apology four decades after anti-gay laws were tossed out.
Lismore
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lismore. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Lismore Labor MP Janelle Saffin has applauded a historic and long-awaited apology from the NSW government four decades after unjust anti-gay laws were tossed out.
The Northern Rivers has a vocal and active LGBTIQ+ community, though it took until the early 1970-80s for homosexual people, for example, to gain increasing acceptance locally.
There is about 20 LGBTIQ+ support groups in the region, ACON Northern Rivers states.
Tropical Fruits Inc, which began in 1988, is one prominent not-for-profit community group in the Northern Rivers.
One of the largest regional LGBTIQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and people of other diverse sexualities) organisations in Australia, Tropical Fruits hosts a popular New Year’s Eve festival annually.
Ms Saffin lives locally and said it was a privilege to be part of the NSW parliament apology on Thursday.
“It was important to say to the men who’ve been subject to this criminal law that on behalf of the parliament and the people: we’re sorry that they had to suffer,” she said.
“For some of them, it broke their lives.
“It was really nice that some of the men were there, including one who had been prosecuted under that law. It was very moving. There were a lot of tears.”
Ms Saffin said the apology demonstrated “parliament at its best”.
“ … when everyone comes together in absolute agreement,” she explained.
“Today, 40 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality, it seems incomprehensible that we would have criminalised who you can have a relationship with.
“We all get an opportunity to speak on the apology and I will speak on behalf of our area at a later date.”
Social Futures CEO Tony Davies also welcomed the significant apology for the region.
“Social Futures recognises this occasion as another significant step forward on the path to greater inclusion, and freedom from discrimination,” he said.
He said as an organisation, Social Futures “actively supports” the LGBTIQ+ community and celebrates “the diversity that enriches our society”.
The state is the last in the country to apologise for laws targeting homosexuality, which were reformed through the Crimes (Amendment) Bill while Labor premier Neville Wran was in power.
In a formal statement on Thursday, Premier Chris Minns “unreservedly” apologised to people who suffered under old laws, including those locked up due to their sexuality.
Mr Minns said the laws “persecuted, and harmed” many and there was still much more work to do to ensure the equal rights of all” of the community.
“We’re here to apologise for every life that was damaged or diminished or destroyed by these unjust laws,” he said to a packed public viewing gallery,” he said.
“To those who survived these terrible years and to those who never made it through, we are truly sorry.
“As a state, we told you were wrong. But the truth is you are never wrong. These laws were wrong.”
During his speech before a packed public gallery, Mr Minns said the laws largely targeted gay men, but also “suppressed the relationships of women”
A statement signed by 29 relevant organisations tabled to parliament asked to have “rainbow elders” honoured for their bravery.
The LGBTIQ+ groups called on the government to “make it better” for the next generation by finishing “unfinished business of 1984”.
Advocates pointed to situations including gay and transgender teachers being legally fired or otherwise cut from private schools, to transgender people being denied identifying documents
“Let’s make 2024 the year that NSW finally removes all the remaining discrimination facing LGBTIQ+ people in our laws,” the statement read.
Equality Australia legal director Ghassan Kassisieh said the old laws created a climate of fear and prejudice the community still grappled with.
He noted a parliamentary inquiry has recommended a LGBTIQ+ Equality Bill proceed for parliamentary consideration.
Mr Kassisieh said: “It would close carve-outs that allow religious schools and organisations to discriminate against LGBTIQ people, better protect people from violence, recognise more rainbow families and ensure trans people can access birth certificates without cruel and unnecessary barriers.”
Lismore sale and auction results, week ending February 1
Lismore recorded 16 property sales over a million dollars last week, the latest auction and sales results reveal.
Pair busted after alleged pursuit followed by crash
A 33-year-old Kempsey man and a 25-year-old Kempsey woman remain in custody on remand after being charged with alleged property and driving offences following pursuit and crash on the Mid-North Coast.