Complaints lodged against illegal Nazi vandalism of trans memorial

Media Release

Thursday March 20th 2025

The Tasmanian LGBTIQA+ community has taken action over the defacing of a memorial for transgender woman, Marjorie Harwood.

The memorial, near Risdon Brook roundabout, was vandalised with a Nazi symbol, which is now illegal in Tasmania, prompting a report to the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and a complaint to Tasmania Police.

Community members are also exploring the possibility of improving the memorial’s security to prevent future attacks.

Tasmanian transgender advocate, Martine Delaney, who helped clean and restore the memorial, said,

“As well as desecrating the memory of Marjorie and effectively attacking all trans folk, the use of illegal Nazi symbols should be of concern to all Tasmanians who want to live in an inclusive and hate-free society.”

“We will not rest until this memorial is safe from hate, which is the reason we have reported this to the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and the police, and why we are looking at further security measures.”

“We will never be the quiet and passive victims haters want us to be.”

Equality Tasmania President, Dr Ash Russell, said,

“The attack on Marjorie’s memorial shows why it is important for Parliament to pass the State Government’s proposed hate-crime legislation.”

“The proposed law will send the message that hate has no place in Tasmanian society, including hate against LGBTIQA+ people.

In 2017, despite being identified on prison files as a trans woman, Marjorie Harwood was housed in the men’s prison, and beaten and raped by five male inmates. When it seemed likely she would be incarcerated again in 2018, she refused treatment for a congenital kidney condition and died a month later. 

The community memorial was created in 2021 by Martine Delaney and Marjorie’s mother, Rosemary Harwood. 

A photo of the memorial with the Nazi symbol and a photo of the memorial with the symbol erased are attached.

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Martine Delaney on 0417 530 621 or Ash Russell on 0447 378 689.

HOBART COUNCIL REPLACES STOLEN PRIDE FLAGS. TASMANIA POLICE INVESTIGATING THEFT

Media Release

Monday February 17th 2025

“The fact the flags are flying again shows that love wins.” 

– Rodney Croome

Equality Tasmania has praised Hobart City Council and Tasmanian Police for their response to the theft of three pride flags from outside Hobart Town Hall last week.

The flags, originally hoisted for the annual TasPride festival, were replaced by the Council today.

Meanwhile, Tasmanian Police has launched an investigation into the theft.

Equality Tasmanian spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“We thank Hobart City Council, Tasmania Police and TasPride for their response to the theft of the three Pride Flags flying outside the Town Hall.”

“The possibility the theft may have been hate-motivated highlights the need for public authorities to show their support for the LGBTIQA+ community and opposition to prejudice.”

“The fact the flags are flying again shows that love wins.”

Police LGBTIQA+ Coordinator, Inspector Scott Mackenzie, said Tasmania Police are investigating the theft of the flags.

“We are taking this matter seriously and collaborating with the Hobart City Council to identify those responsible and bringing them to justice. I understand the impact this incident has on the LGBTIQA+ community.”

Equality Tasmania and TasPride are working with the Hobart City Council to ensure the new Pride Flags will be more secure and are cooperating with the Tasmania Police investigation.

If anyone has any information about the theft they can contact police directly, or through the LGBTIQA+ Liaison Network at LGBTIQA.Liaison@dpfem.tas.gov.au, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A photo of the new flags hoisted today is attached.

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

CONCERN THAT TASMANIAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL LGBTIQA+ POLICIES ILLEGAL

Media Release

Friday February 14th 2025

Tasmanian Catholic school authorities have admitted to policies that may breach the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act, drawing criticism from LGBTIQA+ community advocates.

Earlier today, Catholic Education Tasmania and the Archbishop of Hobart, Julian Porteous, admitted to a Tasmanian parliamentary school discrimination inquiry that Catholic schools do not affirm the gender identity of trans and gender diverse students and do not promote gay teachers to senior positions.

In his evidence to the inquiry Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“I am very concerned that these policies appear to be in breach of the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act.”

“The Act makes it very clear that faith-based schools cannot discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“I am also concerned about the negative impact of these policies on LGBTIQA+ people and school communities.”

“Local and national research shows that not affirming a young person’s gender identity can be disastrous for their mental health, while not promoting staff because they are gay means students and parents aren’t necessarily getting the best teachers for the job.”

Catholic Education Tasmania and Archbishop Porteous said their actions are protected by the federal Sex Discrimination Act because it has an exemption for faith-based schools and federal law overrides state law.

Mr Croome’s response was that the federal exemption does not apply to state law.

“Equality Tasmania will now seek advice from the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commission about whether Catholic Education Tasmania is acting outside the law and the consequences of that.”

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

Call on Tas Gov to retain current transgender inclusion laws and policies

Claims by anti-trans group dismissed

Equality Tasmania has called on the State Government to stick to its election commitment of not reviewing gender affirming care for young trans people, and maintaining Tasmania’s gender recognition and anti-discrimination laws.

The call comes after anti-transgender group, Women Speak Tasmania, provided the Government with a dossier it says documents problems with the state’s transgender-inclusive laws and policies. 

Equality Tasmania’s acting president, Dr Ash Russell, said,

“Tasmania’s gender recognition and anti-discrimination laws, as well as affirming care and school inclusion for young trans people, have made an immensely positive difference to transgender Tasmanians and their families.”

“Evidence of these positive benefits is what has convinced MPs like Craig Garland to support Tasmania’s current, inclusive laws and policies.”

“WST’s dossier is peppered with disinformation and provides little real evidence of the negative impacts of trans-inclusive laws and policies, but we will nonetheless write to Attorney-General Guy Barnett, and other MPs, responding to its claims with hard evidence.”

“We urge the State Government to stick to its 2024 election commitment not to roll back gender affirming care, or the state’s exemplary gender recognition and anti-discrimination laws.”

Among many examples of disinformation in the WST dossier here are three relevant to Tasmania:

WST claims trans activists vandalised a billboard in Glenorchy. There is no evidence for this claim.

WST suggests Working It Out recommends or encourages chest binding for school students. This is not the case.

WST claims there are surgeries on trans young people, but the information it cites is about surgeries on intersex young people.

Relevant State Government election commitments are below.

The WST media release and dossier are attached.

For more information contact Dr Ash Russell on 0447 378 689.

The following Tasmanian Liberal Party election commitments were given in response to an Equality Tasmania questionnaire and can be found here:

Response from the Tasmanian Liberals

Gender recognition laws

Q. Will you vote against any attempt to weaken or otherwise amend Tasmania’s gender identity recognition laws?

A. A re-elected majority Liberal Government does not propose to introduce any changes to these laws.

Trans and gender diverse health care

Q. Will you oppose an inquiry into health care for young trans and gender diverse people?

A. Yes. A re-elected majority Liberal Government will continue to work directly with the health professionals and the LGBTIQA+ community on this issue.

Burnie councillor condemned for demonising Queer Eye star

The Burnie City Council has affirmed its support for inclusion and diversity in response to a social media post from Cr Trent Aitken demonising non-binary star of Queer Eye, Jonathon van Ness, for wearing a dress to the Golden Globes awards.

In the now-deleted post (see attachment), Cr Aitken said, van Ness is “not right in the head”.

“As a man, I am ashamed that we let this happen. This is a glamorised mental health issue. It is not normal for a man to behave like this. I wouldn’t let him anywhere kids.”

Acting Burnie mayor Giovanna Simpson said several councillors had asked Cr Aitken to remove the post, something he denied.

“The Burnie City Council did not share the views represented by Cr Aitken in his post”, Cr Simpson said.

“Our council very much stands for unity, diversity and respect as essential elements of a supportive and inclusive community.”

Working It Out CEO Dr Lynn Jarvis responded to the post saying “constant ridicule, abuse and discrimination on the basis of difference” does contribute to poor mental health outcomes for the LGBTQIA+ community.

“Public officials have a responsibility to ensure they do not engage in actions that targets those that do not live up to his expectations of gender or sexuality,” Dr Jarvis said.

“And which undermine broader inclusion and wellbeing.”

Equality Tasmania spokesperson and NW resident, Rodney Croome, said, Cr Aitken’s comments divide the community, encourage discrimination and stigmatise cross-dressing and transgender people.

“Cross-dressing was criminalised in Tasmania until 2000 and the last thing we want is a return to the days when Tasmanians were stigmatised for something that hurts no-one else.”

“Cr Aitken is right that some LGBTIQA+ people have a higher mental health risk, but it’s because of the stigma and discrimination against us, not because of who we are.”

“Cr Aitken’s suggestion that trans, nonbinary and cross-dressing adults are a threat to children is a return to the destructive myth that gay people are paedophiles, and distracts from the fact that cisgender, heterosexual men are much more likely to abuse children.”

“I invite Cr Aitken to meet members of the North West LGBTIQA+ community so he can see that what the real threat to our society is discrimination, not dresses.”

Mr Croome said Equality Tasmania will write to the Burnie City Council encouraging it to develop an LGBTIQA+ Action Plan.

For more: https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/8867569/burnie-councillor-defends-controversial-post-removal/

For a copy of this statement on the web click here

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

FOCUS ON SAFETY OF TASMANIAN LGBTIQA+ PRISONERS WELCOMED

Equality Tasmania has welcomed the state Custodial Inspector’s concern about the safety of LGBTIQA+ people in Tasmanian prisons.

In a statement released today the Inspector, Richard Connock, wrote,

“Members of the LGBTIQA+ community are particularly vulnerable in prison environments. Sadly, following the inspection, we observed evidence of two serious assaults on gay men by other people in custody occurring within the space of a month.”

Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome said,

“We are alarmed by repeated cases of abuse and violence against LGBTIQA+ people in Tasmania’s prisons and welcome the Custodial Inspector’s focus on their safety.”

“More training and better policies are required to ensure LGBTIQA+ prisoners aren’t subject to hate-motivated abuse and violence while serving their sentences.”

“We will continue to raise our concerns through the Department of Justice LGBTIQA+ Reference Group and we will work with the Custodial Inspector on developing expectations for the treatment of LGBTIQA+ prisoners.”

The Department of Justice is developing a Trans and Gender Diverse Prisoner Policy in consultation with its LGBTIQA+ Reference Group.

Mr Croome said, “We welcome the development of a Trans and Gender Diverse Prisoner Policy but the Department of Justice must also develop policies on gay, lesbian and bisexual prisoners and prisoners with innate variations of sex characteristics.”

Tasmanian transgender women, Marjorie Harwood, “suffered physical and sexualised assault and intimidation throughout her time in (Tasmania’s) male prison.”

More here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-07/tasmanian-transgender-prisoner-policy-not-followed/103813206

Tasmanian gay man, Thomas Ingram’s defence lawyer, Emily Hindle, said “his sexual orientation made him a target” while he was in prison. Magistrate Sharon Cur said Ingram’s “sexual orientation would endanger him if he was sent back to prison.”

More here: https://www.examiner.com.au/story/8430172/thomas-christopher-ingram-spared-jail-by-launceston-magistrate/

The Custodial Inspector noted some positive developments in Tasmania’s prison system including “evidence that the TPS is modelling positive leadership, with a (gay) couple being able to share a cell and the bullying of a LGBTQIA+ person in custody being proactively addressed.” 

For a copy of the Custodial Inspector’s statement: https://shorturl.at/dskWh

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

PROPORTION OF TASMANIANS WHO ARE LGBTI+ ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE

Tasmania has a higher proportion of LGBTI+ people than most other Australian states or territories

The revelation comes from data unveiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today which shows 4.5% of Australians or 910,600 people, identify as LGBTI+.

The state-by-state breakdown (see attachment) shows 4.7% of Tasmanians are LGBTI+, which is above the national average. Only Victoria (5.3%) and the ACT (5.6%) are higher.

Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“Tasmania’s rapid transformation from having the nation’s worst LGBTI+ laws to having some of the best, has meant a higher-than-average number of LGBTI+ people have stayed or moved here.”

“This sends a message to our law makers that continuing to challenge discrimination will have a positive impact on growing the size and diversity of our state’s population.”

“To meet the needs of Tasmania’s growing LGBTI+ community it is vital our state undertakes overdue reforms such as enacting a ban on conversion practices and funding a dedicated LGBTI+ mental health service.”

The percentages of LGBTI+ people in NSW, Queensland, WA, SA and the NT are lower than Tasmania, with WA and SA well below the national average.

A copy of the relevant table is attached. It can be downloaded from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/estimates-and-characteristics-lgbti-populations-australia/2022

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

TAS GOV HATE CRIME LAW COMMITMENT WELCOMED BUT FURTHER ACTION NEEDED

Equality Tasmania has welcomed the State Government’s decision to act allow harsher penalties for crimes against LGBTIQA+ people when they are motivated by prejudice, discrimination and hatred, but has called for more to be done to prevent such crime.

Today, Attorney-General, Guy Barnett, announced he will draft legislation implementing the Sentencing Advisory Council’s recommendation to allow judges to impose harsher penalties for crimes motivated by prejudice, discrimination and hate on a range of grounds including disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.

Harsher penalties can already be imposed for crimes motivated by racial hatred.

Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“We welcome Mr Barnett’s commitment because it shows the Government is taking hate crime against LGBTIQA+ people seriously.”

“Hate-motivated attacks against LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians are a serious and under-reported problem.”

“The proposed law reform should be complemented by further measures including Tasmania Police recognising, recording and gathering evidence when a crime is motivated by prejudice, discrimination or hate.”

“There should also be community education campaigns about the deep trauma caused by hate crime against members of minority communities.”

In 1997 the Sentencing Act was reformed to allow harsher penalties for crimes motivated by racial hatred.

In May this year the Sentencing Advisory Council recommended this be extended to cover other attributes including sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.

Sentencing Advisory Council report here:

https://www.sentencingcouncil.tas.gov.au/reports

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

TAS GOV SUPPORTS FINANCIAL REDRESS FOR THOSE CONVICTED UNDER FMR ANTI-LGBTIQA LAWS

The Tasmanian Government has given its support for financial redress for those people convicted under the state’s former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing.

In September the state’s Lower House voted for a Greens’ redress scheme against the Government’s wishes. But ahead of debate in the Upper House the Government joined Labor, the Greens and Independents in supporting financial redress by putting forward its own redress proposal.

Parliament’s Gender and Equality committee will now decide an appropriate amount before the legislation finally passes.

Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, welcomed the Government’s change-of-heart.

“Those who were convicted under our former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing often lost their jobs and their families, and some took their own lives, because of the stigma and prejudice they experienced.”

“The Tasmanian Government has a duty to provide some form of financial redress for the pain and trauma that was inflicted.”

 “We welcome the fact that financial redress now has support across the political spectrum and that there will be an independent process for determining the appropriate amount.”

Financial redress will be paid automatically following a successful application to expunge a relevant historical criminal record. Legislation allowing for expungement was passed in 2017.

Tasmania was the last Australian state or territory to decriminalise homosexuality (in 1997) and the only state to criminalise cross-dressing (until 2000). The enforcement of cross-dressing laws often targetted transgender women.

Tasmania is the first state or territory to consider legislation allowing financial redress.

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

TAS GOV TAKES STAND ON CENSUS

The Tasmanian Government has taken a stand in support of full LGBTIQA+ inclusion in the Census.

Tasmanian Minister for Community Services, Roger Jaensch, has written to the minister responsible for the Census, Andrew Leigh, highlighting Tasmania’s progress toward implementing all Australian Bureau of Statstics (ABS) standards for LGBTIQA+ data gathering, reinforcing the need for equivalent national LGBTIQA+ data and urging Leigh to listen to community concerns about the Census questions as they are currently posed.

Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, welcomed the letter saying,

“Tasmania has gone further than any other state in implementing the ABS guidelines on gathering data on LGBTIQA+ people.”

“We welcome the letter from Mr Jaensch because it contrasts Tasmania’s progress to the inadequate approach taken by the Federal Government.”

“The Tasmanian Government is effectively saying ‘if Tasmania can do it so can you, so get your act together’.”

“I urge other state governments that haven’t yet spoken out to follow Tasmania’s lead.”

In September Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, sparked a backlash when he decided not to count LGBTIQA+ people in the Census.

He subsequently backtracked but still failed to allow the Census to count transgender people under 16, or people with innate variations of sex characteristics.

Mr Jaensch wrote that the Tasmanian Government is committed to implementing all the ABS’s data-gathering standards on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.

He noted,

“Ideally, collection of Tasmanian data on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics should have corresponding national data for Tasmanian Government agencies, social services and businesses to access and compare against.”

He then went on to encourage the Federal Government to listen to LGBTIQA+ community concerns about its failure to count trans people under 16 and its failure to count people with innate variations of sex characteristics.

A copy of the letter is attached.

For this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

Jaensch-to-Leigh-re-censusDownload