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

Tas Health Department launches groundbreaking LGBTIQA+ Action Plan

Equality Tasmania has welcomed the launch of the Tasmanian Health Department’s first LGBTIQA+ Action Plan.

Spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“Local and national research shows that LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians have poorer health, including mental health, than other Tasmanians and other LGBTIQA+ Australians, and that our poorer health is due to discrimination and stigma.”

“The Department of Health’s LGBTIQA+ Action Plan shows a strong commitment to improving these poor outcomes through training of staff, improved access to services and addressing discrimination.”

“Many of the initiatives in the Action Plan will make a substantial difference to LGBTIQA+ health outcomes and are groundbreaking nationally.”

“We congratulate the Department, and its LGBTIQA+ Reference Group, on developing a Plan that will help ensure discrimination and stigma are no longer hurdles to LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians living healthy, happy lives.”

The Plan, launched today by Mental Health Minister, Roger Jaensch, and Department Secretary, Dale Webster, commits the Department to a set of actions over the next three years including:

  • Piloting a Tasmanian LGBTIQA-specific mental health service
  • 85% of mental health staff trained in LGBTIQA+ inclusive health care
  • Improving health outcomes through a promotional campaign addressing anti-LGBTIQA+ prejudice, stigma and discrimination
  • Improving gender affirming care by reducing wait times and establishing a lived-experience advisory group
  • Advancing current work to ensure all Department data gathering recognises sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics
  • An LGBTIQA+ mental health small grants program
  • Promoting best-practice care for people with innate variations of sex characteristics
  • Do more to advocate for LGBTIQA+ health equity at a national level and to showcase the Department’s achievements

One of the major sources of information for the Action Plan was the “Telling Us The Story” report commissioned by the Tasmanian Government and conducted by the University of Tasmania.

Today’s launch coincided with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Department’s LGBTIQA+ Reference Group in 1999.

The Action Plan can be found here: LGBTIQA+ Action Plan 2024-2027 | Tasmanian Department of Health

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

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

Tas left behind on conversion as SA passes ban

Equality Tasmania has warned that Tasmania risks being the last state to ban conversion practices after the South Australian Parliament last night passed a law banning conversion in that state.

Spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“The only states without conversion bans are now Western Australia and Tasmania.”

“Survivors of conversion practices in Tasmania are three to four times more likely to have PTSD and attempt suicide.”

“This is why a ban has been supported by all major health bodies including the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Medical Association.”

“We urge Tasmanian law-makers to make banning conversion practices a priority so that our state does not become a haven for conversion practitioners thrown out of the other states.”

Last year the Tasmanian Government unveiled a draft conversion bill that was condemned for being “worse than useless”.

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

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

TAS LGBTIQA+ LEADERS WELCOME BUDGET FUNDING / URGE FURTHER INVESTMENT IN RELIEVING LGBTIQA+ DISADVANTAGE

LGBTIQA+ community leaders have welcomed $250,000 over two years for the Tasmanian LGBTIQA+ Action Plan announced in last week’s State Budget.

But they say it is not enough to deal with LGBTIQA+ discrimination and mental health risk.

Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians experience much higher than average levels of discrimination and stigma which leads in turn to worse employment, education, housing and mental health outcomes.” 

“We welcome the State Government’s commitment to address these disadvantages through the development of a Tasmanian LGBTIQA+ Action Plan.”

“We will continue to advocate for the Action Plan to deal as comprehensively as possible with the hurdles and barriers still faced by LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians.”

Working It Out CEO, Dr Lynn Jarvis, said,

“We welcome the State Government’s commitment to LGBTIQA+ well-being.”

“The ‘Telling Us the Story’ report, which the Action Plan will be based on, recommended a dedicated LGBTIQA+ mental health service, and further training of health workers, police and teachers in LGBTIQA+ inclusion.”

“We will work with the State Government to make this happen.”

“Telling us the Story” is based on the largest survey of the Tasmanian LGBTIQA+ community ever conducted. The survey was commissioned by the current State Government and conducted by the University of Tasmania. It forms the basis of the LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, currently being developed. “Telling us the Story” can be found here: https://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/247147/LGBTIQ-Tasmanians-Telling-Us-the-Story-Survey-Report-May-2022.pdf

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

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Lynn Jarvis on 0408 265 045.

TAS LOWER HOUSE SUPPORTS FINANCIAL REDRESS FOR VICTIMS OF FORMER LAWS AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY AND CROSS DRESSING

Last night the Tasmanian Parliament’s Lower House passed the nation’s first financial redress scheme for those convicted under former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing.

The scheme was introduced by Greens’ leader, Rosalie, Woodruff, and supported by Labor and independent MPs, during debate on Liberal Government legislation updating the state’s legislation allowing criminal records for homosexuality and cross-dressing to be expunged from outward-facing government records.

Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“The redress scheme is long overdue recognition of the trauma and suffering of those people convicted for being who they were. “

“Often they lost jobs, family and community, with many leaving the state and some taking their own lives.”

“Financial redress for historic gay convictions is available in some European countries but this is the first time in Australia.”

“Tasmania was the last state to decriminalise homosexuality and the only state to criminalise cross-dressing, so it is appropriate we are leading the nation and we hope other states will follow.”

“We thank Greens’ leader, Rosalie Woodruff, for championing this amendment as well as her Green colleagues, Labor and cross-bench independents for strongly supporting it.”

The redress scheme was recommended by a review of the expungement legislation and has been advocated by Equality Tasmania and other groups including the Tasmanian Council of Social Services and Civil Liberties Tasmania.

The Government did not support the redress scheme but its bill updating 2017 expungement legislation widens the definition of crimes that can be expunged to include crimes, such as resisting arrest for homosexuality and cross-dressing, which would not have occurred if homosexuality or cross-dressing had not been illegal.

The bill also provides for greater promotion of the expungement scheme.

Homosexuality was decriminalised in Tasmania in 1997 and cross-dressing in 2000. Tasmania’s cross-dressing laws were disprortionately enforced against transgender women. 

The bill now goes to the state’s Upper House.

A photo of Rosalie Woodruff and Rodney Croome with the redress amendment outside the Tasmanian Lower House is attached. 

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

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.