ADVOCATES CALL ON UPPER HOUSE TO SUPPORT STRONGER ANTI-BIAS PROTECTIONS

Tasmanian gay rights advocates have called on the state Upper House to support stronger protections against discrimination and harassment.

Tomorrow the Upper House is due to debate a bill strengthening the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act by prohibiting harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation and providing stronger protections for transgender and intersex people.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome said,

“Recent research has shown gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) Tasmanians suffer much higher levels of harassment and discrimination than other Tasmanians, making these amendments necessary and urgent.”

“Existing protections have not infringed free speech and we don’t believe the proposed protections will either.”

Mr Croome also rejected allowing faith-based schools an exemption from the Anti-Discrimination Act.

“Our Anti-Discrimination Act has helped create safer and more inclusive schools and any watering down of the Act will lead to increased bullying and victimisation.”

The Anti-Discrimination amendments will provide stronger protections for transgender and intersex people and extend the existing anti-harassment provisions to include grounds such as sexual orientation and gender identity.

It is expected that some Upper House members will use the anti-discrimination debate as an opportunity to move to exempt catholic and Independent schools from the Anti-Discrimination Act.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome