Advocates praise Premier Hodgman’s historic apology for gay convictions

Tasmanian LGBTI community representatives have praised Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman for offering an apology to those Tasmanians convicted under the state’s former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing.

Mr Hodgman and other Tasmanian political leaders, including Labor leader, Bec White, and Greens’ leader, Cassy O’Connor, offered their apologies this afternoon, coinciding with debate on a bill to allow historical convictions to be overturned and ahead of the 20th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Tasmania on May 1st 1997.

Mr Hodgman was the first leader in Australia to commit to such an apology, in 2015, and will become the first Liberal leader in Australia to offer one.

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

“I applaud Will Hodgman and his Government for this historic legislation and apology.”

“The message to those LGBTI Tasmanians who were convicted is that the island society that once rejected them now embraces them.”

“The Government’s legislation will directly benefit those people who were convicted under our old laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing by ensuring their criminal record does not appear whenever they apply for a job or a volunteer position.”

“But apologies from the Premier and other political leaders will go even further because they will help heal the damage inflicted by by our old laws, including blackmail, ostracism, ignominy, hate crimes and even sometimes suicide.”

“The apologies are historic because Tasmania was the last state to decriminalise homosexuality, almost exactly 20 years ago on May 1st 1997, and our anti-gay laws attracted the most severe maximum punishment in the western world, 21 years in gaol.”

“The apologies are also historic because Tasmania was the only state to criminalise cross-dressing and now the criminal records of transgender Tasmanians can be expunged as well.”

When homosexuality was decriminalised in Tasmania in 1997 it was a under a Liberal Government that was granted a free vote by then Liberal Premier, Tony Rundle.

Mr Croome said he hopes Mr Hodgman’s apology and the anniversary of decriminalisation sends a message to Malcolm Turnbull to allow allow a Liberal free vote so marriage equality can pass.

For an article looking at the implications of the apology:
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-government-deseves-praise-for-leadership/news-story/3665f7a19c3d9fe34e67e8a4c477964b
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome