Pride flags displayed in Launceston Mall were vandalised on Wednesday night as the city simultaneously hosted a significant forum on LGBTIQA+ inclusion and launched its first LGBTIQA+ community survey.
Rodney Croome, spokesperson for Equality Tasmania, commented on the vandalism, stating, “It’s extremely disappointing Launceston’s first ever pride flags have been targeted in what seems like a hate-motivated attack.”
“The vandalism is a reminder of why pride month is so important,” he continued.
“Most people will abhor this act of vandalism and I hope it will galvanise support for LGBTIQA inclusion.”
Launceston this week hosted what has been described as Tasmania’s first local government forum focused on LGBTIQA+ inclusion.
Organised by Equality Tasmania and the Local Government Association of Tasmania, the event brought together councillors and council staff from across Tasmania. Its aim was to provide education on the discrimination faced by LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians and explore how local councils can address these issues.
Croome noted that the forum would “focus on solutions to the kind of discrimination the flag incident highlights.”
During the forum, the City of Launceston initiated its LGBTIQA+ community survey. This survey is intended to gather information that will inform the development of an LGBTIQA+ Action Plan for the council.
Croome highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating: “The City of Launceston’s LGBTIQA+ survey is the first of its kind in northern Tasmania.”
“It shows the council not only values the principles of inclusion and equal opportunity but wants to hear from those most affected how it can put those principles into practice.”
Croome also noted that in general LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians still face much higher rates of discrimination, stigma, hate crime, mental health risk and housing risk, as well as difficulties accessing services addressing these issues.
He expressed optimism that he City of Launceston’s survey and subsequent Action Plan “will go a long way to addressing those problems.”
The survey is now live and can be found here: https://
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