Sep-Oct 2008

Women@Work: Rainbow

Equality moving in many circles

A NSW law deiscriminating young gay men has been abolished, bringing the "premiere state" in line with every other Australian state and territory.

NSW Rainbow Labor today praised the passage of the Crimes Amendment
(Sexual Offences) Bill 2003 through State Parliament, and congratulated
the Labor Government for its role in this important legislation.

"The passage of this bill ensures that young gay men are no longer viewed as
criminals for consensual sexual activity," said Scott Carn, male co-convenor of
Rainbow Labor. "By freeing young gay men of the shackles of illegality, the
Government has ensured that health services, social and community workers can
provide young men with appropriate sexual health information and resources."
The Bill, which has equalised the age of consent for gay males to 16 years,
bringing the law in line with their lesbian and heterosexual peers, passed both
houses of parliament with overwhelming majorities.

"Even though NSW now has an equal age of consent, lesbians and gay men

continue to be legally discriminated under the law in NSW and Australia," said
Paula O'Sullivan, female co-convenor of Rainbow Labor. "Rainbow Labor calls
upon the Labor government to continue it's long history of supporting equality
before the law for all Australians, and enact legislation to ensure that lesbians
and gay men do not face discrimination in their workplaces, their schools, their
homes and all other places in their lives."

"Rainbow Labor congratulates the Labor Government, especially the Premier, Bob

Carr, and the Attorney-General, Bob Debus, for the leadership on this issue
shown within the wider community," said Scott Carn. "Labor's history of
supporting social justice and equality before the law for lesbians and gay men is
long and proven. This legislation acts as another indicator of Labor's commitment
to ensure that all NSW citizens are free from discrimination."
Rainbow Labor congratulated the many individuals and community groups who
have campaigned for this legislation, including the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby
(GLRL), the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON) and Parents and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays (PLAG).
For further information, please contact:
Scott Carn Paula O'Sullivan
0418 842 872 0414 659 432

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