WA: Tasmanias gay law makes WA worst state to be gay in

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-1998
WA: Tasmanias gay law makes WA worst state to be gay in

PERTH, Dec 9 AAP - Gay rights lobbyists condemned laws in Western Australia as the most
discriminatory in the country after the Tasmanian parliament last night guaranteed gay
equality in Australias southernmost state.

Tasmanias upper house passed a bill outlawing discrimination and incitement to hatred on
the grounds of sexual orientation, making WA the only state not to outlaw discrimination
against gay, lesbian and transgender people.

Under WA state law, gay and lesbian people can legally be refused housing, employment,
goods and services because of their sexual orientation.

Gay and Lesbian Equality (GALE) spokesman John Derry congratulated Tasmania on having moved
from a strong anti-gay stance to one of tolerance.

"They have achieved a great change, theyve realised theres no benefit in persecuting
minority groups," Mr Derry told AAP.

"We in WA are really jealous of that piece of legislation.

"This government is holding on to Victorian values despite a general feeling of support
(for gays and lesbians) within the community," he said.

"Amnesty International has condemned WAs laws which put a handicap on gay and lesbian
citizens by refusing to grant them the same protection as every other minority group in the
state."

A private members bill to amend WAs Equal Opportunity Act and outlaw discrimination on
the basis of sexuality was introduced into WA parliament last year but has been held up in a
committee since then.

"People have been trying to pass anti-discrimination bills in WA since 1973," Mr Derry
said.

AAP kbw/cfm/br

KEYWORD: GAY WA (CARRIED EARLIER)

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