TAS
These conversion therapy survivors are still dealing with the trauma
Tasmanian survivors of dangerous LGBT “conversion therapy” have laid bare their ongoing trauma in a major new report that calls for a statewide ban. In the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute report, forty Tasmanian survivors shared experiences of undergoing the harmful “conversion” practices. A 28-year-old trans person said they were subjected to conversion therapy after confiding …
‘Dangerous’: LGBTIQ Tasmanians are struggling in healthcare
Tasmania’s LGBTIQ+ community have reported serious gaps in gender-affirming healthcare and mental health services, with discrimination still a problem. The Tasmanian government has released a new LGBTIQ+ survey, the largest ever of its kind. The survey comes as Tasmania commemorates the 25th anniversary of decriminalising homosexuality this month. The results will provide a new statewide …
This art group is giving lesbian elders a space to share stories
For the past five years, a group of Tasmanian lesbian elders have been sharing their stories through art. For the founders of the Soup Collective, the underrepresentation of older lesbians led to conversations over bowls of soup, and was the catalyst for a progressive art movement. Founding member Victoria Vyvyan said the collective provided Tasmania’s …
25 years ago, Tasmania finally decriminalised homosexuality
It has only been 25 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in every state and territory in Australia. Tasmania was the last state to do so on May 1, 1997. Before then, the state’s laws punished consensual sex between men with up to 25 years in prison. LGBTIQ+ advocate Rodney Croome AM was central to the …
Equality Tasmania on Premier Peter Gutwein’s resignation
Today’s surprise resignation of popular Tasmanian Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein prompted laudatory tributes all around including from LGBTQIA+ advocacy group Equality Tasmania. Premier Gutwein resigned after two years in the job. However, it was a long two years. Much of the time was taken up with managing the Tasmanian response to the COVID pandemic. Last …
Tasmanian farmer Rob Wilson shares struggle with intersex stigma
Tasmanian chicken breeder Rob Wilson has spoken out about his lifelong journey as an intersex Australian. The 66-year-old is ranked the seventh-best chicken breeder in the world. Rob’s chickens command a price in the thousands from all over Australia, and he’s sold eggs worldwide. He has told ABC program Back Roads that he is intersex. …
Vandal defaces transgender pride flags flying in Hobart
Tasmania Police are investigating after a vandal defaced transgender pride flags flying on Hobart’s Town Hall. The council raised the pink, white and blue flags on Friday, November 19, for Transgender Awareness Week. The community gathered for a Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony the next day. But on Saturday, a vandal had stained the flags …
Australia’s ‘most homophobic town’ is now proudly flying rainbow flag
LGBTIQ advocates and leaders in Ulverstone in Tasmania have raised a rainbow flag, thirty years after the town was called one of the most homophobic places in Australia. The coastal town of Ulverstone, on Tasmania’s north-west coast, is home to around 15,000 people. On Monday morning, LGBTIQ+ advocates and local leaders gathered to raise the …
Hobart street art celebrates Tasmania’s LGBTIQA+ history
Hobart civic dignitaries joined LGBTIQA+ community representatives last month to unveil street art celebrating Tasmania’s LGBTIQA+ history. Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, and former Lord Mayor Rob Valentine, joined members of the LGBTIQA+ communities for the unveiling of a signal box painted by local artist Katelyn Geard. Scenes commemorating significant milestones in LGBTIQA+ Tasmanian history …
Transgender Day of Visibility: Hobart Council flies trans pride flag for first time
The Hobart City Council is flying the transgender pride flag from Hobart Town Hall for the first time this week to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility on Wednesday (March 31). The Trans Day of Visibility has occurred on March 31 since 2009. The aim of the day is to celebrate the lives and achievements of …