The LGBTI community in Tasmania has marked the 20th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality and called on the federal government to move ahead with legislating for marriage equality.
A new postcard campaign was launched to mark 20 years since Tasmania became the final place in Australia to decriminalise homosexuality.
The card, addressed to Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, features an illustration by Tasmanian cartoonist, Christopher Downes declaring “The sky didn’t fall in then and it won’t now”.
The card also highlights that decriminalisation in Tasmania was finally achieved after the then Liberal State Government was given a free vote by Premier, Tony Rundle, and calls on Mr Turnbull to allow a free vote for Federal Liberals so marriage equality can pass.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the anniversary reminded people how far society has come towards treating LGBTI people equally.
“Our new postcard campaign celebrates how far we’ve come since gay men were criminals, but also how far we have to go to ensure full equality for LGBTI people by passing marriage equality.”
“The postcard highlights two key lessons the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Tasmania holds for the current marriage equality debate: gay law reform shouldn’t be a party-political issue and when reform passes the sky won’t fall in.”
The postcard, produced with generous support from Australian company, Avant Card, will be available in hundreds of cafes and other venues across Australia from this week on.
Postcard creator, Richard Hale, asked marriage equality supporters to take a photo of the card against the sky and to post the photo to social media with the hashtag #TheSkyWontFallMalcolm, before posting the card through conventional post to the Prime Minister.
“To show the sky hasn’t fallen in, we’re urging marriage equality supporters to take a photo of the postcard against the sky and post it to social media with the hashtag #TheSkyWontFallMalcolm.”
“This will be a great way to highlight the fact that equality is good for everyone and has no downside.’ Downes said.
“My marriage enriches my life more than I can say and I want my gay family members and friends to also have the opportunity to marry the person they love.”
Two weeks ago Tasmanian Premier, Will Hodgman, became the first Liberal leader to apologise to those people convicted under former former anti-gay laws. Tasmania’s state Liberal MPs have had a free vote on all LGBTI issues, including marriage equality, since decriminalisation.
OIP Staff
