NSW GLRL

New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby

The fight for lesbian and gay rights has made significant advances in recent years, but there is still much to do – and the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby is leading the charge.

Our Causes

Since 1988, the core purpose of the GLRL has been to achieve legal equality for lesbians, gay men and their families at a state and federal level. We’ve accomplished a lot but there’s still much to do.

Ending Discrimination

Despite some progress, there remain important gaps in anti-discrimination protection at both state and federal levels.

Safety for LGBTI schoolkids and support for teachers

Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in schools is serious. We are working to provide school kids, teachers and families with appropriate resources to tackle any bullying they may experience at school.

Law Reform

We lobby politicians on a range of issues including parenting rights, domestic and family violence, and LGBTI refugees.

Statewide and Nationwide LGBTI Surveys

How many of us still feel afraid to hold a partner’s hand walking down the street? Our daily experiences, as well as our interactions with Government services, need to be seen and heard by those in power.

Help our fight

Every single day, we lobby and advocate for the community. But we can’t do it without your help.

GLRL relies on the generosity of supports to continue our vital work. Can you support our causes?

Thank you! We appreciate your generosity!

Donate Now

Submission to the Australian Government on Religious ‘Freedom’ Bills

October 2, 2019

You can find the Lobby’s submission to the Australian Government about its proposed new Religious Discrimination Bills at the link below — Submission to the Australian Govt – RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BILLS 2019

Australia said YES to LGBTI equality in 2017 – it’s time for NSW’s anti-discrimination laws to catch up.

October 11, 2018October 16, 2018

Thursday 11 October 2018 The New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby has called on NSW Parliament to overhaul its dated Anti-Discrimination Act to reflect modern community sentiment. Co-Convenor Lauren Foy said the outdated NSW laws were now among the worst in the nation. “As we’ve all been reminded this week by many, includingContinue reading Australia said YES to LGBTI equality in 2017 – it’s time for NSW’s anti-discrimination laws to catch up. →

Religious Freedoms Report signals social cohesion and the rights of Australian Kids now at risk from Canberra

October 10, 2018October 16, 2018

After media leaks today from the ‘Religious Freedoms’ Report, both major federal political parties must immediately rule out legislating discrimination against LGBTI Australians, warned the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby today. “This is about our children and the type of country we all want to live in,” Lobby Co-Convenor Lauren Foy said. “Do weContinue reading Religious Freedoms Report signals social cohesion and the rights of Australian Kids now at risk from Canberra →

Rights Lobby welcomes Inquiry, warns Police they must do more to earn community’s confidence

September 19, 2018October 16, 2018

19 September 2018 The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSW) welcomes today’s announcement of a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into gay and transgender hate crimes and the current criminal justice culture relating to such crimes. The Lobby has been involved in the collection of evidence around LGBTI hate crimes for nearly 30 years – a numberContinue reading Rights Lobby welcomes Inquiry, warns Police they must do more to earn community’s confidence →

NSW Government signals reforms to state’s vilification laws to protect all LGBTI people

June 21, 2018October 19, 2018

NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby today welcomed the Berejiklian Governments moves to strengthen protections for LGBTI communities in NSW via the passage of the Crimes Amendment (Publicly Threatening and Inciting Violence) Bill 2018. “The limited coverage offered by previous the NSW anti-vilification framework was in clear need of reform and this Bill presented aContinue reading NSW Government signals reforms to state’s vilification laws to protect all LGBTI people →

New Committee of Management for NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby

December 13, 2017

The fight for LGBTI rights has made significant advances in recent years, but there is still much to do – and the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby is leading the charge. At the recent Annual General Meeting the Lobby’s Committee of Management was refreshed, with new members bringing a range of skills and experience.Continue reading New Committee of Management for NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby →

SENATOR SMITH’S MARRIAGE AMENDMENT BILL: THE ONLY LEGITIMATE BILL COME 15 NOVEMBER 2017

October 17, 2017October 17, 2017

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) has today called on Federal Parliament to immediately enable debate on marriage equality legislation if the survey result is a majority “YES” on 15 November 2017. “With nearly 11 million Australians having voted, and the Labor Caucus today backing Dean Smith’s Bill, the nation’s attention now rightlyContinue reading SENATOR SMITH’S MARRIAGE AMENDMENT BILL: THE ONLY LEGITIMATE BILL COME 15 NOVEMBER 2017 →

STATEMENT: “Straight Lives Matter” Rally

September 22, 2017October 17, 2017

This weekend a “Straight Lives Matter” rally is planned for a well-known LGBTI area in Sydney. We urge the community to stay away from this rally. The goal of this group is not to persuade nor debate. It is to provoke a response and increase media attention. We note the organisers have a history ofContinue reading STATEMENT: “Straight Lives Matter” Rally →

Disappointed Nation Steels Itself to Win Unprecedented Civil Rights Survey

September 7, 2017September 7, 2017

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSWGLRL) has called on all Australians to channel their disappointment with today’s High Court outcome into advocating for marriage equality. “Without doubt today’s decision continues this dark stain on the law-making institutions and traditions of Australia – a nation which likes to think of itself as a strongContinue reading Disappointed Nation Steels Itself to Win Unprecedented Civil Rights Survey →

Marriage Equality Campaign urges communities in NSW to join together and say ‘YES’ to marriage equality

August 23, 2017October 17, 2017

Campaigners for marriage equality have united to urge all NSW residents to check their enrolment details with the Australian Electoral Commission before midnight August 24. Longstanding LGBTI rights organisations, grassroots campaigners and politicians have combined to support the ‘YES’ campaign and to ensure people have registered to have their say. “We strongly urge members ofContinue reading Marriage Equality Campaign urges communities in NSW to join together and say ‘YES’ to marriage equality →

NSWGLRL CALLS ON YOU TO ENROL FOR EQUALITY

August 10, 2017September 7, 2017

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSWGLRL) today welcomed the decision of the Australian Senate to reject – again – the Federal Government’s plebiscite proposal. But Convenor of the NSWGLRL, Lauren Foy, warned that the path ahead for marriage equality supporters will require even greater energy, passion and persistence than their efforts up toContinue reading NSWGLRL CALLS ON YOU TO ENROL FOR EQUALITY →

NSWGLRL welcomes the release of the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017

August 6, 2017August 6, 2017

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSWGLRL) welcomes this Bill and its attempt to find a compromise proposal the current Parliament can support. This reform to the Marriage Act is long overdue and much too important to be delayed any longer. However, it has been the longstanding position of the NSWGLRL that there shouldContinue reading NSWGLRL welcomes the release of the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017 →

NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby takes your heart to Canberra

August 6, 2017August 7, 2017

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby will create a giant sea of hearts outside Parliament House on Tuesday 8 August 2017, with each heart containing a message of support of same-sex marriage collected over a decade of campaigning. In 2005, the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby placed a number of pink cardboard heartsContinue reading NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby takes your heart to Canberra →

Germany shows Australia a way forward

July 1, 2017July 1, 2017

Germany’s parliament has shown Australians how to break the deadlock of our current same sex marriage debate – by holding a swift parliamentary conscience vote.

We farewell a veteran volunteer

June 24, 2017June 24, 2017

The New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby today thanked Chris Pycroft for six years of volunteer service including 18 months as Male Co-Convenor.

Like our new look? The GLRL website is changing – big time

May 16, 2017May 16, 2017

It’s been a long time coming but finally we’ve done something about the look and feel of the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Group website. What do you think?

We’re closer than ever to making marriage equality a reality

February 28, 2017May 16, 2017

There’s mood for change, political consensus on both sides of the aisle, dozens of community groups are in agreement about the framework of legislation.

We’ve won the plebiscite battle… but the fight isn’t over

October 11, 2016May 16, 2017

Today’s decision by the federal Labor party room to not support legislation allowing a divisive, costly and unnecessary plebiscite on marriage equality is a win for common sense and community welfare, the New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby says.