Our history

Since 1988, the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby has been leading the fight for substantive equality and social justice for lesbians, gay men and their families in NSW.

We’ve achieved a lot. Our campaigns and advocacy have led to key reforms, including:

1990 – Introduction of Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers (GLLOs) across NSW police stations.

1991 – Establishment of the Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project.

1993 – Introduction of homosexual anti-vilification legislation.

1998 – Establishment of a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer in the NSW Attorney General’s Department.

1999 – Property, hospital, next of kin, inheritance and relationship rights for same-sex couples in NSW.

2003 – Equal age of consent.

2004 – First recognition of same-sex relationships in federal superannuation legislation.

2008 – Recognition of parental status for co-mothers in NSW.

2008 – Federal same-sex reforms: equal de facto rights for same-sex couples in areas including tax, super, immigration, social security, Medicare, aged care, veterans’ and defence entitlements, family law and child support.

2010 – Introduction of a NSW Relationships Register.

2010 – Reforms to ensure adoption equality and altruistic surrogacy in NSW.

2011 – National Human Rights Action Plan introduced.

2012 – NSW Legislative Council passed a motion endorsing marriage equality.

2014 – Removal of the ‘gay panic defence’ from the Crimes Act.

2015 – Developed and launched National LGBTI University Guide.

2016 – NSW Parliamentary apology to the 78ers.

2016 ç Rainbow Votes Federal Election campaign.

2017 – Key partner in the national Equality campaign for marriage equality in Australia. NSW GLRL was the first major LGBTI organisation to commence an “enrol to vote” campaign after the Government announced the postal survey.

2018 – Major reforms to NSW vilification laws

This is just a snapshot and we’re not done yet. Our current campaigns focus on comprehensive state and federal anti-discrimination reforms to abolish the legal powers to discriminate against LGBTI people.