NSW GLRL Archive & Advocacy

News – NSW GLRL

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) has stood at the forefront of advocacy, legal reform, and social justice across New South Wales since 1988. Our active campaigns and historical archive document vital struggles and milestone achievements in anti-discrimination protections, relationship recognition, adoption equality, hate crime reporting, and the expungement of historical homosexual convictions.

Through evidence-based policy submissions, direct parliamentary lobbying, public awareness initiatives, and grassroots community organizing, GLRL champions systemic equality for lesbians, gay men, and diverse rainbow families throughout the state. We continue to monitor state and federal legislation, publish timely press statements, and empower community members to participate directly in democratic decision-making.

Key Advocacy Milestones & Policy Tracker

A comparative overview of ongoing legislative reform campaigns and achieved benchmarks led by the NSW GLRL.

Focus Area Legislative Objective Key Status Impact & Reach
Anti-Discrimination Reform Closing religious exemptions in the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 Active Lobbying Statewide workplace and institutional protection
Historical Convictions Expungement scheme for historical consensual gay offences Passed into Law Restoring justice and erasing historical criminal records
Adoption & Parenting Equal adoption rights and birth certificate recognition for same-sex parents Passed into Law Legal certainty and equality for rainbow families
Safe Schools & Education Targeted anti-bullying programs and LGBTI student protection policies Ongoing Advocacy Safe, inclusive educational environments statewide

Frequently Asked Questions & Archive Insights

What is the primary role and mission of the NSW GLRL?
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) is a volunteer-driven advocacy organization established in 1988 to advance legislative reform, social equity, and full human rights for gay men, lesbians, and rainbow families throughout New South Wales.
How are press releases and statements preserved in this archive?
Every published submission, press release, and official community bulletin produced by the GLRL has been digitized and cataloged to ensure public transparency, civic education, and permanent historical access.
How can community members engage with current law reform campaigns?
You can participate by writing to your local NSW Member of Parliament, contributing personal testimonies to inquiry submissions, and joining GLRL working groups focused on discrimination and family equality.

Archive Articles & Dispatches

Voices in support of The Pride Centre – Inner West Council Meeting

Yesterday the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby held an action and spoke at the Inner West Council to reaffirm support for a Pride Centre in the inner west.

We provided signs stating, “stuck in the past Passas”, “Passas gotta go”, “pride centre now”, “no homophobia in inner west”, “no transphobia in inner west”.

The Pride Centre is intended to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for the LGBTIQ community. There are many vulnerabilities experienced by the LGBTIQ community. Keeping this in mind, the Pride Centre will provide access to programs and services specific to the Inner West community. This space will grow community wellbeing.

In March 2019, The Inner West Council conducted a survey in regard to the visioning of a Pride Centre. The results found 87% of respondents said it was very or extremely important to have a Pride Centre in the Inner West.

Jack Whitney, Lobby Co-Convenor stated “delays in this vital service creates reservations in the community that the ever-important Pride Centre will never happen. This is very concerning as the trust that has been built will potentially be lost, and the goodwill will be diminished”.

He continued, “the Lobby is concerned that harmful views held by Clr Julie Passas, may hold back the progress of the creation of the Pride Centre… this is someone who recently compared the Rainbow flag to the ISIS flag.

“We called on the council to not delay”, Whitney stated.

End

Further comment can be directed to Jack Whitney on 0411387913

ONE NATION ANTI-EDUCATION BILL

Lobby Co-Convenor, Jack Whitney, presented evidence and testimony with Twenty10 and Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth on the dangerous and harmful Parental Rights Education Bill proposed by Latham.

NSW COVID-19 COMMUNITY SURVEY: Findings Report Released

Beginning in early May, the NSWGLRL survey asked questions about demographics, employment, mental health, wellbeing, relationships, and healthcare. The results show matters of concern for community and policy makers alike – across economic, health and safety.

Press Release: Mark Latham’s Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill is flawed

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (‘the GLRL’) recently produced a submission to the Inquiry on the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Complaint Handling) Bill 2020 (‘the Bill’) as part of the NSW Legislative Council Portfolio Committee No.5 Legal Affairs Inquiry. The GLRL, like many other community

Press release: NSW government blood donation restrictions

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby is pleased by news that the NSW government is set to ease restrictions preventing men who have had sex with men from donating blood. This follows the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) acceptance of Lifeblood’s submission to lower the blood donation deferral