Archive Article

Twenty Years On - The Anniversary of Decriminalisation

THE RIGHTS STUFF GLRL Newsletter 2004 |

THE RIGHTS STUFF GLRL Newsletter 2004

The 20th Anniversary of the first significant move towards equality for homosexuals in New South Wales was celebrated at a special event held in the State Parliament House on Thursday 26 August 2004. Campaigners and legislators who pioneered the 1984 decriminalisation of male homosexual sex joined with the GLRL and NSW Attorney-General’s Department to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the reform.

Speakers included Attorney-General Bob Debus, who was a Member of Parliament at the time, activist Lex Watson, who led the political campaign for the Gay Rights Lobby (forerunner of the GLRL) and GLRL Co-Convenors Rob McGrory and Somali Cerise. Special thanks to 1984 activist Paul Van Reyk for his energetic support for this event, members of the Gay Liberation Quire and the Reverend Oral Riches for their choral contribution and to Somali and the Attorney-General's staff for organising a memorable ceremony befitting the historical significance of the occasion.