More Information:

Ms Alex Sosnov (Convenor)
0418 207 027

Mr Anthony Schembri
(Convenor)
041

PRESS RELEASE - 11 April, 2002

Lobby welcomes prospect of reform

The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) has welcomed the support of the Premier for changes to the law which would ensure young gay men are treated the same as their heterosexual mates.

Mr Carr told Parliament last night that he could "think of no substantial argument against introducing a uniform age of consent". It was the first time he has indicated his personal position on an equal age of consent.

In NSW the age of consent for heterosexual sex and sex between women in NSW is 16. It is 18 for young gay men. Penalties are also harsher for gay men who can go to prison for several years for consensual sex with other young men. If an 18-year-old man has sex with a 17-year-old man, both are breaking the law.

NSW is the last state to retain such a discriminatory provision.

Female Lobby Convenor Alex Sosnov praised Mr. Carr:

"Age of consent laws are meant to protect young people. But young gay men are made criminals just because of their sexuality. We know that this results in problems for young men in accessing vital health information such as safe sex advice. Similarly, they are often barred from joining support groups or using community services.

Mr Carr's statement is a great leap forward in the progress to legal equality for gay men. By making it, he has shown that he cares about the predicament of young gay men. He is clearly concerned about the impact of an unequal age of consent on our young people's self-esteem and health.

Mr Carr needs to restore the reputation of NSW as the Premier State on human rights and we are now more hopeful that this will happen."

The prospects of reform have never been better as the leaders of both major parties are now on the public record as supporting reform. The Lobby has called upon the Government to introduce a bill to equalise the age of consent into Parliament during the current autumn sitting.