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The need for an equal age of consent in NSW The Age of Consent and Gay Men in New South Wales Richard Roberts and Peter Maplestone, School of Social Work University of NSW Age of Consent for Sexual Activity: Finding from the scientific literature to support equality of age of consent for same-sex and different-sex sexual behaviour Vivienne Cass (PDF 27KB) Age of Consent Fact Sheet Age of Consent Press Release

PRESS RELEASE - 6 May 2003 About time, NSW! The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby today welcomed the NSW Attorney General’s announcement of the Government’s intention to introduce legislation to equalize the age of consent for gay men and to remove other discriminatory aspects of the Crimes Act. “This inequality is a carry over from the days before 1984, when all consensual sex between men was illegal in NSW. This reform is long overdue. NSW is the last State in Australia with an unequal age of consent,” stated GLRL Co-Convenor, Robert McGrory. There is no recognised scientific evidence that an unequal age of consent offers any protection or other benefit to young gay men. In fact, research in this area has found that an unequal age of consent is actually harmful to young gay men, as it inhibits their access to educational, health and welfare services at a time when they need such services the most. “It is disappointing that the major parties will be allowing their members a conscience vote on this issue. The health and welfare of young gay men in this State should be a matter of Government policy, not conscience,” commented Somali Cerise, GLRL Co-Convenor. A large number of professional organizations have come out in support of equalizing the age of consent in NSW including the Australian Medical Association (AMA), NSW Council for Social Services (NCOSS), Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), Youth Action and Policy Association (YAPA) and the Law Society of NSW. “This is not radical reform. It is a reform that will see NSW catch up with the other States of Australia and many other countries, which have an equal age of consent”, Robert McGrory said. For further comment: Ms Somali Cerise 0407 060 680 Mr Robert McGrory 0404 837 905

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The need for an equal age of consent in NSW

The Age of Consent and Gay Men in New South Wales
Richard Roberts and
Peter Maplestone,
School of Social Work
University of NSW

Age of Consent for Sexual Activity: Finding from the scientific literature to support equality of age of consent for same-sex and different-sex sexual behaviour
Vivienne Cass
(PDF 27KB)