Chris Minns to issue formal apology to LGBTI+ community

The NSW Minns government will issue a formal state apology to those convicted under discriminatory laws that criminalised homosexual acts.

The apology, to be said in parliament in June, will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Crime (Amendment) Bill 1984 passing in the Parliament of NSW, which decriminalised homosexuality in the state.

NSW Premier Chris Minns and leader of the government in the Legislative Council Penny Sharpe will issue the apology, acknowledging the challenging history that the LGBTI+ community has faced in NSW.

“I know that to many this apology will not remedy discrimination of the past, but I hope that it brings some semblance of closure to those that were unfairly targeted by laws of the day that criminalised gay and lesbian people for being who they are,” said Minns.

“A formal apology to those who suffered at the hands of the law that criminalised homosexuality recognises the harm done to many and acknowledges that it was wrong,” said Sharpe.

The government said it recognised the trauma people of diverse sexualities endured, and continue to live with, due to past decisions.

“While we have made significant strides of progress over time, we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done to ensure the equal rights for all members of our community.”

The move was welcomed by Equality Australia, whose chief executive Anna Brown said it was a symbolic act that went some way to healing the pain.

“These unjust criminal laws created a climate of fear and prejudice that, 40 years on, our community still grapples with today and sadly our laws continue to entrench discrimination that casts a shadow over the lives of LGBTIQ+ people,” she said.

Brown said the apology must now be backed by action to continue to improve lives of LGBTI+ Australians.

“State parliament recently passed historic laws banning conversion practices in the first major reform for our community in almost a decade, and the next step is to change our laws to ensure all people and families are equal in NSW.”  

NSW is the last state to issue a formal apology. Victoria and South Australia formally apologised in 2016, while Queensland, WA and Tasmania apologised in 2017.