Hobart hearts pride parade
Approximately 500 LGBTI Tasmanians, their friends and supporters marched through Hobart at the weekend to a warm reception from Saturday afternoon shoppers and parade watchers.
The march, which included a contingent of LGBTI Aboriginal Tasmanians, was a highlight of the TasPride Festival, a fortnight of Tasmanian LGBTI parties, forums and other events which began the prior weekend.
The festival included the launch on Thursday of a new state government-funded research project into the discrimination experienced by LGBTI Tasmanians called ‘BeProud’.
The parade was followed by a rally at Parliament House addressed by Community Services Minister Cassy O’Connor, Coming Out Proud president Julian Punch, Outright Youth co-ordinator Joshua Brown, and Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome.
The parade was the state’s first since Tasmania became the final Australian state to decriminalise homosexuality in 1997.
Prior to decriminalisation, three pride festivals and marches were conducted despite attempts by the state Government to ban events and have participants arrested.
Last month the Tasmanian parliament became the first in Australia to pass a motion providing in-principle support for marriage equality.
Brenty, I’ve lived in Tasmania my whole life and have never had a nagative experience due to me sexulity. I have, however, been called a faggot in inner city Sydney by a passing motorist. I find Tasmanian’s to be extremely socially-progressive – something that I’m very proud of. I grew up in the north of Tasmania and found that to be fine too. I think there’s a perception by people that have never been to Tassie that it is very quiet, no nightlife and conservative. This just isn’t the case. If the Feds let us, I’m sure we’d be the first state to legalise gay marriage – we’re certainly the first state to give it the thumbs up in parliament a few weeks ago.
Ryan of Tassie, perhaps you should really call it how it is in reality in Tasmania? Waiting for a reply because I have friends who have lived there for some time! Know heaps! Most people in the closet bigtime!Please if you are from inner Hobart, then don’t bother to comment! What is the reality in the north of the state and in the countryside? That is why I made my commnet because it is good that people are out in the street and ‘OUT’ Not everyone is fooled by Rodney Croome’s ‘pie in the sky’ view of how things are in Tassie!
is there anywhere left on this planet where they “dont” have pride parades? Ill move there
Brenty (comment Nov 7, 2011)….. I’m sure you mean no harm, but do you realise how patronisng your comment sounds? As a Tasmanian, I can assure you that we, like every other Australian state ‘get out and about’ on a regular basis. In fact, I even went to the supermarket last night.
Great to see Tasmanians getting out and about!