Exclusive Bretheren told to apologise
A Tasmanian transgender activist has won an apology from Exclusive Brethren members after the 2006 publication of state election advertisements attacking transgender and intersex people.
The apology will appear in three Tasmanian newspapers tomorrow, The Examiner, The Advocate and The Mercury and is the result of a settlement of an anti-discrimination case, running for three years.
Martine Delaney took members of the Exclusive Brethren religious group to the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal in 2006 over and a series of advertisements she says caused hurt and offence to the community.
“It’s hard enough being a transgender or intersex person in this society without your basic human rights being hatefully attacked,” she said.
“My wish has always been to ensure election debates are conducted without vulnerable minorities being unfairly targeted.”
The advertisement claimed that Greens policy support for transgender people would “ruin families and society.”
The apology was issued by Exclusive Brethren members, Roger Unwin and Graham Lewis, on behalf of the company that paid for the advertisements, TradTas.
Delaney told Sydney Star Observer she was pleased the Exclusive Brethren members agreed to apologise for distress caused although would liked to have seen the pair involved in an education campaign.
It’s not a perfect result but I think it’s quite and achievement to acknowledge they caused offence and I think that’s a first in Australia for them to apologise for something like that.
Delaney has another case with the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal on Monday to inquire into the Liberal Party’s role in the advertisements.
In a similar case also involving Delaney earlier this year, the tribunal found a 2006 Liberal Party election pamphlet did not contravene the state’s incitement to hatred laws when it called same-sex marriage socially destructive.
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Exclusive Brethren are such hypocrites on so many levels. They spend so much money campaigning and intervening in politics to try and ensure support for the Conservative side of politics…and yet according to their religion, they aren’t even allowed to vote themselves!
These inbred snivelling morons do not deserve to have a religion status in Australia. Are you aware that they are not allowed to have any pets as all adulation must be for the allmighty? The snivelling prick that lives 4 doors down the road, lured and then trapped our cat, complete with collar and microchip. and dumped him some 50 kls from home. This is at least what he has admitted to. The mongrel has told that many lies as to the location of where he released the cat, if in fact he did, and has created a storm as many of our neighbours have also lost cats. These pricks deserve to be shot- inbred,delusioned,brainwashed- need I go on- til they affected me I didnt care but from now on its deadset WAR. These pricks are beyond help as they are so brainwashed and delusional. Why else dont their churches have windows- You might be able to see reality outside. Thedownright depression of women is unbelievable- but the silence is deafening. Much help needed here..
I hope the “ulter-right wing conservative bigoted liberal party” NEVER enter Government in Tasmania!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joanne,
Obviously you have some personal experience with what you’re referring to – but for the rest of us – we have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.
Care to enlighten us and explain what “confusion between the intersex and transgender experience” is all about…
Perhaps if people like Delany were to be a little less intent on creating confusion by creating confusion between the intersex and the transgender experience, she might help her own cause a little more?