News of couple’s mistreatment spreads

News of the homophobic harassment of a gay couple living in Hobart has quickly spread, having been reported as far away as the couple’s native Chile.
The pair, Juan and Pedro, have been living in fear at a public housing estate with daily threats of violence from other residents, as well as having rocks and bricks thrown through their windows. Despite these incidents and complaints to Tasmania Police, the couple have been awaiting a transfer to safer housing for six months from Housing Tasmania, although they are in the organisation’s highest needs category. News of the situation has been reported in Chile’s daily newspaper, Diario El Dia.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome condemed the attacks and the lack of action in a statement this week.
“The Tasmanian Government has set targets for reducing levels of anti-gay discrimination and hate crimes and has funded one or two programs aimed at reaching these targets, but clearly this has not been enough to ensure LGBT Tasmanians can live free of the threat of prejudice and violence,” Croome said.
“Tasmania was recently voted the world’s number two emerging global gay travel destination, but we will quickly slip from that position if we do not act to curb gay hate.
“Changing community attitudes requires long-term planning, commitment of resources and leadership.”