Tasmanian council issues an apology
In a moving apology to the gay and lesbian community in Tasmania last week Hobart Lord Mayor Rob Valentine apologised for the council’s past wrongs.
-艙We are sorry -娄 that the actions we took may have encouraged ill-will and discrimination towards GLBTI people in the broader community, he said.
In his address Valentine said the current city council had made a commitment to apologise to the community because past decisions made by the council were a direct cause of prejudice and pain.
The apology marks 20 years since the council banned a gay and lesbian law reform stall at the Salamanca Markets, leading to 130 arrests. It is thought to be the first public apology of its kind to Australia’s GLBTI community.
Valentine paid tribute to the contribution the GLBTI community makes to the city and praised the commitment of those who defended the rights of the community.
-艙The Hobart City Council apologises for prohibiting the gay law reform stall at Salamanca Market in 1988 and for the resulting arrests and bans, the apology stated. -艙We are sorry for the pain and trauma caused to all involved, including GLBTI people, their family members, friends and supporters and those council officers who were required to carry out the council decision. We resolve that actions such as these will never happen again.
Councillor Dr John Freeman, who has voiced his objections to the apology, told ABC Radio last week he is not sorry.
-艙What we did at the time was legal. They knew that. We knew that. I find no need at all to apologise for legal behaviour.
