Premier in Australia Apologizes To Men Convicted Under Anti-Gay Law

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

Via The Age

Peter McEwan was just 17 when the police caught him caressing another man behind some bushes on Brighton beach in 1967. It was enough for him to receive a criminal conviction while he was still finishing year 12. He said police had written a confession for him and he agreed to sign it. “I was an innocent boy. I trusted the police,” he said. Later his story was splashed on the front page of The Truth newspaper.

In parliament on Tuesday Premier Daniel Andrews apologised to Mr McEwan and other men who were convicted under homophobic laws that have now been scrapped. “There was a time in our history when we turned thousands of ordinary young men into criminals,” Mr Andrews said. “And it was profoundly and unimaginably wrong.” He apologised for the laws the parliament had passed and the “lives ruined”.

“It all started here. It will end here, too.” Mr Andrews raised the individual cases of several men affected by the laws. He said he also learnt of two women convicted for offensive behaviour in the 1970s for holding hands on a tram. Opposition leader Matthew Guy also apologised. He told parliament the apology was long overdue. “It’s about time and it is right,” My Guy said.

 

[Economy 52,837]

Primier? Here in Canada thats the Provincial leader who cannot change Federal Laws

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

5 minutes ago, Economy said:

Primier? Here in Canada thats the Provincial leader who cannot change Federal Laws

Yea of Victoria

[MelbHawker 6,583]

As a citizen of Victoria, very happy this happened. 

[Economy 52,837]

3 hours ago, LebaneseDude said:

Yea of Victoria

Ok is that a Province or state?

 

If so how can he promiss and end to this?

 

Here in Canada some Provinces gave gay rights before the Federal Government did in 2005 but they couldnt do anything outside their borders

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

1 hour ago, Economy said:

Ok is that a Province or state?

 

If so how can he promiss and end to this?

 

Here in Canada some Provinces gave gay rights before the Federal Government did in 2005 but they couldnt do anything outside their borders

It's a state.

The anti-gay laws already ended a while back. He just apologized this week for those who were convicted under the law before it was repealed.