By Jen Crothers and Kath Gelber
SYDNEY — More than 6000 people rallied outside NSW Parliament House on October 22, demanding the equalisation of age of consent laws.
When homosexuality was decriminalised in NSW 13 years ago, ALP Premier Barry Unsworth granted a concession to the right-wing — the age of consent for gay men was set at 18 years, as opposed to 16 for all other consensual sex.
The NSW Crimes Act also still outlaws the "promotion" of homosexuality to those under the age of consent.
The rally demanded that the Labor government fulfil its promise of equalising the age of consent. Labor backbencher Jan Burnswood has introduced a private member's bill, but the ALP is allowing its members a conscience vote.
Banners and placards interspersed the colourful and noisy rally. Slogans included, "We will not be silenced" and "Gay youth suicide — blood on your hands".
Speakers included Stevie Clayton, co-convener of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL), which organised the rally. Clayton told the enthusiastic crowd that they "expect the government to take a lead on this human rights issue", and that the government was elected to "represent us ... so represent us".
Other speakers included Burnswood, independent MP Clover Moore, Greens MLC Ian Cohen and a 17-year-old gay man, who asked not to be named because he was confessing to criminal acts. He said that the law "is stupid and silly ... and makes life for young gays harder" by making them criminals.
Many of the speakers condemned the National and Liberal parties for deciding to side with arch-conservative Fred Nile against the bill.
Although Cohen, Moore and Clayton condemned the government for not sponsoring its own bill, criticism of the ALP's conscience vote from the platform was muted. The crowd, however, heckled and jeered at the mention of Premier Bob Carr's name.
Final speakers included representatives from both Young Labor and Labor left. A Youth Action Policy Association spokesperson condemned both the ALP's conscience vote and the Coalition's positions.
David McLachlan, co-convener of the GLRL and chair of the rally, added at the end, "Very often the only time they [politicians] will listen is when we stand out here and blow our whistles".
The GLRL has vowed to call further rallies outside Parliament House until the bill is passed.