The last state in Australia to apologise to the LGBT community has done so.
New South Wales (NSW) Labor Premier Chris Minns made the apology just after noon on what was the 40th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the state.
The move was supported by those in the NSW Legislative Assembly including Speaker Greg Piper, Liberal Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, and Labor Attorney General Michael Daley.
The state of New South Wales Crimes Act 1900 categorised homosexuality under the same banner as bestiality and it came with a maximum 14-year prison sentence.
Homosexuality was eventually decriminalised under former Premier Neville Wran in 1984.
NSW is the last state to issue an apology.
Victoria and South Australia formally apologised in 2016, followed by Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania in 2017.
In announcing his intention to offer the apology, Premier Minns said he was hopeful the move would offer some closure for members of the LGBT community.
“I know that to many this apology will not remedy discrimination of the past, but I hope that it brings some semblance of closure to those that were unfairly targeted by laws of the day that criminalised gay and lesbian people for being who they are,” he said in a statement.
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council (the upper house) Penny Sharpe said the recognition was necessary for the state.
“Decriminalisation of homosexuality was a significant step that smashed through the wall of laws that allowed discrimination against gay men and the LGBTQ community,” she said.
“A formal apology to those who suffered at the hands of the law that criminalised homosexuality recognises the harm done to many and acknowledges that it was wrong.”
In parliament, attendees were asked by the speaker to remain quiet for what was a “historic occasion.”
A number of people left parliament prior to the apology, though the reason for them leaving was not disclosed.
“Laws that have guided our state for more than 200 years in this parliament, 160 years or so in this chamber, have affected many people and many of those laws were good,” Mr. Piper told the parliament.
“We know not all of them were. In fact, some were horrendously prejudicial.”
Mr. Piper said the hallmark of a compassionate and mature society was to admit fault where necessary.
Mr. Minns condemned the laws against homosexuality that he said resulted in some men receiving court-ordered electro-shock therapy while being made to look at photographs of naked men.
“We’re here to apologise for every life that was damaged, diminished or destroyed,” he said.
“For every person that experienced fear, lost a job or future.
“We are very sorry for every person convicted or otherwise who were made to live a smaller life because of these laws.”
Mr. Minns said he was proud his government had also outlawed gay conversion therapy in NSW last month.
Mr. Speakman said the apology was long overdue for those who were made to feel “ashamed by their government.”
He said up to 1,000 convictions a year were made against gay men while the laws were active and he rejected the notion that private, consenting adult sexual activity should be criminalised.
