Queensland abolishes old gay ‘crimes’
The Australian state of Queensland has overturned the convictions of men who had consensual adult gay sex before such acts were decriminalised.
Queensland apologised for historical gay convictions
Consensual gay sex was a crime in Queensland until 1991, when the state government voted to decriminalise it.
However, convictions received before that date have remained on police records, causing potential hardship for those with criminal records under the old laws.
For decades, such convictions had to be disclosed when applying for visas to travel overseas or for government-related work, such as a police officer.
State politicians voted to end the legacy of Queensland’s anti-gay laws in October last year.
Despite the crimes being quashed, Queensland Attorney-General, Yvette D’Ath said the process of expunging records was not automatic.
Those who were convicted of such offences will need to apply to have the crimes permanently wiped from their records. They can do so from 30 June.
“Once a conviction is expunged a person does not need to disclose the offence nor be discriminated against for non-disclosure in their employment or profession,” D’Ath said.
“We know this doesn’t make up for previous prejudice and discrimination, but it is an important step we can and will take to right these past wrongs.”
Cottaging crimes also cleared
Some LGBT groups expressed concern that the pardons would not apply across the board. Many men used to meet in public toilets or cruising areas, so their ‘crimes’ could have come under the public offences acts. However, all such crimes have been pardoned.
Last year, Queensland state premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, apologized to all those who were convicted of the historic offences.
Queensland is the latest to overturn and pardon those convicted under “cruel” and draconian anti-homosexual laws. Last week Scotland’s government pardoned those convicted of similar offences under similar old laws.
