*Age Of Consent & Legal Sexual Activity for the State of Queensland, Australia - A campaign to remove our Sodomy Law (which was enacted in 1990).

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1st December 2005 Email to Premier Peter Beattie on this World AIDS Awareness Day: pointing out that its is a sad state of affairs for the Beattie Government to persist with inaction on Sodomy Law reform, when they know that this law places youth at increased risk of HIV infection.

 

I refer in this email to my telephone conversation on 28th November 2005 with Jeremy from the Attorney-General’s Office, in which I was told that no explanation would be given for the Government’s inaction. Jeremy told me he would write to me addressing my request for a representative group meeting with the Minister.

 

From: John Frame

To: Premier Peter Beattie

Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 11:13 PM

Subject: Qld inaction on World AIDS Day

 

Re: The Beattie Government's continuing inaction on the 1990 Sodomy Law leaves our state's youth at great, and unnecessary risk of HIV infection. A sad state of affairs on World AIDS Awareness Day (1st December 2005). 

 

Dear Mr Beattie,

 

On Monday I received a return call from Jeremy of the Attorney General's Office. I told him that I had received yet another letter from the Attorney General which merely states that your Government has no plans to reform the Sodomy Law.

 

The main question I posed to Jeremy was that, since the Attorney General has acknowledged the HIV risk posed to youth by this law, and the fact that the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner has called for its urgent reform, can the Attorney-General at least explain why there are no plans for reform. He told me that there would be no explanation.

 

I suggested that the only likely reason for inaction is a fear of losing a handful of conservative votes. He said he could not comment.

 

So I suggested to Jeremy, how is a parent of a gay teenage child expected to feel, when they know that their child is at increased risk of self-harm suicide and HIV directly because of the Sodomy Law, and they are told that the Government cares less about their child than it does about votes?

 

Again Jeremy could not comment, but I know that you are in the best and most authoritative position to do so.

 

I welcome your comment.

 

I believe that inaction on the 1990 Sodomy Law is in itself an action - it's a choice to place young Queensland lives at risk.

 

It would be easy for a Government spin doctor to sell this reform to the general public - using the honest fact that it would be ensuring equal protection and support for all the state's youth.

 

When I interviewed you on 15th June 2001 at the Brisbane Powerhouse http://www.queerradio.org/PeterBeattie150601.htm you assured me that your Government would take some action on this issue, and yet to date your Government has done nothing whatsoever. Since this is the fifteen anniversary of the Sodomy Law, the only law of its kind in Australia, surely it is time to finally act.

 

I would like to regain my confidence, trust and respect for Queensland Labor. 

 

with sincere regards,

 

John

 

John Frame
presenter of Queer Radio www.queerradio.org
on community radio 4ZZZ fm102.1 Brisbane, Australia
Ph: 07 3350 1562 / 0409 501 561
Post: 82 Main Avenue, Wavell Heights 4012, QLD, Australia.

 

----"There is no substitute for equality"----

 

 

I look forward to a time when I can trust the Beattie Government again.