*Age Of Consent & Legal Sexual Activity for the State of
5th January 2004
Email to all
members of Parliament in
From: John
Frame
To: all Queensland Members of Parliament
Sent:
Subject: need for Law Reform to equitably support & protect
youth
From: John
Frame
Phone: 07 3350 1562 / 0409 501 561
Email: jvframe@bigpond.net.au
Date:
Re: Urgent need for Criminal Code Law Reform
to ensure equal support and protection of
To the Honourable
Member of Parliament,
I am writing to
you with respect, in order to ensure that you are aware of a serious inequity
in Queensland Law which has, since its enactment in 1990, severely limited the
ability of the general community to offer adequate support to our State’s
youth.
You may not realise that
In June 2003
the United States Of America Supreme Court instructed that all similar laws be
removed from the statutes of all their States. The Court ruled that such laws
invade personal privacy.
However privacy
is not the only quality of life lost through such invasive laws. The stigma of
illegality is applied to anyone presumed likely to engage in the proscribed
acts and the laws were mainly used to actively discriminate against homosexual
men and women.
Likewise,
“Sodomy” is
defined by the Attorney General as “a penis entering an anus”. This sexual activity is certainly NOT
uncommon to heterosexual couples – however the overriding public impression is
that it is a “male to male” activity. Consequently, no effective safe-sex
education or relationships counseling is directed in support of 16 and 17 year
old gay or bisexual youth.
Most
tragically, because of the law, these youth also are also tainted as potential
criminals. They are denied the ready acceptance and support of their peers and
their family. Suicide is the major cause of death among
It is a matter
of the utmost urgency that
Our current
Premier, The Honourable Mr. Peter Beattie MP, chaired
the 1990 Parliamentary Committee which reported regarding “Homosexual Law
Reform”. The PCJC Report specifically recommended that there should NOT be a
higher legal age set for ANY gender or for ANY sexual activity. Parliament was
offered (and accepted) a Bill which ignored that recommendation.
During 2003
major reforms in
In 2004 I urge
you to lobby and to vote in favour of equity in
support and acceptance of
To confirm that
the Sodomy Law is a serious impediment to effective community support in
- Meagan Probert, Manager of "Open Doors Youth Service",
(Fortitude Valley) - a federally funded service especially in support of 14 to
19 year old gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. Ph: 07 3257 7660
- Leisa Brandon or Murray, of "Logan Youth & Family Services",
coordinators of the "2QT2BSRT8"
youth support group. Ph: 07 3208 8199 Ext 5
- Carni Johnston, Media Contact Officer for "Family
Planning
- Matt Gillett, General Manager of the "
I invite your
comments or queries, but moreover I urge your full support for prompt reform
through elimination of the Sodomy Law.
Yours
sincerely,
John
Frame.
presenter
and coordinator since 1994
of community radio support
program “Queer Radio” www.queerradio.org
on 4ZZZ fm102.1