*Age Of Consent & Legal Sexual Activity for the State of
16th April
2008 Email to Editor of the Courier Mail (C.c. to Premier Anna Bligh and Attorney-General
Kerry Shine) regarding their 14th
April 2008 article in which I note the quote from the
Premier: "I can certainly say that as (a past) education minister, I'm aware
that many teachers and many guidance officers and school support staff face the
reality of talking to young people about their sexuality."
I challenge the Bligh Government to answer these
two key questions:
(1) In 1990 Peter
Beattie's PCJC Committee recommended an equal age of consent at 16, so why
is our
(2)
When can
----- Original Message -----
From: John Frame
To: cmletters@qnp.newsltd.com.au
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 7:14 PM
Subject: When will all
FOR PUBLICATION
I refer to the following quote from Premier Bligh in the article "School formal stance on gays sparks widespread debate" (C-M Apr 14, 2008):
"We can't put our head
in the sand on this," Ms Bligh said. "These are very difficult issues
for schools to manage and I can understand why it's not a clear-cut matter.
"I can certainly say that as (a past) education minister, I'm aware that many teachers and many guidance officers and school support staff face the reality of talking to young people about their sexuality."
What
the Premier needs to do now is to commit to changing the Criminal
Code to enact an equal age of consent at 16, so that school counselors and
students can speak honestly on sexuality issues. Honest communication is
currently hampered by the fact that a youth's same sex attraction may
automatically be associated with potential criminality (with a penalty of
up to 14 years in gaol).
In 1990 Peter
Beattie's PCJC Committee recommended an equal age of consent at 16, so why
is our Queensland Labor Government taking so long to make that
recommendation a reality? When can
Yours
sincerely,
John Frame
jvframe@ozemail.com.au
Ph: 07 3350 1562 / mobile: 0409 501 561
Post:
----"There is no substitute for equality"----