PRESS RELEASE

14th February 2005

Love In For Love Equality - inaugural event success:

 

It was Valentine's Eve and, on one of the most perfect days of the year, stalwart LGBT community activists joined with youth in the safe and spectacular surrounds of New Farm Park's Rose Gardens to celebrate love and to call for a truly equal age of consent under Queensland Law.

 

A minibus full of young people from rural Toowoomba (USQ-Plus and Silver Wheat Society) complemented a strong turnout by local Brisbane youth associated with groups such as Open Doors (Fortitude Valley) and UQ St Lucia. Men and women from PFLAG, Queensland AIDS Council and the Gay & Lesbian Welfare Association were also there to prove solidarity in support of equality for youth, through reform of the Queensland Sodomy Law.

 

The Love-In For Love Equality also officially launched an important "E-Petition" that will be open for six months on the Queensland Parliament's own website. All Queensland citizens are encouraged to join (simply Google search for "Queensland petitions" and view the list of Current E-Petitions. This e-petition points out to Parliament that:

 

"...the current Queensland Criminal Code discriminates against 16 and 17 year old youth by criminalising one possible sexual activity, anal intercourse, with penalties of up to 14 years gaol. As a result Queensland youth are denied vital safe sex education regarding this sexual activity. Further, gay and bisexual youth, in particular are denied peer acceptance and community support because of this law. The age of consent of 16 needs to be applied equally to all Queensland youth to ensure that sexually active people between 16-18 years of age are able to:

• receive advice and support in relation to a range of sexual activities

• undertake consenting sexual activity without fear of legal penalties.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to take action immediately to establish a truly equal age of consent by removing sections 208 and 209 of the Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899."

 

When interviewed at the Love-In, youth activist Julian declared that he's keen to ensure that much bigger events will take place. 

 

 

Enquiries: please contact John Frame Ph: 07 3350 1562   Mob: 0409 501 561

 

Full details are online at www.queerradio.org/AgeOfConsent.htm