Queensland, Australia Overturns Gay Sex Convictions
Queensland, Australia will overturn the convictions of men who were prosecuted for having consensual sex with other men before such acts were made legal in 1991.
Convictions have stayed on the books despite the sodomy law being struck down. It was announced in October of last year that the Queensland government would set them aside, but the changes were not officially proclaimed until Thursday.
Those who wish to have their convictions overturned will have to apply to have their records expunged, beginning June 30.
“This is an historic day for Queensland and the LGBTIQ community," Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said in a statement.
"Consensual homosexual activity stopped being a crime in 1991, but many people still live with the harmful legacy of the past legislation," she noted. "A criminal conviction has serious consequences on a person, potentially affecting employment and travel opportunities, not to mention the stigma.”
"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 continued. “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."
Earlier this week, Queensland did away with a law that forced transgender citizens to divorce if they wanted legal recognition of their gender following gender-confirmation surgery.
Last week, Scotland's government decided to grant automatic pardons for men convicted under its old anti-sodomy laws, after issuing an official apology last year.