New South Wales Issues Apology as Final Australian State for Historic Homosexuality Criminalization Laws

**Historic Apology: New South Wales Addresses Past Wrongs Against LGBTQ Community**

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — In a landmark moment for LGBTQ rights, the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, issued a heartfelt apology on behalf of the state for the historical criminalization of homosexuality. This apology, delivered in the state parliament on Thursday, comes four decades after the decriminalization of gay sex in New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state.

Addressing the legislative assembly, Premier Minns expressed deep regret for the “unforgivable pain” inflicted by the antiquated laws, acknowledging the profound impact they had on countless lives. “We are here to apologize for every life that was damaged or diminished or destroyed by these unjust laws,” Minns stated, emphasizing that such legislation “should never have existed.”

New South Wales was the final Australian state to formally apologize for its past laws against homosexual acts, following similar apologies from Victoria and South Australia in 2016, and the country’s other three states in 2017. The move towards inclusivity and acceptance has been a gradual process in Australia, culminating in the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2017.

The apology comes against the backdrop of a dark period in the state’s history, where homosexual acts between adult men were illegal until 1984, making New South Wales the fifth Australian state to decriminalize such acts. During the 1980s, the state witnessed a significant number of “gay hate” deaths, fueled by hostility and the AIDS epidemic. Notably, sex between women was never criminalized in New South Wales.

In a significant step towards rectifying past injustices, a legislative change in 2014 enabled men convicted under the outdated laws to have their convictions expunged. Premier Minns lamented the lost jobs, futures, and family connections resulting from these convictions, offering a sincere apology to those affected.

Sydney lawmaker Alex Greenwich, the only openly gay member of the New South Wales parliament, highlighted the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights and proposed a bill to protect teachers and students at private schools from discrimination based on their sexual orientation.

This historic apology marks a pivotal moment in New South Wales’ journey towards equality and acceptance, acknowledging the pain of the past while looking forward to a more inclusive future.