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'Unimaginably wrong': Victoria's gay conviction apology speech in full | |
(35 minutes later) | |
“Speaker – it’s never too late to put things right. | “Speaker – it’s never too late to put things right. |
It’s never too late to say sorry – and mean it. | It’s never too late to say sorry – and mean it. |
That’s what brings us all to the heart of our democracy … | That’s what brings us all to the heart of our democracy … |
… here, in this parliament … | … here, in this parliament … |
… where, over the course of decades, a powerful prejudice was written into law. | … where, over the course of decades, a powerful prejudice was written into law. |
A prejudice that ruined lives. | A prejudice that ruined lives. |
A prejudice that prevails in different ways, even still. | A prejudice that prevails in different ways, even still. |
That law was written in our name – as representatives, and as Victorians. | That law was written in our name – as representatives, and as Victorians. |
And that law was enforced by the very democratic system to which we call ourselves faithful. | And that law was enforced by the very democratic system to which we call ourselves faithful. |
So it is our responsibility to prove that the parliament that engineered this prejudice can also be the parliament that ends it. | So it is our responsibility to prove that the parliament that engineered this prejudice can also be the parliament that ends it. |
That starts with acknowledging the offences of the past … | That starts with acknowledging the offences of the past … |
… admitting the failings of the present … | … admitting the failings of the present … |
… and building a society, for the future, that is strong and fair and just. | … and building a society, for the future, that is strong and fair and just. |
In doing so, Speaker, we’ll have shown this moment to be no mere gesture. | In doing so, Speaker, we’ll have shown this moment to be no mere gesture. |
In doing so, we’ll have proven that the dignity and bravery of generations of Victorians wasn’t simply for nought. | In doing so, we’ll have proven that the dignity and bravery of generations of Victorians wasn’t simply for nought. |
And that, I hope, will be the greatest comfort of all. | And that, I hope, will be the greatest comfort of all. |
Speaker, there is no more simple an acknowledgement than this: | Speaker, there is no more simple an acknowledgement than this: |
There was a time in our history when we turned thousands of ordinary young men into criminals. | There was a time in our history when we turned thousands of ordinary young men into criminals. |
And it was profoundly and unimaginably wrong. | And it was profoundly and unimaginably wrong. |
That such a thing could have occurred – once, perhaps a century ago – would not surprise most Victorians… | That such a thing could have occurred – once, perhaps a century ago – would not surprise most Victorians… |
… well, I hold here an article that reports the random arrest of 15 men. | … well, I hold here an article that reports the random arrest of 15 men. |
“Police Blitz Catches Homosexuals”, the headline reads. | “Police Blitz Catches Homosexuals”, the headline reads. |
And said a police officer: “… we just seem to find homosexuals loitering wherever we go.” | And said a police officer: “… we just seem to find homosexuals loitering wherever we go.” |
This was published in Melbourne’s biggest-selling weekly newspaper – in December 1976. | This was published in Melbourne’s biggest-selling weekly newspaper – in December 1976. |
A decade earlier, in 1967, a local paper said that a dozen men would soon face court for – quote – “morals offences”, and urged the public to report homosexuals to the police with a minimum of delay. | A decade earlier, in 1967, a local paper said that a dozen men would soon face court for – quote – “morals offences”, and urged the public to report homosexuals to the police with a minimum of delay. |
A generation earlier, in 1937, Judge MacIndoe said John, a man in his 20s, was “not quite sane”, and gaoled him for three months on a charge of gross indecency. | A generation earlier, in 1937, Judge MacIndoe said John, a man in his 20s, was “not quite sane”, and gaoled him for three months on a charge of gross indecency. |
In 1936, Jack, a working man from Sale, faced a Melbourne court on the same charge – and he was gaoled for ten years. | In 1936, Jack, a working man from Sale, faced a Melbourne court on the same charge – and he was gaoled for ten years. |
This, Speaker, is the society we built. | This, Speaker, is the society we built. |
And it would be easy to blame the courts, or the media, or the police, or the public. | And it would be easy to blame the courts, or the media, or the police, or the public. |
It is easy for us to condemn their bigotry. | It is easy for us to condemn their bigotry. |
But the law required them to be bigoted. | But the law required them to be bigoted. |
And those laws were struck here, where I stand. | And those laws were struck here, where I stand. |
One of those laws even earned the label abominable. | One of those laws even earned the label abominable. |
And in 1961 alone, 40 Victorian men were charged with it. | And in 1961 alone, 40 Victorian men were charged with it. |
In the same year, a minor offence was created that shook just as many lives. | In the same year, a minor offence was created that shook just as many lives. |
The penalty was $600 in today’s terms, or one month’s imprisonment. | The penalty was $600 in today’s terms, or one month’s imprisonment. |
The charge? ‘Loitering for homosexual purposes.’ | The charge? ‘Loitering for homosexual purposes.’ |
This was the offence used to justify that random police blitz in ‘76. | This was the offence used to justify that random police blitz in ‘76. |
A witness said: “Young policemen were sent … to … entrap suspected homosexuals.” | A witness said: “Young policemen were sent … to … entrap suspected homosexuals.” |
“[Officers] dressed in swimwear … engaging other men in conversation.” | “[Officers] dressed in swimwear … engaging other men in conversation.” |
“When the policeman was satisfied the person was homosexual, an arrest was made.” | “When the policeman was satisfied the person was homosexual, an arrest was made.” |
When we began this process, Speaker, I expected to be offering an apology to people persecuted for homosexual acts. | When we began this process, Speaker, I expected to be offering an apology to people persecuted for homosexual acts. |
But it has become clear to me that the State also persecuted against homosexual thought. | But it has become clear to me that the State also persecuted against homosexual thought. |
Loitering for homosexual purposes is a thought crime … | Loitering for homosexual purposes is a thought crime … |
And in one summer in 1976, in one location alone, one hundred men were targeted under this violation of thought; something for which there was no possible defence. | And in one summer in 1976, in one location alone, one hundred men were targeted under this violation of thought; something for which there was no possible defence. |
… all in our lifetimes, Speaker. | … all in our lifetimes, Speaker. |
In our name. | In our name. |
Young people. Old people. Thousands and thousands of people. | Young people. Old people. Thousands and thousands of people. |
I suppose it’s rare when you can’t even begin to conceive what was on the minds of our forebears in this Place. | I suppose it’s rare when you can’t even begin to conceive what was on the minds of our forebears in this Place. |
But I look back at those statutes and I am dumbfounded. | But I look back at those statutes and I am dumbfounded. |
I can’t possibly explain why we made these laws, and clung to them, and fought for them. | I can’t possibly explain why we made these laws, and clung to them, and fought for them. |
For decades, we were obsessed with the private mysteries of men. | For decades, we were obsessed with the private mysteries of men. |
And so we jailed them. | And so we jailed them. |
We harmed them. | We harmed them. |
And, in turn, they harmed themselves. | And, in turn, they harmed themselves. |
Speaker, it is the first responsibility of a government to keep people safe. | Speaker, it is the first responsibility of a government to keep people safe. |
But the government didn’t keep LGBTI people safe. | But the government didn’t keep LGBTI people safe. |
The government invalidated their humanity and cast them into a nightmare. | The government invalidated their humanity and cast them into a nightmare. |
And those who live today are the survivors of nothing less than a campaign of destruction, led by the might of the state. | And those who live today are the survivors of nothing less than a campaign of destruction, led by the might of the state. |
… I had the privilege of meeting with four of those survivors. | … I had the privilege of meeting with four of those survivors. |
One of them was Noel Tovey. | One of them was Noel Tovey. |
He was sent to Pentridge in 1951. | He was sent to Pentridge in 1951. |
On more than one occasion in jail, he planned his suicide. | On more than one occasion in jail, he planned his suicide. |
“Max was singing an aria from La Traviata when the police arrived,” he recalled in his book. | “Max was singing an aria from La Traviata when the police arrived,” he recalled in his book. |
I was very naive. I knew having sex with men was against the law but I didn’t understand why it was a crime. | I was very naive. I knew having sex with men was against the law but I didn’t understand why it was a crime. |
At the hearing, the judge said, “You have been charged with the abominable crime of buggery. How do you plead?” | At the hearing, the judge said, “You have been charged with the abominable crime of buggery. How do you plead?” |
The maximum sentence was fifteen years. | The maximum sentence was fifteen years. |
Afterwards, only two people would talk to me. I couldn’t…get a job. I was a known criminal. | Afterwards, only two people would talk to me. I couldn’t…get a job. I was a known criminal. |
And it’s ironic… | And it’s ironic… |
Eventually I would have been forgiven by everyone if I had murdered Max, but no one could forgive me for having sex with him.” | Eventually I would have been forgiven by everyone if I had murdered Max, but no one could forgive me for having sex with him.” |
And Noel, in his own words, considers himself “one of the lucky ones.” | And Noel, in his own words, considers himself “one of the lucky ones.” |
I also met Terry Kennedy. | I also met Terry Kennedy. |
He was 18 when he was arrested. | He was 18 when he was arrested. |
“When I wanted to go overseas”, Terry told me, “and when I wanted to start my own business, there was always that dreaded question: | “When I wanted to go overseas”, Terry told me, “and when I wanted to start my own business, there was always that dreaded question: |
“Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence?” | “Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence?” |
I lied, of course. | I lied, of course. |
Then the phone rang … It was an inspector from the St Kilda police station. He’d found me out. | Then the phone rang … It was an inspector from the St Kilda police station. He’d found me out. |
With a curse like that always lurking over our heads, we always had to ask ourselves [this question] – just how far can I go today?” | With a curse like that always lurking over our heads, we always had to ask ourselves [this question] – just how far can I go today?” |
That’s the sort of question which, in some form or another, must have been asked by almost every single LGBTI person. | That’s the sort of question which, in some form or another, must have been asked by almost every single LGBTI person. |
It is still asked today – by teenagers in the schoolyard; by adults in the family home. | It is still asked today – by teenagers in the schoolyard; by adults in the family home. |
Yes, the law was unjust, but it is wrong to think its only victims were those who faced its sanction. | Yes, the law was unjust, but it is wrong to think its only victims were those who faced its sanction. |
The fact is: these laws cast a dark and paralysing pall over everyone who ever felt like they were different. | The fact is: these laws cast a dark and paralysing pall over everyone who ever felt like they were different. |
The fact is: these laws represented nothing less than official, state-sanctioned homophobia ... | The fact is: these laws represented nothing less than official, state-sanctioned homophobia ... |
And we wonder why, Speaker – we wonder why gay and lesbian and bi and trans teenagers are still the target of a red-hot hatred. | And we wonder why, Speaker – we wonder why gay and lesbian and bi and trans teenagers are still the target of a red-hot hatred. |
We wonder why hundreds of thousands of Australians are still formally excluded from something as basic and decent as a formal celebration of love. | We wonder why hundreds of thousands of Australians are still formally excluded from something as basic and decent as a formal celebration of love. |
And we wonder why so many people are still forced to drape their lives in shame. | And we wonder why so many people are still forced to drape their lives in shame. |
Shame: that deeply personal condition, described by Peter McEwen as “the feeling of not being good enough.” | Shame: that deeply personal condition, described by Peter McEwen as “the feeling of not being good enough.” |
Peter was arrested in 1967. | Peter was arrested in 1967. |
He soon fled overseas to escape his life. | He soon fled overseas to escape his life. |
The fourth man I spoke with last week, Tom Anderson, met his own private terror when he was 14. | The fourth man I spoke with last week, Tom Anderson, met his own private terror when he was 14. |
For weeks, he was routinely sexually assaulted by his boss – a man in his 40s. | For weeks, he was routinely sexually assaulted by his boss – a man in his 40s. |
His parents, in all good faith, took Tom down to the police station to make a formal statement and get his employer charged. | His parents, in all good faith, took Tom down to the police station to make a formal statement and get his employer charged. |
And he was. | And he was. |
But so was Tom. | But so was Tom. |
This child victim of sexual assault was charged with one count of buggery and two counts of gross indecency. | This child victim of sexual assault was charged with one count of buggery and two counts of gross indecency. |
Can you believe, Speaker, that the year was 1977 … | Can you believe, Speaker, that the year was 1977 … |
Today, Tom carries with him a quiet bravery that is hard to put into words. | Today, Tom carries with him a quiet bravery that is hard to put into words. |
And he told me about the time – one day, just a few years ago – when his home was burgled. | And he told me about the time – one day, just a few years ago – when his home was burgled. |
“I’m a grown man”, he said, “but the moment the police came around to inspect the house, and I opened the door … I became that 14-year-old boy again.” | “I’m a grown man”, he said, “but the moment the police came around to inspect the house, and I opened the door … I became that 14-year-old boy again.” |
“I couldn’t talk. I was frozen. I was a grown man and I couldn’t talk.” | “I couldn’t talk. I was frozen. I was a grown man and I couldn’t talk.” |
This was life for innocent people like Tom. | This was life for innocent people like Tom. |
We told them they were fugitives living outside the law. | We told them they were fugitives living outside the law. |
We gave them no safe place to find themselves – or find each other. | We gave them no safe place to find themselves – or find each other. |
And we made sure they couldn’t trust a soul. | And we made sure they couldn’t trust a soul. |
Not even their family. | Not even their family. |
A life like that … what do you think that does to a human being? | A life like that … what do you think that does to a human being? |
… what do you think it does to their ability to find purpose, to hold themselves with confidence … to be happy, to be social, to be free? | … what do you think it does to their ability to find purpose, to hold themselves with confidence … to be happy, to be social, to be free? |
Don’t tell me that these laws were simply a suppression of sex. | Don’t tell me that these laws were simply a suppression of sex. |
This was a suppression of spirit. | This was a suppression of spirit. |
A denial of love. | A denial of love. |
And it lives on, today. | And it lives on, today. |
While the laws were terminated in the 1980s, they still remain next to the names of so many men – most of them dead – a criminal conviction engraved upon their place in history. | While the laws were terminated in the 1980s, they still remain next to the names of so many men – most of them dead – a criminal conviction engraved upon their place in history. |
I can inform the House that six men have now successfully applied to expunge these convictions from their record. | I can inform the House that six men have now successfully applied to expunge these convictions from their record. |
Many more have commenced the process. | Many more have commenced the process. |
This won’t erase the injustice, but it is an accurate statement of what I believe today: | This won’t erase the injustice, but it is an accurate statement of what I believe today: |
… that these convictions should never have happened … | … that these convictions should never have happened … |
… that the charges will be deleted, as if they never existed … | … that the charges will be deleted, as if they never existed … |
… and that their subjects can call themselves, once again, law-abiding men. | … and that their subjects can call themselves, once again, law-abiding men. |
Expungement is one thing, but these victims won’t find their salvation in this alone. | Expungement is one thing, but these victims won’t find their salvation in this alone. |
They are each owed hope. | They are each owed hope. |
And all four of the men I met told me they only began to find that hope when they met people who were just like them. | And all four of the men I met told me they only began to find that hope when they met people who were just like them. |
Peter McEwen – back in the country, and emerging from years of shame – started meeting weekly with some gay friends at university in 1972. | Peter McEwen – back in the country, and emerging from years of shame – started meeting weekly with some gay friends at university in 1972. |
“We realised we were all outlaws together,” he said, “and we learnt to say that we are good”. | “We realised we were all outlaws together,” he said, “and we learnt to say that we are good”. |
“We learnt to say ‘black is beautiful, women are strong – and gay is good.’” | “We learnt to say ‘black is beautiful, women are strong – and gay is good.’” |
“Once I learnt I was good, it led me to question everyone who said I was evil and sick.” | “Once I learnt I was good, it led me to question everyone who said I was evil and sick.” |
“Gay men had taken on board the shame. Through each other we found our pride.” | “Gay men had taken on board the shame. Through each other we found our pride.” |
Then he paused for a second and he said: | Then he paused for a second and he said: |
“Pride is the opposite of shame.” | “Pride is the opposite of shame.” |
He’s right. | He’s right. |
Pride is not a cold acceptance; it’s a celebration. | Pride is not a cold acceptance; it’s a celebration. |
It’s about wearing your colours and baring your character. | It’s about wearing your colours and baring your character. |
The mere expression of pride was an act of sheer defiance. | The mere expression of pride was an act of sheer defiance. |
These people we speak about – they weren’t just fighting for the right to be equal. | These people we speak about – they weren’t just fighting for the right to be equal. |
They were fighting for the right to be different. | They were fighting for the right to be different. |
And I want everyone in this state, young or old, to know that you, too, have that right. | And I want everyone in this state, young or old, to know that you, too, have that right. |
You were born with that right. | You were born with that right. |
And being who you are is good enough for me – good enough for all of us. | And being who you are is good enough for me – good enough for all of us. |
Here in Victoria, equality is not negotiable. | Here in Victoria, equality is not negotiable. |
Here, you can be different from everybody else, but still be treated the same as everybody else. | Here, you can be different from everybody else, but still be treated the same as everybody else. |
Because we believe in fairness. | Because we believe in fairness. |
… we believe in honesty, too – so we have to acknowledge this: | … we believe in honesty, too – so we have to acknowledge this: |
For the time being, we can’t promise things will be easy. | For the time being, we can’t promise things will be easy. |
Tomorrow, a young bloke will get hurt. | Tomorrow, a young bloke will get hurt. |
Tomorrow, a parent will turn their back on their child. | Tomorrow, a parent will turn their back on their child. |
Tomorrow, a loving couple and their beautiful baby will be met with a stare of contempt. | Tomorrow, a loving couple and their beautiful baby will be met with a stare of contempt. |
Tomorrow, a trans woman will be turned away from a job interview. | Tomorrow, a trans woman will be turned away from a job interview. |
And tomorrow, a gay teenager will think about ending his own life. | And tomorrow, a gay teenager will think about ending his own life. |
That’s the truth. | That’s the truth. |
There is so much more we need to do to make things right. | There is so much more we need to do to make things right. |
Until then, we can’t promise things will be easy. | Until then, we can’t promise things will be easy. |
We can’t guarantee that everyone in your life will respect the way you want to live it. | We can’t guarantee that everyone in your life will respect the way you want to live it. |
And we can’t expect you to make what must be a terrifying plunge until you know the time is right. | And we can’t expect you to make what must be a terrifying plunge until you know the time is right. |
But just know that whenever that time comes, you have a government that’s on your side. | But just know that whenever that time comes, you have a government that’s on your side. |
You have a government that is trying to make the state a safer place – in the classroom, in the workplace. | You have a government that is trying to make the state a safer place – in the classroom, in the workplace. |
You have a government that is trying to eradicate a culture of bullying and harassment so that the next generation of children are never old enough to experience it. | You have a government that is trying to eradicate a culture of bullying and harassment so that the next generation of children are never old enough to experience it. |
You have a government that sees these indisputable statistics – of LGBTI self-harm, of suicide – and commits to their complete upheaval. | You have a government that sees these indisputable statistics – of LGBTI self-harm, of suicide – and commits to their complete upheaval. |
You have a government that believes you’re free to be who you are, and to marry the person you love. | You have a government that believes you’re free to be who you are, and to marry the person you love. |
And you have a government that knows just one life saved is worth all the effort. | And you have a government that knows just one life saved is worth all the effort. |
Speaker, as part of this process, I learnt that two women were convicted for offensive behaviour in the 1970s for holding hands – on a tram. | Speaker, as part of this process, I learnt that two women were convicted for offensive behaviour in the 1970s for holding hands – on a tram. |
So let me finish by saying this: | So let me finish by saying this: |
If you are a member of the LGBTI community, and there’s someone in your life that you love – a partner or a friend – then do me a favour: | If you are a member of the LGBTI community, and there’s someone in your life that you love – a partner or a friend – then do me a favour: |
Next time you’re on a tram in Melbourne, hold their hand. | Next time you’re on a tram in Melbourne, hold their hand. |
Do it with pride and defiance. | Do it with pride and defiance. |
Because you have that freedom. | Because you have that freedom. |
And here in the progressive capital, I can think of nothing more Victorian than that. | And here in the progressive capital, I can think of nothing more Victorian than that. |
Speaker, it’s been a life of struggle for generations of Victorians. | Speaker, it’s been a life of struggle for generations of Victorians. |
As representatives, we take full responsibility. | As representatives, we take full responsibility. |
We criminalised homosexual thoughts and deeds. We validated homophobic words and acts. | We criminalised homosexual thoughts and deeds. We validated homophobic words and acts. |
And we set the tone for a society that ruthlessly punished the different – with a short sentence in prison, and a life sentence of shame. | And we set the tone for a society that ruthlessly punished the different – with a short sentence in prison, and a life sentence of shame. |
From now on, that shame is ours. | From now on, that shame is ours. |
This parliament and this government are to be formally held to account for designing a culture of darkness and shame. | This parliament and this government are to be formally held to account for designing a culture of darkness and shame. |
And those who faced its sanction, and lived in fear, are to be formally recognised for their relentless pursuit of freedom and love. | And those who faced its sanction, and lived in fear, are to be formally recognised for their relentless pursuit of freedom and love. |
It all started here. It will end here, too. | It all started here. It will end here, too. |
To our knowledge, no jurisdiction in the world has ever offered a full and formal apology for laws like these. | To our knowledge, no jurisdiction in the world has ever offered a full and formal apology for laws like these. |
So please, let these words rest forever in our records: | So please, let these words rest forever in our records: |
On behalf of the parliament, the government and the people of Victoria … | On behalf of the parliament, the government and the people of Victoria … |
For the laws we passed. | For the laws we passed. |
And the lives we ruined. | And the lives we ruined. |
And the standards we set. | And the standards we set. |
… we are so sorry … humbly, deeply, sorry.” | … we are so sorry … humbly, deeply, sorry.” |