NSW GLRL Archive & Advocacy
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) has stood at the forefront of advocacy, legal reform, and social justice across New South Wales since 1988. Our active campaigns and historical archive document vital struggles and milestone achievements in anti-discrimination protections, relationship recognition, adoption equality, hate crime reporting, and the expungement of historical homosexual convictions.
Through evidence-based policy submissions, direct parliamentary lobbying, public awareness initiatives, and grassroots community organizing, GLRL champions systemic equality for lesbians, gay men, and diverse rainbow families throughout the state. We continue to monitor state and federal legislation, publish timely press statements, and empower community members to participate directly in democratic decision-making.
A comparative overview of ongoing legislative reform campaigns and achieved benchmarks led by the NSW GLRL.
| Focus Area | Legislative Objective | Key Status | Impact & Reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Discrimination Reform | Closing religious exemptions in the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 | Active Lobbying | Statewide workplace and institutional protection |
| Historical Convictions | Expungement scheme for historical consensual gay offences | Passed into Law | Restoring justice and erasing historical criminal records |
| Adoption & Parenting | Equal adoption rights and birth certificate recognition for same-sex parents | Passed into Law | Legal certainty and equality for rainbow families |
| Safe Schools & Education | Targeted anti-bullying programs and LGBTI student protection policies | Ongoing Advocacy | Safe, inclusive educational environments statewide |
Longstanding LGBTI rights organisations, grassroots campaigners and politicians have combined to support the ‘YES’ campaign and to ensure people have registered to have their say.
“We strongly urge members of the community to make sure you’re enrolled, and that your details are up to date with the Australian Electoral Commission by visiting their website,” Lauren Foy, Convenor of the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby said.
While universally condemning the idea of using a non-compulsory postal survey, advocates acknowledged that, subject to a successful High Court challenge, the community will need to participate in the postal survey.
“There is momentum behind marriage equality but like with the Brexit vote in the UK, we are strongly urging everyone not to be complacent,” Ms Foy said.
Ms Foy also urged communities to engage in local events, speak to friends, family, colleagues, neighbours and strangers to advocate for marriage equality.
“Now is not the time to be silent – now is the time to make your voice heard. This is not only about marriage, about love, and equality – it is also about the direction of our nation.
“Do we want a stronger nation that embraces more freedom, respect and tolerance for all Australians? If you do then get involved – don’t sit on the sidelines.”
Ms Foy urged the community to attend a QandA discussion about the campaign and what you can do to be on the bright side of history.
Alex Greenwich Co-Chair Australian Marriage Equality
Hon. Tanya Plibersek Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Education and Shadow Minister for Women
Jenny Leong MP Member for Newtown
Tiernan Brady Director The Equality Campaign
Sally Rugg Campaign Director GetUp!
Campaigners for marriage equality have united to urge all NSW residents to check their enrolment details with the Australian Electoral Commission before midnight August 24.
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSWGLRL) today welcomed the decision of the Australian Senate to reject – again – the Federal Government’s plebiscite proposal.
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSWGLRL) welcomes this Bill and its attempt to find a compromise proposal the current Parliament can support. This reform to the Marriage Act is long overdue and much too important to be delayed any longer.
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby will create a giant sea of hearts outside Parliament House on Tuesday 8 August 2017, with each heart containing a message of support of same-sex marriage collected over a decade of campaigning.
Germany’s parliament has shown Australians how to break the deadlock of our current same sex marriage debate – by holding a swift parliamentary conscience vote.
The New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby today thanked Chris Pycroft for six years of volunteer service including 18 months as Male Co-Convenor.
It’s been a long time coming but finally we’ve done something about the look and feel of the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Group website. What do you think?
There’s mood for change, political consensus on both sides of the aisle, dozens of community groups are in agreement about the framework of legislation.
The announcement of a cross-party inquiry into marriage equality feels a bit like history repeating, but any progress towards change is welcomed by the New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.
Australians have avoided an expensive, divisive, damaging and unnecessary marriage equality plebiscite after today’s defeat of legislation in the Senate, and the New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby says it’s now time to get down to business.
