-
Tassie gay phobia shame
Source: http://news.google.com.au/
http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,16062736%255E921,00.htmlBy ANNE MATHER
27jul05TASMANIA has been identified as the most homophobic state in the nation.
And the state’s Northwest is Australia’s most homophobic region.
The shocking finding is despite Tasmania having the most progressive anti-discrimination and gay-relationship laws in the country.
The findings of a national study of homophobia, released yesterday, have prompted calls from gay activists for greater efforts to combat prejudice entrenched in the hearts and minds of Tasmanians.
The study by the Australia Institute found 40 per cent of Tasmanians believed homosexuality was immoral.
This compared with a national average of 35 per cent.
Homophobia was highest in the state’s Northwest and West, particularly the Burnie area, at 49 per cent of the population.
The result was rivalled by findings from just two other areas — southeastern and southwestern Queensland.
Tasmania’s lowest rate of homophobia was in greater Hobart, at 33 per cent.
Gay activist Rodney Croome said the study was a wake-up call.
“We have been lulled into a false sense of security by the fact we have such great laws and policies surrounding homosexuality,” he said.
“We have the best anti-discrimination laws, the best relationship laws and the best education, health and tourism policies when it comes to tackling homophobia.
“But clearly, there still hasn’t been enough work done to change people’s hearts and minds.”
Mr Croome called on the Government to look at more widespread community education to combat prejudice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
He said that despite the progress Tasmania had made since decriminalising homosexuality in 1997, gay and lesbian people were still subjected to harassment and young people were still leaving the state because of their sexuality.
“This is a social problem as serious as crime, racism and sexism,” he said. “It is not just a problem for gay people, it’s a problem for everyone and a problem the entire community needs to address.
“Homophobia leads to abuse and violence. It tears families apart, tears communities apart and it drives people away from the state.”
The Australia Institute report Mapping Homophobia in Australia was based on a survey of 25,000 people by Roy Morgan Research, including 3375 Tasmanians.
Report co-author Michael Flood said the study showed the slow pace of change in Tasmania, the last state to make homosexuality legal.
“I’m sure Tasmanians in general are much more tolerant than they were 20 years ago,” Dr Flood said. “The fact homophobia is now in the minority is a sign of progress.”
Co-author Clive Hamilton said Tasmania’s homophobia was linked to its high proportion of non-city dwellers.
“Other states tend to be more dominated by capital cities and people in big cities tend to be more tolerant than those outside,” he said.
Residents of low socio-economic areas were also more likely to believe homosexuality was immoral.
Attorney-General Judy Jackson was shocked by the report’s findings. She said: “I find it hard to believe that the figures are correct.”
The report also found Catholics, Anglicans and Uniting Church members were most tolerant, with a third saying homosexuality was immoral.
But two-thirds of Baptists and evangelical Christians believed it was immoral.
Older Australians were considerably more homophobic than young adults and men were more homophobic than women.
-
0 Replies
Sorry, there were no replies found.