Castan Centre for Human Rights Law

Author: Dr Paula Gerber

  • Protecting the rights of LGBTI people: are things getting better or worse?

    By Paula Gerber For much of 2014, we have seen a worsening of the situation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people around the world. There have been new crimes of ‘aggravated homosexuality’ created in Uganda and Nigeria, while Brunei announced that it will be introducing the death penalty for people convicted of…

  • Expunging convictions for gay sex: an old wrong is finally righted

    By Paula Gerber Almost two years ago, The Conversation published an article, “Wiping the slate clean: historic convictions for gay sex must be expunged”. The article discussed the British government’s moves to remove convictions for gay sex that were recorded before the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK. This week, the Victorian parliament passed the…

  • Should Australia legally recognise same-sex marriages validly performed overseas?

    By Paula Gerber In the latest poll on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, a staggering 72% of Australians think they should be allowed to wed, while 77% think Coalition MPs should be granted a conscience vote. Despite the overwhelming majority of Australians being in favour of marriage equality, the Abbott Government remains staunchly…

  • Commonwealth Games: is it time to stop playing?

    By Paula Gerber Barely six months ago, international anger and calls for a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Russia drew nearly as much news coverage as the games’ sporting achievements. And as the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow get under way, it is worth remembering that although Scotland has nothing to match Russia’s gay propaganda laws, the…

  • Ian Thorpe came out, but not in Australia – a wise decision

    By Paula Gerber Few who watched Ian Thorpe’s “coming out” interview with British interviewer Michael Parkinson on Sunday night could have  failed to be moved by his story. The anxiety and turmoil he felt in telling the world he is gay was apparent for all to see. Thorpe told Parky: I’m ashamed I didn’t come…

  • As region’s homophobia turns deadly, let’s stand up for rights

    By Associate Professor Paula Gerber Although Australia does not yet allow same-sex couples to marry, it is not a country that is generally described as homophobic. The days of it being a crime to be gay here are, thankfully, a relic of a bygone era. By and large, Australian laws protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender…