Bob Brown Outgoing Greens leader Senator Bob Brown is being hailed as "one of Australia's great gay heroes". Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome says that as the first publicly-acknowledged gay man in Tasmania and the first openly-gay politician in Australia, Brown was an immensely important role-model who endured abuse gracefully and inspired many with his vision of an inclusive society. "Bob Brown's charm, erudition, bravery and compassion, and most of all his pride in being gay in face of deep prejudice, have made him a beacon for three generations of gay and lesbian people in Tasmania and across the nation", Mr Croome says. "All of us owe Bob a debt of gratitude for the rights we have, for the acceptance we enjoy, and for the hope we have of a better future." Croome is welcoming new Greens leader Christie Milne. "In my long experience working with Christine Milne I have found her to be one of the nation's most effective, fearless and dedicated advocates for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality," he says. "It was Christine Milne whose legislation finally removed criminal laws against homosexuality in Tasmania, and I'm hopeful it will be under Christine Milne's leadership that Australia will achieve marriage equality."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 13th April 2012 - 7:35pm