Apology for gay charges

QUEENSLANDERS whose lives were turned upside down when they were charged and even jailed over their sexuality will receive a historic apology in State Parliament today.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will deliver an apology on behalf of the house as her government introduces legislation to enable historic gay convictions to be expunged.

“Those convictions may have happened decades ago, but for many they continue to impact on the lives of many today,” she said.

“I feel it’s vitally important that as a parliament, we recognise the hurt, humiliation and anguish those charges caused.”

Homosexuality was legalised in Queensland almost 30 years ago but the convictions of adults charged under the old laws remained in place.