Rodney Croome
Encyclopedia
Rodney Croome AM
is the spokesperson for the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group, campaign coordinator of Australian Marriage Equality
, and one of the founders of the Australian Coalition for Equality (ACE).
He fronted the successful campaign to decriminalise homosexuality
in Tasmania, which until 1 May 1997 was a criminal offense punishable by up to 25 years in jail. That campaign saw Tasmanian activists take their case to the United Nations (Toonen v Australia), the Federal Government and the High Court.
He has also been the editor of Tasmanian literary magazine Island.
In early 2004, Croome predicted that the Howard Government
would legislate to rule out the possibility for same-sex marriage. On 13 August 2004, such a law was passed by the government, with support from the then Labor
Opposition
.
Croome continues to advocate marriage equality
and other LGBT
causes. In 2010, he co-authored a book presenting the "Yes/No" cases for marriage equality, entitled WHY vs WHY: Gay Marriage (Pantera Press).
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
is the spokesperson for the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group, campaign coordinator of Australian Marriage Equality
Australian Marriage Equality
Australian Marriage Equality is a group of Australians from various states and territories who have come together to campaign for law reform and attitudinal change necessary to allow same sex couples to marry...
, and one of the founders of the Australian Coalition for Equality (ACE).
He fronted the successful campaign to decriminalise homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
in Tasmania, which until 1 May 1997 was a criminal offense punishable by up to 25 years in jail. That campaign saw Tasmanian activists take their case to the United Nations (Toonen v Australia), the Federal Government and the High Court.
He has also been the editor of Tasmanian literary magazine Island.
In early 2004, Croome predicted that the Howard Government
Howard Government
The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister John Howard. It was made up of members of the Liberal–National Coalition, which won a majority of seats in the Australian House of Representatives at four successive elections. The Howard Government...
would legislate to rule out the possibility for same-sex marriage. On 13 August 2004, such a law was passed by the government, with support from the then Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
Opposition
Opposition (Australia)
Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in Australia fulfils the same function as the official opposition in other Commonwealth of Nations monarchies. It is seen as the alternative government and the existing administration's main opponent at a general election...
.
Croome continues to advocate marriage equality
Marriage Equality
Marriage Equality USA is an organization working for marriage equality for all non-heterosexual couples. The group works by doing public education and outreach, media campaigns and holding visibility events. Marriage Equality, Inc...
and other LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
causes. In 2010, he co-authored a book presenting the "Yes/No" cases for marriage equality, entitled WHY vs WHY: Gay Marriage (Pantera Press).
Honours & Awards
In recognition of his work Rodney was:- the inaugural recipient of the Tasmanian Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1991;
- the inaugural recipient of the national Chris Carter Memorial Award for contributions to the gay and lesbian community in 1991;
- a joint recipient of the 1994 Melbourne Rainbow Award for contributions to the gay and lesbian community;
- short listed, along with 11 other Australians, for Australian of the Year in 1994;
- the inaugural recipient of the Tasmania Day Community Service Award 2000;
- awarded a Centenary of Federation Medal in 2003; and
- made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2003
- In 2009, Croome was named one of the 25 most influential gay Australians by readers of the website samesame.com.au.