Penny Sharpe

Politician

After years of Australia lagging behind many nations in the world on the issues of gay and lesbian rights, there has finally come some much needed reform and action on a government level. Late November 2008 saw the passing of the Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws Bill. Then there was the passing of the ART bill that allowed single women and lesbians access to fertility treatments. And more recently there was the announcement that Australia will be preparing a formal submission to the UN that will hopefully see gay and lesbian rights protected under the UN charter globally, which is a historic moment for us.

Penny Sharpe is one of the key figures that influenced these vital changes through years of campaigning.

Out, proud and fearless right from the beginning Sharpe, is the first out lesbian in NSW Parliament. She is also a tirelessly active advocate for gay rights and women’s rights, especially behind the scenes of the Labor party. And Sharpe does it in a way that is always connected with the issues on a grassroots level.

Supporting the long gay and lesbian rights lobby campaign on equality, she helped push for the same-sex reforms in NSW, ensuring that couples were not discriminated against in almost all remaining legislation. In particular, the reforms included the recognition of lesbian co-mothers for the first time in NSW.

In the debate on the 2008 same-sex parenting forums, Sharpe publicly spoke out as a lesbian mum, giving a voice to thousands of families in NSW who would be affected positively by the long over due changes. In a moving speech in parliament, she explained the powerful impact that the equality bill would have not just on the community but its children.

“For Lesbian mums it [the passing of the Equality bill] provides certainty that they can continue to raise their children with the same love and care that they always have. But for the first time they will have the recognition and protection of the law” explained Sharpe.

“When the Attorney announced these changes, I went home and said to my nine-year-old daughter that the government was going to make a law that meant that I would officially be her mum. She simply looked at me blankly and said, “But Mum, you are my Mum,” explains Sharpe.

By Travis de Jonk