A group of activists gathered outside the Princess Theatre on Monday night opposing the Australian Christian Lobby's proposed changes to Tasmanian's anti-discrimination laws.
Local teacher Alison Jales organised the vigil and said the event was not about protesting or confronting the ACL, but showing support for vulnerable members of the community.
"Our event was called Launceston lights for love and was just showing that in our community we love everybody and will protect everybody, regardless of their gender, sexuality, ability, race and culture," she said.
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Ms Jales said she was moved to act after learning the ACL was lobbying to change the states anti-discrimination laws that protect at-risk members of the community.
"What we found out last week is one of the things they're highlighting in Tasmania is about their desire to change section 17 of the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act," she said.
Currently, section 17 of the Act prohibits humiliating, intimidating, insulting and offensive behaviour based on 22 attributes including race, sexual orientation, ability and gender.
ACL Tasmanian director Christopher Brohier confirmed the ACL was seeking to have the Act amended and described section 17 as the most restrictive in Australia.
"It's the most restrictive section in Australia, it's the only section that outlaws offence," he said.
"Our campaign, which started about two months ago, is to make three changes to the section."
Mr Brohier said the changes the ACL wanted to make included removing the word offence, including a defence for genuine religious speech and including an amendment to exclude private conversations.
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Equality Tasmania spokesperson Rodney Croome said the proposed changes to section 17 would cause harm to already vulnerable members of the community.
"If this section is watered down or appealed it means that people who are vulnerable to bullying, humiliation, intimidation, demeaning and other kinds of derogatory behaviour will have one less protection," he said.
"It means that they won't be able to take action against that kind of bullying."
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Andrew Chounding
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
