03/25/2002 "WA gay community celebrates new laws"

WA gay community celebrates new laws
- ABC News

The Western Australian Government's gay laws have been passed by the Upper House of Parliament amid subdued celebrations from some of Perth's gay community.

The laws are aimed at stopping discrimination against homosexuals, and include allowing same sex couples to adopt children, and giving lesbians access to IVF treatment.

A group of members of the gay community and their supporters were in the public gallery for the vote, they remained silent inside the house but clapped and cheered outside.

The director of gay and lesbian community services Myles Kunzli says while some of the debate has been disturbing, other parts have been encouraging.

"I hope that this legislation has been an educative function for members of parliament as well the broader members of the community to raise issues and from what I've heard, I think it has," he said.

"I've seen some moderation from more conservative members of parliament in the way they've handled the debate throughout."