HOBART, November 28, 2006  –  Gay rights advocates in the Australian island state of Tasmania have written to Australia-born Crown Princess Mary of Denmark asking her to point out the benefits to her childhood home that have come from its greater acceptance of gay and lesbian people.

The letter is a direct response to recent media reports of anti-gay harassment and the absence of anti-discrimination laws in the Danish-administered, semi-autonomous Faroe Islands, and coincides with the Princess’s latest Tasmanian visit.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that Tasmania has an important lesson to teach the Faroes and other island communities about the benefits of accepting diversity, and Princess Mary is in a perfect position to pass the message on.

“In the 1990s Tasmania had a global reputation as ‘bigot’s island’ because it refused to repeal laws criminalising homosexuality, despite condemnation from Amnesty International, the UN Human Rights Committee, and the rest of Australia”, Mr Croome said.

“This international ignominy sent out the message that change, innovation and difference were not welcome and it’s no coincidence our economy and population went into decline.”

“A decade on Tasmania has turned the corner with some of the most progressive anti-discrimination and relationship laws in the world, and as a result Tasmanian society is now more united, confident and prosperous.”

Earlier this month reports emerged from the Faroe Islands of anti-gay discrimination and violence, highlighting the fact that the Faroes are the only Nordic society without laws preventing discrimination and guaranteeing equal rights for same-sex couples.

Mr Croome said it would be inappropriate for Princess Mary, as the future Queen of a constitutional monarchy, to speak publicly about political matters, but added that she has every right to talk about how Tasmania has changed for the better.

"Princess Mary has been an excellent ambassador for Tasmanian tourism, produce and design, and she can be an equally good ambassador for Tasmanian ideas, including the idea that island societies can transform themselves from being closed and intolerant to open and accepting."

“I’m sure no-one would resent Princess Mary gently and graciously pointing out lessons from her homeland that may benefit some of her future subjects.”

“A word in the right ear at the right time could make all the difference,” Mr. Croome suggested.

■  The Faroe Islands are located in the North Altantic, midway between Iceland and the north coast of Scotland.