The Tasty Nightclub raid that took place 30 years ago today in Melbourne is a powerful reminder of the all-too recent history of discrimination and violence experienced by Victoria's LGBTIQA+ communities.
The actions of Victoria Police in detaining and strip-searching 463 patrons at Tasty Nightclub caused significant and enduring damage, humiliation and trauma, and this was recognised in 2014, when Acting Police Commissioner Lucinda Nolan issued a formal apology for what occurred.
The strength, resilience, and determination of our LGBTIQA+ communities is a source of enormous pride.
It drives our work to support the achievement of equality in Victoria, and strengthens our resolve to learn from the mistakes of the past.
Victoria appointed Australia's first Minister for Equality in 2014, and since then we have worked to foster inclusive communities where everyone can live safely and authentically.
In 2015 we became the first Australian state to appoint a Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities.
In 2016 a State Apology was issued for the impact of laws that criminalised homosexuality in Victoria, and the tragedies of shame and stigma that these laws created.
We have outlawed harmful conversion and suppression practices, and built Australia's first Pride Centre.
In 2022, we launched Victoria's 10-year LGBTIQA+ Equality Strategy, Pride in our future 2022-32 - a nation-leading roadmap to build a state where all Victorians feel safe, are healthy, have equal human rights, and can live wholly and freely.
Our focus remains on supporting and protecting the rights, identities, and dignity of LGBTIQA+ people.
And there is so much more to do.
Because in Victoria, equality is not negotiable.
