How do we begin to repair the damage done by past discrimination against LGBTQIA people?

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It's a question Tasmania has answered by legislating to allow financial redress for those convicted under the state's former laws against male homosexuality, and a law against cross-dressing that was mainly used to target transgender women.

Anyone charged without a conviction will receive $15,000, convicted without a punishment, $45,000 and convicted with a punishment, $75,000.

The only condition is that they successfully apply to have their criminal record expunged so the state can be sure of their legal history.

Punishments in the decades before decriminalisation included fines, gaol time and aversion treatment involving electric shocks or nausea-inducing drugs.

Of course, punishments went far beyond those issued by the courts.

Too many LGBTQIA Tasmanians convicted of homosexuality or cross-dressing lost their jobs, homes, relationships, families, friends, communities and were forced into exile interstate or took their own lives.

It has been estimated at least 100 Tasmanians were convicted from the 1950s to the 1980s, but based on my interviews with older LGBTQIA Tasmanians I suspect there were more.

Those not familiar with these convictions or the trauma they caused may say we should "just move on", or may question if money will make any difference.

I have met elderly........

© Canberra Times