The Tasmanian government has apologized to men convicted under the state’s former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing.

Premier of the southern Australian state, Will Hodgman offered the apology in Tasmania’s parliament today. He was the first Australian leader to commit to such an apology in 2015.

The apology weeks ahead of the 20th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Tasmania on May 1 1997.

‘We acknowledge that Tasmanians suffered as a result of these laws which were repealed 20 years ago,’ Hodgman said in parliament.

‘We apologise to those directly affected in this way, to their family and loved ones.

‘We cannot go back in time and undo the harm caused by these laws. We can apologise for it and we do so today.’

Better late than never

Tasmania was the last state to decriminalize homosexuality. Its anti-gay laws had the most severe maximum punishment in the western world of 21 years in jail.

Tasmania was also the only state to criminalise cross-dressing and now the criminal records of trans Tasmanians can be expunged as well.

‘The message to those LGBTI Tasmanians who were convicted for being themselves is that the island society that once rejected them now embraces them,’ said Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome.

‘The Government’s legislation will directly benefit those people who were convicted under our old laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing by ensuring their criminal record does not appear whenever they apply for a job or a volunteer position.

‘But an apology from the Premier will go even further because it will help heal the damage inflicted by by our old laws, including blackmail, ostracism, ignominy, hate crimes and even sometimes suicide.’