As international condemnation grows around Russia's 'homosexual propaganda laws' in the lead up to the Sochi Winter Olympics, it's worth pointing out that Western Australia had almost identical laws just 13 years ago.

WA was the only state in Australia with such laws, ensuring that until 2001, our state had the worst anti-gay laws in the whole of Western and Eastern Europe, with the exception of Romania. All gay males were deemed to be criminals and the penalty for consenting sex in private was 14 years in prison; with or without whipping.

Activists holding placards depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, participate at a protest against Russia's new law on gays.

Several attempts to repeal these laws were made during the 1970's and 80's, but all were blocked by conservative MPs. The second-last attempt in 1989 was also blocked, however, two Liberal MPs said they would cross the floor and allow reform to pass, provided their amendments were accepted.

The person behind this was Mr Peter Foss MLC, and the subsequent changes become forever known as the 'Foss Amendments'.