Late last month, WA’s queer community lost one its leading lights in the fight for human rights when retired Equal Opportunity Commissioner, June Williams passed away.

June Williams became the first Equal Opportunity Commissioner in Western Australia in 1985; and retired in March 2002 after 17 years in the job.

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In 1994, Ms Williams was the first public policy officer in the WA Government to attempt to eliminate sexuality discrimination by handing down a report to the then Attorney General, Cheryl Edwardes.

Sadly, Ms Williams’ report was ignored by Ms Edwardes, with changes to equal opportunity laws not enacted until only just a few short years ago, when current Attorney General Jim McGinty introduced the Acts Amendment Lesbian and Gay Law Reform Bill into Parliament in 2001.

Her leadership on the need to eliminate sexuality discrimination was present throughout her career continually arguing since 1994 that discrimination against non-heterosexuals be outlawed.

Gay and Lesbian Equality spokesperson, Rod Swift noted the GLBTI community often forgets the monumental support it gets from our straight allies.

 ‘June was absolute in her support for equality for all Western Australians irrespective of sexual orientation.  Her 1994 report into discrimination on the basis of sexuality highlighted WA’s then backward stance on GLBTI equality.â?

‘It is timely to remember that transgender and intersex people are still waiting for anti-discrimination laws which protect them based on their gender identity.  We hope that the current commissioner, Yvonne Henderson, recommends such protections to the Carpenter Labor Government in her review of the Equal Opportunity Act,â? added Mr Swift.

According to GALE the WA community has lost a great woman and human rights advocate with the loss of June Williams.

‘Her family should be proud of her landmark achievements in fostering an open and inclusive society in which freedoms and human rights are respected and protected,â? stated Mr Swift.

OUTinPerth attended the Memorial Service for June Williams held recently at Kings Park which saw family, friends and colleagues come together to pay tribute to this fine West Australian.

Those present were told of some of the highlights of the late Commissioners career and what drove her to tackle the powerful opponents of anti discrimination law.

During her time as Commissioner, June Williams oversaw many amendments to the Act that extended the grounds of unlawful discrimination to include disability, age, racial harassment, family responsibilities and sexual orientation. She will be sorely missed.