​The Anti-Discrimination (Homosexual Vilification) Amendment Bill 1993 would insert new provisions into the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) to make unlawful the vilification of homosexual men and lesbian women. These provisions are modelled on the racial vilification provisions, inserted into the Act in 1989. Homosexual vilification would occur when a person, by a public act, incited hatred toward, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of another person or group because of that person's or group's homosexual status. 

The purpose of this Briefing Note is not to provide a detailed analysis of the cases for and against the proposal, but to canvass some of the issues and provide some background information to it.