Australia, Oceania

Technologically advanced and industrialized, Australia is a prosperous multicultural country and has high measures in many international comparisons of national performance such as health care, life expectancy, quality-of-life, human development, public education, economic freedom, and the protection of civil liberties and political rights. In 1975, the state of South Australia became the first state to legalize sexual conduct between males. Other states and territories repealed their laws between 1976 and 1990. The exception was Tasmania, which retained its laws until the Federal Government and the United Nations Human Rights Committee forced their repeal in 1997. In May 2008, following the election of a more liberal Labor government, legislation was introduced into Parliament to begin altering previous limited conservative laws regarding LGBT citizens. The new statutes will provide equality in tax, health, superannuation, aged care and other areas. The annual Sydney mardi gras is one of the world's premier gay festivals. In 2002 Australia was host to the international Gay Games.