A transgender woman is recovering in hospital in Hobart, Tasmania after she had a heart attack on the football pitch.

Martine Delaney is a reserve striker for Tilford Zebras' women's team who play in the state's women's league.

Delaney, 55, was saved by teammate Kate Chambers who performed CPR at the KGV Oval in Glenorchy.

Tasmania Gay & Lesbian Rights Group are trying to make this Saturday's election for the state's Upper House all about marriage equality.

The gay rights group are anxious to vote-out the Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) who voted against legalizing same-sex marriage last September.

Voters will choose new MLCs in the electoral divisions of Nelson, Pembroke and Montgomery.

An anti-gay marriage sign has caused outrage in the northwestern coastal town of Wynyard, Tasmania.

The sign, which was put up next to a busy main road, depicted the male and female gender symbols next to two wedding rings.

Speaking to The Advocate in Australia, Graham Hodge, the man who made and put up the sign, described marriage equality as ‘a complete misnomer’. 

LGBT rights advocates in the Australian state of Tasmania have welcomed overwhelming support in its Lower House of Parliament for the passage of legislation removing a ban on adoption by same-sex couples, saying it is in the best interests of children.

This afternoon the Tasmanian Lower House voted 18 to 4 to allow same-sex couples to be assessed as potential adoptive parents on the same basis as other couples.

A Tasmanian Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) has tabled a motion to bring back a Same-Sex Marriage Bill to the state parliament.

Six months ago Tasmania's Upper House rejected a bill proposing to legalize same-sex marriage in the Australian state, after it had passed in the Lower House.

Today independent MLC Ruth Forrest tabled a motion to bring back the Bill. If the motion is supported the Bill could be debated again later in the year.

The police chief in Tasmania has committed to taking action to stop violence and discrimination against LGBTI people after research shows much higher levels of assault and fear of crime than among the general Australian population.

The BeProud report, published by today, showed:

Tasmania’s first Marriage Equality Beach BBQ has been hailed 'a great success' after over 200 people attended.

Event organiser Helen Richardson said the popularity of the barbecue in the Australian state's capital Hobart yesterday (2 December) shows marriage equality has strong community support.

'Today's BBQ sent a message to Upper House members, particularly Jim Wilkinson in whose electorate the event was held, that marriage equality has strong support across the community.

Nearly a year ago Gay Star News wrote that gay marriage may come to Australia in 2012. The year began full of hope - over 60% of Australians said they supported marriage equality in several polls and the advocacy campaign from Australian Marriage Equality was slickly professional and on-the-ball.

Tasmanian marriage equality supporters protested outside the office of a legislator who voted against a same-sex marriage law last month.

A marriage equality bill was narrowly defeated in the Tasmanian upper house on 27 September, when eight members of the legislative council (MLCs) opposed the bill to six who supported it.

Australian marriage equality campaigners are hopeful that the state of South Australia can become the first jurisdiction to pass same-sex marriage laws following a defeat in the state of Tasmania.

Legislation passed successfully through Tasmania’s Lower House of Parliament but was defeated in the Upper House this week in a vote of 8 to 6.

The passing of same-sex marriage legislation in the Australian island state of Tasmania looks increasingly unlikely as the debate in the upper house has shown significant opposition.

From the speeches of the Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) so far, it is likely seven will vote against the bill, five will support it and two are undeclared.

Western Australia will become the latest state to take same-sex marriage legislation into their own hands after Greens Lynn MacLaren announced her intention to introduce a bill to state parliament.

The state with a population of 2.3 million joins South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Australian Capital Territory in initiating their own gay marriage legislation following a prolonged national campaign which may come to nothing.