'We are sorry': apology to those convicted of homosexual acts

NSW Premier Chris Minns formally apologised in parliament on June 6 on behalf of the government, 40 years after the state decriminalised gay sex.

Dubbo MP Stephen Lawrence said it was particularly moving given so many community members, who had fought against the laws, attended.

"As a gay person I found it very moving I must say," he said.

"There are a number of gay and lesbian members of the upper house and everyone made quite personal contributions.

"All of us couldn't have had the lives, careers we have without the activism and bravery of those that stood up to these laws. All of us really wanted to acknowledge their contribution and stand on their shoulders."

Mr Lawrence said the laws caused "tremendous harm".

"They criminalised a perfectly normal aspect of humanity, something that has existed at all times and in all places," he said.

The premier said he was "truly sorry" in a speech in parliament.

"To those who survived these terrible years and to those who never made it through," he said.

"We are truly sorry. We're sorry for every person convicted under legislation that should never have existed."

"These cruel laws could have been written in a single sentence across 22 words in the Crimes Act. But the real story of the legislation was written through the lives of the people that were targeted."

Mr Minns recounted horror stories from the past that included lesbians who were kicked out of home, gay men who were criminally convicted and struggled to get a job and those who were subjected to electric shock therapy.

Wagga activist Ray Goodlass said the apology was "long overdue".

"We are grateful that it has finally happened but we will not forget the injustices of the past," he told ACM.

Mr Goodlass was part of a group of protesters - now known as '78ers - who marched down Oxford Street in Sydney advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights.