Taking the opposing view of a high profile group, such as Pride WA, is always fraught with danger. And if, as the devil's advocate, you happen to be an out (and proud) activist for human rights, questioning the validity of Mardi Gras' poorer and impotent WA cousin is likely to inspire a gay fatwa.
Religion and ice-breaker aside, this debate is about whether the Pride Parade still offers any significant purpose in a modern society that has largely redeemed itself of a torrid, but relatively short-lived, history of fear and hatred towards non-heterosexual citizens.
During the last few decades of activism, lobbying, community consultation and legislative debate, Pride was one of a handful of necessary tools used to highlight the cause of homosexuals (bisexuals and trans-folk were forgotten for many years) and sway public opinion. To this end the successive committees achieved their purpose and the battle was won.
Today, just a few years after the first parade in 1990, we have sexual and gender equality exceeding other states and beyond what most countries could hope to achieve in a similar time frame.
Even the current Premier, who vehemently opposed the 2002 legislation that transformed our state, is unwilling to water down this advancement. What is done is done; we now move forward as a progressive and respectful society.
This year Pride has donned the tag-line of "re-invention". And it is timely that it do so, just as a teenager must eventually lose the unruliness and loutish nature of its youthful exuberance in favour of a more cultured, mature and civil interaction with a diverse society.
The question for Pride, once famed for attracting a six figure audience to witness political parody, is what lies beyond the activism?
Sydney's internationally famous Mardi Gras has grown up from its protest roots to become a unique tourist drawcard that injects millions of dollars into the economy. Perth, due to its isolation and population, is incapable of achieving the same.
The Parade is waning, the after-party has retired to a nightclub, and Northbridge Fairday attendance has dropped significantly. Homophobic crimes are no more concerning than racial or religious inspired ones and the majority of our GLBT youth enjoy the company of their straight friends across venues without question.
Pride is in the sunset of its years. It deserves our respect and thanks, not our lifeline.
Showing posts with label Perth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Perth. Show all posts
What Lies Beyond the Activism?
Featured in The West Australian, Saturday 4 October 2008 pg14. This is the unedited version - italicised areas differ from the printed version.
Answer my question Mr Birney
Perth talkback radio station, 6PR, has been running with the story (Google cached version) of a WA gay couple who have been given the green light to adopt a child.
Not unexpectedly, the switchboard remained quite negative as the religious, the bigots, the ill-informed and the ignorant made all sorts of claims and accusations about the gay lobby and the best interests of the child.
I posed the following question to Matt Birney during his interview with harvey Deegan:
Mr Birney failed to directly answer the question, instead choosing to reiterate the argument that a child should have both a mother and a father. A tired argument that raises the question of whether it is better to be orphaned than to be raised without complementary gendered parents.
The crux of my question was that; in the hypothetical situation my daughter would logically be taken under my full time care. Why then, is it perfectly ok to have my partner in a co-parenting role but not be officially acknowledged as her legal guardian by way of adoption?
The fact is that current laws allow any person or two people, regardless of their relationship (eg: brother and sister, two friends, two grandmothers) or sexuality, the right to be considered for adoption. Even before the major law reforms of 2002 and before the ALP won government it was perfectly legal for single people (regardless of their sexuality) to adopt.
If it is SO important that a child has both a mother and a father then why won't the Liberals and their fellow moralisers campaign to remove the right of single people to adopt.
And while they are at it, why don't they try to legislate that widows and widowers must remarry if they are raising children.
It's not a perfect world, but in my absence I'd rather have my child loved by one good person, than remain alone as an orphan.
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Not unexpectedly, the switchboard remained quite negative as the religious, the bigots, the ill-informed and the ignorant made all sorts of claims and accusations about the gay lobby and the best interests of the child.
I posed the following question to Matt Birney during his interview with harvey Deegan:
I am a divorced father of one child. I am also in a same-sex relationship with my partner of 7 years. In the event of some tragedy taking away the mother of my daughter, would Mr Birney and the Liberals object to my partner adopting my daughter or are they only objecting to my partner and I co-adopting a non-related child?
Mr Birney failed to directly answer the question, instead choosing to reiterate the argument that a child should have both a mother and a father. A tired argument that raises the question of whether it is better to be orphaned than to be raised without complementary gendered parents.
The crux of my question was that; in the hypothetical situation my daughter would logically be taken under my full time care. Why then, is it perfectly ok to have my partner in a co-parenting role but not be officially acknowledged as her legal guardian by way of adoption?
The fact is that current laws allow any person or two people, regardless of their relationship (eg: brother and sister, two friends, two grandmothers) or sexuality, the right to be considered for adoption. Even before the major law reforms of 2002 and before the ALP won government it was perfectly legal for single people (regardless of their sexuality) to adopt.
If it is SO important that a child has both a mother and a father then why won't the Liberals and their fellow moralisers campaign to remove the right of single people to adopt.
And while they are at it, why don't they try to legislate that widows and widowers must remarry if they are raising children.
It's not a perfect world, but in my absence I'd rather have my child loved by one good person, than remain alone as an orphan.
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Barnett digs world's longest political grave
The election campaign may be into its second week, but until last night's televised Leaders Debate, it was flying low on the radar for most Western Australians.
Less than 24 hours ago this election seemed to be a choice between tweedle-dull and tweedle-duller. Now, with the help of an event equivalent to a Chernobyl-style meltdown inside of Colin Barnett's cranium, duller has become moronic, if not certifiably insane!
Of course, I'm talking about the Coalition (or is it just the crazy Libs?) promise to build the world's longest canal from the Kimberley to Perth, a distance of around 3700km. But it is not an original idea - the ALP set about investigating the concept last year (see the Guardian report here).
What is incredulous, is not that the idea has been raised (every option is valid until proven invalid) - the real problem is that Barnett used the Leaders Debate to publicly commit (presumably as a core promise) to the $2bn project without even so much as a feasibility report!!
As reported by the ABC:
Jorg Imberger, from the Centre for Water Research at the University of Western Australia, says Mr Barnett's policy is premature.
"Technically, a proposal like that is feasible, but whether it is economic or not is totally another question," he said.
Not just economically - what about environmentally? What effect will such a project have on native wildlife when it effectively creates a barrier between coastal and inland WA? What will be the effect of increased agriculture due to the proposed irrigation schemes along its path?
And why, oh why, should we use pristine clear water to supply industry, while many of our regional communities lack suitable potable water? If they do intend to use this resource for domestic supply, how will they guarantee the safety of the supply? At least with a sealed pipe (the much maligned Ernie Bridge proposal) it is more secure from deliberate or accidental contamination.
So many questions, so few answers. But at least it has a bit more credibility than the idea proposed by a former Democrat candidate who, quite a while ago, suggested towing an iceberg from Antarctica! :-)
If there was anything that might put a stop to the Libs gaining Government, this commitment just might do it. The ALP are probably celebrating already.
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Pet Hate #2 - UAVs
There's a few things that should remain away from roads.
- Animals
- Children and their toys
- large ugly SUVs
I don't like big 4WD vehicles in the city at the best of times, especially when I know the only off-road experience they will ever encounter is while being parked for the annual Leeuwin Estate Concert in Margaret River.
While these urban assault vehicles (UAVs) are common in Australia (having started with the less invasive Jeep a couple of decades ago), I was hoping we would not be subjected to further levels of US military commercialisation. Thanks to Arnold Schwarzenegger's insistence, the USA is riddled with oversized shopping trolleys.
Alas! I saw my first Hummer on the streets of Perth last week. It was big, black, ugly and made me double check to ensure I wasn't in Falujah or L.A.
As if the current range of Hummers are not bad enough, the world is now warned of an even more intrusive behemoth coming to a shopping centre near you!
If you share my views on these beasts of burden then you are likely to appreciate this site
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I'm not AWOL!
Despite the lack of any posts since last week, I'm not guilty of shirking my blog completely. Everyone needs a holiday. Even the toughest, most inconsiderate slave-driver would agree with that notion. So please consider the last few days as my well deserved long weekend.
I've had a an enjoyable time with friends from Sydney flying in to visit with us and joining in celebrating the end of our state's Pride festivities. Pride WA (originally Lesbian & Gay Pride, but now enjoying the benefits of a more inclusive name) celebrated its 15th annual parade, marking a turning point from protest march into a significant cultural event. The month long festival culminates in a street parade (second in size only to Sydney's Mardi Gras) and a dance party.
This year we were privileged to have a superb line-up of DJs to complement the excellent (although far too small) venue at Gilkinson's. Richard and I had the additional joy of being ambassadors to our friend DJ Ruby, who was undoubtedly the star of the "sKin-tite" party. His set went from 2am till 4pm and then he promptly jumped on a plane at 6am back to Sydney to play a 4pm set at Toybox! That is dedication :-)
Without a doubt it was the best Pride party I have experienced in Perth. I can say that even knowing that I was only one of the few hundred that arrived early enough to avoid the queue. Some people had to wait for hours due to licensing limitations and there was still a queue at 4.30am. Pride is deserved of the community backlash for this debacle, however, on behalf of those of us inside the main venue, thanks for a wonderful evening.
Now, back to reality ... did I miss anything?
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News attack!
What a day it has started to be already!!
After logging on to the net this morning Outlook¹ provided me with 8 new emails (a relatively small number considering what usually comes through the inbox) and what a treasure trove of information unravelled as I read.
Firstly there were a couple of bits from an email discussion group, then came the first of two daily news bulletins I receive from the ABC. Usually I get only one or two of the headlines jumping out at me, but today I'm awestruck, gob-smacked and down right bloody well excited to be alive. And finally a couple of things that just made me smile!
First, I'll give you the headlines, together with their web links and a small comment from me on each.
Medicare Gold is fully funded: Latham
The federal Labor leader has hit the airwaves this morning to sell his plan to provide free hospital care for every Australian over the age of 75.
Clearly the ALP are getting some social conscience, and about time too!
Police bust nationwide child porn ring
One-hundred-and-fifty people, including police officers and teachers, have been arrested in what the Federal Police (AFP) describe as Australia's biggest Internet child pornography bust.
Fanatstic news, but I fear what this will do for the F*FF party's chances in the coming election. Two of their key platforms (child abuse and pornography) rolled into one big headline-grabbing vote-winning issue.
Blair ready to talk with hostage takers
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was ready to open up contact with captors of a British hostage in Iraq, shown on video begging Mr Blair to save his life.
What the? I thought the uber-civilised western nations never negotiated with terrorists? Must be coming up for another election LOL!
Ranger Mine warned before contamination
It has been revealed the operators of the Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory were issued with a Government safety warning a month before a water contamination incident earlier this year.
Oh, if only we'd just stop mining the damn stuff!
Sexual abuse trials underway on Pitcairn
Pitcairn Island's sex trials have started this morning with Mayor Steve Christian the first to face the court.
What is it with these small communities? Don't they know they shouldn't have sex with their cousins? Just look at Tasmania! (sorry Tassies - you know I'm only joking, even though it is rude to laugh at people with two heads.)
Israelis, Palestinians killed in clashes
Palestinian militants, eluding an army crackdown, killed two Israeli children in a rocket attack from Gaza and Israeli troops have killed seven Palestinians in raids in the coastal strip and the West Bank.
and they still call this news? They may as well report that the sun rose today in Perth at 0553hr (GMT+8)!
Allies 'planned' Iraq war despite denials
The United States, Australia and Britain started to plan the invasion of Iraq months before the conflict, according to a report Wednesday quoting a leaked Pentagon document.
*WHOA!*
What the ... ? No kidding! Are you for real?
you mean the politicans lied to us ... AGAIN?
Photos and fingerprints now needed for US visits
Australians, who are allowed to travel to the United States without a visa, will from today have to give fingerprints and have a photo taken when they arrive at US airports and ports.
Well, that does it! I _was_ planning to go to Chicago for the Gay Games in 2006, but unless I can get a visa and avoid having my picture and fingerprints taken I'll have to avoid that terrorist nation altogether and just spend some extra time in Montreal before the 1st OutWorld Games.
I have rights in Australia when it comes to my fingerprints ... I'm not going to give them up for the sake of some pissant fear-mongering US bureacracy.
IMF warns of rate hikes as growth soars
The world economy, powered in part by China, is set to grow this year at its most brisk pace in almost three decades, 5 per cent, before losing steam in 2005 in the face of higher oil prices the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.
ok ... getting bored now
US crude reserves calm markets
The price of crude oil has held below $US50 a barrel overnight helping lift the mood again on Wall Street.
yeah whatever ... get it up to $75 a barrel and I'll be happier cos we might start looking more closely at alternative energy sources, unless Howard follows through on his mantra that "coal is the future".
SpaceShipOne makes successful flight
A private manned rocketship blasted through the Earth's atmosphere into space after a hair raising corkscrew ascent on a flight aimed at capturing a $14 million prize.
WOO HOO! Congratulations. They already have a better track record than NASA ;-)
I especially enjoyed the revelation that Richard Branson (of Virgin fame) is teaming up to provide commercial space flights within 3 years. Go Dick!
Rogers retains time trial crown
Australian cyclist Michael Rogers has won the time trial title at the road cycling world championships in Bardolino, Italy.
Sport? What is that?
So that was a powerful start to the news day! After which I managed a few chuckles whilst reading these two reports:
Keep abreast of new feminism and raise a cup to Russ
By Emma TomThe Australian - September 29, 2004
SEVENTIES pornographer Russ Meyer used to say he became interested in mammary glands only once they reached D-cup status. After that, his interest knew no bounds.
AND THIS ONE ...
France Launches Gay TV Channel
The transgender sportscaster wears a miniskirt, the porn is gay, lesbian and
bisexual, and Wonder Woman will be on every night at seven.
What a start to the day!
1. OK, so i'm a hypocrite for dissing Microsoft while still using their products! At least I didn't pay for it! MS gave it to me for free. Honestly! All I had to do was attend a presentation promoting their latest Office suite. Cool eh? If anyone knows of something to replace my MS gear (for free), let me know! back to top
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Understanding the angry young boy
Well .. this has been an interesting day to say the least. I've just finished writing this message and having read over it I realise that it is very intense, but I don't apologise for that. I've had a stark realisation and its been quite an emotional awakening that I thought it was worth sharing.
It's not entirely on topic but it just goes to show that even as adults we can learn from each other about kids and, remembering that we were all children once, we can learn about ourselves.
And a big thanks to Fi ... I think you've given me the knowledge to understand why I am who I am and how I used to be.
I just happened to be clearing out some of my emails when I came across a reference to Stephen Biddulph. That made me track down the thread (this one) and read what I'd missed.
Fi, ... I told you I skimmed this thread - mainly because it was addressed to Vicki. I wish I hadn't ... and so glad I came back to it.
I was also a very very angry young boy. I'd always put it down to being the smallest in my classes and getting picked on. Reading the excerpt from that book (thanks Fi for posting it) highlighted a very important point for me.
My most aggressive times were early primary (2,3,4) and also years 8,9. My Mother's Dad died when I was in year 2 and my Mother's Mum died when I was in year 8. All of my Father's family live in New Zealand and NSW so my Mum's parents were the only family I had regular contact with.
I was too young to really remember my Pop, but I have a strong memory of sitting on his knee while he made his cigarettes in a tin case, carefully laying out the paper and the tobacco on this leather strip inside the case. Then upon snapping the case closed out would pop a rolled cigarette. I thought it was magic! I also remember the smell of his pipe. I still love that smell of pipe tobacco.
Pop had a stroke and was in hospital for a number of days and we had come up from the country to stay with Nanna. I remember the telephone call that Mum got whilst we were there and my Mum bursting into tears and running outside to see Dad. They just stood there holding each other and I knew something was terribly wrong. I also still remember the nightmare that I had for days after.
I didn't go to the funeral. I never questioned it, or at least I don't recall questioning not going.
My Nanna died in 1982, when I was at the end of year 8. I have a lot more memories of her. We were living in the country again and had a police officer come around to tell Mum & Dad the sad news because we didn't have a phone (hard to imagine that now).
Mum & Dad went to Perth for the funeral and left us kids behind with friends. They were gone for a few days. I pleaded with them to let me go with them and to go to the funeral but they said I was too young. I was 12.
I had a teddy bear that I'd owned since I was born and had loved so much that the soft fur had almost all come off and only small patches were left intact. My Nanna had knitted a complete cover for it (yellow wool with new button eyes and black wool mouth and nose) when I was about 6 or 7 to protect it. I cried myself to sleep each night while hugging that bear and that bear is still my most precious possession.
I have never really forgiven my parents for not allowing me to go to the funeral. I've told them that, though not so bluntly. They still believe that they did the right thing at the time - I can't argue with what they thought best, but I knew differently.
The first funeral I attended was a very dear friend of the family when I was 22. A lovely old Italian woman who practically adopted my family when we were neighbours. We were always a part of their celebrations - every engagement, wedding and baptism. I grieved at her funeral, not only for that loss, but also for my grandparents for whom I never had the chance to say farewell.
Reading the quotes Fi posted struck a chord with me. Yes .. that is exactly what I had felt. The anger and the hurt and the frustration.
Finally I could start to understand the angry young boy. What a relief. What an awakening.
I guess that is why I was so set on taking Sophie to the funeral of my Uncle (Dad's brother) in NSW. Sophie was 3 and I carefully explained what had happened and why we were going to Newcastle. I took her to the chapel and she saw Uncle Peter laying peacefully in the coffin and she blew him a kiss goodbye.
It was just so perfect of her to understand and not be scared.
As we were sitting in the chapel during the prayer service (typical catholic formalities ... not even at the funeral yet) I was obviously looking a bit soulful and Sophie jumped off my Mum's knee and came over to me, gave me a big hug and said "Uncle Peter's safe now" and then she had a cry with me.
I wish I could have had that opportunity when I was young.
Thanks, Fi, for helping me discover a part of myself.
It's not entirely on topic but it just goes to show that even as adults we can learn from each other about kids and, remembering that we were all children once, we can learn about ourselves.
And a big thanks to Fi ... I think you've given me the knowledge to understand why I am who I am and how I used to be.
I just happened to be clearing out some of my emails when I came across a reference to Stephen Biddulph. That made me track down the thread (this one) and read what I'd missed.
Fi, ... I told you I skimmed this thread - mainly because it was addressed to Vicki. I wish I hadn't ... and so glad I came back to it.
I was also a very very angry young boy. I'd always put it down to being the smallest in my classes and getting picked on. Reading the excerpt from that book (thanks Fi for posting it) highlighted a very important point for me.
My most aggressive times were early primary (2,3,4) and also years 8,9. My Mother's Dad died when I was in year 2 and my Mother's Mum died when I was in year 8. All of my Father's family live in New Zealand and NSW so my Mum's parents were the only family I had regular contact with.
I was too young to really remember my Pop, but I have a strong memory of sitting on his knee while he made his cigarettes in a tin case, carefully laying out the paper and the tobacco on this leather strip inside the case. Then upon snapping the case closed out would pop a rolled cigarette. I thought it was magic! I also remember the smell of his pipe. I still love that smell of pipe tobacco.
Pop had a stroke and was in hospital for a number of days and we had come up from the country to stay with Nanna. I remember the telephone call that Mum got whilst we were there and my Mum bursting into tears and running outside to see Dad. They just stood there holding each other and I knew something was terribly wrong. I also still remember the nightmare that I had for days after.
I didn't go to the funeral. I never questioned it, or at least I don't recall questioning not going.
My Nanna died in 1982, when I was at the end of year 8. I have a lot more memories of her. We were living in the country again and had a police officer come around to tell Mum & Dad the sad news because we didn't have a phone (hard to imagine that now).
Mum & Dad went to Perth for the funeral and left us kids behind with friends. They were gone for a few days. I pleaded with them to let me go with them and to go to the funeral but they said I was too young. I was 12.
I had a teddy bear that I'd owned since I was born and had loved so much that the soft fur had almost all come off and only small patches were left intact. My Nanna had knitted a complete cover for it (yellow wool with new button eyes and black wool mouth and nose) when I was about 6 or 7 to protect it. I cried myself to sleep each night while hugging that bear and that bear is still my most precious possession.
I have never really forgiven my parents for not allowing me to go to the funeral. I've told them that, though not so bluntly. They still believe that they did the right thing at the time - I can't argue with what they thought best, but I knew differently.
The first funeral I attended was a very dear friend of the family when I was 22. A lovely old Italian woman who practically adopted my family when we were neighbours. We were always a part of their celebrations - every engagement, wedding and baptism. I grieved at her funeral, not only for that loss, but also for my grandparents for whom I never had the chance to say farewell.
Reading the quotes Fi posted struck a chord with me. Yes .. that is exactly what I had felt. The anger and the hurt and the frustration.
Finally I could start to understand the angry young boy. What a relief. What an awakening.
I guess that is why I was so set on taking Sophie to the funeral of my Uncle (Dad's brother) in NSW. Sophie was 3 and I carefully explained what had happened and why we were going to Newcastle. I took her to the chapel and she saw Uncle Peter laying peacefully in the coffin and she blew him a kiss goodbye.
It was just so perfect of her to understand and not be scared.
As we were sitting in the chapel during the prayer service (typical catholic formalities ... not even at the funeral yet) I was obviously looking a bit soulful and Sophie jumped off my Mum's knee and came over to me, gave me a big hug and said "Uncle Peter's safe now" and then she had a cry with me.
I wish I could have had that opportunity when I was young.
Thanks, Fi, for helping me discover a part of myself.
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