TCSGDP expresses concern to Hutchins Principal

12 December 2011
Julian Punch, on behalf of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People Inc (TCSGDP), has written to Warwick Dean, Principal of The Hutchins School, to express concern about the school's policies and attitudes towards students who may be same-sex attracted. The concern was sparked by Teacher Gary Prebble's use of his school email account to encourage others to sign a petition against same-sex marriage prior to the ALP National Conference. Julian pointed out that Mr Prebble's use of the school's email account to propagate the 'pro-family' stance against same-sex marriage could be interpreted as having the school's endorsement, and called on Mr Dean to publicly rebuke Mr Prebble and to clarify the school's position. Julian highlighted the adverse effects that Mr Prebble's actions could have on past and current Hutchins students who are same-sex attracted, and called on Mr Dean to work with the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Robin Banks, to initiate LGBTI Discrimination Awareness training for the board, staff members and students.

The School publishes the following under the heading of Our Values:
As a community of learners and in keeping with our proud heritage we hold these core values to be the foundation of our endeavours:
* Relationships based on integrity and mutual respect
* A safe and secure environment for all
* Education of each student as an individual
* Compassion and pastoral care
* The pursuit of excellence appropriately celebrated
* Accepting best practice and academic challenge
* Active citizenship
* Building resilience through purposeful effort, participation and persistence
* Community connectedness

It also has a policy on Harassment and Bullying, which appropriately states that bullying "includes any unreasonable behaviour that intimidates, insults, offends, degrades or humiliates a person." To date, Mr Dean has not responded to Julian's calls to publicly rebuke Mr Prebble or to initiate LGBTI Discrimination Awareness training. It seems legitimate, therefore, to question the school's commitment to its own stated values and policies.
 

TCSGDP members and associates receive training from the OADC

11 December 2011
On the weekend of 3/4 December, 18 members and associates of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People Inc. (TCSGDP) undertook two days of training facilitated by Roz Smart, one of two training officers for the Tasmanian Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner. The intent of the training program was to equip participants with the tools to conduct organisational discrimination, harassment and bullying education programs, specialising in GLBTI and diversity. This is especially relevant to TCSGDP members in their different areas of LGBTI advocacy including education, policing, tourism, health and social connection.

The course, which included tuition, in-depth discussions and role-plays, covered such topics as an overview of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998; awareness of GLBTI cultural diversity including supporting cases and statistics; how stereotypes can lead to prejudice and discrimination; harassment (including bullying) and GLBTI awareness, sexual harassment, other prohibited conduct including victimisation and incitement to hatred; and anti-discrimination for advocates. The TCS&GDP is keen for their members and associates to undertake further OADC training programs in new areas of operation including Tasmania's north and north-west, where member organisations such as the Coming Out Proud Program (COPP), Outright Youth and League of Gentlefellows are in the process of establishing. TCSGDP wishes to thank the Tasmanian Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and the Hobart City Council for an excellent weekend's training.

The photo below shows Roz Smart conducting the training for the workshop participants.

2011 Rainbow Dinner and Awards

26 November 2011
For the purposes of celebrating diversity and acknowledging those who act with courage in working to achieve fairness and equity, the community of friends and family known as ‘rainbow people’ (sexual and gender diverse people) gather together annually at the League of Gentlefellows-sponsored Rainbow Dinner and Awards. Over three hundred people will gather from across Tasmania and interstate to attend the festivities, which will take place at the Wrest Point Hotel Tasman Room on the evening of Saturday November 26.

Every alternate year the dinner features the Rainbow Awards to acknowledge those people who act with courage in working to achieve fairness and equity for the LGBTI Community. This year fourteen people, because of the courageous and cooperative action they have taken to achieve equity for the sexual and gender diverse community, will be acknowledged in the Awards.

The League of Gentlefellows (LoG) is an informal Statewide group of over 1,900 Tasmanian GLBTI people and their friends who meet on a regular basis in non-threatening and safe social settings to celebrate their lives and enjoy each other’s company. As a charity benefit through the Coming Out Proud Program (COPP) Trust, proceeds from this year’s Rainbow Dinner will help support the four regional COPP Community Liaison Committees in their work opposing discrimination, preventing suicide and bullying, and creating safe space for local LGBTI communities. To download a copy of the 2011 Awards (PDF, 707KB), click here.
 

TasPride to hold inaugural Hobart Pride Parade

20 October 2011
All members and friends of the TCS&GDP Inc. are invited to participate in the inaugural Hobart Pride Parade, which will take place on Saturday 5 November as part of the TasPride Festival. It will start from the State Library, on the corner of Murray and Bathurst Streets at 12:00 noon and proceed down Murray Street to Parliament House. We hope you are able to share this significant celebration with us as we start a new chapter in GLBTIQ history in Tasmania and invite you to meet up with us at the State Library at 12:00 noon.

Bring any banners you might have, home-made signs, etcetera, but please no swear-words as there will be media coverage. It will conclude on the lawns of Parliament House between 12:30 and 12:45pm. Parade participants, supporters and members of the general public, along with representatives of the media, will gather to celebrate the courage, solidarity, pride, diversity and strong sense of community of Tasmania's GLBTIQ people of the past, present and into the future.

Speakers are scheduled to commence around 1:00pm. Representatives from TCS&GDP, COPP and Outright Youth will be speaking at the gathering. The GLBTIQ community, along with family and friends, intend that this Pride Parade be a celebration of achievement and not be seen as a demonstration. It is recognised that there are still some issues that may need some attention, but overall the greater acceptance and inclusion by most Tasmanian communities is what this celebration is about.
 

TCS&GDP to undertake Trainer Training

10 October 2011
Sexual orientation is only one component of a person's identity that is made up of many other components such as race, gender, age and family responsibilities. Ignorance of these attributes can lead to negative stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination. Members and associates of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual & Gender Diverse People Inc. (TCS&GDP) will undertake tailored "train the trainer" instruction in December delivered by the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner’s Training, Education and Development Officer. It is anticipated that this course will give participants an overview of the tools and information to contextualise and deliver an Anti-Discrimination training session for members of our community.

Increasing awareness and having effective anti-discrimination and anti-harassment strategies are good workplace practices and also good for business. Employers, supervisors/managers and employees (including volunteers, casuals, contract workers, part-time and/or full-time) all need to be aware of their rights and responsibilities in order to uphold anti-discrimination legislation and avoid disputes.

In order to better equip themselves in dealing with local, state and federal governments, public and private organisations, groups and individuals, course participants will discuss diversity and GLBTI awareness; preventing discrimination; bullying and sexual harassment and other prohibited conduct including victimisation and incitement to hatred; how stereotypes can lead to prejudice and discrimination; direct and indirect discrimination, and other topics. Hobart City Council, in support of the Coming Out Proud Program, is sponsoring the training venue.
 

British Government to legalise same-sex marriage

18 September 2011
The Equalities Minister in the British Government, Lynne Featherstone, has told the LIberal Democratic autumn conference that current laws, which do not allow for same-sex marriage, are "simply not fair", and that the government is committed to changing the law before the next election in 2015. The British parliament passed legislation in 2005 to legally recognise same-sex civil partnerships, which give same-sex couples the right to the same legal treatment across a range of matters as married couples.

While civil partnerships were a "welcome first step", Ms Featherstone said the party was committed to confronting "prejudice and discrimination in all its forms. To deny one group of people the same opportunities available to another is not simply discriminatory. It is simply not fair." While she indicated that consultations on how to make the changes will begin in March 2012, gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said that he saw no reason for the delay, as campaigners had expected them to start last June.
  

WA Labor State Conference supports same-sex marriage

25 June 2011
The State Conference of the ALP today added its support for same-sex marriage, adding to pressure on the Federal Conference to support changing the definition of marriage in the Commonwealth Marriage Act. New South Wales is now the only State Branch of the ALP that has yet to support marriage reform, but may do so at its 2011 Conference on 9-10 July. The ALP's National Conference will be held in December.
 

New York State Senate votes to approve Same-Sex Marriage

24 June 2011
Today New York became the sixth and most populous state in the USA to allow same-sex marriage. State senators voted 33-29 to approve marriage equality legislation introduced by Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat in his first year of office. New York's Democrat-dominated Assembly had voted 80-63 in favour last week and passed amended legislation on Friday 82-47. New York joins Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia in approving same-sex marriages. The States of Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois and New Jersey have approved civil unions, but same-sex marriage is specifically banned in another 39 States. In California last year a judge overturned a ban on same-sex marriage, but no weddings can take place while the decision is being appealed. It could set national policy if the case reaches the US Supreme Court.

You may like to read an opinion piece by Frank Bruni, published in the New York Times Sunday Review of 26 June.
 

A majority of Labor State branches now support same-sex marriage

19 June 2011
At its State conference the Queensland branch of the ALP today supported changes to the party's national platform to allow same-sex couples to marry. The Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, came out in favour of same-sex marriage last year. The Queensland branch of the ALP joins the Tasmanian, Victorian, Northern Territory and South Australian branches in supporting the legislative change.

Alex Greenwich, national convenor of Australian Marriage Equality, said that the passing of the motion was a win for the ALP rank and file. "This decision is a victory for the many grassroots supporters of marriage equality in the Labor Party," he said. "Not only has this conference delivered a win for the majority of ALP voters who support equality, but for the majority of Australians who also support this reform. "The Queensland branch of the ALP are leading the way in listening to the electorate and their membership on this issue."
 

UN Human Rights Council passes historic gay rights resolution

17 June 2011
The seventeenth session of the UN Human Rights Council today passed an historic resolution that seeks to achieve equal rights for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The resolution was moved by South Africa and passed with 23 votes in favour, 19 votes against and 3 abstentions. The text of the resolution is as follows:

"The Council
* requests the High Commissioner to commission a study to be finalised by December 2011 to document discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, in all regions of the world, and how international human rights law can be used to end violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity;
* decides to convene a panel discussion during the nineteenth session of the Human Rights Council, informed by the facts contained in the study commissioned by the High Commissioner and to have constructive, informed and transparent dialogue on the issue of discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity; and
* decides also that the panel will also discuss the appropriate follow-up to the recommendations of the study commissioned by the High Commissioner."

Australia is not represented on the forty-seven member Council, but co-sponsored the South African resolution. Eileen Chamberlain, the United States representative on the Council, said the United States was thrilled to join South Africa and other Member States on this resolution. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights was the first full affirmation that all people should enjoy full rights and freedoms. An important step forward was made in recognising that human rights were universal. Violence against any person on grounds of sexual orientation was a violation of human rights. The right to choose who to love was sacred. Each human deserved protection from violence. Moving forward with this resolution confirmed the aspiration to attain the best of human nature. The United States thanked the South African Government and its Ambassador for the consultative approach taken and its stunning leadership and looked forward to cooperation in implementing this exceptional step forward.
 

Search Workshop on GLBTI Migrants/Refugees/Students/Visitors held in Hobart

17 June 2011
Thirty people from 14 agencies that work with GLBTI migrants/workers, international students, ethnic visitors and refugees paticipated in a Search Workshop on 8 June organised by the Greater Hobart COPP Community Liaison Committee. Significant was the number of CALD organisations working in the community, university as well as mainstream health and well being organisations alongside special LGBTI organisations, TasCAHRD and Working It Out.

For some time now the COPP Community Regional Liaison Committees have been aware of loneliness/isolation, discrimination and even hate crime experienced by Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people from the GLBTI community in Tasmania.

The participants heard from a range of organisations including members of the League of Gentlefellows (men and women), and Outright Youth, of many cases of harassment and hate crime against LGBTI multi-ethnic people in Tasmania. This included a considerable number of LGBTI hate crime cases in urban bur especially rural and regional areas directed against ethnically diverse people. This is also associated with the Log of Claims regarding LGBTI Hate Crime that the Tasmanian Council for Sexual & Gender Diverse People Inc is pursuing with the Tasmanian Police and the Tasmanian Anti Discrimination Commission.

Participants were told of sad and disturbing stories of extreme discrimination and persecution faced by people because of the double jeopardy of ethnicity and sexual orientation. Sometimes because of the cultural clash of race and being gay as well as racism and homophobia in Tasmania. There were also reports from GLBTI same sex workshop partners of Tasmanian (men and women) from other countries that experience difficulty in gaining permanent visas to live together in Australia. Of special interest was the story of Oahn and Van as refugees fleeing persecution in Vietnam and the support they have received from COPP members. Participants were shocked to hear of an Asian migrant who, after becoming more relaxed about his same sex orientation in Australia, went back to his country of birth visiting his parents, died mysteriously within several weeks.

The workshop examined in small groups the issues as well as looking at the existing resources that in many instances are not coordinated. The meeting explored possible collaborative and cooperative strategies in two main areas of providing better social and welfare support opportunities as well as improving the capacity of people working in the area to understand people’s rights. The Migrant Resource Centre is coordinating a meeting to improve cross-cultural awareness (CALD & LGBTI) for staff in agencies based on the rights enshrined in the Tasmanian Anti Discrimination Act.

The Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People Inc will continue to coordinate the discussion initiated at the workshop to eliminate discrimination and enable respect for diversity and a broader ethnic multicultural society in Tasmania.
 

TCSGDP makes submission on a strategy for a Homelessness Charter

14 June 2011
Julian Punch, on behalf of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People Inc, today made a submission to Youth Development Australia on the preparation of a Tasmanian Homelessness Charter and Consumer Engagement Strategy. You can download a copy of the submission (PDF, 921KB) by clicking here.
 

TCSGDP calls for nominations for Rainbow Awards 2011

1 June 2011
Julian Punch, on behalf of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People, today called for nominations of individuals and organisations for the 2011 Rainbow Awards, which will be presented at the Annual Rainbow Dinner, to be held this year at Wrest Point. Julian said that "the dinner is an opportunity for rainbow people to gather together as a community of family and friends to celebrate our diversity and to acknowledge those, of whatever persuasion, who act with courage to achieve fairness and equity for the LGBTI community".

Nominations are called for the Rainbow Awards this year to recognise both individuals and organisations that have demonstrated both courage, tenacity and passion in acting for change. Nomination forms can be downloaded here. Nominations open on 30 July and close on 30 September. You can also discuss the nomination of an individual or organisation with Brian Doran on 6239 6606 or 0410 745 773. Please return nominations forms by email to brian@logtas.org or by mail to the Rainbow Awards Selection Panel, c/o Brian Doran, 2001 Huon Rd, LONGLEY 7150.
 

TCSGDP Annual Report released

18 April 2011
The report of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse people for 2010-2011 is now available for download (PDF, 25.8MB) by clicking here.
 

Debate on Same-sex Marriage should not be on the fundamentalists' terms

12 April 2011
Following is the text of a letter to the editorof The Mercury newspaper sent by Julian Punchon behalf od the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People:

"The oncoming debate on same sex marriage and the impost for all federal politicians to consult the community on the proposed legislation raises many interesting issues about who and how the community should be asked their opinion.

Many gay and lesbian people fail to see why the gay and lesbian community would or should debate the conservative right wing religious fundamentalist organisations in this consultation, as part of the process required of politicians. It will be high drama for some with the repetitious insulting vilification being flung by the religious right about the decadent and immoral lifestyle of the sexual and gender diverse community. The churches will tell us how much they really love us but do not approve of our sinful lifestyle. However the debate will achieve little or lead to any change of heart by the fundamentalists.

The question is how much this will really contribute to the issue or why the Churches and right wing fundamentalists have a right to deny us respect for our relationships through federal legal recognition in marriage or civil unions. While the debate will fulfil the need for some of bizarre entertainment based on 'insulting and abusive' comment on our relationships it will do more harm than good especially to young people who have raised the courage to 'come out' about their sexual preference. It will be also damaging for parents of gay and lesbian children who are trying to come to terms with the fact that their sons and daughters do not fit the prevailing stereotype but nevertheless are wonderful people worthy of respect who should not live in the shadows and dark corners of society with their loving partners. If you doubt this look at the statistics of suicide amongst our young people who feel denied of any future from the abuse and bullying.

Our Community is ready to discuss with federal politicians our right to federal recognition of our relationships of equal worth to marriage, but the price does not include abusive and disrespectful debate. This is now illegal behaviour that does much harm and creates disharmony to all in our communities, abusers and the abused alike."
 

Pinnacle Foundation announces scholarships for 2011

7 April 2011
Established in 2008, The Pinnacle Foundation provides scholarships and mentoring to GLBTIQ youth who are marginalised or disadvantaged because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. It was created by a group of friends who saw a big need in the GLBTIQ community that was not being met.

The Foundation has announced the names of the successful applicants for 2011 - you can download the press release by clicking here. Applications for scholarships in 2012 will be sought from July to September this year, and it is hoped that there will be some Tasmanian applicants. Julian Punch, on behalf of the Coming Out Proud Program and Outright Youth, has recruited a donor and a mentor for the program. If you would like more information about the scholarships, you can contact Julian by clicking here.
 

Outright Youth recognised for its advocacy in High Schools and Colleges

26 March 2011
Julian Punch, on behalf of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People Inc (TCSGDP), today released an update on the efforts by the Outright Youth group to address the issues of bullying of, and suicide prevention among, young GLBTI people. To download a copy of the update, click here.
 

TCSGDP pursues log of claims with Tasmania Police

26 March 2011
Julian Punch, on behalf of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People Inc (TCSGDP), today released an update on the Council's attempts to get Tasmania Police to take seriously allegations of hate crimes against LGBTI people and to deal professionally with them. To download a copy of the update, click here.
 

TasPride announces monthly bulletins

4 March 2011
TasPride has announced that it will publish a monthly bulletin, which will be distributed to TasPride members by mail, but will also be downloadable from the TasPride site.
 

Progress on Outright Youth submission to the Education Minister

8 February 2011
Last year the Outright Youth group made a submission to the Education Minister, through the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People Inc (TCSGDP), asserting the need for schools in Tasmania to offer more support to GLBTI students and offering their help to set up appropriate structures. Lin Thorp MLC, Minister for Education and Skills, has today advised Julian Punch - Chair of the TCSGDP - that she has briefed senior departmental officers on the offer, which will be discussed at a meeting of General Managers in the second half of February. The Minister made it clear that further action on the offer is the prerogative of the General Managers of the State's four Learning Services, but that they are likely to be interested in hearing more about the Outright Youth group and the free resources that have been proposed.
 

'Proud Schools' show the way

23 January 2011
Joshua Brown, State Co-Coordinator of the Outright Youth group, today released a copy of an article that is to be printed in the Man2Man magazine. The article describes a commendable initiative taken by the NSW Government in support of GLBTI youth and deplores the lack of similar action by the Tasmanian Government. You can download a copy of the article (PDF, 82KB) by clicking here and you can email Joshua by clicking here.
 

Dangers of Domain Fag Running highlighted

15 January 2011
Julian Punch, on behalf of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People Inc (TCSGDP), has issued a press release by a member of the local GLBTI community that highlights the danger for members of the community of using the Queen's Domain in Hobart. Click here to read the press release (PDF, 95KB).