Monday, August 25, 2008

National Day of Action for Queer Rights

On Sunday 3rd of August, queer groups in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart and Canberra held demonstrations to oppose laws which discriminate against same-sex couples. Saturday 9th was WA's turn. Perth queers turned out to protest their unfair treatment at the hands of the Howard and Rudd governments with some passionate speakers and a march down Fremantle's busy Cappuccino Strip.

Jim Morrison, as a representative of the Nyoongah people, both queer and straight, welcomed us to the event. He spoke about the need for acceptance of all people, regardless of race or sexuality, and the role of queers in the battle for reconciliation. The queer rep for the NUS, James Vigus, had flown over from Melbourne with over 30,000 signatures on a petition against the same-sex marriage ban, and compared our backwards government with those of other countries like Spain who have legalised same-sex unions. He mentioned the Jeff Bennett homophobia scandal, and the high rate of queer youth suicides, ending with a warning for Mr Rudd: "We're going to win."

Local politicians spoke their minds on the controversial issue. Lousie Pratt, Labour senator and member of the LGBTI community, spoke against party lines about the 100+ laws that Rudd has promised to repeal, the lack of commitment from the Liberals on same-sex policy and her upcoming speech to the Senate, in which she will express the need for a "full and complete equality" between queers and straights. Giz Watson and Lynn MacLaren from the Greens acknowledged Ms Pratt's contribution as an activist, and said that removing homophobia from the education system is a high priority in the LGBTI struggle. They stressed a need for more support in the state government, and said "We have a tough battle on our hands."

Katherine Hakwins, ECU queer rep and member of Gay and Lesbian Equality (GALE) argued not whether queer Australians should marry, but that they should have the basic right to choose. "It's about respect. It's about having the right to make the choice for ourselves." from the Perth Inner City Youth Service agreed that it was a debate about human rights, and that we should be free from fear of discrimination regardless of race, sexuality, gender identity or religion.

One name that came up a few times was Penny Wong, the lesbian Labour minister who said that "My view is that I'm a member of the party, the party's got a very clear view and that is a view that is supported, let's be frank, by the vast majority of Australians." This lack of encouragement from a LGBTI person in a prominent position is a solid example of our need to speak up, to support each other, queer or straight, in the quest for equal rights.

And after all this debate, it was time to head for the pub.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Phillip Coorey
Chief Political CorrespondentAugust 21, 2008

EXCLUSIVE

THE Rudd Government is set to reintroduce compulsory fees for university students to reverse a decline in sporting and social services on campuses.
It is understood that an announcement is due next month on an "opt-out" system in which students will be able to choose which services their fees are spent on and whether they belong to the student union.
It will aim to redress what the Government says are the consequences of the Howard government wiping out compulsory student unionism in late 2005 and replacing it with voluntary student unionism.
The former government relied on the support of the Family First Senator Steve Fielding after the Nationals Barnaby Joyce crossed the Senate floor because he feared a decline in campus sport.
Senator Joyce, who met recently with the National Union of Students, told the Herald yesterday that he would vote with Labor again if he liked the legislation.
Sport, he said, had been "smacked" by VSU. "I haven't changed my position. If it's right, I will support it," he said.
"You've got to have some capacity to cover sporting costs. A university is more than an academic institution."
A report commissioned in February by the Youth Minister, Kate Ellis, and released recently, received more than 162 submissions, the majority of which "concluded that the abolition of upfront compulsory student union fees had impacted negatively on the provision of amenities and services to university students".
For example, the University of Technology, Sydney, reported that compulsory student unionism used to raise $6.2 million a year for services. That had declined to $190,000 a year and the university had contributed another $500,000 from its operating budget.
To cope, it increased food prices by 15 per cent and reduced "funding and member numbers in sporting, recreational, cultural and social clubs".
The Howard government offered about $80 million in transitional assistance but that runs out on June 30 next year.
Despite this, the report found most universities were having to supplement student services from funds budgeted for salaries, learning and research.
The Education Minister, Julia Gillard, has in recent days reinforced Labor's election pledge that "there would not be a return to compulsory student unionism".
But a Labor source said Ms Gillard was choosing her language carefully. Labor would not reintroduce compulsory student union membership but the fee that accompanied the membership and funded services.
"It's like saying that you won't pay taxes," the source said of those opposed to having to pay a fee.
Before VSU, fees ranged from $100 to $600. Under the new system, yet to go before cabinet, fees would be at the lower end of the scale.
Under opt-out proposals, students could tick a box if they were unhappy with their fees being spent on any area in particular. There would be restrictions or bans on money being used for partisan politics but student advocacy would be funded.
The Opposition education spokesman, Tony Smith, was opposed to any change.
"We thought the legislation we passed was the right legislation. The former Howard government gave students choice," he said.
The president of the National Union of Students, Angus McFarland, said the Government needed to pass the legislation in time for fees to be collected at the start of the academic year.
"Month after month, services keep degrading. It's that urgent."

QUEER COLLABORATIONS

FREEDOMS ARE WON, NOT GIVEN

Queer students from around Australia assembled in Melbourne during early July for the annual National Union of Students conference, Queer Collaborations. This included a twenty six teamed delegation from all four Western Australian public universities, with ten students coming from Murdoch.

The highly charged conference tackled the big current issues, historic battles and the hot topic Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU), which is killing Queer departments right around the country.

National Union of Students Queer Officer James Vigus says university queer departments are concerned with the delay and lack of help thus far in the bid to repeal VSU. "I think it's a tragedy with youth suicide so high and people arriving on campus for the first time - if you're young and queer, it used to be easier before these new laws came in [VSU] to access basically anything you wanted on campus to do with issues that concern young queer people."

Minister for Youth and Sport Kate Ellis has been forced to publicly recognise the unique damage VSU has over Queer departments stating "We've spoken with [student services] and the role of the queer or sexuality office is very important. I'm sure that it's a place a lot of people come out, and there needs to be support and a network for people. Universities need to be a welcoming place for people regardless of race, age or sexuality," said Ellis.

Julia Gillard’s office has come out and stated that Labour are looking at three models that will serve to turn around the effects of VSU, which was part of John Howard’s Union bashing agenda.

To further state the message loud and clear, conference delegates marched the streets of Melbourne into Federal MP Lindsay Tanner’s office, demanding three immediate actions by the Labour Government - lift the ban against same-sex marriage, repeal VSU and stop Queerphobia in the education system.

The march recognises the need for our community to mobalise and to force the Rudd Government to deliver equality now. Delegates were inspired by our historically activist past and now want to lead the wave of resistance to end Queerphobic legistration in Australia.

There has been a rally organized for the 9th August at Kings Square, Fremantle starting from 12noon. Guest speakers will address the protesters and then the action is to hit the streets of Fremantle. The day marks the anniversary of John Howard’s ban against same-sex marriage and the action is calling for the Rudd Labour Government to lift the marriage ban, repeal the 100+ laws that discriminate against same-sex couples and stop Queerphobia in the Education system.


Emma Kingdon

Blog Renovations!

As you may be able to tell by the current state of the Queer Collective Blog, it's currently going through some very exciting renovations.

Administration is working tirelessly (as we do) to address some of the structuring issues and will shortly be posting up a new layout, new colour scheme and a truckload of new photos.

An email will be sent out to all Queer Collective Members upon completion so everyone can bask in the awesomeness of our newly refurbished blogspot!

Please feel free to continue utilising the space to post any news, updates, concerns, stories or just anything that made you motivated enough to tell everyone :D

Thank you for your support and patience!

Michael

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Ridiculous stereotypes

The latest outburst from my homophobic stepfather is that I must be a lesbian because I go to university...followed by the announcement that he saw a lesbian couple that day. We need to end this idea that same sex couples are a freak show or a novelty, and have the same rights as heterosexual partnerships.

We need to show up to the National Day of Action with all the friends we can muster, and let the government know that we refuse to accept their religion-based homophobic laws!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Students battle VSU



Image

A national delegation of queer students will assemble this week in Melbourne at the Queer Collaborations 2008 conference to discuss the direction of services for queer students and the importance of a collective movement.

The discussions precede the Rudd government's upcoming policy announcement on university services funding, three years after the Howard government introduced Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) which has seen resources for university services dwindle.

Speaking to bnews, Minister for Youth and Sport Kate Ellis said the government is mindful of the damage done on university campuses due to VSU.

"We are concerned about cutbacks right across the board in the stripping back of services and we think it's of great concern that students don't have representation."

"We've spoken with [student services] and the role of the queer or sexuality office is very important. I'm sure that it's a place a lot of people come out, and there needs to be support and a network for people. Universities need to be a welcoming place for people regardless of race, age or sexuality," said Ellis.

Continuing to rule out scrapping VSU, the minister said the government is currently considering a combination of three funding avenues to prop up university services from government, universities and students themselves.

Minister Ellis said the policy was still a work in progress, citing the end of the year for a policy announcement.

National Union of Students Queer Officer James Vigus says university queer departments are suffering from serious underfunding since the introduction of VSU.

"I think it's a tragedy with youth suicide so high and people arriving on campus for the first time - if you're young and queer, it used to be easier before these new laws came in [VSU] to access basically anything you wanted on campus to do with issues that concern young queer people."

Vigus says that past queer office bearers used to receive payments and were able to study part-time. This funding is no longer available, leaving queer officers juggling the elected position with their study and paid employment.

Some universities, such as Swinburne University, do not have a specific queer officer at all.

Sarah Rogan, co-founder of gay and lesbian trade union group Union Pride, renewed calls for the Labor government to scrap VSU.

"Howard put a whole bunch of restrictions on the activity of union organisers such as myself and VSU obviously went hand-in-hand with union-busting tactics. We can only hope that the Labor government acknowledges its roots and completely scraps VSU like they're trying to do with Work Choices."

"It's through activists and really committed people in the LGBTI community that they've managed to keep queer issues on the agenda within universities," said Rogan.

The Queer Collaboration conference will commemorate 30 years since the first Mardi Gras, with guest speakers, workshops on queer health issues, local issues on campus and history lectures.

By ANDIE NOONAN

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

IT IS PARTY TIME!!!!!!!!!!

Hiya Queerbies,

It is coming towards the end of exams, it is time to let your hair down and put on your dancing shoes. Come celebrate the end of first semester and the Queer collectives achievements thus far.

Where: The Court
Time: whenever you get there, projected time 9:30pm
When: Saturday 14th June

Big Queer Love,
Emma

QUEER CAMP

Friday 1st- Sunday 3rd August @ Fairbridge.
All students involved with their campus Queer or DSG departments are invited to the camp. The camp involves many activities, workshops and general fun!

For more information email Emma Kingdon- queer@guild.murdoch.edu.au

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

VSU KILLS QUEERS

It would be an understatement to describe queer life on Australian campuses as being at crisis point in 2008.
This is not due to a lack of openly queer students on university campuses; we’re everywhere. Neither is it due to a high level of homophobia within the wider student population. The majority of students oppose homophobia.
No, the reason for the crisis is a combination of government under-funding of education; a lack of student welfare; and attacks on student unions.
The impact of the previous government’s policy of voluntary student unionism (VSU) and the refusal of the Rudd Labor government to repeal VSU has devastated students’ capacity to organise around queer issues; whether running equal rights anti-homophobia campaigns, to presenting social events and providing badly needed services at below market rates.
Our student unions, and hence campus queer departments, are under siege.
VSU has gutted many; indeed, some queer departments no longer exist.
And not having fully functional, well-funded queer departments controlled by students has silenced us.
The majority of elected student representatives, including almost all queer/sexuality officers, are unpaid. Previously they would have received a small honorarium to enable them to break from study and focus on organising activity to improve queer life on campus.
Weaker student unions have allowed some university administrations the opportunity to attack queer spaces. RMIT forcibly moved the queer space this year. Macquarie Uni closed its queer space without consultation, until a student campaign won the space back.
Relying on universities and governments to provide queer services and representation instead of students is dangerous and unrealistic. Government policy of under-funding public education has seen the ideology of the free market imposed on Australian public education. This has meant students footing a massive bill for an education system that’s been streamlined to fit the needs of Australian big business.
University administrations run campuses like businesses to ensure they make a profit; a situation that’s in direct opposition to the interests of tertiary students, as illustrated by the attacks on Social Science courses (which include such disciplines as sociology, politics and cultural studies) across the country.
Many courses that are disappearing are those challenging old social norms such as homophobia.
Australian students now pay the second highest fees in the developed world to attend a public university. In terms of student welfare, the burden again is on students. Only a few students qualify for Youth Allowance, which is not enough to live on anyway, so many students work long hours to support themselves. In effect, this means many drop out of university, or scrape though their degree with little study time; they certainly don’t have time to engage with or establish a vibrant queer life on campus.
Because of these factors a majority of students live at home, dependent on their parents. This is an outrageous situation, particularly for queers, who often suffer in the traditional family structure, where parents and/or siblings are non-accepting of gender identity, sexuality and political views.
Such situations often end in violence, or with queer students booted out onto the streets.
Only a strong collective voice of students acting in unison, in a union, can ensure that Australian campuses can once again be places with a strong and vibrant queer life that challenges, changes, and betters the world.
James Vigus is 2008 National Queer Officer for the National Union of Students.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Guild Pres Rant

Hey QC members and allies,


I'm Clare, the Murdoch Guild President for 2008. Emma has asked me to post a bit about the Guild, and why it is important for you all to join!

The Guild is the peak student association on all three of Murdoch University’s campuses, and is here to represent you. As well as providing many events and activities on campus, and discounts at our outlets to financial Guild members, we provide advocacy and representation. The Guild is here to fight for the rights of all students, and make sure oppressed groups, such as womyn, indigenous students and queer students, are represented. The Guild has a Queer officer and collective and provides a Queer safe space for Queer students on campus. As well as this, most of the representatives and staff at the guild are Allies, and we are here to help you with any problem you might have while you are at university. It is my goal that this year the Guild as a whole (not just our dedicated Queer rep) supports Queer events and is at the forefront of the movement for Queer rights. So support the Guild that supports you and become a financial member in 2008, and get active in the Queer collective!

In solidarity,

Clare Middlemas

Guild President, 2008

Saturday, May 31, 2008

My Love

I am you & you are me, i love just like you. But my love is not recognised, it is met with taunts and fear when i walk down the street holding the hand of my dear. My love is not recognised by my family who feels that love between men is immoral. My love is not recognised by my faith who believes my love is perverted. My love is not recognised by my Government who denies me basic human rights. My love is recognised by my dear, but it has a price, it is a constant battle, just to make it through everyday hurt of being refused. I am the same as you & you are the same as me, i love just like you. Yet i will never know what it is like to be you, as you will never know what it is like to be me.

QUOTES

When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one. ~Epitaph of Leonard P. Matlovich, 1988 (Thanks, Marlene)

The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals. It's just that they need more supervision. ~Lynn Lavner

Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands? ~Ernest Gaines

If homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in queer to work: "Hello. Can't work today, still queer." ~Robin Tyler

There's this illusion that homosexuals have sex and heterosexuals fall in love. That's completely untrue. Everybody wants to be loved. ~Boy George

The diagnosis of homosexuality as a "disorder" is a contributing factor to the pathology of those homosexuals who do become mentally ill.... Nothing is more likely to make you sick than being constantly told that you are sick. ~Ronald Gold

Friday, May 30, 2008

Queer Collective in the NEWS!!!!

Hi Comrades!

Here are a bunch of links to news stories done on the Queer Collective:

- Queers play ball for Uni-ty
http://emunews.murdoch.edu.au/oncampus3.htm

- Queer students get physical
http://emunews.murdoch.edu.au/oncampus1.htm

-Gay reps slam archbishop’s school formal stance
http://emunews.murdoch.edu.au/politics25.htm

-Murdoch goes anti-homophobe
http://emunews.murdoch.edu.au/oncampus34.htm -

-Allies battle homophobia
http://emunews.murdoch.edu.au/oncampus8.htm

Yours In Union,
Emma

Welcome to Murdoch's Queer Collective

Hello Queers & Allies!

This is an online space to share resources, correspond and keep up to date with the comings and goings of the Murdoch Guild of Students Queer Collective.

All Queer Collective members will have access to add photos, news links and anything else to make this space our own.

Big Queer Love,
Emma