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.