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Communities as diverse as ours, viewed as a homogenous whole by broader society, have such a variety of needs that it is almost impossible to highlight any one thing as the greatest concern for us all.
Many of us find ourselves stretched too thin to meet the top priorities, because no one could find an effective compromise. While I don’t think we should compromise on the things we consider most important, how can we no longer have some common ground?
Under this Government, as much as the last, we are fighting a losing battle for relationship recognition. We struggle to garner the same societal recognition for our families as our heterosexual counterparts.
If the views of society are the broader problem, what will it take to change those? Will we cling to legislative reform as the only method, at least ensuring we can fully access services, or will we look to those options that could cause a cascading effect across our entire society? Whatever combination we choose, it’s important to learn and celebrate how far we’ve come.
It is the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots this June. This event is often considered to be the launching pad of Gay Liberation and, as it became more inclusive, the LGBTIQ movement. To celebrate and commemorate how far we have come, and to raise some funds so we can push a little bit further, the VGLRL will host a forum and a party.
info: ‘69 Was A Riot June 26, 8.30pm, Glasshouse Hotel, 51 Gipps St, Collingwood. Stonewall: The Activists Forum, June 27, 2pm, Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne.
Hayley Conway is the convenor of the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.
Tags: Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby
