VOTING NOW OPEN FOR 2012 GLORIAS

VOTING NOW OPEN FOR 2012 GLORIAS

NSW Labor MLC Penny Sharpe is encouraging everyone to vote early and vote often for the most  outrageous, ignorant and ridiculous comments made about GLBTI people and their families during 2012.

Voting opens online today to give everyone an opportunity to expose public  homophobia and transphobia in our community.

“This year we have received a bumper crop of over 80 nominations from around the world,” Penny Sharpe said.

“A significant number from the political category came from the Federal Parliament’s debate on marriage equality.

“The shortlist has now been decided, and online voting has opened for the winners in each of the six categories.

“Among those vying for a GLORIA this year are:

• Cory Bernardi in the Politics / Law category for linking gay marriage for bestiality;
• Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the International category for saying homosexuality is ugly behaviour;
• Miranda Devine in the Media category, for her article linking gay marriage to the London riots;
• In the Religion category,  Major Andrew Craibe a senior Salvation Army official who said that non-celibate LGBT people should be put to death;
• Margaret Court and Jason Akermanis are competing for the worst Sports comment award; and
• Rupert Everett for the silliest GLBTI comment from within the GLBTI community for saying ‘I can't think of anything worse than being brought up by two gay dads’.

“The winners in each category will be decided by an online voting process and announced at the awards night on 24 October at NSW Parliament House.

“This year we are very excited to have author and journalist David Marr as our host, and very special guest Joyce Maynge.

“The penultimate prize, the Golden GLORIA, for the worst comment of the year will be decided by those attending the awards via a ‘boo off’.”

To vote go to www.theglorias.com.au. Voting continues right up until 5pm on the awards night, Wednesday 24 October 2012.

Tickets for the awards night are selling fast. To book yours go to www.theglorias.com.au.

The six awards categories include politics/law, media, religion, sport and the silliest comment from within the GLBTI community.

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