GLBTI

4R's conference

Penny Sharpe — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:21:37 -0600

Yesterday I chaired a session at the 4Rs conference. The 4Rs is being held in Sydney this week and aims to shine light on the issues that Australia needs to take forward to build a more socially inclusive future.

My session was on GLBT rights and I was fortunate to hear from speakers, Mark Orr from ACON, Professor Jenni Millbank from UTS and Labor Senator Louise Pratt from WA. They articulated a very clear to do list of the reforms still needed.

One of the key issues identified was that although governments have taken great leaps forward in relation to law reform - it is cultural change where we need to focus - especially in schools.

One of the highlights of yesterday was a performance given by the Indigenous Hip Hop Project run by Beyondblue.

Federal Inquiries closing soon

Penny — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:07:52 -0600

Inquiries into three Bills introduced by the Federal Government as part of their commitment to remove discrimination against same-sex couples and their children from Federal legislation are closing soon.

The Evidence Amendment Bill 2008, Same-Sex Relationship (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws-Superannuation) Bill 2008 and Family law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Bill 2008 were introduced by the Rudd Government as part of the first round of reforms based on the recommendations of HREOC's Same Sex: Same Entitlements report.

The Attorney General had hoped these Bills would be passed before the Federal Parliament rose on 26 June, but they were referred to a Senate Committee by the Coalition.

In particular, the Coalition wanted the Committee to examine the definition of "couple relationship" and "child" under the Same-Sex Relationship (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws-Superannuation) Bill 2008, and the definition broadened to "interdependent couples" (such as two elderly sisters living together).

HREOC has said that 'interdependency' fails to recognise the love and commitment of same-sex relationships. Interdependency does not recognise same-sex relationships as equal to heterosexual relationships.

Support same-sex couples and their kids by making a submission to the inquiry. Make sure you identify the Bill you are writing about.

Submissions close on Friday, 25 July 2008.

HREOC's Sex and Gender Diversity Project

Penny — Sun, 25 May 2008 22:40:18 -0600

Following on from the Same Sex: Same Entitlements report into discrimination faced by same-sex couples, HREOC have released an Issues paper exploring the human rights issues faced by people who are transgender, transsexual or intersex.

The Issues paper is a short analysis of some sex and gender diversity issues and their human rights implications.

HREOC is seeking feedback about the most pressing human rights issues faced by the sex and gender diverse community in Australia. HREOC is also seeking input into how it might assist in promoting and protecting the human rights of people who are sex and gender diverse.

Submisions close on 30 May 2008. HREOC will collate the feedback to this issues paper and determine the scope and outcome of the sex and gender diversity project.

GLBT reform continues in NSW

Penny Sharpe — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:46:16 -0600

The Attorney General, John Hatzistergos today announced that the Labor Government will introduce laws that give parental recognition to lesbians who have kids together. The government will also move on an additional 50 laws to extend equal rights to same sex defacto couples.

This is important reform that gives children of lesbian parents equal rights in workers compensation and victim compensation payments, inheritance rights, recognition of both parents by schools and health authorities.

The reforms pick up on all the issues raised by the important GLRL publication and Then The Brides Changed Nappies... and mean that the law will now recognise the reality for many kids in NSW.

A tapestry of tragedy and optimism

Penny Sharpe — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:36:53 -0600

With these wise words from Daniel Swaine I attended the opening session of the NSW Anti Homophobia Interagency Conference - That's So Gay. Daniel spoke eloquently of the experience of students in our schools and the need for our school systems to tackle hompohobia head on to provide safety and recognition of identity for same sex attracted young people.

The conference also heard from Azlan Currie. Azlan is a primary school student from northern NSW who happens to have two mums. She gave a very funny insight into her life and how she explains the ordinary to those who consider her life extraordinary.

Back at the office I came across this video Somebody's Baby made by Andrew Stopps who has made a video in memory of the amercian teenager Larry King who was killed by a fellow student, primarily as a result of being gay.

Same-Sex Same Entitlements

Penny Sharpe — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 21:50:32 -0600

You know when Rove asks his special guest every week who they would turn gay for - today when I attended the launch of the HREOC launch of Same- Sex - Same Entitlements Report I considered that I would be prepared to turn straight for Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes.

Commissioner Innes has documented 58 pieces of federal legislation that discriminate against at least 20,000 same sex couples in Australia - more importantly he has made a passionate case for reform and has provided the blue print of how it can be done.

The Federal Labor Party has responded quickly and positively to the report. Shadow Attorney General Joe Ludwig attended the launch and his media release reinforced Labor's long standing commitment to remove discrimination in Federal laws. This is backed by recent research from Getup demonstrating that 71% of Australian's support this reform.

Today is World AIDS Day

Administrator — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 01:00:00 -0700

As part of World AIDS day there are a number of events happening around NSW. Check out the ACON site for all the details.

This afternoon I will be launching a new sexual health resource for youth workers. developed by the Youth Accommodation Association, this kit assists youth workers to begin dialogue with young people (in particular those who are homeless) about sexual health.

Julia Gillard had a piece in the Daily Telegraph today outlining the problems with prevention fatigue.

ACON has the best definition of what World AIDS Day is about:

This day is a chance for people the world over to:

Remember the friends, family and partners we have lost;
Remember those who are living with HIV
Remember to look after each other by knowing your HIV

status

Remember that using condoms prevents HIV transmission and
Remember to buy a Red Ribbon to continue to provide prevention programs and services to people with HIV.

7th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance

Penny Sharpe — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Posted Monday 20 November 06

Today in parliament house a seminar was held to mark the 7th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. The day is an international event that remembers those who have been killed as a result of anti transgender violence.

Kate Walker gave a paper on transphobia and it’s origins. This was followed by the first time showing of a film called A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story.

I participated in a panel. Panelists and audience members discussed a number of issues. Of particular importance was the level of violence, harassment and intimidation that transgender people suffer on a daily basis.

Other issues that were raised were the need for anti discrimination laws, the difficulties experienced when you fall in between state and federal laws (eg in relation to the issuing of passports), the need for early education and the need for public campaigns that support equality.

The NSW Labor government passed laws that provide specific recognition of discrimination against transgender people in 1996. These laws created a new offence of transgender vilification.

HIV/AIDS –the importance of bipartisanship

Penny Sharpe — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Last night I attended the 21st Anniversary for ACON (AIDS Council of NSW). It was an evening of both reflection and celebration.

Reflection that in 25 years the HIV/AIDS epidemic has infected 70 million people worldwide and claimed 30 million lives. In Australia we have lost 6500 people, 3600 of them in NSW.

Celebration of how communities, and in the Australian context the GLBT community, can build a strong and dedicated community organisation that was prepared to fight the crisis unfolding around them.

Paul McLeay, the NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Health spoke, as did Justice Michael Kirby, Don Baxter from AFAO and ACON’s President Adrian Lovney.

All of them noted that the Australian experience of HIV/AIDS was different. There are many reasons for this but the most important was that Governments both state and federal were prepared to put public health ahead of politics.

In practice this meant a bipartisan approach that included significant funding for prevention, treatment and research. It also included support programs such as needle exchanges and sexual health education featuring the condom as the front line defence.

The bipartisanship that was exhibited in 1985 seems to be on shakier ground in 2006.

25 years into an epidemic that has yet to find a vaccine or a cure, it is a bipartisanship that must endure to save lives.

Census Night - make sure you are counted

Penny Sharpe — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0600

This is a very daggy admission but I love census night. I love filling out the forms and describing where I am from, where I have lived, who my family is, what I do for a living and (being an avid public transport user) how I got to work this morning.

While I know that some people have privacy concerns about the census, as a politician and someone who has worked with government departments, local councils and community organisations I know that what people fill out tonight will form the basis of most planning at community, state and federal level for the next five years.

It is through the census data that we move beyond generalisations and get down to how our househoolds are actually living in our cities, suburbs and towns.

One area where the census will be vital this year is counting the number of same sex couples and rainbow families. We know that lesbians, gay men and their families are undercounted so it is important that people fill out their forms correctly. The Coalition for Equality has done some excellent work showing how the LGBTI community can be fully counted. Check out their tips here.