GLBTI

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tonight in Sydney there will be a party held to celebrate the 200th edition of lotl. It is rare to see such longevity in an independently owned and operated magazine.

Lotl stands for lesbians on the loose. For 16 years lotl has been an important information source, discussion space and community lifeline for lesbians in Sydney and beyond.

Congratulations on the first 200 editions. I look forward to the next 200.