Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 23:35:40 +1000 From: leto@rabbit.com.au (Brendon Wickham) Subject: (Australia) Brother Sister News - 27/6/96 BROTHER SISTER - QUEER NEWS FROM DOWNUNDER Issue # 109 27/6/96 Including: 1. Sweeping changes for VAC 2. Gay cops upset commissioner 3. Battle for Pride 4. Guns used in QLD beat violence 5. Victoria intervenes in Tasmanian High Court case 6. Premier sees pink dollars 7. Briefs : VAC documents forged, More hospital tenders, Anti-police rally This and previous postings are archived for the QRD. Point your URL to http://werple.net.au/~leto/news - or go through the Pacific Region of the QRD at http://www.qrd.org/qrd/world/pacific/ =3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+= =3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+ SWEEPING CHANGES FOR VAC *A recently conducted organisational review of the Victorian AIDS Council has recommended sweeping changes to the organisation including separating it from the Gay Men's Health Centre.* Council president Barry Janes, who helped instigate the external review has welcomed the report's findings. He told Brother Sister that the review was "long overdue". Janes added, "I am delighted with the report and the mechanisms by which the report was undertaken." As for the recommended split of the council and the health centre he says, "There's a historical attachment to the Gay Men's Health Centre but we have to ensure that it fits appropriately with moving ahead rather than just constantly looking at the past. But (the split) is still very much to be talked through." The report states that the health centre, "become a separate organisation from the VAC to enable it to develop its strong identity." It is believed that the authors of the report have suggested ALSO as taking over the running of the centre. ALSO Chief Executive Officer Darren Ray would not confirm the rumours but said to Brother Sister, "ALSO is still digesting the report and its recommendations and they will be considered fully. "We will not close our minds to any proposals or suggestions that may arise as a result of the report." Other recommendations in the report include: - new structures for management - increased evaluation of management - a major shift in style centring around increased openness and trust. While the report praised the council's effective service delivery it also found that most staff and volunteers felt disempowered within the organisation, that it lacked focus and was steeped in conflict. Janes says it calls for a complete management shake-up, "There is a recommendation within the document that all of the managers in the organisation will stand down. Of course, they would be invited to apply for the newly- created positions." He doubts that there will be job cuts in other staffing areas. With the council's board still in suspension a special meeting will be held on July 18 to discuss the report. On July 20 there will be a follow-up presentation with question and answer sessions. Items that come out of the report that need to be voted on at the council's Annual General Meeting in September would be further discussed in another meeting before the day of the vote. Janes claims there has been a good response to the report so far, "It's such a refreshing document, quite mind- blowing really, that it takes quite a few readings to come to grips with. "There is a little bit of shock due to the recommendations of such a sweeping change but there is an overall positive response." Ray has also responded positively to the report: "It is a good starting point to heal both the organisational and personal problems that have appeared." Janes says that it is time for changes in the council, "It is a different group of people to those that started the organisation. "It has grown over the years and it has to be restructured in a way that suits that growth." Andrew Mast GAY COPS UPSET COMMISSIONER *A ground-breaking daily newspaper article about gays and lesbians in the Victoria Police has been turned on its head by Chief Commissioner Neil Comrie, who is upset with the prominence given to the story.* Despite the article being given the go-ahead by his second-in-command, Comrie expressed disappointment in Mildura's Sunraysia Daily while on a regional tour. Comrie told the paper, "My personal view is that I believe in treating everyone equally and sexual preferences are not our concern, providing people perform their police duties in an appropriate way. "Unfortunately, some of the comments made, and the way the article was presented...I don't think it has assisted us. "It is one thing to allow people to be treated equally and to be sensitive of the special needs...It is another thing to do it in such a way which, I think, puts high profile on it." The "high profile" was a feature article in the Herald Sun's Weekend section on June 15, with sensitive, happy images of a male policeman and his partner, and two policewomen who are partners, as well as a cover photo of ten police officers with the title: "Gay Cops-Is the force with them?". Victoria Police media relations officer Kevin Loomes denied to Brother Sister that Comrie has any "concern with the article", claiming that it's only the high profile of the story causing worries. "He was surprised that it was made such an issue. It's a bit of a case of, so what? In the force everyone's equal, as long as they don't bring the force into disrepute, whatever their race, religion, or whatever." ALSO Chief Executive Officer, Darren Ray, also a member of the Equal Opportunity Board Gay and Lesbian Reference Group and its police relations subcommittee, told Brother Sister, "Reactionary comments from the high echelons after such a positive article, points to the need to engage in far closer dialogue between the police and the gay and lesbian community, to make the relationship more meaningful. "It reflects a greater problem the Victoria Police has, of never leading the way with social issues. I think his comments were a nervous reaction, and an across the board fear of a backlash which is not substantiated. The Telstra commercials (featuring same-sex couples) attracted only about 100 complaints but ads with single mother attracted hundreds of complaints!" The Herald Sun did use gays in the police as its banner board, but anyone expecting a sensationalised story was disappointed. The two page article was very positive, upbeat, and apparently writer Wayne Miller spent 18 months seeking permission and co-operation from the police to "come out" in a mainstream paper. The story was approved by Assistant Commissioner Brian Church, who also approved the high-profile appearance of members of the new organisation Gay and Lesbian Police Employees Network (GALPEN) at Midsumma Festival this year. His view of the Midsumma exercise in the gay police article was: "A modern police force, which the Victoria Police is, takes the view that the sexual preferences of its members is not an issue", views echoed by Commissioner Comrie last week. However, Church also went on to say: "It was a positive move having out people identifying themselves as homosexual so the homosexual community at large would see that we are not prejudiced against them". The Chief Commissioner's response has raised concerns that a higher profile is okay within the gay and lesbian community, but perhaps not in Victoria's biggest distribution newspaper. Victorian Police Gay Liaison Officer, Chief Inspector John Winther, said reaction had been "positive, internally and externally, and also the opposite". Winther continued: "The article recognises there are homosexuals within the organisation. It has brought us into the 20th century, that police are as diverse as the community. It doesn't make them super police or any lesser police, they're there providing a policing service for the community in the best possible way, regardless of who they are. "It was a big thing for these officers to be involved in the article, and I don't want to see extra pressure on these people-leave them be to get on with their job." Patrina Dakin BATTLE FOR PRIDE *The Commercial Road Traders Association is finalising the details of its official bid to have the annual Pride March moved from St Kilda to Prahran.* Recent comments from Pride March Committee members published in suburban newspapers have angered the Commercial Road Traders, who believe the article could jeopardise their chances. The published story quoted committee members as saying that Commercial Road was an inappropriate route for the march and suggested that lesbians in the community were also uncomfortable with the proposed move. Committee member Darren Ray clarified his statements to Brother Sister, saying, "The Commercial Road Traders are running second (for the Pride March). "They, so far, have failed to come up with anything other than an in-principle statement of support from (Stonnington) council, therefore there is no solid offer on the table." Commercial Road representative Richard Martin says he is confident that the council will officially back the March and says that they have already estimated that it would cost $14,000 for the street closure. As for the lesbian issue he states that there are many businesses in the area with lesbians employed as both managers and as general staff and that they are not discouraged from the area. A new logo for Commercial Road has recently appeared. It incorporates the gay and lesbian symbols with the words, "Commercial Road: Melbourne's gay and lesbian precinct". Martin believes that is being subjected to an "anti- Commercial Road" view that is not reflective of the entire Pride March Committee. Ray claims, "It's not only me that has been making comments, it has been myself and the Chair (of the committee) Peter Dewildt, in consultation with other Pride Committee members, that have been commenting". Martin claims that a Commercial Road route would be perfectly suited to the Pride March, "Gathering outside the Alfred Hospital, across the road at Fawkner Park, would be ideal now that HIV services are there. "Then we would march down Commercial Road and finish at either Chapel On Chapel or go into the carpark behind the Market where we could stage a concert." The inaugural Pride March, earlier this year, ended at St Kilda's Luna Park where a night of fundraising activities, known as Ride, brought in $20,000 for community organisations. Martin sees no problem in continuing the Luna Park event in conjunction with a Commercial Road march. Martin: "I don't have a Luna Park in Commercial Road...but we would do an event to ensure that if Midsumma wanted a fundraising event to go alongside the march they could use that. "But, at the same I can't see what the problem is still conducting the Ride in St Kilda whether it's on the same day as the Pride March or not". Andrew Mast GUNS USED IN QLD BEAT VIOLENCE *There have been three reports of violence, all involving firearms, at a beat in Cairns recently.* At one well-known park beat a man had a bullet shot through the back window of his car. At the same park a man was chased by a gun-wielding attacker, while a third person was also chased by a man with a gun as well as having the side of his car bashed in. Anecdotal evidence suggests more incidents have happened. Steve Lambert, Regional Response Action Plan Coordinator with the Queensland AIDS Council (QuAC), was notified of the violence through the response network. Lambert, who is currently working in Cairns, said "QuAC are working with police on this issue. However, I would advise men to not use (that park)." The response from the Community Liaison Officer, Sergeant Caroline Barker, has been to make other members of Cairns Police aware of the problems and to pay particular attention to the area while on patrol. Official Queensland Policy Service states that the police can only act on a formal, written complaint. Barker said, "It's hard [for police] to investigate some of these incidents without a complainant. We can pay general attention to an area, but we need a complainant for specific action". Lambert agreed with this, stating "I would encourage those individuals who have been subjected to violence to make a formal complaint to the police. I'd recommend the community liaison officers to talk to". Local media have picked up on the incidents at Glenoma Park. Media attention to the violence has raised concerns that violence could increase and intensify. Chargn Keenan, of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Anti Violence Council, reiterated this concern. He said, "We're seeing an increase in not only vilification of the LGBT communities, but intensification of the types of violence against us. It's hard to know what to do to keep yourself safe. Be aware, and take responsibility for your safety. Tell people where you are going and who you are with. Carry a whistle or a personal alarm. If you're at a beat, stay in fairly well-lit areas and know who's around you. "Most importantly, if something does happen, report it. Report it to the AVC, or QuAC, or any LGBT group that you feel comfortable with. We can advocate on your behalf with services like the QPS. We can't do anything unless we know about it." VICTORIA INTERVENES IN HIGH COURT CASE *Tasmanian Government has been joined by the Victorian Government in trying to knock out a High Court challenge to Tasmania's anti-gay laws on the basis that the gay men taking the case have no standing before the Court.* On Friday the Tasmanian Solicitor-General, Bill Bate, lodged the State Government's response to a case that was launched in November last year by gay activists Rodney Croome and Nick Toonen, on behalf of the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group. The Rights Group wants the High Court to declare that Tasmania's laws are invalid under the 1994 federal sexual privacy law. The case is the Tasmanian gay and lesbian community's best hope for gay law reform following last week's rejection of this reform by the Tasmanian Upper House. It is understood that Victoria will argue that Croome and Toonen do not have standing before the Court. Croome believes, "The sad truth is that the Victorian Government's interest in this case is that it doesn't want ordinary citizens going over its head in defence of their human rights". Democrats' Law and Justice Spokesperson Senator Sid Spindler has also criticised the decision of the Victorian Attorney General Jan Wade to intervene in the High Court case. Senator Spindler, who introduced the Sexuality Discrimination Bill into the Parliament to outlaw discrimination against sexual minorities, says he is angered by the Victorian Government's intervention in the case. Spindler: "It is simply unacceptable to use Victorian taxpayers' money to prop up what are internationally condemned and draconian laws. Governments do not have a right to be in other people's bedrooms." The Tasmanian upper house last week failed to pass a Bill that would see sex between men decriminalised. Spindler explains, "Tasmania and Western Australia are the only States which still invoke criminal sanctions for consensual sex between adults." Senator Spindler, who initiated the Senate inquiry into Victoria's Casino as a matter affecting the national interest said he was now bemused at the Kennett Government's suggestion that the Casino inquiry was wasting taxpayers' money. Spindler adds, "What could be a bigger waste of money, than spending it on supporting Tasmania's anti-gay laws". "This is manifest hypocrisy on the part of the Victorian Government. Only last year, the Attorney General Jan Wade amended Victoria's Equal Opportunity Act 1995 to protect people engaged in 'lawful sexual activity' from discrimination. Now the Victorian Government is spending thousands of dollars to prop up discrimination in another State," he said. The Human Rights Commission is also intervening to support the case against Tasmania's laws. Tasmanian gay activists now have two weeks to lodge their response to the Tasmanian Government's submission. The High Court will consider whether Croome and Toonen have standing to take their case in early September. PREMIER SEES PINK DOLLARS *After meeting with representatives of the gay and lesbian community, Premier Kennett told Parliament last Wednesday that "if the gay and lesbian movement require funding, assistance or access, they will get it from this Government".* The meeting has been hailed as a first for the gay and lesbian community, with Kennett meeting a delegation of the community's two largest umbrella organisations, the Victorian AIDS Council/GMHC and ALSO. GLAD co-convenor Anthony Shaw has criticised Kennett's support of the gay and lesbian community as hypocritical. Shaw: "They come out in support where there is money to be made, yet at the same time they close Fairfield and allocate government resources to oppose interstate communities". He added, "Kennett's regime has caused lesbians and gays to take to the streets over equal opportunity legislation which entrenches traditional prejudice; it has overseen the Tasty raid, the closing of Fairfield and the tax-funded attack on the Tasmanian activists' challenge in the High Court. Now they want the Pink Dollar. Do we now have to fund our own oppression?". BRIEFS VAC documents forged VAC/GMHC President Barry Janes has condemned the individuals responsible for lodging false documents to incorporate PLWHA Victoria. The documents which have now been sighted contain two forged signatures. Janes advises that the incorporation was not approved by the Board, and nor had it been endorsed by the PLWHA =46orum. He reassured all members that VAC has no obligations legally or morally to support the illegally created PLWHA Victoria. Janes added, "It is most unfortunate that a few individuals have been able to set the cause of PLWHAs back so far while purporting to be representatives." More hospital tenders The Minister for Health, Rob Knowles, has announced that the future home of the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) be determined as soon as possible. It will be done through a process of limited tender involving three Networks, the Inner and Eastern, Western and North Eastern Health Care Networks. An independent Expert Evaluation Group has been established to assess submissions. Anti-police rally A "March for Justice" is taking place this Friday June 28. Protesters will meet at 5.00pm in the Bourke Street Mall. Speakers will call for a Public Enquiry into the abuse of powers by Victoria Police with specific references to the Tasty nightclub raid and other recent police abuses of power. At 6.00pm the march will move to the Victorian Police Centre at the World Trade Centre. =3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+= =3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+ BOTTOM LINE Smartarse by Jeffrey Smart ZIPPITY HOO HAH It is obscene how often I fall in love while standing at the checkout at the supermarket. The other day it was two boys in Chapel Street Coles. Both wore white singlets over pale-blue t-shirts, faded homeboy jeans and Nike cross-trainers. Those fringes, those cute Greek faces. I was so engrossed I ended up with someone else's Pal in my bag. What a shame I don't own a dog. On checking out their outfits, I was sure that these were two funky gayboys out for a sashay and a wiggle in the fruit and veg section. But their behaviour, their arrogant swagger, their sexy scowls, suggested that they were straight. So why'd they dress like the biggest nancies this side of Virgin Mary's? Of course, if you're a fashion queen you'll have guessed the answer instantly; poofs stopped wearing singlets over t-shirts months ago! This was merely another example of straight boys picking up on a gay fashion trend (and looking dead girly) long after we have given up and gone onto something else. Am I gay because I dress, or do I dress because I'm gay? Gay men and lesbians are as much a part of the fashion industry (whether as designers, retail and wholesalers, models or customers) as bodyshirts and faux-fur. Unzipped, a new film about New York designer Isaac Mizrahi, is a riveting look at the world of fashion which so many homosexual men and women inhabit. Isaac Mizrahi is bubbling, obsessed, driven and utterly amusing and charming. Even when he's petulant you can't help but find him loveable. He is surrounded by simpering sycophants (generally fashion editors) and diabolical egos (like Eartha Kitt). It is utterly refreshing to see him taking the piss out of these people. He is a master of understated sarcasm as he recounts to friends his incredible meeting with the completely bizarre Ms Kitt. The fashion editors are, in general, more utterly ridiculous in real life than anything you've seen on Pret- =E0-Porter or Absolutely Fabulous. Polly Mellon, the most peculiar, employs fashion-speak to the extent that she is difficult to understand. She utters what is sure to become the classic line of 1996: happening across one of Isaac's creations she purrs, "Isaac, this says 'Hello' to me very distinctly!" The supermodels are vacuous, petulant and pouting. Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell are surprisingly suspicious of the camera invading their conversations and fittings. Their whole professional function is their look, the packaging of themselves for the camera. When that camera appears before they're ready to be photographed they become feral and even vicious. They are completely unable to participate in the film as a documentary, it has to be a performance. Only Cindy Crawford comes across as warm and human, yet even she is performing wildly for the camera. Mizrahi designs his clothes by tapping into fragments of popular culture with an almost insane obsession and energy. That whole collections can be born from a scene, a line, or a look in a film is Unzipped's most startling revelation. Whether you inhabit the catwalk, the dressing room or the fringes of the fashion world, you'll love this film. What it leaves to the audience to work out for itself is as important as the glamour and egos it depicts. You'll be wiggling that tush as you leave the cinema, my little mannequins! =3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+= =3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+ Brother Sister is a fortnightly newspaper published in Melbourne, VIC and Brisbane, QLD, Australia. I have selected the main news stories as well as items of interest. Overseas media who utilise any or all of the above material please credit Brother Sister as your source (and by-line if it is listed). Thank you. Brendon Wickham