Date: Sun, 28 Jul 1996 18:58:06 +1000 From: leto@rabbit.com.au (Brendon Wickham) Subject: (Australia) Brother Sister News - 25/7/96 BROTHER SISTER - QUEER NEWS FROM DOWNUNDER Issue #111 - 25/7/96 Including: 1. New group demands change to VAC plans 2. Kennett dodges pink promise 3. Business support swings into action 4. Insurance company settles dispute 5. Council worker assaults beat user 6. Briefs including - HIV drug pushed through, Mardi Gras 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/ =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ NEW GROUP DEMANDS CHANGE TO VAC PLANS *Four disgruntled staff members at the Victorian AIDS Council are drawing up an alternative structure plan to rival the consultants' organisational review. VAC president Barry Janes said the idea of putting up a different model at this stage was "absurd".* "We've gone through an exhaustive consultative process, and the proposed new structure is very exciting. I am very concerned that a few staff can presume to put forward a model which is as responsible as the consultants' report." The alternative plans were revealed at a meeting held on the weekend to discuss the consultants recent report that called for sweeping changes to the structure of the AIDS Council. Although unimpressed with the alternatives suggested, Janes added, "I respect them as individuals but we have to do something to solve the angst and distrust, and territorialism in the organisation. They favour a federation model, rather than a coherent body. "We have great service delivery but it could be so much better in focusing on one entity, and belonging to the organisation as a whole. At the moment it is dysfunctional." Janes said about 80 people attended last Saturday's consultants' briefing, held at the Alfred Hospital last Saturday, with "some people very strongly supporting the recommendations and others with different points of view". A special meeting of members will be held next month to vote on the proposals put up by consultants Anne Malcolm, Rhonda Parkyns and David Lowe. It is believed all but one of the members of the suspended Joint Advisory Committee support the proposals, which cover organisational structure, management, strategy, systems and staff. Structural proposals include: * setting up one, 10-member board (which includes a representative from the Gay Men's Health Centre, PLWHA and a staff member); * amalgamation of the PLWHA and support program; * making the Gay Men's Health Centre a separate entity; * setting up a strategic co-ordination unit within three months, as well as community education and organisational support units. The consultants, in a summary paper on comments following the release of the draft review in June, were concerned that a small number of people had suggested an alternative structure based on a federation style approach. "This approach is based on institutionalising separateness. It is our advice that this approach would be a disastrous path to follow and would perpetuate and extend the current conflicts, divisions and territorialism." The summary said a number of people in the Health and Education Program opposed the recommended abolition of two co-ordinator positions. "We acknowledge that there is a significant element of service delivery in these two positions but we also recognise that savings are needed to fund new parts of the structure," the consultants said. Janes said one of the most exciting aspects of the report was the proposed combining of PLWHA, the Positive Living Centre and support programs. "One group says it represents the PLWHA but it is only a small section. The change would break down barriers for better focus and advocacy." Petrina Dakin KENNETT DODGES PINK PROMISE *Tasmanian activist Rodney Croome will speak in Melbourne next week, as part of an offensive against the Victorian Government's "hypocritical" promotion of pink tourism while undermining gay and lesbian rights.* The visit has been announced in the same week that State Premier, Jeff Kennett, is reported to be playing down his recent discussions with Melbourne's gay and lesbian community. GLAD co-convenor Anthony Shaw said: "This government is supporting homophobic laws in Tasmania. It is unacceptable to think commercial interests could have precedence over human rights." Shaw is still incensed about the recent meeting between Premier Jeff Kennett and three gay and lesbian organisation representatives to discuss tourism opportunities. He described it as "grossly disloyal to lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender Victorians". The GLAD meeting is part of a campaign to warn the gay community not to be taken in by Mr Kennett's interest in supporting business endeavours. Shaw said: "Amid the razzamatazz, and throwing money at things like the Grand Prix, behind the scenes he is destroying social and community infrastructure. "If he wants to woo business, it must be used as leverage to do something about human rights as a first priority. These are real grievances that must be addressed." These included the closure of Fairfield Hospital, police culture and the Tasty raid, last year's amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act and the Government's support of the Tasmanian Government in the High Court action by Rodney Croome and Nick Toonen against Tasmania's anti-gay laws. This week Premier Kennett backed away from publicity surrounding his meeting with gay and lesbian community representatives, promising backbenchers that he will not be giving this State's gay population any special benefits or funding. Kennett has been challenged by other Coalition members about promises he has made to bring the gay tourist dollar to Victoria, funding festivals, establishing a community centre and helping to open a gay and lesbian archive. Newspaper reports say Kennett has had to assure his party members that he does not intend to establish Melbourne as Australia's gay capital. Croome will speak at Rascals on Wednesday, July 31, at 7.30pm. Also speaking will be Democrat Senator Lyn Allison and ALP youth affairs and housing spokesperson Lyn Kosky. Details: 9419 0097. BUSINESS SUPPORT SWINGS INTO ACTION *Australia's only business development agency aimed at supporting gay and lesbian business investment will be holding the first of its seminars on August 22.* The Gay and Lesbian Association for the Development of Enterprise (Glade) was officially launched by the Minister for Small Business and Tourism, the Hon Louise Asher, in May and seeks to support prospective gay and lesbian business proprietors through the crucial start-up and development stages of their business. Glade research officer Sean Ling said, "We can assist our clients by helping them develop their business plan and feasibility studies, by referring clients to gay-friendly training providers where necessary, and through facilitating networking within the business community by offering business seminars and forums." The group are offering a monitor service for burgeoning gays and lesbians in business. Wayne Nichol, Glade Director, added, "Previously the practice of mentoring within the lesbian and gay community was largely an informal affair. Glade aims to extend this practice to ensure new business owners have access to the enormous diversity of talent and experience within the lesbian and gay business community." INSURANCE COMPANY SETTLES DISPUTE *A major insurance company paid a "substantial" settlement last month, almost three years after a gay man filed a complaint against it with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC).* The company had refused to provide any kind of insurance to the HIV-negative man, because of the perceived risk of AIDS. Peter Thompson, 43, applied to the multi-national company for life insurance and income protection in February of 1993. He said he was totally honest in completing the forms, including giving details of an estimated five instances of protected anal intercourse in the previous five years. Yet the insurer declined even to offer the man a policy with an HIV exemption clause, which Thompson conceded he "probably would've accepted". "But they wouldn't even give me income protection," said Thompson, "like for if I was hit by a bus." In "expert" advice the insurance company submitted during the HREOC proceedings, they claimed: "It is usual for insurers to be informed that male homosexual applicants for insurance seldom or never practice receptive intercourse and that condoms are always used. This information does not match with patterns of behaviour documented elsewhere and does not appear to be statistically likely." Thompson's barrister, Margaret Bateman, said: "The company's basically saying that even if [gay male applicants] say they're having safe sex...they're assumed to be lying." Thompson's solicitor, John Hunter, took the case to HREOC under Federal disability discrimination legislation. The 1994 legislation makes it illegal to deny services to people based on "imputed" illnesses or disabilities. Yet the insurance company never took the matter to court. In June this year they offered to settle with Thompson under terms he accepted, including non- disclosure of the details of the agreement. Thompson said he was satisfied with the results, and believed the company had come to a genuine change of heart about their policy towards gay men. He added that after he had been turned down by the first company, Australian Casualty and Life agreed to give him full insurance with no HIV exemption. Hunter said it was important that gay men knew their rights with insurers. "I don't think there's going to be one big case which makes the insurance companies change their [policy]," he said. "They're settling each case individually, and it's therefore up to the community to make sure that they have so many objections that it becomes financially untenable for them to fight each one." Ben Widdicombe, SSO COUNCIL WORKER ASSAULTS BEAT USER *Hobart's City Council has reportedly taken on the task of law and order. A local gay and lesbian newsletter details an incident which occurred at a well-known beat close to the city centre.* An unidentified man was leaving a toilet block and was set upon by a council cleaner. He was verbally abused and hit with a stick, then chased to his car. He made a speedy exit to avoid further assault. The entire incident was observed by another man who approached the cleaner demanding an explanation for the outrageous behaviour. The cleaner told him that the men using the toilets were "filthy animals". The observer rang the City Council with the cleaner's van number and registration and filed his complaint. The Works Supervisor contacted the witness sometime later saying the he stood by his cleaner's version of events and would be taking no action. He said the Council was "sick and tired of the undesirables around the domain who fouled public toilets and committed indecent acts". The witness stressed that no one has the right to assault another person regardless of personal beliefs. He was fobbed off by the Supervisor who continued along the lines of "illegal activities" and "unnatural acts" in toilets. The witness then contacted police about the incident. Police agreed that any assault should be reported to them but it is unlikely the assaulted man will lay a complaint for fear of reprisal. CentreLines/Adelaide GT BRIEFS HIV DRUG PUSHED THROUGH Australia has become one of the first countries in the world to register the new HIV/AIDS drug indinavir, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Family Services Senator Bob Woods announced today. Senator Woods said indinavir was registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in just under four months, marking another improvement in processing time for important drugs. "This is an important new drug, early results are encouraging but time is needed to see if experience confirms its early promise in assisting with a breakthrough in HIV/AIDS treatment," Senator Woods said. MARDI GRAS INCREASE On July 20 the Board of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras agreed to increase the number of memberships available from 6000 to 7000. This means everyone currently on the waiting list for membership will have the opportunity to join. Each full member will still be able to purchase up to five tickets for Sleaze Ball 1996 and Mardi Gras Party 1997 (depending on availability). Mardi Gras spokesperson Bev Lange said: "The increase in membership along with the changes to the Memorandum and Articles of Association are part of our policy to increase the levels of gay and lesbian involvement in the organisation. The increased availability of membership allows young gay men and lesbians and others who have recently come out or moved to Sydney to become actively involved in Mardi Gras." =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ BOTTOM LINE Smartarse by Jeffrey Smart The waiter wrung his hands and simpered, "No one's doing any drugs! I put this little table over here so you could do them without leaving the room!" He was too late; shortly after the main course half the guests had bolted off downstairs to do a line of coke in the loo. I gulped down a mouthful of wine and nervously kept an open mind. This dinner was proving that Sydneysiders are a different breed from Melburnians. We were in the private dining room of a restaurant in Potts Point, celebrating a few birthdays. Three of us has flown up from Melbourne for the event; I think we were the only ones who didn't have a mobile phone on the table next to our glass of wine. We were a curiosity from the minute we entered the room. "Oh you're from MELbourne!" enthused a willowy young thing in a lime green body shirt. "Isn't it COLD?" I bristled at this, but there was no denying that the sun had been shining in Sydney all day and there had been ice on the cars at Melbourne Airport when we left that morning. I played up the ice story (glaciers on the runway, that sort of thing) and the young thing shivered sympathetically. "But Melbourne has such good SHOPPING!" she allowed. Where is the line between gay and straight in young Sydney? Most of the people at this party were straight. The women were so gay friendly it was almost obscene, and the men were so relaxed about poofs that it almost seemed we would get extra lucky. The blokes were falling over each other, sharing chairs, kissing, hugging, grabbing crotches, prissing and preening; it was quite a titillating display. After dinner it was time to discover gay Sydney at night. We asked around; what's the best place to go to for a funky little jive and plenty of gorgeousness? Everyone had an opinion; the Midnight Shift, the Exchange (downstairs), DCM (no, said someone, not on a Saturday night, it's full of straights), the Lizard Lounge (you can stand in the corner and do your own thing). We looked at the Midnight Shift by but there was no one in it. Downstairs at the Exchange had a few people shuffling around moronically on the dancefloor. The Lizard Lounge was OK, but the music was better elsewhere, and the crowd of straight boys and girls out of the front of DCM was ridiculous. If the clubs weren't much, it was all happening out on Oxford Street at 4.00am. There were crowds of boys swanning up and down the street, looking gorgeous, and obviously showing off to each other. I can't imagine us doing that in Melbourne, we'd all freeze to death immediately. The next night we were at Cafe 191 in Taylor Square. The men around there are too gorgeous for words, and the music was better than in all the clubs we'd been to the night before; pity it was 6.30pm and we had a plane to catch. Sydney might be light on good venues for dancing, but it sure is good at sheer volume of homosexuals, and gay spectacle. Jeffrey Smart =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 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