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Newsletter - June 2022

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Newsletter - June 2022
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June 2022
In this June edition of the First Mardi Gras Inc. Newsletter, we have:
  • How to join the Human Progress Flag for the 24 June Mardi Gras anniversary
  • Barry Charles on the Unveiling of Rise: The Bondi Memorial
  • Diane Minnis on speakers for Salon78: Celebrating Rainbow History – Saturday 25 June
  • Bill Ashton on 78ers Mardi Gras Anniversary Drinks – Sunday 26 June
  • Barry Charles on Renewing your First Mardi Gras Inc. Membership
  • Barbara Karpinski on her Ejection by Police from the SCG
  • Ken Davis on Vale Moss Cass
  • CARR Fight for LGBTI+ Rights! Demo – Saturday 25 June
  • Pride in Protest Queer Liberation Conference – 25-26 June
  • How to donate to Appeals for Northern Rivers and Ukraine
  • Rebbell Barnes and Bill Ashton on Get your 78ers and CAMP badges
  • Calendar of Events.
Our Salon78: Celebrating Rainbow History is at 5.30pm, Saturday 25 June 2022, by Zoom. And the 78ers 44th Anniversary Drinks is at 5pm, Sunday 26 June 2022, Kinselas, Taylor Square. RSVP for both events: info@78ers.org.au
Diane Minnis
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Friday 24 June marks the 44th anniversary of the first-ever Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Next year, Sydney will become the first city in the southern hemisphere to host WorldPride. To officially call LGBTQIA+ people of the world to Sydney, on 24 June we will unite to form a Human Progress Flag.

All participants will be given a very special coloured Sydney WorldPride t-shirt for the photo, which you can keep. Come dressed in black so that you can put the coloured t-shirt on top.

If you can join us, please RSVP using the code COMMUNITY here on Moshtix: https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/welcome-the-world-to-sydney/140740
 
Human Progress Flag – Welcoming the World to Sydney – Opera House Steps
11am to 1pm, Friday 24 June 2022
Wet weather plan will be confirmed via email if necessary
 
Let me know if you have any questions – and I can be contacted by text on the day at 0414 823 930.
 
Matt Akersten
Pride and Diversity Officer, Sydney World Pride
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At 10.30am, Saturday 4 June 2022, a crowd of around 500 assembled on the cliff tops at Marks Park, Tamarama for the dedication of the memorial to the murders of gay men and anti-gay violence in the 70s, 80 and 90s. There and elsewhere.

A joint project of the ACON Outreach program and Waverley Council; the memorial beautifully references the cliffs and instead of falling away the metaphor is of steps rising above the hate, negligence and indifference we faced and many in our LGBTIQ+ family still face daily.
This article is both political and personal. I, myself have survived more than one gay bashing.

The rocks and fisherman’s path to Tamarama from South Bondi was well known as a gay beat. It had been since the 1950s. I frequented it many times from 1971-1975. Even then it had a reputation of great danger as the Surf Club held dances and young straight alcohol fueled men were close by. Still it was very busy for a gay meeting spot and so had a great attraction.

The threat of bashings was something we lived with in order meet our brothers and connect with our tribe.

The danger and the violence grew worse into the 80s and Marks Park was difficult to get to and away from without a car. So, I moved to the growing gay club scene around Oxford Street.

At the ceremony on June 4th there were moving contributions from journalist Greg Callahan who spoke of the efforts of our community to see that those who died were remembered and that these things never happen in any form again. Here are some extracts from his remarks.
 
“People have asked me, why the late 1980s? Why did the violence ramp up so dramatically then? A combination of factors. The HIV/AIDS epidemic had increased the stigma against gay men in particular, ably assisted by the Grim Reaper fear campaign on television. The other factor – paradoxically – was the rise of Sydney as an international gay mecca: with the Mardi Gras now attracting 400,000 or more spectators, with Oxford Street now the Golden Gay Mile, lined by vibrant bars, cafes and saunas, the LGBTQ community had a public profile like never before. The bashers and the killers knew where to come.

“One of the trademarks of a gay hate crime is its relentless, cold-blooded cruelty. If a robbery happens during an attack, it’s almost an afterthought. It’s the brand of hate stemming from prejudice and ignorance, and it can spread, cancer like, among those susceptible to its message. A message of hate that turned young men into killers.

“We remember:
“Good men. Young gay men with their lives all ahead of them.
“Men like John Russell, whose coming out story pretty much paralleled that of the blossoming of Oxford Street from the early 1980s.
“Men like Ross Warren, a weather man with WIN TV in Wollongong, who was looking forward to a long career in television. And men like Kritchikorn Rattanajurathaporn, a Thai man who had only been in Australia for about four months.

“And then there was Gilles Mattaini, a French national who disappeared somewhere along the pathway below in September 1985.
“And they all died here for one reason. They died because they were gay.”
 
There was also a forthright contribution from Councillor Paula Masselos, Mayor of Waverley. The council has driven the project to design and build the memorial over several years. Here are some of her words:
 
“Although it has taken quite some time, we are here today to say there is not room in society for such truly hateful attitudes and actions. A history of violence that is no longer, or ever was, acceptable.
“Rise is our public monument dedicated to the recognition of the recent history of gay and transphobic hate crimes that occurred in Bondi and along the east coast of Australia.

“It was delivered in partnership and heart by Waverley Council, ACON and UAP design studio, with involvement, enthusiasm and support from community members including 
  • the families and friends of the victims
  • survivors of gay hate crimes
  • film and documentary makers
  • artists, project managers, landscape architects
  • former police detectives
  • and investigative journalists and private detectives.
“Designed by John Nicholson and UAP, Rise responds beautifully to the project’s guiding principles of remembrance, diversity, inclusion, justice and acceptance.

“Each of its six sculpted stone layers represents one of the six bands in the pride flag.

“The memorial’s compositional arrangement was informed by the layers of the nearby cliffs that descend towards the ocean but re-imagined as a staircase flipped to ascend towards the horizon; the act of climbing inverting the act of falling, a pathway away from a history of violence.

“For individuals who lost loved ones to these crimes and were deprived of both justice and recognition there is deep pain that remains.

“Rise: The Bondi Memorial serves as a place of quiet reflection where we can recognize this devastating history together as a community whilst marking the forward-moving social progress made through ongoing changing attitudes."
 
I recommend a visit for all who are able.
 
Barry Charles
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Member
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As part of our Sydney Pride Festival commemorations this year, First Mardi Gras Inc. is presenting an online Salon78 forum – Celebrating Rainbow History.

In this Salon78 forum we will have presentations by Hannah McElhinney and Rudy Rigg from Rainbow History Class, which produces short fun Tik Tok clips on our history. Check out: Home | RainbowHistoryClass.

Authors Rebecca Jennings and 78er Garry Wotherspoon will talk about more traditional written representations of our history – based on documents and oral resources.

Garry’s publications include Being Different: Nine Gay Men Remember and Gay Sydney: A History. Some of the books Rebecca has written are Unnamed Desires: A Sydney lesbian history and Out and About: Sydney's Lesbian Social Scene 1960s - 1980s (with 78er Sandra MacKay).

We will discuss the best ways of preserving our communities’ history and getting it across to younger generations.

To register for this online event at 5.30pm on Saturday 25 June, email info@78ers.org.au to receive the Zoom link.
 
Diane Minnis
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Co-Chair
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Join us for our Drinks to celebrate the 44th Anniversary of the first Mardi Gras from 5pm on Sunday 26 June. All 78ers, partners and supporters are welcome.

We are trying a new venue – Kinselas at Taylor Square (383 Bourke Street). It ticks all the boxes, being on the ground floor, easy to access and open to the street for fresh air.

First Mardi Gras Inc. will be providing finger food and bar prices are very reasonable (Beer $7.70 schooner, Wine $8 glass). We will also conduct a raffle on the night. If you want to stay on, Bistro meals are good value.

Kinselas have been lovely to deal with and are looking forward to hosting 78ers for this anniversary event. Let us know if you can come along to Kinselas at 5pm on Sunday 26 June, email info@78ers.org.au.
Bill Ashton
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Committee Member
 
The Sydney Pride Festival 2022 – Be Brave, Be Strong, Be You was launched at the Stonewall Hotel on Thursday 2nd June. Sydney Pride Festival will run until 30th June. This year's festival is about empowering each other. Check out the other events in this at Sydney Pride Festival – Sydney Pride Festival 2022.
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As the years pass we find that the efforts of those who protested and lobbied for gay and lesbian rights in 1978 are more and more appreciated by LGBTIQ community. 78ers are in wide demand for speaking engagements, recalling the challenges of coming out in earlier years.

First Mardi Gras Inc. plays a prominent role on the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras elected 78ers Committee. We hold events during the year for our members including social lunches and our Salon78 Forums to discuss past and current issues related to our community.
First Mardi Gras Inc. is active in representing our views on current social freedom struggles including opposing proposed anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation.

We ask you to join or maintain your involvement in First Mardi Gras Inc. and renew your pride in our history and what we seniors in the LGBTIQ community can still contribute. Associate Membership is encouraged for members of your family, partners, friends or carers.
The membership forms are available at: www.78ers.org.au/membership.
 
Barry Charles
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Member
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Membership Fees:
  • $10 one year’s Membership
  • $17 two year’s Membership
  • $25 three year’s Membership
  • $5 a year Concession Membership
  • $12 three year’s Concession Membership
Direct Deposit: 
  • Email for bank details
Please use your name as the reference for direct deposits and email your membership form or confirmation that you have renewed to info@78ers.org.au, or post to PO Box 1029 Glebe NSW 2037.
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There was an honest error in an article in the May newsletter under the by-line of Sue Fletcher, regarding a meeting between Barbara Karpinski and NSW Police.

In editing the article, I included a point that the 13 May meeting with Police “had been cancelled as Barbara was taking legal action.” We now understand that this information is incorrect and the meeting was cancelled as Barbara attended with legal support people. I would like to apologise for this error.
 
Diane Minnis
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Co-Chair
 
Barbara Karpinski has replied to the May Newsletter, on June 6.

“I would like to correct the facts of the earlier newsletter edition published on 31st May. The police did not cancel the meeting of May 9 at the police headquarters in Surry Hills because I was taking “legal action.” The meeting was cancelled because the Mardi Gras CEO needed to change the date. The cancellation of the 13 May meeting was nothing to do with me taking ‘legal action’ as there has not been any legal action. Given that my ejection was very traumatic I brought legal support people and had informed police of this in writing the week before.

I attended the scheduled 9 May meeting with NSW Police and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. I had confirmed my attendance by email with Assistant Commissioner Talbot on 4 May. When I arrived with our legal team from Dowson Turco Lawyers, we were informed that the meeting was cancelled due to Albert Kruger’s need to reschedule. There was a complete breakdown of communication.

I arrived at the Surry Hills police HQ at 11.15 am to attend the scheduled 9 May meeting with NSW police and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras as I had confirmed my attendance by email with Assistant Commissioner Talbot on 4 May. 78er Peter Murphy also arrived at the same time and I appreciated he had come as he was quite unwell with the flu at the time. There were no other 78ers present. Police informed us that Mardi Gras CEO, Albert Kruger had asked for a reschedule.

I had not been notified of the change of dates as Mardi Gras CEO had requested a change of dates to May 13. When Peter and I, and my legal support people arrived, there was some confusion, as there was another meeting on at 12.30 with gay and lesbian community liaison representatives, but the 11.15 meeting to discuss my ejection with Mardi Gras representatives and myself and 78ers had been cancelled. The last-minute cancellation and lack of notification was a schemozzle.

The police were apologetic and kindly bought us cups of coffee, green tea, and offered us sandwiches. I was anxious as I am still dealing with the traumatic impact of the accidental ejection, but I came in good faith, hoping for a candid solution-focussed meeting. I had hoped to understand the ‘nuts and bolts’ of how the ‘mistake’ happened to prevent future problems for others. I was disappointed the meeting was cancelled and there was not consultation.

Assistant Commissioner Gelina Talbot, who was there to attend the next meeting, spoke to me briefly in the interim between our arrival and the next meeting. Assistant Commissioner Talbot apologised personally for the events of 5 March and said a ‘mistake’ was made and there had been an internal police investigation.

The cancellation of the 13 May meeting was nothing to do with me taking ‘legal action’ as there has not been any legal action.

I am keeping all my options open and currently focussing on prioritising my physical and mental health that has been impacted. I still think the LGBTIQ public have a right to know the full facts and hope the details will be made public. I have written to Albert Kruger, as a follow up to the cancelled May 9 meeting, and received an automated message.
I just want to add that like many 78ers I suffer from living a lifetime with lived experience of trauma due to the experiences of 1978. It is especially important to me that all interactions with police happen with a trauma-informed framework and that the police and community develop awareness of preventing retraumatisation for 78ers when we interact with the police.

All 78ers have a unique way of dealing with this trauma and would love the police and the community to develop better awareness and understanding and improve their policies.

I want to set a good example to the new generation in terms of looking after my own mental health.

I am hoping we can find a way forward to prevent future police mistakes, noting that although the police did not physically injure me on March 5, the fear, trauma, memories of the past will always be with me, and those flashbacks resurfaced. Given all our traumatic history with the police as a 78er, as many of us have, I have found it challenging and I thank everyone for the supportive communications.
I would like to send my good vibes to other 78ers who also feel the trauma of those memories, and like me, must deal with that, in our golden years. I am enthusiastic about creating good mental health outcomes for all GLBTIQA + community and thank everyone for their messages of support.

On 5 March, Mardi Gras, it was day nine of the war in Ukraine. Now 20 percent of Ukraine is controlled by Russia. Despite the ejection, I would do the same again; protest war and for freedom, as apathy is not an option. It is all too redolent of the advance of Nazism in Europe. I stand by my right to protest in democratic Australia, and my heart goes out to the Ukrainian population, now displaced and at war. In Russia, protesters are arrested in red square for anti-war posters and even blank signs. I am still in shock in being ordered to leave here and that a person reported my anti-war posters for being “offensive” and the police just ejected me without question.

I am looking forward to a future update of full transparency, openness and accountability by Mardi Gras and the NSW police. I hope out of this situation, the police and Mardi gras can improve their policies on safety, cultural understanding, and disability awareness and develop trauma informed protocols.

I recently had a birthday, my 21st of course, and made cupcakes with Ukrainian flags. I am currently eating them and to date the police have not confiscated them. Unfortunately, the police have never returned my protest posters with handmade Ukrainian flags.”
 
78er Barbara Karpinski
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Dr Moses (Moss) Henry Cass was a socialist and pioneering Minister for the Environment, and later Media, in the Whitlam Labor government from 1972-75.

Before he entered federal politics, Moss was a medical doctor and researcher, built Australia’s first heart-lung machine, helped develop open-heart surgery in London and championed abortion law reform. In 1964, Moss helped found the Trade Union Clinic and Research Centre in Melbourne’s west, funded by the meatworkers.

As Minister for the Environment, Moss introduced powerful environmental protection legislation and opposed uranium mining.

In October 1973, Moss seconded former Liberal prime minister John Gorton's federal parliament resolution in favour of homosexual law reform, which was successful. Although it had no legal effect, this was an important statement. It wasn’t until more than a decade later that we achieved homosexual law reform in NSW.
 
Ken Davis
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Co-Chair
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Protesting has pushed back the Religious Discrimination Bill, but we need to go on the offensive to end religious exemptions permitting schools and hospitals to fire LGBTI staff.
Community Action for Rainbow Rights
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A left wing queer rights conference at UTS to organise for a better material future for LGBTQI people. The Saturday sessions will happen after the CARR protest. Workshop submissions: https://forms.gle/1WSPKJ91GAibbJBY9.
Pride in Protest
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78ers Robert Farlow, Christine Devine and their partners have lost everything in the floods. They and other LGBTIQ community members need our support in this extremely challenging time for them.
 
Tropical Fruits Floods Fundraiser
Tropical Fruits are our queer family in the Northern Rivers. We have all seen the terrible impact of the floods.
If you want to know more about them and what they do, go to: https://tropicalfruits.org.au/.

If you are able to support their fundraiser campaign, go to Tropical Fruits Flood Fundraiser.

Donate $5.00 – the price of a coffee, or maybe you could add a zero!
The Mardi Gras Workshop made their own statement about the horror of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with their waterproof wrapping of 78ers placards and banners.
 
Support Displaced LGBTIQ Ukrainians
Since Russia launched its devastating invasion of Ukraine, over two million Ukrainians have fled the country. The Organization for Refuge, Asylum and Migration needs your help to:
  • Ensure LGBTIQ Ukrainians can access safe longer-term housing options
  • Support partner organisations in neighbouring countries to deliver services to displaced LGBTIQ people.
Donate to LGBTIQ refugees (oramrefugee.org)
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78er badges are $5 each and postage is $3.09 (total $8.09). If you want to order more than one badge, the postage is still $3.09 for up to five badges. To order badges, email your name, postal address and the number of badges required to info@78ers.org.au. Then make your payment by funds transfer. Please use your name as the reference for your deposit. Alternatively, you can post a cheque.

CAMP badges are $3.50 each plus $3.00 packaging and postage. To order and obtain pricing for multiple badges, contact Robyn Kennedy at rk.am@bigpond.com. Please include your name, address and number of badges requested. Banking details for direct deposit will be provided.
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Calendar of Events
For other events, please check: https://australianpridenetwork.com.au/lgbtiq-festivals/new-south-wales/. And remember to check links closer to the advertised dates for confirmation of events.