antiviolence.info

GLBT community urged to report violence; Stonnington Council told to clean up their act

// September 10th, 2009 // No Comments » // Incidents, Within Victoria

In his article “Speak out against violence”, Andrew Shaw (MCV, Thursday, 10 September 2009) writes that violence against our community should be reported to the authorities.

The City of Stonnington incorporates a large slice of Melbourne’s gay community south of the river, including Prahran and South Yarra, and it’s also an area prone to violence against gays.

Victoria’s Anti Violence Project (AVP) has found recent bias and hate-crime against the GLBT community parallels public experiences of alcohol-fuelled street violence and bashings around Melbourne, recently publicised in the mainstream media. With one significant difference: gay men and lesbians continue to not report violence to police. They’ve urged the GLBT community to become active in reporting violence and sent a clear message to Stonnington Council to clean up their act.

Read Andrew’s article in full here.

Community gets proactive about homophobic violence in Brunswick

// August 31st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Incidents

Brunswick’s Victoria Hotel was the location for a well attended public meeting (Friday 4th September) where recent experiences of homophobic violence in and around queer night spots were discussed and local community responses canvassed.

Distribute of stickers and posters to help spread the message about homophobic attacks in Brunswick will take place Bambi (at Noise Bar on Albert St in Brunswick) on Wednesday 9 September to create a greater awareness of the need for people to be safe and to report their experiences of hate-motivated violence and crime.

Sam from “Orlando” advises that the Melbourne Times is running an article about violence in Brunswick and the meeting in their 9 September issue. Additionally the Moreland Leader has also picked up the issue and will be covering this in their next edition.

Snr Const Gabby Tyacke (Region One GLLO) and the Anti Violence Project’s Greg Adkins were both participants in the Brunswick meeting and emphasise that reporting violence is a number one priority which helps stop further attacks and ensures police resources are deployed to the times and places where systematic violence and hate-motivated, targeted crime occurs.

Media Coverage

Check out Rachel Cook’s article in the (MCV 10 September, 2009) here.

Additional updates will be posted to this page. In addition please also check out Orland’s site here.

Violence mapped!

// August 17th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Incidents

The Anti Violence Project has commenced mapping violence reports of bias and hate motivated crime targetting the GLBT community and made to us through our online reporting service, received since the International Day Against Homophobia (May 17th). The map reveals strong links between alcohol driven violence in the so-called entertainment precincts of the Stonnington local government area, and the targeting of the GLBT community through bias and hate crime here and in other places as far and wide as Shepparton and Wodonga.

New research: “When the glitter settles: safety & hostility at & around gay & lesbian public events”

// August 7th, 2009 // No Comments » // Research

Stephen Tomsen and Kevin Markwell from the Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra, have published their latest research “When the glitter settles: safety & hostility at & around gay & lesbian public events”.  This research uses the results of an internet-based survey to explore aspects of safety and hostility as perceived and experienced by participants at large-scale gay and lesbian events held in Australia. Navigate to their page and download their report HERE.

Gay Shame Study – for gay men aged 18+

// July 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Research, Within Victoria

Research is underway which hopes to investigate links between shame, embarrasment, and well-being in gay men aged 18 and over.  Participants will undertake two one hour, one-on-one  interviews at the La Trobe University City campus.  Please contact Adam on 0437 755 580 or by email.

Glass thrown at gay man in East Brunswick

// July 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Incidents, Within Victoria

A 26 year old gay man had a glass thrown at his head an an East Brunswick Hotel on Saturday June 27th.  Police have an image of the woman alleged to have thrown the glass, obtained through video footage from the venue.  The incident came after the victim challenged members of the band which was on-stage about homophobic remarks used by one of the band.  Contact details for the police will be updated here, however in the mean time please contact Brunswick Police.

Share your experiences in sport

// July 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Research, Within Victoria

Victoria University and Gay & Lesbian Health Victoria have established an online survey about the experiences of GLBT participation ion sport within Victoria. Checkout http://comeout2play.net

“Don’t look away”

// June 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Around the globe

A stark reminder to all of us: “Don’t look away”. Whether its violence against us, or whether we witness violence against others, no matter if they’re gay or straight and regardless of gender or ethnicity.

Another great commercial with an important message about Respect from their MANEO’s Campaign for the Tolerance.

Understanding Homophobia in Rural Secondary Schools Research online

// June 11th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Within Victoria

Sue Hackney from WayOUT has been very excited announcing that WayOUT’s on-line surveys “Researching homophobia in rural secondary schools” are now ‘live’ and can be accessed via their WayOUT website. One survey is aimed at rural young persons aged 12 to 21 years; the other is aimed at the rural teacher or worker supporting the young people. They are aiming to get at least 100 of each of the surveys completed so need your help getting the word out.

Take Up the Idaho Challenge! launched

// June 10th, 2009 // No Comments » // Around the globe

Gays.com has launched their community and public awareness project to mark the sixth annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) on May 17th.

Created completely from user submissions, this video acts as a public service announcement communicating the message that LGBT individuals are present in every country, in every society and in every corner of the world.

Take Up the Idaho Challenge! marks a collaboration between Gays.com and the Committee for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). Founded in France by activist Louis-Georges Tin, the IDAHO Committee has been instrumental in the drafting of the new United Nations statement urging the decriminalization of homosexuality, now signed by 67 countries around the world.

“In our battle to tear down the walls of homophobia and transphobia, it is of vital importance that we have people who are willing to put their face to what we are fighting for. This is a clarion call to members of our community to come out from wherever you are and let your voice be heard,” says Louis-Georges Tin, Founder of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. “When each of us takes that step of courage in coming out, we empower and give courage to those around us to do the same. The change that we are all longing to see starts with each of us.”

Kenneth Tan from Gays.com added “we are all about fighting the culture of anonymity that is so pervasive on the gay internet landscape. With this project, we want to challenge members of our community to step out of their virtual closets,”

“It is vital that those of us who reside in places of relative peace and freedom step out in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who, based upon where they live, risk abuse, jail, torture and the death sentence if they do come out. It is our hope that every country can be represented in this video.”

The Committee for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) is a network of activists, present in over 50 countries, who seek to promote the idea of an international day against homophobia and transphobia. This day has been recognised officially by a number of governments around the world and provides an opportunity for the LGBT movement across the world to unite in a powerful demonstration of collective visibility.