Archive for Media discussion

Lesbian couple beaten unconscious in Ireland – Gay Star News

// February 25th, 2015 // No Comments » // Around the globe, International, Media discussion

Physical violence against lesbians by men remains common around the glove as the attack on a lesbian couple leaving them beaten unconscious in Ireland shows.

A young lesbian couple were left bleeding and unconscious after a homophobic attack in Ireland. Roisin Prendergast, 20, and Ciara Murphy, 17, were walking to a food outlet in Limerick at 2am on 9 February when two men started ‘firing homophobic slurs’ at the couple.

The day after the attack, Prendergast wrote on Facebook:
‘I know our bruises will heal, I know we will be okay but this is not something I am going to let go.
‘Watching someone you love getting hurt while you yourself are getting hurt is not something anyone should ever have to endure straight or gay. This to me was a hate crime.
‘I am finished crying, today starts the first of many actions which will be taken to get justice.’

Read more here:

Happy 18th Birthday to us!

// January 20th, 2015 // No Comments » // AVP news, Media discussion, Within Australia, Within Victoria

We want to invite you to a birthday. Its ours!

Instead of bringing presents, we want your words.

Eighteen years ago today, the Anti-Violence Project had its foundation public meeting at the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre in South Yarra and we incorporated as an independent community-led peak organisation. Since then, we’ve had many hours of many people’s lives dedicated towards educating and changing our society and making it a safer place for same-sex attracted and gender diverse people and the diverse LGBTi communities. We’ve supported victims and survivors of violence, challenged homophobia whenever and where ever it reared its ugly head, negotiated with governments, developed policies with opposition parties.  We’ve taken your reports of prejudice motivated crime and homophobic violence, spent many hours around tables and walking pathways in parks with police and even walked people through police station doors to help with the first handshake leading to a violence report.

But despite all that, without you, our work now and into the future wouldn’t happen.

To mark our 18th birthday, we want you to share your stories with us.

What was important for you in dealing with violence during the last 18 years? How have your lives been impacted? What has changed? What have been the successes and what is important for you now as you look ahead?

We’re going to publish your views here and in the AVP’s social media sites.

Come join us for our 18th birthday!

(Greg, Lauren and Jayne, directors, Anti-Violence Project of Victoria Inc.)

Discussion: Why preferring to date one race over another makes you racist.

// December 11th, 2014 // No Comments » // Media discussion

Single gay guys who prefer one race to another aren’t “picky.” They’re racist. Here’s why, according to Jerry Plaza (RealJock, December 8, 2014).

Plaza writes that there’s a difference between a type and a generalization. “Everyone has a type. Our types are the first ones we look at in the room. Some guys prefer blondes while others prefer redheads; some guys like to look at a man’s fashion sense, i.e. hippies, skaters, or professionals; and some guys prefer taller boys over shorter ones. These are all types. A generalization is different. It’s sweeping judgment on an entire group of people based on a fantasy or stereotype.

What we need is to expose ourselves to the damage of racial preferences in the gay community. Too many people fear discussion because it’s uncomfortable.”

Read more of Jerry Plaza’s thoughtful discussion here:

http://www.gayguys.com/2014/12/preferring-date-one-race-another-makes-racist

City of Casey councillor Rosalie Crestani defends proposal to ban LGBTI promotion : Star Observer

// November 19th, 2014 // No Comments » // Media discussion, Within Victoria

http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/local-news/victoria-news/city-of-casey-councillor-rosalie-crestani-defends-proposal-to-ban-lgbti-promotion/130066

Watching this homophobic motion at the City of Casey with interest.  We at the AVP believe any government funding to local government should be contingent on policies and practices free of discrimination based on race, religion, sexuality or gender. Period.

Want to voice your opinion?
Cr Mick Morland (Mayor) mmorland@casey.vic.gov.au
Cr Geoff Abblett gablett@casey.vic.gov.au
Cr Susan Serey sserey@casey.vic.gov.au
Cr Rafal Kaplon rkaplon@casey.vic.gov.au
Cr Gary Rowe growe@casey.vic.gov.au
Cr Amanda Stapledon astapledon@casey.vic.gov.au
Cr Damien Rosario drosario@casey.vic.gov.au
Cr Wayne Smith wsmith@casey.vic.gov.au
Cr Sam Aziz saziz@casey.vic.gov.au
Cr Louise Berkelmans (Deputy Mayor) lberkelmans@casey.vic.gov.au
and the proposer of the motion…
Cr Rosalie Crestani rcrestani@casey.vic.gov.au

Please cc the Anti-Violence Project of Victoria (vicavp@antiviolence.info) into your emails and forward any response received.

Being Gay In Australia: Are We Really OK With It? | newmatilda.com

// July 17th, 2014 // No Comments » // Media discussion, Within Australia, Within Victoria

Joseph Scales unpacks the progress our society has made on homophobia, in the light of Ian Thorpe’s coming out.  The result is a reality check.
https://newmatilda.com/2014/07/17/being-gay-australia-are-we-really-ok-it

Why Can’t Reality TV Stop Casting Racists and Homophobes?

// June 25th, 2014 // No Comments » // Around the globe, Media discussion

And meanwhile in the USA, print media raise a mature argument discussing the last Big Brother. We ask, was this deliberately designed to boost ratings by appealing to others in their society holding deeply rooted racist and homophobic views?

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/_mobile/celebrity/news/big-brother-caleb-reynolds-racist-slurs