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NSW Same Sex Adoption Bill

September 1st 2010 04:48

. The member form Auburn Barbara Perry has been subjected to
unprecedented pressure to vote down the Same sex adoption bill currently
before NSW Parliament

. The pressure is coming from the religious right but not the one
you are thinking off . The pressure is coming from the Muslim right. This
bill is being proposed in the middle of Ramadan and everyone wants to holy
and homophobic.

So call Barbara Perry in numbers and reassure her she is doing the right
thing by voting for the bill she is at phone 02 92284820

Barbara needs all the encouragement she can get.. Please pass this onto all

of your networksds every bit of encouragement she can get. Please pass this
on through all of your networks

Doug

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics

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The Power of One

August 30th 2010 19:16

When Sir Ian McKellen came out in 1988 (despite fears it might damage his career), it was to oppose the then British government introducing ‘Section 28’, banning local authorities from ‘promoting homosexuality... [in schools] ... as a kind of pretended family relationship’.

The law, the brainchild of self-styled ‘Christians’, was eventually repealed in 2003.

During the battle Sir Ian founded Stonewall, now the most powerful gay organisation in the UK. And he continues to fight for the truth about homosexuality to be taught in British schools.

Interviewed at Manchester Pride last weekend, when asked “ What do you think are the challenges still facing LGB&T people in terms of homophobia and transphobia?”, he answered, “Schools. Schools. Schools!”

Schools are indeed the key battleground. They are among the most dangerous places for young gays and lesbians in their vulnerable years.
Schools are where the attitudes of the next generations are formed, and if we are to ever take our proper place as full citizens of this or any other country, we have ensure that all kids, whatever their gender or sexuality, can flourish free from fear. Unfortunately, all too often, we fail.

Daniel Witthaus (left) & friends

For the last 26 weeks, every Thursday at about ten past nine I have sat in the studios of Joy 94.9 and made a call to a remarkable man who has made it his personal mission to expose and challenge homophobia in schools right around Australia.

Beginning in Geelong back in February, I and my listeners have been following the travels of Daniel Witthaus as he drives around Australia in a ute called Bruce. The ute was provided by Uniting Care – Cutting Edge. He’s funding the rest of his journey himself.

Tackling smaller regional towns like Kalgoorlie, Port Lincoln, Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Broome, Mt Isa and Newcastle, as well as the major cities, last week he hit famed rev-head town of Bathhurst.

At each stop he links up with local educators and service providers, collecting stories of what gay life is like all around the country, and passing on his knowledge and expertise. Hoping to plant a seed which will help teachers tackle homophobia and put a stop to the bullying.

Daniel has heard many stories, both harrowing and inspiring: if you’re interested, go to his blog Beyond That's So Gay, download podcasts of our conversations on Freshly Doug, or read transcripts.

He has created books and teaching resources any school can use. And he is taking them with him as he travels, challenging homophobia ‘one cuppa at a time’, as he likes to say.

Daniel is the answer to anyone who says, ‘What difference can just one person make?’

What difference have you made today?

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: discrimination, equality, gay lesbian politics, equal rights

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We Don’t Want Either of You

August 21st 2010 20:54

Voters decisively rejected both Abbott and Gillard. Nobody won.

Sunday morning and the election result is clear, even though it has not produced a result.

The left won the vote but the right, with the aid of the partisan mainstream media, will probably steal government, at least for a little while.

Nationally, there was a 5.5% swing against Labor, but most of it – 3.7% - went to the Greens and not to the Liberals, who could only scrape up a 1.8% swing, robbing both sides of a mandate.

Half of all voters, 49.4% voted for either Labor or the Greens, while the Coalition could only muster 44%. 6.6% went to Indepedents, giving them the kingmaker role.

It’s a clear sign that the majority of the Australian people want a left-leaning, progressive government. It’s what they thought they were getting when they voted for Kevin Rudd, until he lost his nerve and began tracking right on refugees and climate change. Then they abandoned Labor.

When Julia Gillard continued and even accelerated the rightward drift, they punished Labor by depriving it of power. It's a decisive defeat for the right faction within the Labor Party.

The most likely outcome is a period of horse-trading which will see the cobbling-together of an unstable temporary majority with scant authority. We will be heading back to the polls before too long.

Who will head this temporary government? One conventions says Labor, as the incumbent, should have the first chance. Another says that the Coalition, as the largest single party, should get first crack. But neither one will have legitimacy.

In Europe hung parliaments are the norm rather than the exception, and caretaker governments remain in power for as long as six months while the horse-trading continues and a government is finally formed. The sky does not fall in as people make the discovery that politicians are not that necessary after all.

But Australia, with its convict history, is probably not yet sufficiently politically mature to be able to tolerate an extended period without the illusory comfort of a settled authority in place.

COMMENTING

My apologies to all my readers, but I have been forced to block anonymous commenting due a rising volume of what appear to be random irrelevant postings. You now need to be a member of Orble to comment.

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, elections

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Are you in an abusive gay political relationship?

August 20th 2010 05:40

But he says he loves me!

If you're gay and you're not happy with your present political partner, have you thought you might be in an abusive relationship? It may be time to end what has become a toxic situation and move to Greener pastures. A simple questionnaire will soon uncover the truth.

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: elections, gay lesbian politics, same-sex, social commentary

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Gillard Comes Out - She WILL Block Equal Marriage

August 19th 2010 20:24

Julia (and God) says No

For months now wishful thinkers poring over tiny nuances in the Prime Ministers words and body language have been deluding themselves she wouldn't block equal marriage.

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage

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Screamers, shock-jocks and crystal balls

August 15th 2010 02:23

Another year, another rally, and thankfully this time I remembered to bring my earplugs to shut out the ear-splitting screech of that jargon-ridden young woman who has not yet learned: either scream, or use a bullhorn, but not both.

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage

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Open Letter to Abbott & Gillard

August 9th 2010 20:57

Yesterday Family First senate candidate Wendy Francis likened gay
couples to child abusers, and said they were creating a new stolen generation

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage

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Two Australias

August 8th 2010 04:47

Digital Division

This is a stupid election.

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, elections, equal marriage

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Leaking Bile

August 1st 2010 06:28

The seat of political judgement

We used to get our politics pre-digested for us by press, radio and television, but now we can suck it straight from the teat. This is my first online election. The unmoderated voice of the people. And it can be pretty raw.

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, books writing blogging, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage

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