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Issue 44: May 2005 - July 2005

 

Editorial
Queer Quiz
Wanted
Digging Holes
World Watch
Civil Unions Become a Reality
The Depiction of Gay & Lesbian Families in Childrens Picture Books
Lesbians and Issues of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Queer New Zealand Politics
Rainbow Families
Book Reviews
Feelings Have To Give - A Short Story
Poetry
Families Commission Seeks Input
UniQ
Gentleness is all
A Gay Play on an August Day
Call for Artists
God, Penquins and Others
PFLAG Office
International HIV/AIDS Conference
Are You Feeling Left Out?
HIV New Diagnoses
Dramatic Police Chase
Safety in School for Queers
Queer Quiz Answers

 

Issue 44  May-July 2005

This issue of the OGT was paid for by advertising from the following businesses:

Gabby Morris, Dunedin First National Real Estate

284 Stuart Street , Dunedin

467-7277 (wk), 456-2566 (hm), 025-228-7900

R&R Sport

70 Stuart Street

Dunedin

474-1211, www.rrsport.co.nz

 

Anja Klinkert Lawyer

  83 Moray Place , 2nd Floor

477-7267 or 027-497-2337

 

Public Health South

57 Hanover Street , Dunedin

474-1700

 

Bodyworks Club

127 Stuart Street , Dunedin

477-8228

 

University Book Shop

378 Great King Street , Dunedin

477-6976, www.unibooks.co.nz

 

The Bronx Bagel Co

134 Stuart Street , Dunedin

479-0209

   

Sea Kayaking Company

PO Box 94

Havelock , Pelorus Sounds

021-796-770

[email protected]

www.havelockseakayak.co.nz

 

Gray’s Studio

201 North Road , Dunedin

473-7774

 

NZAF South – Te Toka

269 Hereford Street , Christchurch

03-379-1953

[email protected]

www.nzaf.org.nz

 

Mark Bridgmount Optometrist

183 King Edward Street, South Dunedin

455-3459, www.eyeballsdunedin.co.nz

 

John Robinson – JZR Jewellery for Men

Available from Lure

130 Stuart Street , Dunedin

 

Passion For Framing Ltd

027-446-6895

[email protected]

 

Philippa Jamieson, Ritual Maker & Civil Union Celebrant

473-9293

[email protected]

 

Shag River Rhododendrons

SH1, 3kms north of Palmerston, off Chisholm Rd

03-465-1278

 

 

Editori al

by Tor Devereux, Editor

 

Hello again - and welcome to winter! As I write this, the cold weather has suddenly struck and it’s quite a shock to the system after the relatively mild autumn that we were enjoying.

 

This issue of the OGT marks a new phase in the paper’s history in terms of how it’s put together and printed. Up until now we’ve created paste-up sheets and sent them through to the Oamaru Mail where the paper’s published. Now, though, the OGT has moved into the 21st century and the paper is being sent through to Oamaru as computer files and printed from that. This has meant that the paper has had to purchase a new computer programme - Adobe InDeisgn - and I’ve had to learn (very quickly!) how to use it. This issue it’s been a case of just acquiring the basics in order to get the paper completed on time, but as I get to know the programme better I expect to be able to experiment with it a bit more. So, you may notice a some layout changes in future issues of the OGT.

 

There are a few thank yous that I’d like to make in regard to this technological advancement. First of all, a big thank you to Dykeworks who a while ago gave the OGT some money to assist with the purchase of this new computer programme. Secondly, thank you to Murray at the Oamaru Mail who is always answering various technical questions I have about the paper and who does a wonderful job of printing the paper and getting it back to Dunedin within as fast a timeframe as possible. And thirdly, thanks to Barb who tracked down the programme and has helped me understand how it works and listened to me when I’ve been frustrated with it!

 

Once again lots of people contributed copy to this issue of the OGT and there’s a real range of material here. As you’ll read, there are some events coming up that you may wish to attend and, of course, there are also all the regular groups as listed on the back page. A couple of things coming up are: the Candlelight Memorial (May 15), the Pride Exhibition (July 10-15) and a play called Beautiful Thing at the Globe (August 4-13). As always we need to support these as the people who organise them put a lot of effort into them, and it’s important that we celebrate our culture and commemorate significant events within our community. Of course, in the next few months the first Civil Unions will also be taking place and these will be wonderful opportunities for us to celebrate our lives and our loves in a relatively public way.

 

Finally, I’d like to draw your attention to a new campaign called “Safety In Schools For Queers” (SS4Q) which is working to make high schools a safer place for students and teachers. This campaign includes Out There, the NZ AIDS Foundation, the Family Planning Association and other groups, and it is being launched around the country. There’s an article about the campaign on Page 11, and if you’d like to find out what’s happening locally contact PFLAG or Pride Dunedin Youth (see Page 12 for contact details). Meanwhile, keep warm and safe and enjoy the winter months!

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Queer Quiz

 

1. When did the Civil Union Act come into effect in New Zealand ?

2. What street in New York was the scene of the Stonewall rebellion in 1969?

3. What does PFLAG stand for?

4. Elton John and his partner David Furnish are planning to enter into a Civil Partnership in Britain later this year or early next year. How long have they been together?

5. What is the title of Stella Duffy’s new book?

  Answers 

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Wanted

 

Looking for lovely lesbians interested in coming to a good ol' pot luck and/or being part of a walking group.

 

If you’re interested, phone Amy on 021-116-7927.

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Digging Holes

by Andrew Metcalfe

 

As I write, the president of the Scottish Catholic Education Commission, Bishop Joseph Devine, is busy trying to dig himself out of a rather large hole. A week ago he was quoted as saying that hiring or promoting “openly homosexual teachers” was incompatible with Catholic social teaching. Since then there has been loud protest from various anti-discrimination organisations accusing him of fuelling prejudice and ignoring employment law. It all cumulated with Jack McConnell, the Scottish Parliament’s First Minister, saying that teachers should be chosen on the basis of their ability, not their sexuality.

 

Well, the Bishop has come back into the fray, shovel ever at the ready. He maintained that his comments had been “misrepresented” - they were directed only at homosexuals who chose to promote their lifestyle in the classroom i.e. any teacher who chose to promote a lifestyle in opposition to church teachings, such as abortion, would be treated in the same way. “The sexual orientation of teachers is not – in itself – an issue of interest to the church,” he said. Another Catholic Church spokesperson waded in further, saying that where a teacher was known to be in a homosexual relationship or an adulterous one, the issue would be a factor if they applied for a promoted post.

 

Well, there you go. An adulterous relationship is on the same par as a loving, committed relationship with someone of the same gender. Keep shovelling, boys, it just gets better! I can’t for the life of me think how a teacher – or anyone else for that matter – could “promote” some kind of “lifestyle”. I’m sure the last thing any teacher would want to do would be to give details about their personal life to inquisitive teens (or Bishops). But, if they were to demonstrate, by their very presence, that all kinds of people in this world can get on and have a life – a good life – what’s the harm in that? It would seem to me to be immensely liberating, in a very ordinary sort of way, and do some of these youngsters a world of good.

 

I was reflecting on this as I cleaned graffiti, penned by local school children, off the communal stairwell today. Amongst all the usual declarations of love and relationships were a number of lines accusing various peers of being “gay” or “a poof”. The sad thing is that they don’t really have the opportunity to see anything else promoted. All that gets perpetuated is the same tired old prejudice and shame espoused by the esteemed Bishop and others.

 

I look forward to the day when, if these young folk still feel the urge to write on my walls, calling someone gay is an immense compliment rather than a curse. And that’s something I’m very keen to promote.

   

Andrew is currently living and working in Perthshire, Scotland . You can contact him at: [email protected]

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World Watch

 

World Watch acknowledges the source of these stories as 365Gay.com, gaylesbiantimes.com, GayLinkContent.com, GayWired.com and rainbownetwork.com

 

First Gay Radio Station

Argentina

Argentina ’s first gay radio station has begun broadcasting on the web at Argentinagayradio.com.ar. The emphasis is on music, but there are also segments on health and gay-rights issues, and “a lot of joking around”.

 

Region Bans Discrimination

Italy

Tuscany has become the first region in Italy to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The law “grant[s] to every person free expression and manifestation of the person’s sexual orientation and of the person’s gender identity”. It also gives same-sex couples rights in the area of healthcare decisions, and promises to promote cultural events “open to all lifestyles”.

 

Gay Sex In The Military Okay

Peru

Peru ’s constitutional court has overturned a law that prohibited gays in the military from having sex. The army had banned same-sex relations on or off military bases under threat of imprisonment or expulsion. The court said the ban was “completely discriminatory” and unconstitutional.

 

Court Okays Partner Inheritance

Tel Aviv , Israel

Israeli gays and lesbians will now automatically inherit a deceased partner’s estate unless it has been willed to someone else, following a recent ground-breaking court decision. The suit was brought by a gay man who had shared a house with his partner for 40 years. The government had rejected his claim, arguing that the law applied only to common-law opposite-sex couples.

 

New Justice Commissioner Gay-Friendly

Strasbourg , France

The new nominee for European justice commissioner, Franco Frattini, is more gay-friendly than the previous nominee, who withdrew after coming under fire for calling homosexuality a “sin”. Frattini has said that same-sex couples who are legally coupled in any one of the 25 nations of the European Union must be recognised as a couple by all of the nations as required by the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. Slovakia and Austria , among others, have balked at this requirement.

 

New Gay Character On Tv

USA

The ABC Network has unveiled a new escapist drama, Eyes, about a discreet, high-tech private investigation firm. Handling cases with the highest possible stakes, the firm operates on the fringe of the law. One of the staff is Chris Didion, a gay man and former psychiatric patient. Chris is played by Rick Worthy. The fact that Chris is gay is dealt with in a matter of fact way that blends seamlessly into the story line. There is no “coming out” episode.

 

Pair Granted Bail

Suva , Fiji

An Australian tourist and a Fijian sentenced to two years in prison for having gay sex have been released on bail pending an appeal against their sentences. In passing the original sentence, Magistrate Syed Muhktar Shah had described their behaviour as “something so disgusting that it would make any decent person vomit”. However, lawyers for the two men say the convictions are unconstitutional. Gays and lesbians have protections under Fiji ’s 1998 Constitution, although old former colonial laws banning gay sex remain on the books.

 

Men To Be Flogged

Saudi Arabia

In a trial held behind closed doors and without defence lawyers, over 100 gay men have been imprisoned and sentenced to flogging for dancing and “behaving like women” at a private birthday celebration. About a third of the men received 200 lashes each and two years in prison; the remainder were given a year in prison. Scott Long of Human Rights Watch has condemned the sentences: “Prosecuting and imprisoning people for homosexual conduct are flagrant human rights violations. Subjecting the victims to floggings is torture, pure and simple.” Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and is punishable by flogging, jail or death.

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Civil Unions Become a RealityThe practical details

by Tor Devereux

 

Now that the Civil Union Act has become law (as of 26 April 2005) you may have set a date for your Civil Union, made a list of people to invite, chosen and booked a venue and started to think about things that you’d like the ceremony to include. What else do you need to organise? Probably lots! Obviously many aspects of a Civil Union are optional and even if you go with them they can be as simple or as lavish as you like. I’m thinking of things such as flowers, clothes, a cake, the reception afterwards … But there are a few things that you have to arrange if you want the event to be legal!

 

There are essentially two different kinds of Civil Unions: one that is held before a Registrar of Civil Unions in a Registry Office and one that is held before a Civil Union Celebrant in a venue of your own choice.

 

Civil Union Celebrants

Only people officially appointed as a Civil Union Celebrant are allowed to carry out Civil Union ceremonies. The Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for appointing Civil Union Celebrants and started calling for applications earlier this year. Marriage Celebrants are not automatically also Civil Union Celebrants, but some will have applied to be registered as Civil Union Celebrants as well so they can then officiate at both types of ceremonies.

 

An initial group of Civil Union Celebrants have now been appointed and here’s a list of local people who are authorised to conduct Civil Unions:

 

DUNEDIN

Atkinson, Russell Geoffrey, 7 Chisholm Place , Andersons Bay, Dunedin

Brown, Nicola Tracey, 73 Lonsdale Street , Belleknowes, Dunedin , 453-6322

Clark , Joy Campbell Kerr, 85G Victoria Road , St Kilda, Dunedin , 455-9534

Duke, Ngaire Jean, 18 Caldwell Street , Dunedin , 476-3880

Edmunds, Aelred Russell, 13 Haig Street , Mornington, Dunedin , 453-1947

Jamieson, Philippa Ruth Glennie, 106 Evans Street , Opoho, Dunedin , 473-9293

Shackleton, Denise Marilyn, PO Box 190 , Dunedin , 471-0409, 021-408-261

Vine, Geoffrey Francis, 26 Franklin Street , Dalmore, Dunedin , 473-1434

Wahanui, Manaia, 19 Stirling Street , Andersons Bay, Dunedin , 454-6976

Wallace, Marlene Theresa, 5 Mataora Road , Mornington, Dunedin , 453-6760

 

OTAGO

Allan, Betty Isabella, Unit 4/ 46 Hull Street , Oamaru

Cook, Phillipa Margaret, 23 Oregon Drive , Queenstown, 442-7143

Smith, Carolyne Barbara, 3 Seaforth Street , Karitane, East Otago

Ward, Lynley Isabella, 17 Lachlan Avenue , Hawea Flat, Central Otago

Wooliscroft, Michael John, 58 Henry Street , Waikouaiti, 465-7721

Zimmerman, Walter James Lyall, 5 Vancouver Drive , Queenstown, 442-7377

 

Lists of Civil Union Celebrants are also available from your nearest Registrar of Civil Unions or by phoning 0800-22-52-52.

 

Civil Union Licence

Something else that you have to do before your Civil Union can take place is to apply for a Civil Union Licence. These Licences are available from Births, Deaths and Marriages (perhaps a name change is needed here?!) and generally take three days to process so you can’t spontaneously decide to get unionised.

 

Here’s the process that’s involved:

     The couple completes the “Notice of Intended Civil Union” form (available online at www.bdm.govt.nz or from any Births, Deaths and Marriages office).

     One of the parties must personally deliver the completed form to a Registrar of Civil Unions and make the required statutory declaration that both parties are free to be joined in a civil union and that all the details provided on the form are correct.

     The fee must be paid ($120 if you are using a Civil Union Celebrant and $170 if you are having your ceremony at a Registry Office).

     The Registrar will issue the Civil Union Licence (generally 3 days after the application is lodged). Two copies of a document called “Copy of Particulars of Civil Union” are also provided.

     All three forms must be delivered to the Civil Union Celebrant before the ceremony takes place.

 

The Births, Deaths and Marriages website contains loads of information about the legal details pertaining to Civil Unions and is well worth checking out if you are planning a Civil Union or have any questions (www.bdm.govt.nz).

 

If you’re planning a Civil Union and you’d like to write something about it for a future issue of the OGT and/or provide some photos for publication, then we would love to hear from you. Contact Tor by email on [email protected] or phone 453-1108. And, good luck!

 

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The Depiction of Gay & Lesbian Families in Childrens Picture Books

 

An excerpt from a presentation given by Jacinda Boivin at the South Island Children’s Librarians Seminar, Timaru, 2005

 

The first young adult novel to broach the subject of homosexuality was published in 1969. The book, which had a great title - I’ll Get There: It Better Be Worth The Trip - focused on the guilt of a young boy who “fooled around” with his male friend. In the 1970s there were seven young adult novels published relating to homosexuality. Now it is quite common for young adult novels to have a gay or lesbian character and increasingly the fact that a character is gay or lesbian is not central to the story.

 

This trend is also reflected in children’s picture books, with early books aiming to explain and normalise our familles whereas more recent picture books show gay or lesbian parents but this is not central to the story.

 

The first children’s picture book depicting a gay family was published in 1981 in Denmark , and in 1983 it was translated into English and published in England . The book - Jenny Lives With Eric and Martin by Susanne Bosche - caused huge demonstrations in England and became central to many debates surrounding Section 28 which passed in 1988 and made it illegal to “intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “to promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”.

 

This legislation (which was repealed in November 2003) meant that Jenny Lives With Eric and Martin was removed from nearly every school and library in England . The book was so controversial because it shows a little girl called Jenny living with her dad Martin and his boyfriend Eric. Jenny’s mum lives nearby and visits often, but Jenny lives with Eric and Martin.

 

The story, in photo essay format, depicts and explains their daily lives and includes photos of a surprise birthday party, doing housework, breakfast in bed and Jenny having a tantrum because she doesn’t want to go to the laundromat. The photos and story depict a warm loving family and, although the photo essay format means to an adult it looks dated, I’m not sure a child would notice this. The text is quite detailed perhaps making the book more suitable for primary school children. Jenny Lives With Martin and Eric is unfortunately now out of print and secondhand copies start at $100 US on Amazon. It is available at the Dunedin Public Library.

 

In 1989 the first children’s picture book to show a lesbian couple choosing to have a child together was published. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman is one of the most heavily challenged and most banned books in the United States . Heather Has Two Mommies is the story of a little girl whose favourite number is two - she has two arms, two legs, two pets and two mummies. When Heather starts pre-school she starts to question whether she is the only little girl who doesn’t have a dad, but the teacher gets all the class to draw a picture of their family and the pictures include children with two dads (biological and step), adopted children and children in wheelchairs. Heather realises that all families are different and the teacher makes the point that, “Each family is special. The most important thing about a family is that all the people in it love each other”.

 

When Heather Has Two Mommies was initially published it included an explanation of artificial insemination. This has been removed in the 10th anniversary edition making the text more suitable for the preschool age the book is aimed at. The 10th anniversary edition is widely available at a cost of about $20.00.

 

Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite was published a year later in 1990 and was the first book written specifically for children of gay men. After Mum and Dad divorce, Dad moves in with Frank. Dad and Frank do everything together - work, eat and sleep. When Nick stays with Dad and Frank in the weekends they do all sorts of things together - visit the zoo, go to the beach and work in the yard. Mum says Frank and Dad are gay and that “Being gay is just one more kind of love. And love is the best kind of happiness”. Nick serves as the best man in the sequel, Daddy’s Wedding. Again this book was banned in a large number of libraries and schools because it showed Dad and Frank in bed together.

 

Daddy’s Roommate has bright colourful illustrations and basic text making it great for preschoolers. The 10th anniversary edition is available for about $15.00.

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Lesbians and Issues of Mental Health and Wellbeing

by Marg Madill & Trisha Bennett

 

Lesbian Mental Health - by Trisha

 

New Zealand research focusing on the mental health of lesbians indicates similar rates of poor mental health to our overseas counterparts (Liddle, 1999). Importantly there is significant evidence confirming that the mental health needs of lesbians and gay men differ from those of heterosexuals (Cochran, 2001). Research suggests that mental health is affected by the experience of belonging to a stigmatised and marginalised group. The rates of poor mental health in our communities are connected to the impact of social stigma related to sexuality. The increased risks for depression, suicide attempts and substance abuse noted in overseas studies are echoed in New Zealand (Welch, 1995; Cochran, 2001). Though much is written on issues of identity confusion, it appears that social stigma is the greater challenge for a person coming to terms with a same sex orientation. The risk of rejection is present for lesbians whenever they reveal their sexual orientation. “To live a two-world existence requires a great deal of psychic energy and is thereby inherently stressful” (Bradford et al., 1994, p.229).

 

My research indicated that for some women significant alcohol and/or drug problems and periods of depression were related to difficulties accepting their sexuality, particularly when coming out. This is not necessarily an indication of widespread problems in our communities, but rather that struggles with the “coming out” process and mental health status are connected. The discovery of same sex attraction may evoke a period of confusion as women make adjustments towards their sense of self, their relationships with others and their wider social sphere (Kahn, 1991; Welch, 1995; Saphira & Glover, 2001; Pearson, 2003). Age, ethnicity, religious background, socio economic status and education do not appear to protect women from these challenges, although any one factor, such as education facilitating access to resources, may advantage individual women.

 

New Zealand leads the way in youth suicide figures. The potential for suicide in lesbian and gay populations is widely indicated in research (Bagley, 2000; Kulin, 2000; Skegg et al., 2003). Though there is evidence that gay youth are at greater risk for completed suicides, lesbians are not immune and it is not uncommon for women to report suicidal thoughts, particularly when confused and conflicted about their sexuality. It is common knowledge in the mental health arena that when suicidal thoughts and alcohol and/or drug misuse are found together the risk of suicide is increased. Social withdrawal, isolation and depression, commonly experienced and reported by lesbians particularly in the coming out process, add to this possibility. Current overseas and New Zealand research also links sexual orientation to higher rates of self-harm (McBee-Strayer & Rodgers, 2002; Skegg et al., 2003). Reports in my study echoed the connection between social acceptance, self-identity and suicidal thoughts and behaviours despite a greater acceptance of same sex relationships in New Zealand .

 

In my research lesbian participants overwhelmingly reported vigilance towards other people’s attitudes and reactions to their sexuality. There were numerous examples of social withdrawal, alertness to safety and secrecy about important aspects of their lives. This indicates the existence of ongoing stresses related to sexual orientation. It is suggested that some stressors overwhelm normal coping mechanisms that enable people to feel connected, in control and able to find meaning (Herman, 1992). This author notes that humans usually respond to threat physiologically and emotionally, “changes in arousal, attention, perception, and emotion are normal, adaptive reactions” (ibid, p.34). These responses prepare people for fight or flight. Long-term repetition of this survival response is, however, thought to impact on mental health (Solarz, 1999).

 

The vigilance, social withdrawal and secrecy reported in this study are comparable to these stress reactions. The negative impact of experiencing and/or anticipating discrimination or abuse from others cannot be underestimated.

 

The news is not all bad however. There does appear to be a link between “being out” and positive mental health (Lewis, cited in Bradford et al., 1994). However, there can be a conflict. While constant secrecy may no longer be necessary, there may be an increased potential for discrimination. Many examples of overt and covert discrimination were given by participants in my study. They illustrate a non-acceptance of same sex orientation that is still alive and well in New Zealand , despite changes in the way sexual orientation is viewed by health professions and the law, which suggest otherwise. My study indicated that the greater acceptance of same sex orientation, apparently indicated by such changes, sits on rather thin ice. Covert negative attitudes were evidenced in many examples ranging from being left out of conversations/enquiries about significant relationships to important information related to sexual orientation being left out or dismissed as irrelevant in mental health settings.

 

It is not surprising that research indicates vulnerabilities in those with same sex orientations. It is important, however, not to presume that challenges to mental health have always resulted in negative outcomes as there is much resilience displayed by lesbians in relation to their health and wellbeing.

 

Lesbian Parenting, Health and Wellbeing - by Marg

 

Lesbian parenting may be seen as a threat to traditional family values, both by lesbians – for its potential to transform the inequitable and patriarchal structures inherent in such values – and by those who support traditional heterosexual family values as being necessary to the health and moral wellbeing of society.

 

While some suggest that parenting is essentially the same, whoever does it, others maintain that there are particular qualities to “lesbian” parenting that may lead to it being either socially transformative or toxic.

 

Lesbian parents and their children have, therefore, often lived lives involving daily considerations of the politics of who they are and with an acute awareness of the implications of the various ideas about what this means. Considerations, for example, that relate to what they disclose and to whom about their home life. Further to this, many lesbian parents and their children have faced issues of discrimination and oppression from families of origin, legal and political structures and also, as many report, from within queer communities themselves. While multiple stress factors such as these (as Trisha points out) can increase the potential for challenges to mental health, the majority of research undertaken with lesbian parents and their children overwhelmingly shows that these families and children are not any less happy or healthy than their heterosexual counterparts (Flaks et al., 1995; Graff, 2002; Golombok et al., 2003; Jones, 1997; Patterson, 2003; Patterson & Chan, 1999; etc etc etc etc). The challenges and stresses are definitely there, but there is no indication that there is any inherent quality in lesbian parenting that is detrimental to the health and wellbeing of either the parents or the children.

 

So far so good – but … There is a crucial and increasingly acknowledged gap in this research. It predominantly relates to the experiences of white, middle class, nuclear lesbian families. As Adrienne Rich (1995) pointed out as early as 1980, although an increasing number of families were not conforming to the nuclear family form, this form was still presented and enshrined in legislation as “the” legitimate family arrangement. The nuclear family still very much determines what is expected in relation to the health and wellbeing of children and families whatever lip service may be paid to an acknowledgement of family diversity. Both the Civil Union and the Relationships (Statutory References) Bills are examples of the further legitimation of nuclear family forms. They reinforce certain social meanings, certain relationship forms and maintain, particularly through the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill, the primacy of nuclear families as the basic social and economic unit of our society. Adults within nuclear families are to be economically interdependent. The economic situations of these two adults (and by implication any children involved) are legally connected to the overall economic structure of the state and society. Challenges to this structure would be truly socially transformative and, as feminists have pointed out for decades, would be hugely significant for the wealth, health and wellbeing of many women (lesbians) and children. Such change would allow for a much wider and representative recognition of the contemporary diversity of families.

 

Being a parent is not easy or stress free. Increasingly parenting is closely monitored. Public and media are quick to label the “good” and the “bad” parent and judge the degree to which either conform to dominant social expectations. Providing for the “good” and “appropriate” development of children is a competitive and expensive social concern. Parental guilt over “failures” in this regard is a source of mental anguish to rival any more commonly recognised mental illness.

 

Parents with adequate resources (including money) and support are far more able to withstand other stresses in their lives. The Relationships (Statutory References) Bill outlines how much money will be saved as a result of the new responsibilities of lesbian and heterosexual (de facto or otherwise) couples. The reduction of state spending on social assistance will amount to millions in savings. The families from whom this money will be taken are generally those who rely on social assistance and are the least able to withstand such losses of income.

 

If you are in a legally defined couple relationship (you do not have to be living together all the time) think of what it would be like if you had to survive on one income. Now think of what it would be like if you had to survive on this income and had two children. Now think of what surviving would be like if your income was around $399 per week (basic benefit rate for a couple with two children). What do you think this would do to the mental health and wellbeing of you and your children?

 

As Boggit (2003) states: “Queer parents are not only educated, comfortable, employed, dual income “guppy” (gay upwardly mobile professional) couples. We are also people who live in cars with our kids … some of us not only can’t afford a copy of Daddy’s Roommate or Heather Has Two Mommies or the other books depicting gay families, but the lives reflected in the pages of these books bear no resemblance whatsoever to the lives we lead. We are families on welfare, living in public housing. We are incarcerated, we are homeless” (p.176).

 

 

Contact Details:

Marg Madill,  [email protected]

 

Trisha Bennett, [email protected] or 473-6200

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Queer New Zealand Politics

by Tor Devereux

 

Human Rights (Gender Identity) Amendment Bill

Early in February Georgina Beyer MP introduced to Parliament the Human Rights (Gender Identity) Amendment Bill. This is a Private Member’s Bill and was drawn out of the ballot late last year. What this Bill does is to add gender identity to the grounds in the Human Rights Act on which people cannot discriminate. Some of the other grounds that are already included in the Human Rights Act include marital status, sexual orientation, sex and race. Essentially, therefore, this Bill would prohibit discrimination against those who identify as transgender (transsexuals, transvestites, cross-dressers, etc.) and intersex people.

 

According to Beyer this Bill is about protecting transgender people, but MPs opposing it have slammed it as gender-bending legislation (whatever that means!) and come out with statements such as the following from Dail Jones (NZ First): “If you’re born a male, you stay a male. If you’re born a female, you stay a female. If you want to start fiddling around and changing your body, that’s a decision you make and you must bear the consequences that follow from it.” Richard Worth (National) described it as “foolish legislation”, while Stephen Franks (Act) condemned the Human Rights Act in general and claimed that “It says there are some category of human behaviour or relationship that it is illegal to laugh at, or criticise, or decide not to associate with”.

 

The progression of the Bill has been postponed now until after the election while Georgina Beyer gathers more information to ensure that MPs understand the Bill properly. Beyer explains, “Many MPs have expressed support in principle for the Bill but it is clear they also have a lot of questions.” So, we’ll have to wait for the debate on this Bill until later in the year – and, given what was said during the debates on the Civil Union Bill and the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill recently, I can imagine just how insulting and insensitive some of the discussion will be. We can only hope, though, that it will be worth it in the end when the Bill is successful and transgender and intersex people are granted the same protections under the law in this country as other groups.

 

Parental Rights Under The Care Of Children Act

The Care of Children Act comes into effect on 1 July this year and it is my understanding that under this Act lesbian mothers whose partners have conceived and given birth to children using assisted reproductive procedures will be granted parental rights retrospectively (since all women in this situation after 1 July will automatically be granted such rights).

 

I am currently seeking information in regard to the process for obtaining these rights, but I am still awaiting a reply from Marion Hobbs MP, Associate Minister of Justice and the person responsible for this issue. I will include the information she provides me with in the next issue of the OGT, but if you would like this information as soon as it’s available then please contact me by email ([email protected]) or phone (453-1108).

 

Funding For Sex-Change Operations

A new government policy means that funding is being provided for four sex-change operations over two years. The amount being made available for these surgeries is about $170,000. The money will pay for three male-to-female operations (which cost about $30,000 each) and one female-to-male operation (which costs about $80,000). The male-to-female operations will be carried out by Peter Walker, a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon in Christchurch , while the female-to-male operation will need to take place in overseas (probably in Australia ).

 

Transgender groups and individuals have been lobbying for some time now for public funding to be made available for these operations. The Ministry of Health has said that the policy will be assessed in a year or two.

 

Relationships (Statutory References) Bill

The Relationships (Statutory References) Bill was introduced at the same time as the Civil Union Bill and they were considered together during the submission process, but the Justice and Electoral Select Committee reported back on the two Bills separately. While the Committee reported back on the Civil Union Bill last year and then the Bill’s 2nd and 3rd readings took place towards the end of 2004, the Committee only reported back on the Relationships Bill in March 1 of this year.

 

The Relationships Bill proposed amending all existing laws to eliminate discrimination on the basis of marital status or sexual orientation and to recognise civil unions by changing laws to provide civil union couples with the same rights, protections and responsibilities as married couples. The Relationships Bill needed to become law by April 26 so that the civil unions that took place from that time onwards had meaning within the law.

 

The 2nd reading of the Relationships Bill took place on March 8 and the Bill passed this reading by a significant majority. The following day MPs debated the committee stage of the Bill until the debate was interrupted at 10pm . The Bill’s committee stage was continued and completed on March 10. March 15 saw the 3rd reading of the Relationships Bill and its passage into law by roughly a two thirds majority.

 

As happened when the Civil Union Bill was debated, the 2nd and 3rd readings of the Relationships Bill meant a deluge of nasty, offensive and prejudiced rhetoric within Parliament (and outside it) from those opposed to the Bill and the granting of equal rights to LGBT people. Once again we were vilified, our lives and loves denigrated and our realities maligned. Even though we were victorious at the end of the day, we still have to live with knowing what some MPs said and how vehement they were in their efforts to deny us our human rights. It’s been a scary process, and the struggles are by no means over. But, we also found some wonderful allies and, despite everything, I still believe that the average New Zealander supports the concept that everyone should be treated equally under the law and that legally recognising same-sex relationships is okay!

 

 

There’s Going To Be An Election This Year …

by Tor Devereux

 

There will be a general election in New Zealand later this year. Although a date has not yet been set, it’s definitely not too early to start thinking about it and to seriously consider getting involved in some way.

 

The past couple of years have been very interesting ones for the LGBT/queer community on a political level and we need to be proactive when it comes to voting if we don’t want to see the progress that we’ve made in terms of rights and recognition halted – or, even worse, reversed.

 

Of all the Parties that are represented in Parliament at the moment, there are just two that have Rainbow Policies within their manifestoes – these are the Labour Party and the Green Party. While some individuals from other parties are sympathetic to our issues and may even support them, these parties do not include policies specific to our community in their platform, and some of them are even quite hostile towards us as a minority group. And then there are other parties, such as Destiny New Zealand and the Christian Heritage Party, who will be seeking seats in Parliament and who would like to make homosexuality illegal again.

 

We can’t afford to be apathetic when it comes to this year’s election because there’s actually a lot at stake. During the Civil Union debate and throughout the last few years as issues crucial to the LGBT/queer community have become more public and prominent and as we’ve struggle to be accepted as full citizens with equal rights and responsibilities we’ve had to endure a lot of homophobia and prejudice. This highlights that we have to make our voices heard at the polls – we simply cannot afford a “she’ll be right” or “my vote won’t make a difference” attitude. You can bet that the Destiny Church and other churches too will be working hard to ensure that their members and anyone else who will listen to them gets out and votes for traditional, conservative candidates and parties, so we have to be just as assertive and take this election very seriously.

 

So, a few things to keep in mind as we progress toward the election:

Make sure you’re enrolled to vote.

Make sure you vote on election day. Your vote does count.

Take responsibility for finding out about candidates and parties and make an informed decision about who you’re going to vote for. Remember that you get two votes - one for a candidate in your electorate and one for a party.

Think about getting involved with a political party and assisting with their election campaign. (If you’d like to support the local Greens campaign then contact Philippa on 473-9293 and if you’d like to support the local Labour campaign then contact Barb on 453-1108.)

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Rainbow Families

The Rainbow Families group exists for all those in the LGBT/queer community who have, want or are trying to have children to get together for support and social activities.

 

The Rainbow Families group has been running for over two years now and there’s a range in the ages of the children – babies, toddlers and older school-aged children. The group runs very informally, but provides those who are part of a rainbow family with the opportunity to talk about issues and share ideas and information. It’s also great for the children to grow up knowing that there are other families like theirs.

 

The group meets monthly, generally on the first Saturday of the month. Below are listed the events that have been planned for the next few months. For more information about the group, contact Barb on 453-1108 or [email protected] or Jacinda on 471-9495.

 

Saturday June 4

  Dunedin Public Library, followed by coffee - Meet at the children’s play area in the Public Library at 2pm . The kids can read some books, play on the computers, build with the blocks - and then we can go to Nova for a coffee.

 

Sunday July 3

  Museum - Meet by the moa at 2pm . We can look around the museum and then have a break at the Museum Cafe.

NOTE: This month’s event is on Sunday rather than Saturday!

 

Saturday August 6

           McDonald’s - Meet in the playground at the McDonald’s on George St at 2pm . After the kids have had a good run around we can have some afternoon tea and a bit of a chat.

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Book Reviews

 

Don’t Postpone Joy: A Life Of Purpose and Passion

by Peter Taylor

(Random House, 2005)

 

Reviewed by Mike Wooliscroft

 

This book is a good read and a fine example of positive thinking in sustained action. Surrender Dorothy, Peter’s nationally renowned bar in Ponsonby, was well-known, at least in gay circles, on both sides of The Ditch, and Le Brie, the restaurant which he helped to establish, were nationally innovative in terms of a finer dining experience than most New Zealanders were accustomed to at the time. At both of these establishments Peter’s presence was a large and a generous one. The motto of Surrender Dorothy gives the title to this book – “don’t postpone joy”.

 

Peter, at 52, is in the midst of life in spite of being HIV positive and having contracted Leishmaniasis donovani, an incurable parasitical disease. Amazingly, he seems to be a “medical mystery” as he continues to cope, albeit with physical constrictions. One suspects that Peter’s continued determination to live well accounts, at least in part, for this. Clearly, he is more conscious that many of us of his vulnerability as the severe treatment for the latter disease has caused him to be partially sighted and has required, thus far, 8 years of chemotherapy at 9 week intervals. Yet rather than yield to the diseases fighting within his body, he treats them as a challenge to be overcome. Determinedly outward looking, he shares his positive approach to life at motivational sessions for Celebrity Speakers.

 

Peter grew up on a Northland farm, the son of parents whose relationship was far from happy and with a mother who appears manipulative and bullying. Early in the book we discover the possible root causes of this as she, too, grew up in a dysfunctional family and such patterns are all too commonly repeated.

 

Following his time establishing Le Brie Peter picks up again his love of horses and a large part of the rest of the biography tells us of his relationships with horses, his participation in dressage and eventing against many odds, including participating in the Olympic Games. Interspersed throughout are accounts of Peter’s relationships, those with women usually receiving more attention than those with his male lovers and partners. Yet there is nothing salacious. Just an almost blunt level of honesty, at least as far as the details go. Peter appears, too, to be very self-aware even if some of this has recently been achieved with the benefit of that great teacher – hindsight.

 

Included, briefly, are comments on his time as a sex worker in Paddington, Sydney and, in rather more detail, his establishment of Surrender Dorothy.

The following two quotations from Peter’s story will give you some idea of the style of the book and of Peter’s life, and help determine whether you would want to read the book:

 

“A childhood filled with heartache taught me to survive. Those lessons, on how to get through when everything looks hopeless, went with me as I travelled the world. I had adventures and met amazing – and some terrible – people. I loved with all my heart, I lost, and twice, I almost got married. I worked hard, I lived hard and I made things happen.”

“I stomp on mediocrity with a tall pair of riding boots caked in horse sweat, and I plan to go out that way too.”

 

As someone almost wholly unfamiliar with the world of horses, dressage and eventing, I found this book a “good read” providing a fast, moving and honest account of a man of considerable vitality whose tenacious spirit and refusal to be self-pitying one can only admire.

 

I read many years ago that joy cannot be found by searching for it, but it is likely to steal up and surprise and delight you if you attend to other things in your life. Peter certainly deserves the joy which has come to him and even in his more constrained current circumstances it is obvious that he is open to it still.

 

From Freyberg

by Bill Edginton

(National Pacific Press, 2004)

 

Reviewed by John Z Robinson

 

It’s a well known fact that people in Wellington can have the most extraordinary sexual adventures. There’s something in the waters there, something in the air. So when I picked up From Freyberg and read the author’s preface warning the squeamish reader, I prepared myself for the best - sex in the city and all that.

 

The plot of this novel isn’t new to literature, or to life, but Bill Edginton tackles it from a thoughtful gay viewpoint. A happily “married” couple’s coupledom is challenged and threatened by the appearance of a third party. In this case, Craig, a trade commissioner turned gardener, cosily living with General Assembly Librarian Paul, has a fling with the younger Neil, an ex-naval man he encounters at the swimming baths.

 

In a late 80s Wellington , still pretty much free of cellphones and cyber sex, the three men carefully examine their lives, loves and expectations. We learn quite a lot about them and their circle of friends.

 

Eventually Craig and Paul and Neil make their choices. I was half anticipating something more radical, but the long shadows cast by the Kirk and by Lampton Quay prevail. Craig and Paul stay happily together up in Wadestown and our Neil moves in with a character we met early on in the story, and I would bet that he is still doing his laps down at the Freyberg.

 

 

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Feelings Have To Give – A Short Story (Part 2)

by Leebee Lu

 

Nothing seemed right to me lately … my life … my work. I had a very important meeting to go to, but all I could think about was Taylor . Taylor was my ex-girlfriend who broke my heart. Yeah yeah I know, what is love anyway? Honestly I cannot tell you. What I can tell you was one day we were perfect for one another and the next thing I knew I was sitting at the breakfast table alone.

 

As I walked out of the office, I decided I better grab an espresso at Ciao Ciao café before heading to my next meeting. This café was the best, all the coffee was imported from Columbia . Don’t ask me how the coffee was imported, I just paid for the luxury. The smell of the coffee was to die for … clearly overwhelming. I often had mild orgasms from the smell of the coffee, it was that good. Quite often while waiting in the café for my coffee its aroma and smell made love to my mouth and nose. It often seemed I could not get to the counter fast enough. Sometimes I would get so eager waiting in the line up for my coffee I wanted to physically jump over the counter and put my lips onto the newest coffee made.

 

Oh thank god I could see the café on the corner. Walking from my office to get coffee was my idea of walking to a mirage in the desert. It took forever. The coffee wasn’t real until my eyes glazed due to the sugar rush and I had an outsized grin. Finally I could see the café. I grabbed the door to the café and, as I entered, the feeling, the heat and the excitement of the café hit me all at once. I hurried to get to the counter for my daily erotic fix as the time was getting on and I had to be back at the office by twelve for a meeting with Thomas, my in-the-closet regional representative for Chicago .

 

As I got myself into the line up to place my order I heard the cash register ring. I started to thumb through my wallet. Damn, I still had the colour sample to give to Thomas for next year’s show. Oops - he was not going to like that. “Here you go miss - your coffee.” As I came back to earth I searched for my five dollars. Where the hell did I put that money? “I’ll pay for that,” a voice said. “No that’s ok, I’ve got it,” I said. No employee of mine was going to pay for my coffee outside the office! I looked up from my wallet and there was Shawn. Shawn was no employee of mine. Shawn was only the hottest lesbian in the city of Chicago !

 

“Hey Sarah. How are you?” Shawn said. “I’m fine,” I said. I looked past Shawn as I was clearly in shock. I had wanted to date this woman for years. She was so beautiful and witty. Witty women were rare in this town. She looked into my eyes and said, “Hey Sarah, have you got a minute?” I did not know what to say. Oh crap, I thought. I’m not ready for this interaction - my brows are awful, my hair is a mess and I’m going to be late for my meeting. But, oh well, screw it. I was dying for this moment my whole lesbian career. “Yeah, sure, I have a minute. What’s up, Shawn?” I asked.

 

“Sarah, I was wondering if you would like to go out for a drink this evening?” I was in shock. I looked down at my shoes. Oh dear, how I handled this moment could affect the rest of my lesbian life aka lesbian career. I forced oxygen into my mouth hoping she wouldn’t notice. I looked up into her most beautiful brown eyes. “So, would you like to meet for a drink?” Shawn asked again.

 

“Sure, that would be great.” “Wonderful,” Shawn replied. “I’ve wanted to ask you out for a long time. I’m glad you said yes.” “Really,” I replied. I was still in shock, and clearly it was showing because my mouth was open. Shut your mouth, I kept telling myself. Shawn, too, looked puzzled. Oh dear, my shock is showing. “Hey Shawn I have to run,” I said.

 

“So I’ll meet you at Carters Cocktail Bar on Broadway Ave at 7pm ,” Shawn said. “Yeah, that would be great.” I was in shock that this lovely woman clearly had her eye on me and I never knew. Life is not always how it seems, I guess. And I guess that is GREAT.

 

I walked away and found myself skipping. Cool it, cool it, I told myself, she is still watching. I could hear the sound of the violins and the cellos escape from the strength of the strings. Hey, what the …? Violins and cellos? The music was coming from my head. Oh god, I think I’m in love again. It seemed I was going to be just fine - I had a woman back in my life. I had a reason to shave my legs.

 

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Poetry

 

A Thought From A Poet

by Jane E Libeau

 

Time spent

Thinking

Wondering

Reflective thoughts

Scenarios formed inside my head

And I wonder as I wander

Through feelings

Full of thought

Void of organic reality?

I am the thinker

The poet

Like a sculptor

I mould and chisel

Dance the form to reflect

What is in my mind

Folding my energy

Over and around my creation

Being part of my work

Becoming my work

For I am my work

The words are the sculpture

I peruse the finished product

Touching

Caressing its rough textures

Soothing and smoothing

Romancing and falling into its form

I am the living reflection

Of what I create

A three dimensional insight

To this thinker’s thoughts.

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Families Commission Seeks Input

by Tor Devereux

 The Families Commission is currently trying to find out what families need so that it can be an effective advocate for families in New Zealand . (The Families Commission was set up in July 2004. It is an independent organisation funded by and accountable to the Government, and one of its purposes is to provide a voice for New Zealand families.)

 

In order to get the information it needs, the Families Commission is currently seeking input via a questionnaire. This can either be completed online at www.familiescommission.govt.nz/voices/index.php or by calling toll free 0508-544-544 to get a question pack sent to you. You have until 30 June to complete the questionnaire.

 

It’s really important that the Families Commission receives feedback from a wide variety of families, including Rainbow Families, so please take the time to answer their questions and help to make our families more visible within this organisation.

 

The Families Commission webpage given above also provides the options of signing up to:

be involved with further research

be on the Families Commission mailing list

receive a summary copy of the results of the current project

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UniQ

UniQ

by Pamela Dwyer, UniQ Coordinator

 

Well, the beginning of UniQ 2005 was a bit rocky with the late start of the new Coordinator, but here I am now and after quite a learning curve I’ve settled (somewhat) into the “queer” job that is the UniQ Coordinator.

 

FUNQ nights are continuing along under the experienced guidance of Nathan Brown and Grant Benson with the next Disco being Grant’s last as Coordinator. The WAQD lunches are happening every Wednesday from 12.30pm in the Otago Room at Clubs and Socs and they’re also planning some film screenings in the evening (queer films of course!). On May 25 David Benson-Pope MP will be a special guest at the WAQD lunch and the topic for discussion will be “Using Our MP Resources in Dunedin ”. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

A few weeks ago UniQ presented a new annual/biannual event “The Queerest Tea Party” on the Union Lawn with free tea and cake for all who celebrate Queerdom with a queer special live on the lawn from Radio One. The event was well supported and mother nature was fairly supportive too.

 

A big push this year is to start providing a little affirmation to those of us who are non-heterosexual or gender diverse. I believe a lot of queer people’s struggles with their identities come from the lack of visibility of people or situations that we can relate to in our sometimes overwhelmingly “straight” society and mainstream media. So UniQ is endeavouring to set up a resource library of books (fiction and non fiction), comics, films and music to provide an easy access point for people who are tired of watching Kate and Harry kiss, or for that matter have never seen anything but.

 

UniQ continues to offer peer support to students who can get in touch with us through our email [email protected] or by phoning 479-5445. UniQ’s website is also up and running – check it out at www.uniq.ousa.org.nz

 

Anyone who would like to be involved in peer support or organising campaigns/events with UniQ please call or email me!

 

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Gentleness is all

Review by John Z Robinson

 

Kare Grayson is a 4th year art student exhibiting at the Segue Gallery in Burlington Street . She has named her exhibition EX-INHIBITION.

 

One wall of the gallery features “The Community Pride Construction Project”, which is a giant rainbow flag. This is a real treat. It consists of hundreds of snapshot size portraits painted on hardboard. Close-up, these portraits are engagingly individual, and then when viewed from across the room, they merge to form a shimmering international gay emblem. The range of facial expressions and attitudes is quite breath taking. Michael Jackson looks like, well, Michael Jackson, but most of the others look as if they are sharing jokes and cigarettes and generally happy to be part of the gay crowd. On opening night this flag had echoes across at the bar where there was a line-up of rainbow vodka jellies.

 

“Just What It Is That Makes A Lesbian Home So Different, So Appealing” is an oversize sapphic take on pop artist Richard Hamilton’s “Just What Is It That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing”. Kare Grayson maintains the cheeky symbolism of Hamilton ’s collage with such images as an artist at her easel beside a photocopier producing a picture of a sunflower. This work was made with the very latest technologies, distancing itself from the scissors and paste used by Hamilton in 1956.

 

There are another three large paintings, this time black and white amplifications of Flannelette and Corduroy cartoons that normally grace the pages of the OGT.

 

Other works in the show are easel paintings. They continue with the theme of domestic cosiness in an artistic lesbian household. Two are based on a famous David Hockney oil of “Mr & Mrs Clark and Percy, their white cat”. They are transcriptions in which the Mr & Mrs are replaced by tripod easels with blank canvases and a creature called Geoffrey.  

EX-INHIBITION has a gentle celebratory feel to it. Nothing is overstated. It is quietly confident and evidence of a well spent apprenticeship.

 

(NOTE: Kare’s exhibition ran from 19-29 April)

 

 

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A Gay Play on an August Day

by Anna Chinn

 

Every one of our readers is a beautiful thing, which is a good reason for you all to make sure you see the play Beautiful Thing, showing at the Globe Theatre in August. Another good reason is that the beautiful thing to which the title refers is, presumably, the sweet relationship that forms between the two young men at the centre of the play. In other words: Yay! - theatre with a queer focus!

 

Ste and Jamie are teenage neighbours in a working-class housing project in London . Jamie is bookish and shy, while Ste is more athletic. Neither has an ideal home life, as Jamie’s mother is bitter about finances and romances, while Ste’s father and brother are abusive towards him. After a fight with his family, Ste asks Jamie’s mother Sandra if he can stay at her house, and she suggests he and Jamie top and tail. Things get steamy – in an innocent, G-rated way, of course – and the boys soon find they are in love. Sandra has a bit of trouble coming to terms with this, but another neighbour, the Mama Cass-worshipping Leah, is supportive. And at the end of this urban fairytale, without giving too much away, it’s safe to say Jamie and Ste are better off than they were before. But that’s always the way with coming-out stories, isn’t it?

 

Beautiful Thing, an award-winning play by Gimme, Gimme, Gimme scripter Jonathan Harvey, will be directed by the talented Jeffrey Vaughan, and will feature a set by Andrew Cook, whose sets are always beautiful things. When asked to provide some exclusive goss about the play for the OGT, Vaughan noted: “The show was on at Circa [ Wellington ] in 1994, and I heard one story of a guy who took his parents to see the show as a way to gauge their reaction, and came out to them after the show. And also the other way around, where a mum, suspecting her son was gay, took him to the show as a way of letting him know it would be okay if he was.”

 

And so you see, this play changes lives. Let’s have full houses, people!

 

DIARISE IT: Beautiful Thing, by Jonathan Harvey, opens at the Globe on August 4th and runs until the 13th. Shows are at 8pm , except August 7th when there is a matinee at 3pm . No show Mondays. There will be a discussion after the matinee where the audience can meet and ask questions of the cast and crew.

 

WIN: To be in to win a double pass to Beautiful Thing at the Globe, just drop us a line (before June 15) and tell us in 50 words or fewer: “What is your beautiful thing?” Ours is getting to decide who wins! Write to PO Box 6171 , Dunedin or email [email protected]. And don’t forget to give us your contact details (which we’ll only use to get tickets to you if you win, of course!).

 

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Call for Artists

Call For Artists

 

The annual Pride Exhibition will be held 2-16 July 2005 at the Community Gallery on Princes Street . Any gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender artists wishing to participate in this group show can contact the organisers listed below.

 

All works must be for sale. A 25% commission will go into a fund to secure the Pride Exhibition for 2006 as well as helping to cover costs of this year’s scheduled show. Each artist may submit up to two works. Selection will be by committee. All works to be received by 24 June.

 

Contacts:

      [email protected]

      [email protected]

       Kare ph. 021-116-7927

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God, Penquins and Others

by Sue Thompson, PFLAG South

 

Recently I was reading a piece in an overseas religious magazine ( London “Tablet”, March 5th 2005 ), and almost began cheering at what I read. It was a story about the Humboldt penguins at the Bremerhaven zoo in Germany . The males had been forming “relationships” which had bothered some people mightily. The zookeepers brought in some “voluptuous females awash with pheromones” (to tempt them out of their wicked ways, no doubt!). However, the experiment was a failure. The gay penguins stayed faithful to one another and “defiantly started raising stones in lieu of eggs”!

 

The article went on: “This should be allowed to join the growing mass of evidence that homosexuality is not unnatural. It is something that occurs in creation whether we like it or not … not, as harsh evangelicals claim, curable by prayer and conditioning … You can persuade or bully people out of doing bad things, but not out of perceiving a particular type of beauty and lovability and caressability and companionableness in one group rather than another. You can punish and exclude people for what they do, but not for where they most naturally glimpse their archetypes of divine glory.”

 

It is a relief to hear written so plainly and with such grace what many of us have thought, or have known from lived experience. It would be wonderful if the churches could ever allow themselves to examine the truth of this and not only acknowledge, but respect the fidelity and kindness and mutual support of honest unions.

 

Meanwhile we do our best as opportunities are presented to us. One such opportunity occurred in early May when the AIDS Foundation, Out There, the Family Planning Association, Pride Dunedin Youth and PFLAG South made presentations and offered resources at a meeting. Those invited to attend included school staff, health nurses and community agencies who are interested in the welfare of GLBT high school students. It is impossible to predict the outcome of this meeting, but we are hoping that it will begin a process of schools becoming safer and more respectful places. We’ll keep you posted. (See separate article for more details about this new project for making high schools safer.)

 

We welcome visitors at our monthly PFLAG meetings on the 4th Monday of the month at Community House at 7.30 pm .

 

 

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PFLAG Office

PFLAG South has many helpful publications designed to help you, your friends and your family. You can check them out on our website http://au.geocities.com/pflagsouth or email [email protected]

 

PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) has an office. Here are the details:  

95 Fitzroy St , Kew , Dunedin (within the offices of the Dunedin Methodist Mission)

Office telephone: 477-2000

Help line: 025-686-9304

Email: [email protected],

Postal address: PO Box 5266 , Dunedin

 

Hours: 10am to 2pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

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International HIV/AIDS Conference

by Tor Devereux

 

In October New Zealand will host the Pan Pacific Regional HIV/AIDS Conference, “Te Whanau o te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, me te Mate Parekore - Family of the Pacific and HIV/AIDS Conference”. This major international HIV/AIDS Conference will take place in Auckland from October 25-28.

 

The Conference’s organising committee includes individuals from the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, Body Positive New Zealand, the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation, UNAIDS and the Auckland University of Technology, as well as the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

 

According to the NZ AIDS Foundation’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier, “HIV/AIDS has the potential to be one of the most serious health issues in the Pacific region. The UNAIDS group recently stated that HIV had spread further and faster in the world than ever predicted. We are now seeing it enter our neighbouring Pacific nations in concerning numbers, and New Zealand and Australia are both battling with a new surge in HIV diagnoses.”

 

Abstracts for papers to be presented at the Conference are currently being accepted with the deadline being 16 June. The Conference will include papers and discussion about the following:

·        Improving Care – clinical research, treatment and care

·        Engaging Communities – health promotion, intervention and community action

·        Building Knowledge – basic science, epidemiology and social research

·        Strengthening Leadership – policy, leadership and human rights

 

As Le Mesurier points out, “This conference is an important opportunity to bring people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, researchers, educators, clinicians, policy makers, health promoters, tribal and church leaders, and community organisations together to share ideas, successes, challenges and identify opportunities for cooperation. The exciting aspect of this conference is that it will prioritise our region and be done in a way that respects and includes our cultural norms.”

 

The deadline for earlybird registrations is 28 July, although registrations will be accepted until October 13. For more information about the Conference, including abstract submission details and forms, check out the Conference website at www.panpacific-hivaids05.net.nz or email [email protected]

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Are You Feeling Left Out?

 

Has coming out alienated you from your church family? If so you might feel at home at Glenaven.

 

Glenaven is a Methodist Church with an ecumenical congregation and a special ministry to the gay and lesbian community. Even if you don’t think of yourself as Christian you can belong and be valued. Theologically, Glenaven is at the cutting edge and our Sunday sermons are followed by some pretty lively dialogue. Be prepared to be challenged.

 

Try us out on Sunday mornings. We have coffee and cookies from 10:40am and our service is from 11am to 12pm . You’ll find Glenaven in Chambers Street , just two blocks along North Road from the Garden’s supermarket.

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New Diagnoses of HIV - In 2004 Remain At Previous Year’s High Levels

Press Release, NZ AIDS Foundation, February 2005

 

The record numbers of new HIV cases in New Zealand in 2003 have continued for 2004, according to the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.

 

Commenting on the new HIV/AIDS figures for all of 2004 released by the AIDS Epidemiology Group, the Foundation noted that in 2004 there were 157 new diagnoses of HIV through antibody testing, compared to 154 in 2003. In the two years prior to 2003, 107 and 95 people respectively had been diagnosed with HIV.

 

Of the 157 new HIV diagnoses, 73 were men who have sex with men (MSM) and 65 were acquired via heterosexual sex. However, 92% of those newly diagnosed with heterosexually-acquired HIV in New Zealand in 2004 were actually infected overseas, whereas 70% of the new homosexually-acquired HIV infections occurred within New Zealand (51 men). This means MSM still represent the biggest group of HIV infections occurring in this country.

 

Of the 51 MSM infected within New Zealand, the average age at diagnosis was 38, with a quarter aged under 30 and a similar proportion (24%) aged 50 or over. The Foundation notes that many of the new HIV diagnoses among MSM are the result of recent infections. In 2003 it had been suggested that the high number of new HIV diagnoses among MSM who had never tested for HIV before might indicate that the increase was a result of historic unsafe sexual activity. But, in the 2004 figures, 16 had had a negative HIV test within the previous 12 months.

 

NZAF Research Director Tony Hughes said that while this might suggest that MSM who have been exposed to HIV had tested relatively soon after the event, the fact that their last negative test was less than 12 months ago also indicated that these men had not changed to an effective HIV risk reduction strategy after that test (i.e. they continued to engage in unprotected anal sex).

 

Hughes also noted that the 2004 epidemiology report showed a continued low level of AIDS diagnoses in New Zealand and the lowest number of AIDS-related deaths since 1984, a testament to the efficacy of modern HIV care and treatment. However, he was concerned that of the 127 people diagnosed with AIDS in the five years from 2000 to 2004, two thirds received their AIDS diagnoses within one month of their HIV diagnoses.

 

“Late diagnoses of HIV such as this mean that HIV treatments are unlikely to be as effective at preventing illness, and onwards HIV transmission is less likely to be avoided. The continued high incidence of new HIV diagnoses in New Zealand cannot be put down to a single factor, Hughes said. “The fact is that while HIV prevention remains as straightforward as it has always been – properly used condoms provide near complete protection against HIV – the human factor in this epidemic has become increasingly complex. While most MSM do use condoms most of the time, there is still enough unsafe sex behaviour to drive this epidemic forward rather than halt or reverse it.”

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Dramatic Police Chase

by Anna Chinn

 

The Otago Gaily Times had heard there were GLBT police liaison officers operating somewhere in Dunedin . We initiated a manhunt called “Operation Whoarethesepeopleandwhatdotheydo” and, after many smoke-filled emails and late-night phonecalls, we finally found our suspect. His name was Matt Scoles, and just before 1:00am on a cold Friday morning (he was on a late shift), we caught him and he spilled. What was revealed was a genuine commitment, on his part, to keep an eye out for us all.

 

A bit of history. The first GLBT liaison officer cropped up in the Waikato about three years ago. This was not officially endorsed by the New Zealand Police, but it soon saw the creation of “diversity liaison officers” in every policing district. There are now 25 coppers nationwide who include the role of DLO among their portfolios. In March this year, several DLOs attended the Big Gay Out in Auckland as a way of introducing the role, and the police’s intention “to enhance relationships with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities” was signed, sealed and delivered.

 

In Dunedin city, the initial three liaison officers have been whittled back to one (one guy was promoted, another sent to Mosgiel), but Officer Scoles seems, at least, to have the enthusiasm of three people.

 

“Once the role became a focus for police, volunteers were asked for and I put my hand up. I’ve been in the force nine years now, and I’m very much sorta siding towards communities and working with communities, and I’m really excited about being involved in this.”

 

Scoles says Otago, particularly with its large student population, is probably more pro-gay than other regions, so the queer community is pretty safe. This begs the question, has he actually been required to do much in his capacity as diversity liaison officer?

 

“Well, that’s the thing; no, I haven’t really. We went to a couple of events in Pride Week last year but, at the time, we had no official brief as to what our role was … But we went to a three-day course in Wellington this year, which involved various topics including hate crime, and I’m feeling a little bit more informed about the role now.”

 

At some OGT distribution points, such as the Dunedin Public Library, self-appointed “moral guardians” sometimes come and take the copies away and destroy them. I asked Scoles if giving advice for that would be within his scope.

 

“That sort of thing is not acceptable. And that, I guess, is a low-level form of what I might deal with. Actually, I wish someone would throw something down on paper because I’d love to tackle that. We could sit down with the people at the library and work something out … That’s exactly the sort of thing I’d love to sink my teeth into.”

 

There will, of course, be readers who remember being “criminals” in the eyes of the law, and who will, therefore, remain understandably sceptical of the police. And while Scoles does not deny taking “a great deal of grief” from his colleagues when he was appointed DLO, it is clear that he can be trusted. During our discussion, he flatly referred to homophobes who yell things out of cars while driving past The Pit as “dickheads”, and some of his final, emphatic words were: “Certainly if any people in the gay community have any problems, I would hope they would touch base with me.”

 

Matt Scoles can be reached (with perseverance) on 471-4800 or by writing c/- the Dunedin Central Police Station, 25 Great King St .

 

For more information about the launch of Diversity Liaison Officer role within the police, check out the following webpage: www.police.govt.nz/tenone/20050304-270/feature_bgo.htm


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Safety in School for Queers

 

On May 4 Dunedin schools and community members were given a presentation on a new action kit promoting safety for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. The presentation of the Safety in Schools action kit was made by Out There spokesperson Sarah Helm and members of Pride Dunedin Youth.

 

A new study accompanying the kit showed 9 percent of non-heterosexual students did not feel safe at school, with a further 25 percent feeling safe only “sometimes”. Ms Helm said the information was taken from an analysis of non-heterosexual respondents’ data in the Youth 2000 survey, which covered 114 New Zealand schools. The study also showed there were at least two non-heterosexual students in an average class of thirty.

 

The safety kit provides schools with a positive model to deal with homophobic bullying. The kit defines and explains the impact of homophobia on students, and then sets out positive things schools can do to create supportive environments for non-heterosexual students. “We knew from experience that non-heterosexual students were facing harassment and bullying, but the study confirms the extent of the issue. It is unacceptable that any young person should feel unsafe attending school,” said Ms Helm.

 

Homophobic bullying affects both gay and straight students because bullies also target straight students who do not fit gender stereotypes. “Bullying makes a profound and lasting dent in the self-esteem of young people. Schools have to take responsibility for ensuring their students’ safety,” she said. “It is important for the health, well-being and educational performance of students that school is considered a safe place. I have heard horror stories about the victims of bullying being asked to leave their school to solve the problem. Meanwhile other schools are doing fantastic work around inclusion and countering bullying,” added Ms Helm.

 

The kit will help iron out the inconsistencies between schools by arming teachers, boards of trustees, principals and staff with information, practical ideas and support. There is a suggested method for teachers to challenge the use of the word “gay” as an insult in the classroom. “Schools have a legal obligation to ensure all students are safe, but we know that they need support to do it,” Ms Helm said, “which is what this resource provides.”

 

Out There has been holding presentations around the country, and preparing for a national conference in Wellington on June 11-12 which will launch the Safety in Schools for Queers (SS4Q) campaign demanding safety for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and teachers. SS4Q has brought together a number of prominent organisations including the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, Rainbow Youth, the Human Rights Commission, the Post Primary Teachers’ Association, Out There and the Family Planning Association.

 

For more information or to register for the conference contact Sarah Helm ([email protected] or PO Box 9247, Marion Square , Wellington ). Funding may be available for travel to attend the conference if you are a young person, student or PPTA member.

 

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Queer Quiz Answers

 

1.  26 April 2005

2.  Christopher Street

3.  Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

4.  More than 11 years

5.  Parallel Lies

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