If you have time to watch a documentary about discrimination, watch this:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/etc/view.html?utm_campaign=homepage&utm_medium=top5&utm_source=top5
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The gay issue in the media
I was reading on the herald sun online news today that Neighbours is introducing a gay character to the show. The article was poorly written and promoting backlash from the public about it. Why is it that main stream television seem to love the drama of creating fear within the general public. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a great idea that Neighbours is doing this, however I hope that they have done their research and portray the character as a real true gay person. The homophobic comments that were posted on the article were a pure example of what sort of people that are still out and have no understanding or acceptance of the GLBTIQ community.
Channel 10 has a lot to live up for with this subject and I hope they pass with flying colours. It may just help the GLBTIQ youth prevent suicide regarding their sexuality and that they can be accepted as the person they are and now that there is help out there.
Family First - Wendy Francis comes out firing about Gay Marriage to the be like legalising child abuse. As a gay father I find these remarks quite offensive for the community and I would love to contest her to show documented proof of this. You will find that a majority of child abuse is in the heterosexual community and usually not the biological parent. She has obviously been brought up without any love and acceptance in her life... I am glad that my children are growing up to learn and respect and accept people for who they are. The next generation of children will be the one that will be able to make a difference. But we as adults need to set the example and show them...
It is great to see that there is a lot media attention around the election and same sex marriage. It is showing the GLBTIQ community need to get out and be heard, no one is going to make the change for you, if you do not do anything about, if you think that things will change without6 having to do anything, think again.... I will be at the same sex marriage rally on Saturday, with my children and partner, to support the GLBTIQ community and fight for equal rights.....
It is also wonderful to see a new website just launched http://www.comingoutishardtodo.com It is about sharing stories of coming out and putting abit of spin on it..... Have a look and if you want to share your story, please do so....
Channel 10 has a lot to live up for with this subject and I hope they pass with flying colours. It may just help the GLBTIQ youth prevent suicide regarding their sexuality and that they can be accepted as the person they are and now that there is help out there.
Family First - Wendy Francis comes out firing about Gay Marriage to the be like legalising child abuse. As a gay father I find these remarks quite offensive for the community and I would love to contest her to show documented proof of this. You will find that a majority of child abuse is in the heterosexual community and usually not the biological parent. She has obviously been brought up without any love and acceptance in her life... I am glad that my children are growing up to learn and respect and accept people for who they are. The next generation of children will be the one that will be able to make a difference. But we as adults need to set the example and show them...
It is great to see that there is a lot media attention around the election and same sex marriage. It is showing the GLBTIQ community need to get out and be heard, no one is going to make the change for you, if you do not do anything about, if you think that things will change without6 having to do anything, think again.... I will be at the same sex marriage rally on Saturday, with my children and partner, to support the GLBTIQ community and fight for equal rights.....
It is also wonderful to see a new website just launched http://www.comingoutishardtodo.com It is about sharing stories of coming out and putting abit of spin on it..... Have a look and if you want to share your story, please do so....
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Gay Rights Election
The election campaign is heating up to be an interesting one, with the underdog of equal rights for the GLBTIQ community hiding in the shadows of the election promises. As the major parties squabble over winning the votes of the ordinary white Australians. They are forgetting the minority groups who can break or make the government. The biggest problem for these 2 major parties is that the horse has already bolted with regards to their opinions of same sex marriage.
I have been talking to a number of people about the voting process of voting the Greens. They seem to be confused with the Greens giving their preference votes to Labour. However by you voting for the Greens will give them more power in the Senate, where it is the most important place in the government as it is the place where the bills and legalisations are passed, and if we have more Greens candidates in the senate, then the bill for same sex marriage will be passed. Julia does not have the final say as most people think.
It is also a great time to attend the same sex marriage rallies throughout Australia on Saturday 14th August, a week before the elections, if we can make an impact on the people of Australia by campaigning hard on the day and during the week, people will go to the polls with that in the back of their minds.
Countries all over the world are legalising same sex marriage at a great rate, and it won't be long that Australia will have to legalise same sex marriage. To most people same sex marriage to them is about the right to get married in a church, it goes deeper then that, it is about equal rights, for all, regardless of gender. I was gobsmacked that the current Marriage act was dated 1961, that is 49 years ago, we have come a long way since then. It is time for the marriage act to be updated.
I have been talking to a number of people about the voting process of voting the Greens. They seem to be confused with the Greens giving their preference votes to Labour. However by you voting for the Greens will give them more power in the Senate, where it is the most important place in the government as it is the place where the bills and legalisations are passed, and if we have more Greens candidates in the senate, then the bill for same sex marriage will be passed. Julia does not have the final say as most people think.
It is also a great time to attend the same sex marriage rallies throughout Australia on Saturday 14th August, a week before the elections, if we can make an impact on the people of Australia by campaigning hard on the day and during the week, people will go to the polls with that in the back of their minds.
Countries all over the world are legalising same sex marriage at a great rate, and it won't be long that Australia will have to legalise same sex marriage. To most people same sex marriage to them is about the right to get married in a church, it goes deeper then that, it is about equal rights, for all, regardless of gender. I was gobsmacked that the current Marriage act was dated 1961, that is 49 years ago, we have come a long way since then. It is time for the marriage act to be updated.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Gay Dads National Conference 2010
I have the privilege to part of the Gay Dads National Conference 2010 to be held 18th and 19th September in Melbourne. This is a great opportunity for gay dads of all kinds to get together and share the knowledge and wisdom of raising children as a gay dad and for those who want to become dads.
Being a gay dad to me, is no different to any other dad. We all represent the fatherhood of our children regardless how they are brought into our lives, whether it is through surrogacy, co-parenting, adoption, fostering or through a heterosexual relationship. Coming out of a heterosexual relationship into the gay world was a bit daunting for me at the time, as I was trying to work what does a gay dad do.... As it worked out I had to change nothing, my children had always knew me as their dad and always will, regardless of what I did.
I did find that a few things had to change from being a hetro dad to a gay dad. One being of course, my partner. Being of the same sex as me, the children had to adjust to the idea of their dad being with someone of the same sex. I was lucky that I had the chance to explain that their dad was gay before he embarked on a same sex relationship. When it came to the relationship part my children were adjusted to the fact that their dad was gay. Being a part of a separated family for quite some time, they got used of the idea that mum lives at one house and dad at another.
Now that their mum has a partner and I have partner both being male, the children have started to ask questions about the "Step Dad". Who is their real step dad?? I told them that both are step dads in their own way. My children have grown to love my partner as part of the family, he helps with the raising of the children, the disciplining, and of course he loves to cuddle with them watching TV. I look at this and think why are we treated different to the heterosexual step family. It maybe because the stigma of many gay guys, believe that they do not belong in a family with their partner who has children, they may feel that they are on the exterior of the relationship. I have overcome this with my partner by allowing him to involved with the wellbeing of my children, yes, we do have our difference, but I have also learnt alot from him about being a great dad to my children. Step gay dads can play an important role in the children lives and the building of a stable relationship within the family.
For more information on the Gay Dads National Conference click here
Being a gay dad to me, is no different to any other dad. We all represent the fatherhood of our children regardless how they are brought into our lives, whether it is through surrogacy, co-parenting, adoption, fostering or through a heterosexual relationship. Coming out of a heterosexual relationship into the gay world was a bit daunting for me at the time, as I was trying to work what does a gay dad do.... As it worked out I had to change nothing, my children had always knew me as their dad and always will, regardless of what I did.
I did find that a few things had to change from being a hetro dad to a gay dad. One being of course, my partner. Being of the same sex as me, the children had to adjust to the idea of their dad being with someone of the same sex. I was lucky that I had the chance to explain that their dad was gay before he embarked on a same sex relationship. When it came to the relationship part my children were adjusted to the fact that their dad was gay. Being a part of a separated family for quite some time, they got used of the idea that mum lives at one house and dad at another.
Now that their mum has a partner and I have partner both being male, the children have started to ask questions about the "Step Dad". Who is their real step dad?? I told them that both are step dads in their own way. My children have grown to love my partner as part of the family, he helps with the raising of the children, the disciplining, and of course he loves to cuddle with them watching TV. I look at this and think why are we treated different to the heterosexual step family. It maybe because the stigma of many gay guys, believe that they do not belong in a family with their partner who has children, they may feel that they are on the exterior of the relationship. I have overcome this with my partner by allowing him to involved with the wellbeing of my children, yes, we do have our difference, but I have also learnt alot from him about being a great dad to my children. Step gay dads can play an important role in the children lives and the building of a stable relationship within the family.
For more information on the Gay Dads National Conference click here
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Same Sex Marriage and Children
I have had an interesting week this last week or so about same sex marriage and children in gay families.
I was never really a big fan of same sex marriage, when I was a single gay dad. It never appealed to me as why the GLBTIQ community were fighting for equal rights and same sex marriage. I was happy to just be a gay dad, and to provide the best for my children. I was going about my everyday life as best as it could be. BUT, now that has all changed. I am in a loving relationship with an amazing person who adores my children as his own.
He took me to my first political rally, which was the same sex rally in Melbourne earlier this year. I was amazed of the turn out the different diverse of people there supporting same sex marriage. This was a major turning point for me as a founder of GLOCKIDS and Coming Out Australia . It got me thinking about me own relationship with my partner and my children. This is what family is about, showing the commitment to each other that love is all around and as gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender or any other identity that identifies us in the GLBTIQ community. I now what to be able to marry my partner and have the same equal rights I had when I was previously married as a heterosexual person. I have since attended the Same Sex Marriage rally in Ballarat and have taken a active stand against homophobia and the support of Same Sex Marriage.
The other day in the car, one of my children asked if my partner was step dad to him, he said that it was up to my son to call him what ever he wanted. That blow me away as we have never talked to my children about the step dad thing or same sex marriage, but it got me thinking that this is the generation we need to educate about same sex marriage and the different types of families that are out there, and it is ok to have these kinds of families as long as they are in a loving environment.
I heard on the radio that both Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott at a Christian conference, advised the audience that they both do not support same sex marriage. That just goes to show that we have a long battle on our hands and we need to get out there and fight for it.
I was never really a big fan of same sex marriage, when I was a single gay dad. It never appealed to me as why the GLBTIQ community were fighting for equal rights and same sex marriage. I was happy to just be a gay dad, and to provide the best for my children. I was going about my everyday life as best as it could be. BUT, now that has all changed. I am in a loving relationship with an amazing person who adores my children as his own.
He took me to my first political rally, which was the same sex rally in Melbourne earlier this year. I was amazed of the turn out the different diverse of people there supporting same sex marriage. This was a major turning point for me as a founder of GLOCKIDS and Coming Out Australia . It got me thinking about me own relationship with my partner and my children. This is what family is about, showing the commitment to each other that love is all around and as gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender or any other identity that identifies us in the GLBTIQ community. I now what to be able to marry my partner and have the same equal rights I had when I was previously married as a heterosexual person. I have since attended the Same Sex Marriage rally in Ballarat and have taken a active stand against homophobia and the support of Same Sex Marriage.
The other day in the car, one of my children asked if my partner was step dad to him, he said that it was up to my son to call him what ever he wanted. That blow me away as we have never talked to my children about the step dad thing or same sex marriage, but it got me thinking that this is the generation we need to educate about same sex marriage and the different types of families that are out there, and it is ok to have these kinds of families as long as they are in a loving environment.
I heard on the radio that both Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott at a Christian conference, advised the audience that they both do not support same sex marriage. That just goes to show that we have a long battle on our hands and we need to get out there and fight for it.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Rural Town Homophobia and Mentality
Hello every one,
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.
This week I am going to write about homophobia in rural towns. This weekend my partner and I went to Ballarat to support the same sex marriage rally on Sunday. We travelled up on the Saturday evening, after my extensive Q & A Mentor training. We settled nicely into our motel room before setting out for dinner.
We went to the main street to check out the restaurants, we picked one from driving past, as it seemed to be a nice place to go, WRONG.... As we approached it, it seemed to filled with the typical rural town Aussie families. It would have been an interesting conversation for all there to see 2 openly gay guys have dinner in their restaurant. So we choose to eat elsewhere. We picked a nice Greek Restaurant, which was perfect, it was quiet and the meals were delicious.
The next day, My Partner and I made our way to the meeting place for the rally... There were not as many as you would expect to see, say at Melbourne, but the turnout was a great small support group. So we headed off on the mission to be vocal about the fight for equal rights. We did not have any police escort (was this because, we are seen as a small minority group, who is out there to make a nuisance and to be seen as wasting police resources). We trodden along the footpaths into the main street, past shops and restaurants, with people trying to work out as to what was happening in their small quiet sleepy town. Some people waved and smiled and were happy to take the flyers we were handing out, some were absolute shock horror, as if we are diseased ridden venoms, trying their best to ignore us and go about their lives as we were not there. These are the people we need to push with, being in their faces, being out and loud, so they can hear us, and for them to know we are not going away.
It made me appreciate the comfort I have living in Melbourne and to be openly affectionate with my partner in public. But to try that in a rural town , is asking for trouble. It is easier for me to remove myself from that as I don't live there. I really do feel for the GLBTIQ community of the rural towns, that have no support or resources, as I grew up in a town with the similar mentality. I think it is time that the GLBTIQ community of the big smoke, get out there amongst the rural community and help fight homophobia. I will be making it my aim to help change that, by becoming more involved with theses communities, through my organisations such as Glockids and Coming Out Australia.
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.
This week I am going to write about homophobia in rural towns. This weekend my partner and I went to Ballarat to support the same sex marriage rally on Sunday. We travelled up on the Saturday evening, after my extensive Q & A Mentor training. We settled nicely into our motel room before setting out for dinner.
We went to the main street to check out the restaurants, we picked one from driving past, as it seemed to be a nice place to go, WRONG.... As we approached it, it seemed to filled with the typical rural town Aussie families. It would have been an interesting conversation for all there to see 2 openly gay guys have dinner in their restaurant. So we choose to eat elsewhere. We picked a nice Greek Restaurant, which was perfect, it was quiet and the meals were delicious.
The next day, My Partner and I made our way to the meeting place for the rally... There were not as many as you would expect to see, say at Melbourne, but the turnout was a great small support group. So we headed off on the mission to be vocal about the fight for equal rights. We did not have any police escort (was this because, we are seen as a small minority group, who is out there to make a nuisance and to be seen as wasting police resources). We trodden along the footpaths into the main street, past shops and restaurants, with people trying to work out as to what was happening in their small quiet sleepy town. Some people waved and smiled and were happy to take the flyers we were handing out, some were absolute shock horror, as if we are diseased ridden venoms, trying their best to ignore us and go about their lives as we were not there. These are the people we need to push with, being in their faces, being out and loud, so they can hear us, and for them to know we are not going away.
It made me appreciate the comfort I have living in Melbourne and to be openly affectionate with my partner in public. But to try that in a rural town , is asking for trouble. It is easier for me to remove myself from that as I don't live there. I really do feel for the GLBTIQ community of the rural towns, that have no support or resources, as I grew up in a town with the similar mentality. I think it is time that the GLBTIQ community of the big smoke, get out there amongst the rural community and help fight homophobia. I will be making it my aim to help change that, by becoming more involved with theses communities, through my organisations such as Glockids and Coming Out Australia.
I applaud Koby Drake for organising the Ballarat Same Sex Marriage Rally, as for a young man, who has been exposed to the homophobia and small town mentality of the ignorance people to make a stand for what he believes is his right and the right for other people in the rural GLBTIQ community, is a huge effort and should not be sneezed at. He is a perfect example of what the youth of the GBLTIQ community should be doing to make a difference for their generation and future generations to come. To fight homophobia, we have to make a visual presence and be heard. No matter how small the protests are or how they start, it is the continual support and drive is what will make the difference. We may not be able to change the attitudes of the older generation, but we can certainly make a change to the attitudes of the younger generation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
