Local News Briefs – April

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Call Him Mr Bear

Western Australia has crowned its first ever Mr West Oz Bear with the honor going to Perth resident Ash Unicomb. Bears Perth President Paul Hayter said the competition was ‘brilliant’ and he was ‘so wrapped’ with the outcome. Over 150 people supported the competition which raised over $1000 for the Freedom Centre.

Same Sex

Some 500 people converged in the Perth CBD last month for the first same-sex marriage rally of 2011. A number of key speakers presented their views including federal ALP Senator Louise Pratt and Greens Senator Rachel Siewert as well as other speakers. Equal Love WA organiser Jess McLeod said the Equal Love team had already begun work towards the next rally.

Community Speaks Up

It is still early days but last month’s Reclaiming Queer Venues forum highlighted what the almost 70-strong group believed to be the key challenges surrounding Perth’s LGBT venues. The two-hour community meeting included members venting their frustrations while also forming ideas to remedy these apparent issues. The Cross-Campus Queer Network team will hold a follow-up community forum next month.