I’ve spent the last three weeks visiting family in a small, rural town in the south of England. It’s a pretty little place, but hardly cosmopolitan. Obvious (and likely false) claims of being ‘the only gay in the village’ aside, I have become acutely aware of the lack of diversity here. Not to imply that the residents of this very pleasant little town are xenophobic, banjo-playing nutters – but I’ve observed how a more-or-less hegemonic culture can affect people’s attitudes towards those that are different. Case in point: The GLBTI Community.
In conversations on the subject, I’ve noticed a prevalence of attitudes that one cannot write off as malicious, but certainly do display a level of ignorance that manifests as a quiet resentment towards ‘the gays’ for ‘pushing their lifestyle on us’. When my mother’s partner asked me why I ‘make such a fuss over nothing’ it occurred to me that he had never once known what it was like to be discriminated against because of his sexuality or gender identity and would never know the pain of having his relationship or gendered expression demoted to second class. This lack of experience has put him in a position of privilege, and his lack of positive interaction with GLBTI people (either in his own life or through the media) combined with this privilege would allow those stereotypes and generalisations to become ‘the norm.’
So – what to do about it? Short of following someone around 24/7 with a big rainbow placard bearing the slogan ‘Queers are people too’, the best solution is to put a human face on an otherwise abstract issue. It’s difficult to dismiss an argument about equal rights when confronted with an actual family that are affected by discrimination, or to remain apathetic when a personal story invokes a sense of empathy.
GALE is frequently contacted by journalists requesting interviews with people that are directly affected by homo/trans*phobia and discrimination – couples denied marriage rights, same-sex families and victims of bullying or abuse. It is important that these stories are told, and that non-GLBTI people are encouraged to support measures for equality.
We have set up a network for volunteers that are happy to be featured in media coverage of GLBTI issues. If you are interested in helping out and getting your fifteen minutes of fame, please sign up at www.galewa.asn.au/media-contact-list or email info@galewa.asn.au
Kitty Hawkins
