National Day of Action
On August 9 from noon-2pm, the Cross Campus Queer Network, a student group comprising the Sexuality and Gender Departments of the four University Guilds in WA, will lead a National Day of Action at Kings Square, Fremantle, to protest against the ban on same-sex marriage. The intention of the event is to highlight the ongoing issues of homophobia and discrimination in law and general society. In addition, the protest will call for continued support from the government to repeal the more than 100 laws that discriminate against same-sex couples and to address issues of homophobia and discrimination in the schools. For more information, contact Kitty Hawkins (0414 846 153, queer@ecuguild.org.au) or Emma Kingdon (0416 436 399, elkingdon@gmail.com).
AGMs: Take 1 – GLCS
Gay and Lesbian Community Services WA (GLCS) will hold its AGM on Wednesday, August 13 at 6.30pm at City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi St, West Perth. The AGM is open to the entire community and GLCS encourages those interested in becoming a member and/or volunteer to come along and find out about WA’s longest running GLBTI community group. They are also looking for new Board members, including a new Chairperson and Treasurer. Interested parties can contact Mark Woodman (admin@glcs.org.au or 9486 9855).
AGMs: Take 2 – GRAI
The GLBTI Retirement Association Inc (GRAI) will hold its Annual General Meeting at the Loftus Community Centre on Tuesday, August 19. There will be light refreshments at 6pm, followed by the meeting at 6.45pm. One of the topics for discussion at the AGM is the setting up of an investment fund that could provide initial capital for creating a GLBTI retirement facility in WA.
The outgoing chairperson of GRAI, Graham Lovelock, is optimistic that GRAI will continue to play a leading role in fostering retirement living options for the GLBTI community. GRAI is hoping to undertake a major social research project later this year that will examine the current attitudes towards and recognition of GLBTI issues in existing retirement facilities, pending an application for funding with Lotterywest.
Gay Men Walking
If you are a gay man not totally opposed to bush, as in shrubbery, then good news, a member of the community and his partner are looking to start a gay men’s walking group. Before planning any events, they would like to gauge interest amongst the boys out there in joining a walking club. So if you would be keen to get out and get trampin’, as in bushwalking, then email Brian at sandy266@ozemail.com.au and let him know!
Uthando Needs You
The Uthando Project, which makes dolls to facilitate play and emotional development for children in Africa orphaned by HIV/AIDS, is calling for community support for upcoming dollmaking workshops in October in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Centocow. Uthando is in need of handmade sewing kits that include scissors, needles, thread, fabric and other materials. Those interested in obtaining the design for making the kits and/or donating materials should contact Anne Bell (9454 5116 or abell@aapt.net.au). Additionally, Uthando is selling packs of 10 cards for $20 to raise money for the project. Orders can be placed with Lis Hansen (einar@iinet.net.au) or Georgia (9293 2362). For more information on the Uthando Project, visit www.uthandoproject.org.
Three Strykers and you’re OUT!
Renowned drag and make-up artist Strykermeyer will host three Drag workshops at the Freedom Centre. The first two will be held on August 16 and 30 from noon-4pm with the third sometime in September. Freedom Centre Coordinator Dani Wright said of the workshops, ‘We have our highest ever numbers of gender diverse visitors coming to FC at the moment, so gender is a hot topic that we have been discussing a lot already. When we got the chance to learn the art of drag from Strykermeyer and get creative and fabulous at the same time, we jumped at it!’
The Freedom Centre will also hold a photography workshop at its August 9 Outspace and a craft workshop at the August 23 Outspace. The Freedom Centre has announced new times for its Outspace, Freespace, GenderQ, Guyspace and Girlspace, check the OUTinPerth calendar on pages 20-21 for details.
Buy Books, Save Kids
The Cannington Exhibition Centre and UWA will hold book sales with all proceeds going to the Save the Children fund. The Cannington sale will run from August 7-11 at the corner of Albany Hwy and Station St. The monster UWA sale begins on August 22. For more details, contact 9328 3111.
