Allusions to MP’s Sexuality
Greens MP Giz Watson came under fire last month after speculation over her alleged involvement with the Buswell-Carles affair. On May 5, one of the West Australian’s senior political reporters Robert Taylor wrote an article alleging that Watson had essentially forced Carles into publicly admitting to the affair stating: ‘A lot of people are wondering why it was any of her (Watson’s) business. Ms Watson’s own lifestyle choices are hardly mainstream.’ Watson said that the inference was extraordinary and it was an outrageous allegation. ‘Slurs like that impact on the rest of the LGBT community because it basically says if you’re not heterosexual, it’s immoral,’ Watson said. Watson was in conversation with the Equal Opportunities Commission about what was published and said it needed to be challenged. ‘We’ve appreciated the community support… there’s no doubt that people were deeply offended,’ Watson said. ‘I didn’t feel like dignifying it with a response … But any slur on my sexuality is totally unacceptable.’
Pride dates announced
‘Looking through the keyhole’ is the theme to this year’s Pride Festival which is set to kick off from September with the Pride Launch. Celebrating its 21st birthday, the Pride festival has been shortened to three weeks to provide a better-focused and higher-quality event. The Pride Ball and Glammy’s are back this year in August with nominations opening soon for your chance to recognise someone in the community. The Festival begins with the Pride Fairday on October 9 and wraps up with the Pride Parade on October 30. Pride Co-President Sharlene Dixon said the Pride Committee was determined to both celebrate it in style and take it to a spectacular new level.
Heijne appeal dismissed
WA’s Supreme Court dismissed an appeal to overturn the conviction of Leonard’s Chicken Tycoon, Gerardus Gerrit Heijne. He was found guilty last year of murdering his long-time lover and business partner 51-year-old Frank Cianciosi. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 13 and half years. WAToday reported that Heijne claimed there had been a miscarriage of justice on the grounds that Justice John McKechnie hadn’t directed the jury on the possibility of self defence. The three Supreme Court judges dismissed the appeal on May 11. Chief Justice Wayne Martin told the court that the trial judge had given entirely adequate direction to the jury.
Calling Mums and Dads
A new research project in Perth will explore the reactions and experiences of parents with same-sex oriented children. Curtin University researcher Jasmin Harley has been calling for volunteers to take part in her study involving a 45-minute interview. The research will assist health professionals in understanding the types of issues that parents and families face during this sometimes awkward period. She specified she was looking for heterosexual mums and/or dads whose son or daughter told them they had a same-sex orientation at least two years ago. Little research has been undertaken on the topic, especially from an Australian perspective. If you would like to participate in the research project, contact Jasmin on 0411 133 009.
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Local News Briefs – May
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