Jean Bluett (1939 – 2010)
Jean Bluett, mother of Paul Bluett – longtime proprietor and editor of WestSide Observer, Shout and OUTinPerth – passed away on Saturday April 24, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Ms Bluett was instrumental in helping establish WestSide Observer as a functional paper. ‘We invited a variety of people to be limited partners (of the paper) and my mum with her partner Bob bought 10%, a pretty significant chunk to help us get up and going,’ Mr Bluett told OUTinPerth. She was a familiar face as a volunteer at the WA AIDS Council during the mid ’90s and was a supporter of equal rights. ‘Her attitude was that she didn’t have to understand someone, she just needed to know that they believed in what they were doing or who they were,’ Mr Bluett added.
HIV on the rise
HIV infection rates have risen by 100 per cent for gay men in Perth, according to new figures released by the WA Health Department. The figures were taken from the past three months compared with same time last year. Mark Reid from the WA AIDS Council said they were very concerned about these new figures, especially with more gay men contracting HIV in Perth. ‘It’s becoming an issue again. The past couple of years had shown a plateau in local cases but that’s now on the rise.’ Mr Reid said. With no clear patterns of age and backgrounds, Mr Reid urged anyone to get tested so. ‘Many people don’t even realise they’re HIV positive. People need to be aware.’
Fight for Your Marriage Rights
May 17 has been designated International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHo). To mark the occasion Families for Freedom, Socialist Alternative and Cross Campus Queer Network WA are organising a rally for marriage equality at 1pm, Saturday, May 15 at the Perth Cultural Centre, outside the State Library. For more information on this and other Perth events for Equal Marriage visit www.families4freedom.info For more information on the National Year of Marriage Campaign visit: www.equallove.info
Learning to love better
Relationships Australia will be running a weekend relationship course for same sex couples who are in or planning a more committed relationship. According to RA, ‘This is an ideal course to enhance mutual understanding, acceptance, intimacy and communication. Couples who put some time and effort into attending a course at the beginning of their relationship have fewer problems and have a greater likelihood of a more rewarding relationship.’ Together Forever runs over one weekend, May 28-30. Bookings are essential. Phone (08) 9489 6322.
Shedding light on HIV
The world’s biggest grassroots HIV/AIDS awareness event is on this month, campaigning for further global action on HIV and human rights. This year marks the 28th anniversary of the International Candlelight Vigil with this year’s theme ‘Many Lights for Human Rights’. HIV/AIDS Peer Advisory Network Chairperson Diane Lloyd said she would spend the evening remembering friends and loved ones. This year’s event will be held at 6pm on Sunday May 16 at the HIV/AIDS Memorial in Robertson Park, North Perth.
