STATE ELECTION RESULTS
The results of the 2008 State election are in for WA, installing the Liberal party, lead by Colin Barnett, into office after seven years in opposition. Lengthy discussion and negotiation ended when the National party accepted a Liberal party offer of directing 25% of all mining and petroleum royalties to rural Western Australia. The support of independent MP’s Liz Constable, Janet Woollard and Mr Bowler further helped the minority party form government in the Lower House. The Liberal National Coalition, for the first time since 1986, also holds a majority in the Senate. The election also saw Greens Senator Giz Watson, ALP member for Perth John Hyde and Western Australia’s first openly Lesbian MLA Lisa Baker into Parliament. The Western Australian Parliament is expected to sit before Christmas.
PRIDE GUIDE LAUNCHED.
The launch of the 2008 Pride Festival guide took place on Tuesday September 24 at Luxe Bar’s outdoor auditorium, bamBOO. Over 200 people attended the function, which saw this year’s Pride Patron Aram Hosie officially launch the 2008 Pride Festival guide. The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Reinvention’ and the guide is now available from regular venues around town or you can download a PDF version of the 2008 Pride Festival guide now from www.www.outinperth.com.
NEW CAMPAIGN AGAINST GLBTI DOMESTIC ABUSE
Same Sex Domestic Abuse Group (SSDAG) will be launching a new campaign this Pride through which they aim to raise awareness about the presence of domestic and family abuse within the GLBT community. SSDAG chairperson Mark Ravencroft encourages all members of the community to go to www.sssdag.org.au and follow the links to this year’s survey on same sex and family domestic violence. He stressed that while visiting the SSDAG site, members of the community should take a moment to read the information on services provided. Last year’s surveys, the results of which will be posted on Pride Fairday, revealed that out of the 163 people surveyed 60% reported some form of domestic abuse. Ravencroft encouraged people who were experiencing domestic abuse to contact either Gay and Lesbian Counselling Services (9420 7201), WA AIDS Council (9482 0000), Crisis Care (1800 199 008) or Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline (1800 007 339).
GRAI TAKES ON NEW YORK
The GLBTI Retirement Association Incorporated (GRAI) has been invited to take part in a historically important conference in New York which aims to examine issues surrounding GLBT ageing. Dr Dan Parker will be heading to the 4th National Conference on GLBT Ageing, which will take place from October 12 to 14. Sponsored by Service and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), the conference will present workshops from a number of key speakers from throughout America and Canada, as well as speakers from overseas agencies and organisations, such as London’s Age Concern Agency. Dr Parker’s workshop at the New York conference will provide a survey and overview of GLBT ageing issues that are present and being addressed in Australia as well as focusing on the work of GRAI.
FUNDING APPLICATION FOR GLBTI AGED CARE SUCCESSFUL
GRAI have been successful in their application for LotteryWest funding, securing 18 months worth of funding for their proposed research project ‘Retirement accommodations and aged care issues for non heterosexual populations’. The social research project aims to ascertain how well supported accommodation services cater to GLBTI people in order to develop a set of best practice guidelines enabling all aged care accommodation facilities to better support the their accommodation needs.
GRAI Board member and Curtin Academic, Jude Comfort, told OUTinPerth, ‘GRAI is excited to be embarking on this important research project and is sure the outcome will lead to improvements for all older gay people in supported accommodation’. The social research project will be conducted by the WA Centre for Health Promotion Research and the Centre for Research and Ageing, both of which are based at Curtin University, and will be formally launched later this year.
