Tasmania
Media Release
Sunday April 21st 2013
A marriage equality family BBQ and concert in the North West Tasmanian town of Ulverstone has been hailed a success by organisers after it drew 150 people.
The BBQ coincided with state Upper House elections in two weeks, with speakers urging the audience to vote for candidates who support marriage equality.
One of the event’s organisers, Nick Outterside, said “The event showed there is strong support for marriage equality across the North West community.”
“Our message is that Tasmania still has a chance to lead on this urgent reform if people vote for marriage equality.”
One of the three divisions up for election includes Ulverstone. All candidates support marriage equality with the exception of the Liberal Party candidate (voting guides, here).
BBQ-goers heard from several speakers including local Upper House member, Mike Gaffney, local federal Labor member, Sid Sidebottom, local state Green, Paul O’Halleran, Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Rodney Croome, local parent of a gay son, Jen Laws, local same-sex partner, Sabena Lund, and Mr Outterside, who spoke about being raised by two mums.
The crowd was also entertained by music from Bess and Jess Brownrigg and Caroline and Jo Dunn, as well, as a marriage equality performance from Port Dalrymple High School drama students highlighting the negative impact of discrimination.
The performance was inspired by “Labels are so Gay”, a book by North West Tasmania author, Alice Hansen.
Ulverstone was the site of several anti-gay rallies during the campaign to decriminalise homosexuality in Tasmania in the 1990s and was referred to by the Lonely Planet as Australia’s most homophobic town.
Mr Outterside said, “the fact that Ulverstone has gone from having such a bad reputation to hosting such a wonderful pro-equality event makes me optimisitc for the future of marriage equality.”
For more information contact Nicholas Outterside on 0404 427 929.
Hi, my name is Nicholas Outterside. I assume most of you know a little bit about me: at least that I was raised by 2 very loving, intelligent, strong women. People that know me a little better tell you how awesome that was. I could literally stand up here for hours and recount the various fascinating details that made their parenting so utterly outstanding. But for that, you’ll have to buy my book. No, instead I’m here to talk about something a bit bigger and more important than my upbringing.
In my Mother’s day, which some here may be familiar with, it was dangerous to be different. Whether it be for the colour of your skin, the clothing you wore or your sexuality: being different (or allowing others to see you were different) could often prove fatal. When my mother and her friends would go out there would always be a number of look outs. Each would have a CV radio so that they could warn in advance of potential dangers. And they would flee, without hesitation, at the slightest signs of trouble because they knew that if they got caught, that was likely the last time they ever were seen alive again. But despite these very real and constant threats there were still those who stood up and fought against inequality, often exposing their names and faces in the process. I believe we owe them quite a debt because it is as a result of their hard work, commitment and sacrifice that we have come so far. This very event today would not even have been possible without them and what they accomplished.
The last time I stood up at an event like this I told everyone that marriage equality is inevitable. And as we watch the nations around us, recently France, Uruguay and New Zealand, the statement is reinforced. It is inevitable, but it is not automatic. It has taken and will continue to take the hard work, the commitment and the sacrifices of countless people. There are the prominent figures we all know, like Rodney Croome, but there are also a multitude of others too numerous to mention. Who every day aid the cause by petitioning local government, spreading social awareness, creating safe spaces, raising funds, organising events and pushing any way they can to make a positive difference.
My initial involvement in the marriage equality campaign was to help out at one of the BBQs. Just that. Any more than that was asking too much of me. Just cook a sausage or two. I could handle that, I was comfortable with that. And then I was asked if I had anything to say, if I wanted to speak. Nope, no way, defiantly not. I told myself that I could not do it. Couldn’t write it. Couldn’t speak it. And even if I could it would be rubbish and there would be no point. But really I was just scared. Of precisely what, I can’t say. That’d I’d lose my job. That friends / aqiuntences would alienate me. Maybe that I’d be the victim of discrimination or violence. I honestly don’t know exactly why I was frightened all I knew is that I was frightened.
Then I remembered what others have been going through for decades, the adversary they faced, the fear they must have felt and how they just did it anyway. Paving the way for the rights and privileges we enjoy today. They made a lot of progress during their time but the work is not finished yet. They have done their dash and now it’s our turn. And when we are all gone it will be our children’s turn. The people of the present owe it to the people of the past to try and make the world a better place for the people of the future.
AME
Media Release
Sunday April 21st 2013