Jennifer Pittorino
Maribyrnong council has shown solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community by committing to hold a Coming Out Day event next month.
At a meeting on Tuesday, September 12, councillors moved a motion committing to an event on Wednesday, October 11 to mark Coming Out Day.
Councillor Bernadette Thomas said for people in the LGBTQ community it has been a dreadful couple of months during which drag story time events have been cancelled across Melbourne due to threats, intimidatio and harassment.
“Not just at council events, but other events, public events that were supposed to be celebrated became quite the opposite,” she said.
“There were spaces where people in our LGBTQIA+ community just didn’t feel safe and actually weren’t safe.”
Cr Thomas said council wants all people in the community to be safe, but particularly groups who are vulnerable to attacks from people who seek to make the community unsafe for them.
“I’m looking forward to whatever it is that council officers come up with for Coming Out Day to continue the celebratory approach that we take for the LGBTQIA+ community here,“ she said.
Council said it will continue to promote and safely conduct LGBTQIA+ events, even in the face of abuse and intimidation.
Councillor Jorge Jorquera said everyone in the city should be able to walk with pride.
“Hopefully our council can lead the way by not only supporting but also organising rainbow events by working with the community,” he said.
“One of the most important things I think the council can do is to hold a public line as manifested in this motion to stand proud ourselves.”
Councillor Michael Clarke said a few years ago he met a transgender person who moved from Queensland to Footscray to feel safe.
“She came to Footscray to live, to work, to recreate and this was her home, this was a place she did feel safe,”he said.
“We are caring and when we talk about being inclusive, we’re inclusive for all.
“In our citizenship ceremonies, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Sikh, we’re all in it together.
“Straight, gay, LGBTQIA+, we’re all in it together.”
