As if i didn’t already really dislike the area. First it was constantly losing my car in westfields, now this (hahaha!)

1

I’ve lived in many parts of the Sydney metropolitan area. Right now I live in a part of Sydney where it is not uncommon to see masculine-of-center women wearing An Horse t-shirts at the grocery store. But most of the parts of Sydney I’ve lived in have not had such a visible queer community. Parramatta is one of the latter places.

You might wonder why I would live in a less queer-friendly suburb when there’s so much gayness available, and honestly, a lot of it came down to money. Up until now, I couldn’t afford to live as close to the city as I do now. Sydney housing is ridiculously expensive. (We’re talking rent for a one-bedroom apartment being at least $200 A WEEK, and that’s in an outer suburb like Parramatta.) So chances are if you’re a queer kid living in an outer suburb, it may well be because you have no other choice.

1

What wasn’t mentioned in this article was that part of the reason that they were asked to remove the sign is that advertising the group was deemed ‘semi-political’ in the same way that advertising by Right to Life (ie. pro-life) groups is semi-political.

It’s fucking not the same.

The stats about the helpfulness and LIFE-SAVING function of GLBT youth support groups are numerous (See ‘Writing Themselves In 3′ Report by La Trobe Uni), and anyone who’s ever felt isolated and found GLBT community – including all you A-campers, I’m sure- could attest to the power it has to change one’s life for the better.

Trying to hinder the ability of such groups to reach youth in need is nothing short of fucking criminal.

4

The Lord Mayor apparently has apologised to Twenty10 now, but not publicly. Which I’m sure we can all agree is inadequate. After that ridiculous public non-apology, the queer kids of Parramatta need their council to admit they were wrong. It’s not just about the organisation – it’s about the kids they serve.

I have more thoughts but I’ll share them when I’m in front of my home computer and not on my phone at work…

3

The statement “Gays shouldn’t push their agenda at family events” implies that A) helping youth at risk is “pushing an agenda” and not a legitimate social concern, merely a disguise for political gain and B) it implies gays can’t have families or gay relationships are outside the definition of “family”.

10