The Lobby needs you

In three weeks’ time, the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby will march down Oxford St to celebrate past achievements, but most importantly to show the wider Australian community what remains to be done to achieve full equality for gays and lesbians.

We had an amazing year last year. A huge part of that success was convincing the Australian public that gays and lesbians are their neighbours, friends, colleagues and relatives who deserve equality.

That can only happen when our community is visible and makes our voices heard.

The GLRL has a long and historic relationship with New Mardi Gras, and a fantastic way to play your part in achieving equality is to participate in our events in the coming months. No special skills are required, just your enthusiasm and energy!

Firstly, we need you to join our float, -˜Mission Possible: 009 Sequined Service’. You can either march/dance in a stylized tuxedo, or carry a banner with the Lobby’s targeted reforms of 2009 and achievements over the last 21 years.

But if marching ain’t your thing, there are other events you can participate in:

-¢ Launch Night Fundraiser (Saturday 21 February, 10:30pm to 1:30am) Dinner followed by collecting donations at Oxford St venues to help fund our campaigns for the year.

-¢ Fair Day (Sunday 15 February, 10am – 6:30pm). Volunteers are needed to help with the Lobby’s Sea of Hearts event, staff the Lobby stall and collect donations.

-¢ Harbour Party (March 1, 2:30pm – 11:30pm. Volunteer on the cloakroom and help with guest relations. Hosted by New Mardi Gras, this is a major fundraiser for the Lobby. A maximum of 40 volunteers are allowed and volunteers receive a free ticket to the party.

-¢ Toybox Cloakroom (Sunday 8 March, 11:30am – 8:30pm). Volunteer on the cloakroom at Sydney’s most playful gay and lesbian party. Held at Luna Park, 20 volunteers are needed and will receive a free ticket to the party.

To volunteer for any of these events listed, email [email protected] with your contact details (name, phone, and email), which event/s you would like to volunteer for and your preferred shift. So get your marching legs on and together we can achieve equality.

Emily Gray is the convenor of the Gay and
Lesbian Rights Lobby.