Our Community

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA

Amnesty LGBTQ Network and Community Action Against Homophobia are marking the International Day Against Homophobia tonight, Thursday 17 May, with a short candlelight vigil. Activists around the world will be asking people to sign a petition to the United Nations for the worldwide decriminalisation of homosexuality. The Sydney vigil will be held in Taylor Square at 7pm.

TRANS MP FOR AURORA DINNER

Charity fundraising group Aurora has announced details of its annual dinner to be held on Saturday 30 June at Sydney Town Hall. Keynote speaker will be the world’s first ever transsexual mayor and MP Georgina Beyer. The Maori former sex worker will be travelling over from New Zealand exclusively for the Aurora dinner and will talk about her life journey. Christine Anu, Michael Falzone and Mitzi Macintosh will also be entertaining at the James Bond-themed meal. More information and ticketing information can be found at www.auroragroup.com.au or by calling 9331 5276.

URGENT: SYDNEY PRIDE NEEDS SUPPORT

Sydney Pride centre is in dire straits and urgently needs more support, according to the current directors. The centre, based in Erskineville, has been a base for many organisations as well as a community venue. In the past it also organised massive dance parties at Fox Studios. However, poor support from the community and a string of financial losses have brought the centre close to closure. We need more active members, volunteers, and in particular board members. If you have anywhere from a spare half an hour a week, to a spare few hours a week, Pride is in desperate times and needs your support, director Murray Hood says. Sydney Pride can be contacted at www.pride.org.au or by emailing [email protected].

ARE YOU TOO QUEER TO SCREEN?

The body behind Sydney’s gay and lesbian film festival wants to know more about your film-going habits. Are you a butch action hero type? How about snuggling in the back row to a romantic comedy? Queer Screen is asking community members what films they want to see and where they want to see them in a survey to determine future directions for the festival and its monthly retrospectives. The survey can be found at www.queerscreen.com.au.

FIRST AID FROM LEATHER PRIDE

Sydney Leather Pride is hosting a first aid training course this weekend specially tailored for the gay and lesbian community. The one-day course is run by St John’s Ambulance and will be held at the Aurora Gallery in Newtown. Places can be booked by contacting [email protected].