The thinking person’s Games

While some Sydneysiders and visitors will be too busy partying or playing to get down to any serious thought in late October, there are many who are looking forward to more mental pursuits.

Seven conferences have been organised for the two-week Gay Games festival period, on topics from homosexual histories to trade unionism.

Amnesty International Australia has compiled an impressive list of guest speakers for their global human rights conference.

Among them are AMA president Kerryn Phelps, Justice Michael Kirby, Ashok Row Kavi, the editor of India’s only gay magazine, and veteran gay rights activist Rodney Croome. The conference will discuss issues facing gay and lesbian people internationally, with particular focus on the Asia Pacific region.

Workers Out will be the second international forum focusing on homophobia in the workplace and the approaches the trade union movement is making to deal with the issues.

Workers Out conference organisers are expecting delegates from more than 30 countries. Debate will cover a wide range of topics, including HIV/AIDS in the workplace, issues facing workers in rural areas and international networking between gay and lesbian international union movements.

The First Cultures: Race, Sexuality And Identity will be the international conference designed for indigenous gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

First Cultures has been designed to build networks between indigenous communities, as well opening communications between indigenous gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender indigenous and non-indigenous people.

Two events worth a day trip are being held in Newcastle -“ Australian Homosexual Histories from 28 to 29 October and Queer Studies: Out From The Centre from 29 to 30 October.

The history conference is an annual event looking at homosexuality through the ages, while Queer Studies is a multi-issue conference looking at a range of topics, from regionality to queers in sport.

At the 7th International Conference On Bisexuality speakers will discuss the history of bisexuality and the increasing awareness surrounding bisexual people.

Finally, Health In Difference 4: A Conference Exploring Queer Health will bring health and welfare workers together to discuss sex, gender, health and wellbeing for people identifying as non-heterosexual.

Conference registrations are closing very soon, so be quick.

 

Details and contacts:

The 7th International Conference On Bisexuality -“ University of Technology, Broadway. 25-28 October. Visit www.bi.org.au/7ICB or email [email protected].

First Cultures: Race, Sexuality And Identity -“ Marrickville Town Hall. 30 October-1 November. Visit www.firstcultures.com.au or phone 9514 1905.

Amnesty International Australia -“ Y on the Park, Sydney. 30 October-1 November. Visit www.amnesty.org.au/whatshappening /conference or email [email protected].

Workers Out: The 2nd World Conference Of Lesbian And Gay Trade Unionists -“ Sydney University. 31 October-2 November. Visit www.workersout.com or email [email protected].

Health In Difference 4: A Conference Exploring Queer Health -“ Sydney University. 31 October-2 November. Visit www.healthindifference.org or email [email protected].

Australian Homosexual Histories Conference -“ Newcastle City Hall. 28-29 October. Email [email protected].

Queer Studies: Out From The Centre -“ Newcastle City Hall. 29-30 October. Visit www.newcastle.edu.au/school/newc-business/irhr/qs, email [email protected] or phone 4921 8985.