It has been my privilege to preside over the Star Observer for the last five years, but today I say goodbye.
I was initially going to use this space to say thank you to my staff, the board of directors, shareholders and the wonderful community members I have met along the way. But on reflection they are messages I’d rather share privately.
Instead I’d rather use my farewell column to sound an alarm about the community and its future.
Over the course of the past five years, I have grown increasingly concerned at the lack of maturity with which sectors of the LGBTI community engage in debate.
It seems for many the natural reaction to criticism is to jump on the defensive and spray a handful of bitchy insults at our opposition.
It’s the kind of petty schoolyard politics that does little more than confirm to our oppressors the very stereotypes we fight to shake off.
And we don’t just react this way to comments from those outside the community. In fact I’d say we treat each other worse.
We call each other names, white-ant others’ positions and generate scurrilous gossip and rumours that have no basis in fact. When someone in the community finds the courage to take a stand, we bitch about them, belittle them and hide behind the cloak of online anonymity to take personal swipes at them.
I know it is true — I’ve been on the receiving end of plenty of these attacks, and almost every community leader I know has been through the same cycle.
They are disturbing, vicious, gutless attacks designed not to further debate, but to hurt and wound. And they do us no favours.
If we as a community are to successfully progress our demand for equal treatment at every level we must learn to debate with maturity and reason. We must learn to treat those who disagree with respect and basic human courtesy — no matter how irrational and unreasonable their statements may be.
Because freedom of speech comes with responsibilities — it is not a wholesale term that can be used to excuse substandard behaviours.
This article gives me a strange sense of comfort. I’ve been a proactive member in the Briz Queer community for quite awhile. I’ve experienced a great deal of joy, success & met some truly wonderful people through my events & workshops.. However I’ve also met some incredibly unscrupulous, manipulative, competitive, lying, nasty & flat out mean people who have set out to destroy my reputation, confidence, self-esteem & collectively have virtually brought my work, ambitions & good spirit to a complete Halt!
I was once renowned as the supreme optimist, a Pied Piper of the People & a papa bear for all the wayward kids. I’m a self proclaimed “Contemporary Indigenous Princess Warrior” who had the courage to bring mine & others dreamz to fruition & speak the unspoken. But now, I’m an empty broken shell. I gave my all to this community but the movers & shakers have made sure.. I can do No More! + Entertainers & the average person are hesitant to associate with me for fear of also being isolated or outcast or missing out on work opportunities.
It’s a crying shame as when I came Out & commenced my unique programs, i finally found my feet & a place where I thought that “I fit”. I’m by no means suicidal but can completely understand why suicide rates in the Queer community are so high. I’ve run creative programs for LGBT People to “Experience Empowerment through Entertainment” aiming to create unique opportunities to gain creative stage experience/exposure + great memories to escape to when old age set in..the good memories still linger but unfortunately the Bitter taste in my mouth is starting to outweigh all those years of bringing mine & many many others “Dreamz into Reality”. All I can do is pray that this nightmare ends. So I can once again look forward to every new day & maybe even be allowed to experience the freedom to carry on with my innovative work & what I once considered my gift to the Queer world..
I was born to serve & help others achieve their inner potential.. But sadly without people.. I’m just Tarnished!
A Much loved loss to the GLBTIQ publishing world, Good Luck and Thank You for everything
Thanks for all your support Scott, not only with the SSO, but also in a previous life at the Canterbury Bankstown Express.
Your final words in this piece, echo a truth which is too rarely given public attention.
May we all reflect on those words as we aim to make our community better and more inclusive.
Forever grateful for all your efforts and guidance.
Best of luck for the future.
Sorry to hear you are moving on Scott, Thank your for your contribution and leadership to the whole LGBTI community over the last few years.
Ken
Thank you for your contribution, Scott!
You will be missed!
Thanks for your contribution, Scott! You will be missed!
All the best, Scott!
Thank your for your great contribution to the LGBTI community!
All the best for the future.
Hopefully we take your comments seriously. Difficult as it can be to keep one’s cool sometimes, I agree that a deep breath and a measured response will go a lot further with the parts of society that can have most impact on our communities.
Great reflections, Scott. Our community is what we make of it, and we need to stop these people in their tracks when the acid tongues come out:
http://bipolarbear.co.nz/2011/11/01/confronting-poison/
Professional to the last! You will be missed – good luck in your new endeavours my friend
Scott
I add you are spot on re your comments re the maturity level(at times) in our community. The sexism, transphobia and biphobia (and other similar behaviours of prejudice that occur) are not on and it is time they were called out. Similarly, trying to raise debate about the pros and cons of various queer orgs result in the same snipey comebacks to the detriment of all. Thanks for giving what you could to take a lead on these points, very much needed and appreciated.
Thank you for putting out there concerns that I have consistently been raising within my group of friends, socially and with many LGBTI rights organisations.
I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments.
[…] Abrahams, outgoing CEO of Star Observer, makes this timely observation: When someone in the community finds the courage to take a stand, we bitch about them, belittle […]
Thank you Scott, not for your ‘Unwavering opinion’ to which you held with guns blazing; but for your amazing ability to engage. Not at a cynical, small minded or uneducated level, but in a manner that forced many of us to lift our game. You have not always ‘gone with the flow’ but you have always helped community members into the boat.
From a sporting perspective – Freezone Volleyball has been generously supported during very tough financial times – you leadership and demands for increased sports publicity in return for sponsorship have been balanced and forward thinking. You have never ‘thrown money’ at us; you have sought out, promoted and assisted the formation of community based partnership, demonstrating sound fiscal oversight at all times of SSO Media.
You are in the select group, Stevie Clayton, Michael Kirby and perhaps the Gay Games Ambassadors, who have used position, authority and power to drag, sometimes kicking and screaming, sections of our community to volunteer time, skills and resources for projects to benefit those who lacked a powerful community voice.
As a columnist, your management of volunteers, your guidance and professional supervision has ensured high standards at all times in our national gay press. The influence locally and internationally never ceases to amaze me; from the comments and questions I receive at Team Sydney and Freezone Volleyball.
I won’t discuss the leap into the 21st century that has been engineered by the team at SSO on a shoestring budget.
Michael, the Furkids and I cannot thank you enough for your input into our lives, and trust that the fitter, leaner SSO team will continue in your legacy: empowerment, professionalism, emotional engagement and collaborative leadership.
Fuck Yeah!
Farewell friend. I would like to say a personal friend but in fact, over the last 5 years you have been a friend of the entire LGBTQI family – a farking good friend.
Your legacy will be hard to fill. Best wishes to your replacement.
Farewell Ed, your legacy is a shining beacon in the dark for many. Thank you for opening the doors and windows, taking risks and the creative push.
Lots of best wishes and love
John x