Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Farewell Henry
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby are saddened by the news that Henry Collier, an ex-Committee member, passed away last week. Henry was the Treasurer of the GLRL Committee from 1993 – 1998. Henry was also a very active member of our community who fought for equality and social justice for the GLBT community in any way he could. On behalf of the GLRL Committee of Management, we would like to send our condolences to Henry’s family and friends, and would like to thank him for his valuable contributions to our community.
— Kellie McDonald
& Benjamin Keats
Co-Convenors,
NSW GLRL

Prostate cancer
August 31 was National Cancer Day.
This September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month.
I am a 48-year-old gay male who was diagnosed on August 31 with prostate cancer.
My partner and I have been searching for a gay men’s cancer support group or gay cancer service to speak to.
What I am finding more astounding as each day goes by is that, from what I have found out, there is no gay men’s cancer group or gay men’s cancer support of any description in Sydney or anywhere in Australia. Please correct me if I am wrong. Prostate cancer seems to make others clam up and not want to speak to you. Long-term internet friends don’t know what to say. It’s like ‘Well, that’s your problem. It does not affect me.’
One of the HIV organisations suggested speaking to a counsellor. That’s not what I’m looking for. What I’m looking for is to find other gay men who have had the particular surgery I have to have in a few weeks to talk to. What I can expect with the probable effects of the surgery sex-wise and just to speak to other gay men who have experienced this cancer. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
If anyone out there around my age reading this has had a radical prostatectomy and is willing to talk, please contact me through this paper.
We all age. We don’t stay in our 20s and 30s and party all night. HIV is not the only disease out there that affects gay men.
It is Prostate Cancer Awareness month and a bit more awareness would be a great thing.
— William
STAND UP
In regards to the gay bashing of Aaron and Greg, I think it is horrible they had to go through all that. What kind of society do we live in when as a community we don’t feel protected by the police?
As a young person who grew up in the western suburbs, it was definitely hard growing up gay in the suburbs. Where straight kids can get information on safe sex, drugs, alcohol, etc, there is nothing for the rainbow community.
There is a line in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, something along the lines of “I don’t know if the wall of suburbia is there to keep us out or them in”. Aaron and Greg’s case only highlights this. In Australia we accept homophobia and racism as part of our personalities as Australians.
If we look back through history, no movement or no minority group can move ahead without clear leadership. I think our community desperately needs one of the more prominent members of our society to finally stand up and have his say, instead of ‘being part of the club’. If as a community we are going to make a stand we need one loud clear voice!
It’s clear no one in government is willing to listen to our demands for our basic human rights, no one is willing to take on the taboo topic of nurturing GLBT youth. Until we look after our own community more nothing is going to change. Stand up, everyone, and be heard.
— Lachlan
RAINBOW FLAG
So good to read in SSO 988 that City of Sydney is considering flying a rainbow flag on Town Hall during Mardi Gras. It may not seem like a big deal, but symbolically I think it’s huge.
It would indicate that local government not only ‘allows’ Mardi Gras to take place, but they are celebrating it along with us! I hope they do it.
— Craig
JOYOUS LOGO
I would just like to say thanks for changing your logo.
I didn’t get the other one (except the colours, of course), but your new one is a joyous and happy one. And the best thing is it screams I’M GAY AND PROUD, unlike other gay publication titles on the street. Out, gay and happy!
— Mark

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2 responses to “Letters to the Editor”

  1. To William,

    I am going through something very similar at the moment.
    If you want to contact me and have a chat, bitch, whinge or even a coffee feel free to hit me up. :)

    Cheers