Letters to the Editor

SUPERHEROES
I’d like to openly thank the staff of Twenty10 for their ongoing support over the last three years of my life.
On October 27, I broke my knee getting off a train and I’ve been at Westmead Hospital since the morning after the fall. Without the loves of my life by my bedside, I was struggling to put my all into the physiotherapy required to recuperate. I felt so alone and helpless.
Groups and events co-ordinator Julia Thompson has been keeping in regular contact with me about the Twenty10 play I was involved in before this ordeal.
My case manager Lori made the trek all the way from Newtown to visit and we had the most wonderful chat before planning my life post-hospital. I am confident and moving around well.
A  couple of years ago the theme for the Twenty10 float at Mardi Gras was superheroes. To me, every person working for us young queers at Twenty10 — they are true superheroes.
— jonBrandon
OOH LA LA
A group of my friends and I have been regulars attending the Pollys functions over the last five years.
We would like to say what a great night out the October 17 show Ooh Lah Lah was. In our opinion it was the best show produced in a long time and we are looking forward to the coming Christmas dance/show.
— Peter
ROLE MODELS
Was Doug Pollard at Fair Day this year to hear Andrew Heslop’s powerful speech launching our Mardi Gras Festival? His words resonated with the crowd and challenged us all to consider what it means to identify as GLTBI in 2009.
As Andrew said, we have gained so much thanks to the brave Sydneysiders who stood up to the NSW Government and police in 1978 when the Sydney Morning Herald published the names of those arrested. Yet without them, our standing would be much diminished.
Pollard should think carefully before he knocks an idea which has positive intentions.
— Simon
out of step
Perhaps it is Doug Pollard who is out of step with the community.
His rant echoes the Daffyd character from Little Britain whose sexual identity is the driving and prime element of the character’s personality. However, I believe in contemporary Australia we have moved past that attitude and are more tolerant and embracing.
Are all gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and intersex people automatically obliged to give back something to the community? I think not and you only have to look to this year’s Mardi Gras for that. Keynote speaker Andrew Heslop acknowledged his sexuality while imploring us to work as a much wider and inclusive community.
The SameSame 25 Awards identify and create role models, highlighting leaders in their respective fields of endeavour.
— Sue
PROVING IT
In relation to two males who are seeking refugee status having to ‘prove’ they are gay (SSO 992), so what ‘proof’ is required of a male and a female, in the same situation?  What sort of society are we allowing to be created in Australia?
— Robyn