Andrew to stir Sydney Star Observer’s political pot

Sydney Star Observer this week welcomes a new columnist to the team, Andrew M. Potts.

Potts, 29, joins SSO as political commentator in his new column Stirring the Pot.

“Politics for me is what sport or music is for other people, though I’ve never been a member of a political party,” says Potts. “It’s a passion – even when it’s infuriating or heart-breaking. Politics is the big conversation – the nerve system of any society.”

Andrew has contributed to some of the world’s leading queer publications including The Advocate online and Pinknews.co.uk.

His work also appears regularly in DNA and he helped the magazine set up its coming out forum for gay men in regional Australia, in conjunction with Big Brother and Dancing With The Stars contestant David Graham.

In 2006 Potts wrote a series of articles investigating a Christian counselling centre in the Sutherland Shire that planned to counsel victims of child abuse alongside gays and lesbians trying to “overcome” their sexuality. His work led to that program being closed down.

“I think belonging to the first generation of gay men for whom coming out didn’t necessarily mean losing friends or family gives me a different take on what our position within Australia is or should be,” he said. “I’m a pragmatist, not an ideologue. Equality and respect cut both ways and I don’t have the bunker mentality some activists do. Nor do I let my sexuality define me.”

SSO publishing editor Scott Abrahams said he was thrilled to have Andrew as part of the team.

“Andrew’s passion for politics and equality struck me the moment we first met, and I know he is going to add a new depth to SSO’s coverage of events in and affecting our community,” he said.

Potts said he was delighted to be part of the new SSO team and was looking forward to tackling some difficult and controversial issues.

“I’m here to end a few myths, slay a few dragons, and step on a few toes – gay as well as straight,” he said. “Occasionally, I may offend. But I don’t agree that controversy and debate divide us – it’s how we get things settled. That being said, I don’t suffer fools lightly.”

If you’d like to suggest topics for Andrew to cover, email him at [email protected].