Gay radio under threat

Gay radio under threat

The future of Sydney’s longest-running LGBTI community radio show is under threat after Liverpool Council reneged on promises to provide the area’s community station 2GLF with a new home.

Queer Out West will have been broadcasting on 2GLF for a decade in December, but its future after that is unclear after the station was issued an eviction notice from the council-owned Liverpool School of the Arts.

The station had known the move was coming, but council had previously assured the station that a new home would be found for it, with the Casula Powerhouse, Liverpool Museum and Liverpool Skate Rink named as possible sites.

But council officers have now told 2GLF the “council cannot offer any alternative premises to the radio station”.

2GLF chair Eddie Diwakar said he was at a loss to explain the reversal.

“Council had always said it would offer its support in finding a new home for the station and now it suddenly turns its back,” he told the Star Observer.

“Six months is not a long time to construct studios and move — particularly when you don’t have anywhere to go. The decision made by the council is unreasonable and unrealistic and will have a significant impact in 2GLF providing services to our community.”

2GLF has been serving the Liverpool-Fairfield region for more than 28 years, getting its start in the 1970s after lobbying the federal government for a community radio licence.

Queer Out West presenter Beverly Buttercup said she was concerned for the future of the station and the Queer Out West program.

“Hopefully by 2012 we’ll have new premises because it would be pretty sad if we don’t, but it is a lot for us to do in six months,” she said.

“We are looking into the possibility of getting a loan to buy our own premises, but it could cost thousands to fit out new premises so it’s a big job.

“Considering we’re the oldest gay radio show in western Sydney it would be really sad if we had to go off the air, but only time will tell.

“We may have to look at getting the support of another council in the area but this all has to be done in the next few months.”

Buttercup encouraged readers to send emails of support to the station that could be shown to councillors and MPs and to sign an online petition in support of 2GLF staying on air.

INFO: www.saveourstation.com.au

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