Letters to the editor
CLEAN UP CALL
Talk about dual standards. On Sunday around 7.30am, on Campbell St, Surry Hills, several cars were towed away to make way for the Sydney marathon.
Two police officers were standing on the corner of Campbell and Denham Streets, 30 metres in direct line of sight of the back entrance to Kinselas in Little Bourke St, the location of much debate about garbage, public urinating and general thuggish behaviour.
During a 15-minute period five men urinated against the back wall. They were singing and shouting and were very noticeable to the police officers who did not act.
I feel sorry for the owners of the removed cars -” they attracted more attention than the drunks pissing in full view of police and locals.
Let’s clean up this area.
-” Fred, Surry Hills
WITH THANKS
Coastal Castaways, the GLBT group on the Mid North Coast, gives a big thank you to Sydney Star Observer for its support over the past few weeks in the promotion of our Charity Fundraiser Dance held on the 6 September at Pacific Palms Recreation Club.
A great night was had by all, with people from all over attending including Sydney, Newcastle, Tamworth and Grafton, etc.
A big thank you also to Sydney DJ Sandi Hotrod, as well as drag queen Beverly Buttercup and her entourage for two fabulous shows. All these people donated their time on the night.
It is hard to get the gay community in country areas together for an event like this and again, thanks SSO for its fabulous help with articles to promote it.
The biggest surprise of all was photographer Morgan Carpenter arriving to photograph the night and then have SSO publish photos of the fundraiser. Sensational.
Once again a big thanks you to all.
-” Mark, Ray and Tony, Coastal Castaways
MAZEL TOV
Usually the same-sex marriage debate leaves me cold. I must admit, however, that reading about Scott Whitmont and Christopher Whitmont-Stein’s commitment ceremony at Temple Emanuel synagogue (SSO 936) made me smile.
The Progressive Rabbinical Council is to be commended for its decision to allow Progressive synagogues to conduct same-sex ceremonies. It was also heartwarming to read that all three rabbis at Emanuel were involved in and excited by Scott and Christopher’s ceremony.
This commitment ceremony puts Progressive Judaism light years ahead of any stream or denomination of the other major faiths.
It’s not the first time that Progressive Judaism has shown the way -” the first female rabbi to be ordained was in Berlin in 1935. Her name was Regina Jonas and she was ordained in the Liberal (Progressive) stream of Judaism.
This was decades before any of the Christian denominations even started discussing the ordination of women.
To Scott and Christopher: Mazel tov. And what a lovely way to lead in to the Jewish new year. May it be a sweet one.
-” Rebecca, Newtown
HEAR US
On behalf of MAG, the Mature Age Gay Men’s Group, Australia’s largest gay organisation, I wish to thank SSO for providing a receptive ear to the needs and concerns of the senior segment of our GLBT Community.
In our youth-oriented gay western culture it behoves the younger generation amongst us to realise that they, in time, if they are lucky, will also become MAGs.
And we will be here to welcome them.
-” Steve Ostrow, founder MAG
MOVING FORWARD
As a young man I lived in a world where living a homosexual life was illegal, let alone unheard of. I have seen in my lifetime such changes that have made it possible for young people to live a gay life for all of their lives.
It seems to me that the majority of commercial out life is channelled towards the young and makes no account for the older gay man. In fact we are made to feel uncomfortable should we wish to join in with much of the festivities available on the current scene.
Most of what is now a normal gay life has been hard won by a generation of gay and lesbian people now moving into their dotage, and it is important that time is now taken out to look at what is going to be the next major problem to be rectified, that being the care for older gays and lesbians.
Our world has worked out the care of the so-called straight person but has taken no account for a generation of gays and lesbians who are now becoming the elderly, who have been able to live an out life for many years, and now require care.
Mature Age Gays is an organisation associated with and supported by ACON. It has a program with a wealth of meetings and activities for the older gay man. It is a start in the provision of specialised services and organisations for the older gay and lesbian community.
We at MAG are an organisation now in our 18th year. I was the president for the past five years and we pride ourselves on looking after the needs of the older gay man.
-” Erroll Higson, president, MAG
IT’S ABOUT RESPECT
On behalf of the senior gays please accept my thanks for publishing articles and photos of the Mature Age Gays’ (MAG) 17th birthday party in the issue 936 of the SSO.
I am glad the Star was also able to publish articles on Age shall not weary them and It just gets better with age, as when you turn 40 some regard you as being on the scrap heap. An organisation such as MAG encourages older gays to be active, to socialise with others and live lives to the fullest.
Our group was started from an idea by Steve Ostrow. ACON supported Steve’s idea and continues their support today, which we guys greatly appreciate.
However, without the dedication, love and friendship of countless guys over the past 17 years, we may not be in existence now.
We were honoured to have Justice Michael Kirby and his partner Johan who took time from their busy schedules to be present with us on the night.
You could hear a pin drop when Michael addressed the meeting. He is held in the highest regard by all of us at MAG.
Thank you, SSO, for respecting the senior side of the gay community.
-” David, secretary, MAG
THANKS, MALCOLM
I just wanted to say how great it was to see Malcolm Turnbull, newly elected Opposition Leader, be true to his word and continue to support gay rights in his recent interview with Kerry O’Brien.
We already know that we have a lot of support from the Labor Party but now, with the right person in charge of the Opposition, we might finally see some progress in Parliament and get Australia going in the right direction, and start getting the rights we deserve.
-” Sebastian, Sylvania
RECORD CRACK UP
All due respect must go to Jason Donovan. The guy has lived a life in the public eye that would make George Michael blush. He’s survived Neighbours, mullets, Stock, Aitken and Waterman, pantomimes, and public drug disasters. Really, the bio is a scream.
Despite all this, he’s managed to pick himself up off the deli floor, deal with the drugs and shame, and reestablish himself as an actor and genuinely interesting personality.
However, I’m concerned that this could all go to hell very quickly. Lately he’s been talking about releasing a new record, and I fear this could be a more devastating setback than dropping him off at the Viper Room with a sack of crack.
As the voice of authority in acceptable popular culture, I think it’s the gay community’s responsibility to let Jason know that no one needs to hear him sing. God forbid, he’s talking about an album in the genre of Amy Winehouse. I think she’s got enough problems with derivatives. Can we start a petition or something?
-” Sybil Liberty, North Ryde
