Queer legal service launches tomorrow
Former High Court Judge Michael Kirby will officially launch Australia’s first stand-alone community legal centre for GLBTI people in Brisbane tomorrow, December 1.
“It is significant that the service will be launched on International World AIDS Day which takes as its theme this year Universal Access and Human Rights,” said LGBTI Legal Service President Merran Lawler.
The service, which will offer individual legal advice and support and also focus on continuing campaigns to improve access to justice for LGBTI people, is entirely unfunded and staffed by volunteers.
“We are fortunate to have a significant number of Brisbane solicitors and community workers who generously donate their time to provide free legal services to LGBTI clients,” said LGBTI Legal Service Coordinator Julie Howes.
The service operates from 6-7:30pm on Wednesday evenings from the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities office at 30 Helen Street, Teneriffe.
David, LGBTI people face many issues that the wider community don’t. Just think about the complex legal arrangements that need to be made for same-sex parents/families and supporting those that are the victims of stigma & discrimination/homophobia. Talking to a solicitor who is sensitive to these issues and experienced in handling them is a great benefit for the community. Some LGBTI people don’t get treated compassionately or with understanding when accessing mainstream services.
Maybe you could put yourself in someone else’s shoes for a minute before firing off nasty comments about Kirby, a man who many consider to be a legend because of his work for equality and human rights.
Why are the LGBTI community any more incapable of accessing legal services – like any other member of the wider community!? Michael Kirby seems to love preaching the politics of victimhood and continues to widen the social rifts by emphasising ‘difference’.
In a subtle way, the new legal centre seems to be discriminating against straight people – they are not eligible to access this service apparently!?
If that’s not reverse discrimination then I don’t know what is!
Shame Kirby!