We need your enthusiasm

Most of you would be aware that the GLRL is a membership-based not-for-profit organisation. We have fewer than one full-time staff member.

Volunteers have always run the GLRL, sometimes amounting to the equivalent of a full-time job, and we (being the current and past committees) acknowledge and very much appreciate the work the community has done with the GLRL and continues to do.

Without volunteers, the GLRL would not exist. Our board is made up entirely of volunteers, as are our working groups.

Would you like to volunteer for one of our working groups?

Our working groups have been flat out this year, and it is only January. We want as many hands on deck as we can muster to make 2012 an unforgettable year for the GLRL.

We have working groups on Mardi Gras, Events and Fundraising, Web and IT, and Marriage Equality, and we are looking at adding a few more groups to manage the workload the GLRL will have this year.

If you have the skills, or enthusiasm, or think you might be interested, please register your interest with us at [email protected]

From a human rights perspective, the comments made by Margaret Court and Jackie O last week serve as a reminder that although we have come a very long way in terms of legal and social recognition since the GLRL’s inception, we still have a lot of work to do to eliminate homophobia.

The GLRL addressed both of those comments in the mainstream press, and I would like to encourage everyone to express their feelings to their newspapers, Tennis Australia, and the Austereo complaints line.

If we all take a stand against homophobia, we can help build a more respectful community.

On a lighter note, our Mardi Gras float is ramping up, and promises to be better than ever! We’re holding a Mardi Gras information evening on Wednesday, February 1. Everyone is welcome, please drop us a line at [email protected]

In addition to marching in the parade, we have plenty of other events on offer — Fair Day, bucket-shaking launch night, party cloakrooms and helping build or costume the float, to name but a few.

Come join us for what will be a big start to 2012.

INFO: www.glrl.org.au

By LAINIE ARNOLD, NSW GLRL