Rainbow matters
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 127 No 8, 2 November 2022, page no. 18
QTU Pride Committee
As we come to the end of our first year as a standing committee, the focus of the Pride Committee has been on enhancing the visibility of our LGBTIQ+ members, and on supporting the LGBTIQ+ students our members teach. We have recently had some new merchandise made, and we look forward to that making its way to schools over the coming months.
Brisbane Pride celebrations
On Saturday 24 September, members of the QTU’s Rainbow Action Group (RAG) joined with unionists from across the movement and the queer community to celebrate Brisbane Pride.
QTU members participated in the march to Musgrave Park and joined with other unionists at the Union Pride stall run by the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU). There were conversations about current QTU and QCU campaigns, including the push to include the LGBTIQ+ community as a fifth diversity target group in the new public service legislation, and the QCU’s work with Respect Inc on the campaign to decriminalise sex work.
It was a day filled with rainbows, fairy floss and fun. We hope to have even more members join us next year. If you’d like to stay up to date, please join our Rainbow Action Group via https://www.qtu.asn.au/lgbtiqplus/join-qtu-rainbow-action-group.
Sydney Mardi Gras
You may recall that the NSW Teachers Federation was disappointed to have its application to have a float in next year’s Mardi Gras rejected. NSWTF members were among the 78ers (participants in the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras held on 24 June 1978) and have been staunch supporters of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Thankfully, the NSWTF recently heard that the organisers have reconsidered, and they will have a float after all.
WorldPride
Next year’s Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will be bigger than ever, as it will be hosting WorldPride, the first time a city in the southern hemisphere has been chosen to host this global festival.
Sydney WorldPride will incorporate all the beloved Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events, plus a broad festival offering across arts, sport, theatre, concerts, parties, First Nations programming and a human rights conference. The 200+ event festival coincides with the 45th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and the fifth anniversary of marriage equality in Australia.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) and the NSWTF will be hosting the Diversity in Education Conference on Tuesday 28 February. This conference has been recognised by World Pride and abuts the World Pride Human Rights Conference being held from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 March. The Diversity in Education Conference is a stand-alone event focusing on issues concerning students, teachers, and the broader education community. It is hoped that international visitors as well as national representatives will choose to attend both conferences. The QTU intends to send a small delegation to these conferences.