Julian Punch MR, League of Gentlemen
Eight people have received Rainbow awards to honour their efforts in supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people in Tasmania.
The awards were presented at a dinner attended by more than 150 people at the Waterfront Hotel at Bellerive Saturday night (Dec 8).
Spokesperson for the awards committee Julian Punch acknowledged the award-winners as people of great commitment and courage for working with a section of the community that still experienced prejudice and discrimination in Tasmania.
Mr Punch praised the winners, as people who had made a difference in changing attitudes in society after some gay people had had to leave the state to avoid prejudice.
“Some have even suicided or attempted to do so.” Mr Punch said.
Several local government, state and federal politicians attended the dinner and presented the awards in a bipartisan acknowledgement of their commitment to supporting diversity during Human Rights Week 2007.
The Awards, which are part of Human Rights Week celebrations, were presented to –
* Community Harmony Award – Excellence in Journalism: Airlie Ward of ABC Stateline for her presentation of the GLBTI culture and its struggle to achieve safety and equity in local and regional communities.
* Courage of Conviction Award: Jo Goodman for recognising the Rights of THE Private Individual through her courageous and tenacious stand to have sexual and gender diversity issues recognised at the local government level.
* Australian Services Union and Mike Swanton, for recognising the Rights of Private Individuals in support provided to members of the gay and lesbian community in their fight against discrimination, harassment and constructive dismissal in the workplace.
*Community Well-being Award: Elizabeth College GLBTI Network – Government Services Division – as a most important initiative providing peer support for GLBTI Students.
* Community Well-being Award: Baden Phillips GLBTI Service Organisation – because of his work with young people to support their right to choice and self- determination of their sexuality & their transition into an often-insensitive world with a sense of dignity and worth.
* Community Wellbeing Award for Community Organisations – Hobart Pride Choir for the joy brought to the whole community as well as celebrating the GLBTI culture in Southern Tasmania.
*Progressive Business award: Tourism Tasmania – Government Services Division, for its work with tourism industry operators to develop and promote gay-friendly holiday experiences in Tasmania and marketing them to the GLBTI community interstate.
*Community Harmony Award: Dave Arnold & Peter Brown for their role in the Tasmanian Aids Council, the Tasmanian Law Reform Group, and for supporting Country Network that gives GLBTI people a chance to meet in friendship in each state.
