Rainbow Dinner & Awards

Every year Tasmanian rainbow people (sexual & gender diverse people) gather together as a community of family and friends to celebrate our diversity and acknowledge those who act with courage to work to achieve fairness & equity. The Rainbow Awards are principally a celebration of our diversity and the richness that we contribute to the life of our communities.

This year we have 11 Awards that recognise both individuals and organisations that have demonstrated both courage, tenacity and passion in acting for change. The Awards will be presented at the Rainbow Dinner on the 5 December 2001 at 6.30 pm at the Mercure Hotel 156 Bathurst St Hobart. Judy Tierney is the MC

The Biennial Dinner and Awards is sponsored by the League of Gentlefellows The League of Gentlefellows (LoG) is a State Wide informal grouping of over 1000 Tasmanian Gay (men’s space) & Lesbian (women’s space) people and their friends who meet in a social setting on a regular basis (in a non threatening and safe environment) to celebrate their lives and enjoy one another’s company.

The following awards will be made:
Judy Jackson Commitment to Law Reform
Paul Thomas & Bob Brown Outstanding Voices for Change
Bob Lavis Overseas Development
Centrelink Financial Information Services Government Services Division
Ian Horncastle Importance of Suicide Prevention
Outright Youth Support Group Voices for Change
MAN2MAN Program Brian Morris Community Services Division
DS Coffee Lounge Steve Hollingsworth Establishing a Harmonious, and Creative Community
Gay & Lesbian Switchboard Community Services Division
GLC Pride Social Events for the Gay & Lesbian Community
Michael O’Halloran Outstanding Volunteer Support

Community Harmony Award * Commitment and Perseverance in Law Reform
Judy Jackson
Nominated: Lara Giddings Attorney General Presented
Our community (GLBTI) their family and friends sincerely thank you Judy for your tenacity and dedication in delivering us the Relationship Act 2003, when you were Attorney General of Tasmania.

Community Well-being Award – Outstanding Voices for Change
Paul Thomas & Bob Brown
Nominated John Perry
The Rainbow Community thanks Bob & Paul who have registered their relationship and for their courage to present their relationship as worthy of the recognition that other couples have in Marriage. Paul & Bob are a very public same sex couple and have maintained a strong campaign on relationship equity while insisting on respect for privacy in their personal commitment to each other.

Community Well-being Award * Overseas Development
Bob Lavis
Nominated Brian Doran
The Rainbow Community applauds Bob Lavis for his great commitment and self sacrifice in establishing and developing the international best practice Himalayan Spiti Dental Program.

Community Well-being Award * Government Services Division
Centrelink Financial Information Services Hobart Julie Cowley
Nominated Jo Goodman*
Centrelink staff are thanked and applauded by our community for the four regional forums they conducted in collaboration with the Coming Out Proud State Steering Committee to explain and offer assistance to those same sex couples affected by the Federal legislation removing over 85 pieces of discriminatory legislation.

Courage of Conviction Award * Recognising the Importance of Suicide Prevention
Ian Horncastle Men in Uniform Postcards
Nominated Marnie Punch
Enormous appreciation goes to Ian Horncastle for his passion and dedication to suicide prevention. His personal loss of a loved partner has driven him to dedicate his photography and fundraising skills & talents to Lifeline. There is no doubt his efforts will result in others not suffering through a loved one’s suicide.

Community Well-being Award – Outstanding Voices for Change
Outright Youth Support Group
Nominated Sandi Verrier
The Outright Youth Support Group is a most important innovative initiative providing critical peer support for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Young People. Four very dedicated young people Scott, Connie, Joshua and Ben have established the OutRight Youth Group to better support young rainbow people ‘coming out’ into a sometimes hostile and threatening environment. Tonight we applaud them as well as the teachers and youth workers who have supported them. We also acknowledge the Hobart City Council who supported them in their efforts.

Community Well-being Award * Community Services Division
MAN2MAN Program Brian Morris
Nominated Jude O’Day
The MAN2MAN Program (formally the Gay Men’s Health Program) has re-established an emphasis on the sexual health of men who are attracted to other men. The Program, coordinated by TasCAHRD’s Brian Morris has effectively reached out to men in all parts of Tasmania but notably to those in the North and North-West of Tasmania. As well as on-line outreach the work of the Program has resulted in increased numbers of men accessing sexual health services and established effective relationships with local government, services and groups in regional Tasmania.

Community Well Being- Establishing a Positive Harmonious, and Creative Communal Setting.
DS Coffee Lounge Steve Hollingsworth & David Batters
Nominated Cr Liz Smith
The unique contribution that Rainbow People make to the creation of a culture that celebrates and values its diversity is immeasurable in establishing harmonious communities. Tonight we recognise and applaud Dave & Steve’s great contribution to the Huon Valley community through setting up the DS Coffee Lounge & Internet Café as a place wher people can relax, meet one another and share their lives in a positive, harmonious and creative communal setting.

Community Well being- – Award * Community Services Division
Gay & Lesbian Switchboard
Nominated Dr Wilfred Laycock
The Switchboard telephone counselling & referral service is applauded for its support to rainbow people in Tasmania. The confidential professional service is an essential service in remote rural areas of Tasmania where support is not always readily available and the situation of isolation and discrimination can create a desperate and critical loneliness.

Gay & Lesbian Centre Inc
To night is a chance to thank all the past and present members of the Gay & Lesbian Centre for their dedication, commitment and professionalism in providing social events that promotes the positive contribution of our community.

Michael O’Halloran
Nominated Julian Punch
The Rainbow Community thanks Michael for his work in establishing and maintaining the League of Gentlefellows and Coming Out Proud Web Sites. They are an important source of information and ‘gay friendly’ resources for people who have a need for this unique and important information.
Julian Punch AM State Coordinator Coming Out Proud