Media release – Equality Tasmania, 15 November 2021
HISTORY OF HATE DISPELLED AS ULVERSTONE FLIES THE RAINBOW FLAG
The Tasmanian town once dubbed Australia’s most homophobic raised the rainbow flag over its council chambers in a special ceremony this morning.
Ulverstone was notorious in the 1990s for anti-gay rallies and homophobic hate speech by local community leaders. It was lampooned in national comedy shows like “Fast Forward” and the Lonely Planet tourist guide warned LGBTIQ+ travellers to avoid it.
But in recent years Ulverstone has turned the corner. In 2018 the local council passed a motion in support of the LGBTIQ+ community, placed an LGBTIQ+ inclusion plaque and planted a tree in ANZAC Park, and lit the town bridge in rainbow colours to mark Tasmania’s Pride Week.
Now Ulverstone is flying the rainbow flag in the week leading up to NW Tasmania’s biggest annual event, Out in the Park, in Ulverstone on Sunday November 21st.
Speakers at today’s flag raising included Mayor Jan Bonde, LGBTIQ+ community elder, Trish Bock, and Equality Tasmania President, Rodney Croome, who grew up not far from Ulverstone.
Mr Croome said,
“Raising the rainbow flag over the council chambers in Ulverstone sends a message to LGBTIQ young people that they belong, helps heal old wounds and shows the world just how much Ulverstone has changed.”
“The rainbow flag represents LGBTIQ pride and inclusion, but the flag flying over Ulverstone has an extra layer of meaning because it says that anything is possible.”
About fifty people attended today’s flag raising, including students from Ulverstone High School.
Mr Croome thanked all those who spoke and attended, but reserved special praise for Cr Amanda Diprose who initiated the flag raising as well as the motion, plaque and rainbow bridge lights.
“It was wonderful to see so many LGBTIQ+ people at today’s flag raising, as well as so many allies including Amanda Diprose who is one of the hardest working, most passionate and most effective allies the LGBTIQ+ community could have.”
