NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL GLORIAs

Submitted by Cathy Brown on Thu, 19/04/2012 - 2:33pm

MEDIA RELEASE: NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL GLORIAs

(Gay & Lesbian Outrageous, Ridiculous and Ignorant comment Awards)

Launching the third annual the GLORIA awards today, NSW Labor MLC Penny Sharpe asked the public to nominate the most outrageous, ridiculous or ignorant homophobic or transphobic comment they had read or seen about the GLBTI* community in the past year.

Held on the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) which is 17 May each year, the GLORIAs are modelled on former NSW MP Meredith Burgmann’s annual Ernie awards for sexist comments.

“Every day there are public comments about people in the GLBTI community that are ignorant, unhelpful and sometimes downright dangerous.

"The GLORIAs shine a light on these comments and provide an opportunity to expose homophobia and transphobia in our community and have some fun at the same time." Ms Sharpe said.

"Unfortunately there is no shortage of material. In 2012 we have had a former Christian Democratic Party candidate travelling along the east coast of Australia in a truck with a billboard proclaiming that 'same sex marriage is homosexual sex-ed for your young children'.

"Not to mention the anti-gay marriage ad that Bob Katter's party ran during the Queensland elections."

"In the sports category there have been several nominations of the comments made by Margaret Court during the Australian Open."

Individuals can nominate the comments that have made their blood boil during 2011/2012 online at www.theglorias.com.au until Friday 4 May.

This year awards will be given in six categories - Media, Sport, Politics / Law, Religion, Silliest GLBTI & International. Voting will commence on 7 May and close at 5pm on the night of the awards dinner, Thursday 17 May 2012.

The penultimate prize, the Golden GLORIA, for the worst comment of the year, will be decided at the annual gala dinner held at NSW Parliament House via a “boo off’.

Visit www.theglorias.com.au to book tickets for the awards night, to see a of list last year’s winners or to nominate a comment for the 2012 GLORIAs.