anti-discrimination

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Penny — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:56:12 -0600

News from Canberra is that overnight Australia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention is an international treaty that identifies the rights of persons with disabilities as well as the obligations on States parties to the Convention to promote, protect and ensure those rights.

The Convention aims to promote a global community in which all people with a disability are equal and active citizens. It is guided by principles of non-discrimination and full and effective participation and inclusion in society. So far, it has been ratified by 29 other countries.

Ratifying the Convention shows the Federal Government's international commitment to ensuring people with disability are treated equally. Australia will also be able to participate in the inaugural election of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities who will oversee the implementation of the Convention.

Congratulations to the Federal Government as well as the other Government and Non-Government stakeholders who worked together to see this important initiative achieved.

A tapestry of tragedy and optimism

Penny Sharpe — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:36:53 -0600

With these wise words from Daniel Swaine I attended the opening session of the NSW Anti Homophobia Interagency Conference - That's So Gay. Daniel spoke eloquently of the experience of students in our schools and the need for our school systems to tackle hompohobia head on to provide safety and recognition of identity for same sex attracted young people.

The conference also heard from Azlan Currie. Azlan is a primary school student from northern NSW who happens to have two mums. She gave a very funny insight into her life and how she explains the ordinary to those who consider her life extraordinary.

Back at the office I came across this video Somebody's Baby made by Andrew Stopps who has made a video in memory of the amercian teenager Larry King who was killed by a fellow student, primarily as a result of being gay.

7th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance

Penny Sharpe — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Posted Monday 20 November 06

Today in parliament house a seminar was held to mark the 7th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. The day is an international event that remembers those who have been killed as a result of anti transgender violence.

Kate Walker gave a paper on transphobia and it’s origins. This was followed by the first time showing of a film called A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story.

I participated in a panel. Panelists and audience members discussed a number of issues. Of particular importance was the level of violence, harassment and intimidation that transgender people suffer on a daily basis.

Other issues that were raised were the need for anti discrimination laws, the difficulties experienced when you fall in between state and federal laws (eg in relation to the issuing of passports), the need for early education and the need for public campaigns that support equality.

The NSW Labor government passed laws that provide specific recognition of discrimination against transgender people in 1996. These laws created a new offence of transgender vilification.