anti-discrimination

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.

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.

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.