The annual GLORIAs awards night will be returning to NSW Parliament on Wednesday 16 May 2018 with a Marriage Equality Special Edition.

Organised by Penny Sharpe MLC to coincide with the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), the GLORIAs are a fun annual event that draws attention to homo, trans and bi phobia in public life.

The awards night judges homophobic public commentary and culminates in a high volume boo-off to decide the worst comment of the year, with the winner engraved on the Golden GLORIA trophy.

There are six categories – Media, Sport, Politics / Law, Religion, International, and Silliest LGBTIQ comment made from within the LGBTIQ community – with public nominations online.

This year, all nominations will derive from last year’s marriage equality postal survey and campaign, to celebrate the great result but also highlight how hard-won each step towards equality is.

Some of the early nominations include:

• The Coalition for Marriage for claiming that, after marriage equality, Pride events will become mandatory and kids will be forced to learn how to have “gay sex”, as well as bizarrely claiming that there will be a 4,000% increase in children coming out as transgender.
• Former tennis player Margaret Court who forecast an apocalypse for celebratory days: “There will be no Mother’s Day, there will be no Father’s Day, there will be no Easter, there will be no Christmas.”
• And the famous contribution of Kevin Andrews MP, who defied both relevance and logic by saying: “I have an affectionate relationship with my cycling mates… but that’s not marriage. Why doesn’t the law have a place in those sort of relationships?”

Nominations are open until 30 April 2018 at www.theglorias.com.au. Tickets will be on sale until 15 May 2018. 

Tickets are available now: trybooking.com/VDDD 

Quotes attributable to Penny Sharpe MLC 

“With so many outrageous examples from last year’s marriage equality postal survey and campaign, the GLORIAs are a great chance for us to get together, celebrate another step towards equality, and call out public homophobia and transphobia where it occurs. 

“This year’s GLORIAs will highlight how so many people in public life attempted to block progress towards equality, but the message remains the same as ever: homophobia and transphobia have no place in our society. 

“So if you have heard, seen or read something during the debate about marriage equality that made you want to yell out loud, send it in. You can nominate at www.theGLORIAs.com.au. 

“I encourage everyone to join in the fun on the night and buy a ticket before they sell out!” 

ABOUT THE GLORIAs AWARDS NIGHT

When: Wednesday, 16 May 2018, from 6.30pm to 9.00pm

Where: Parliament of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney

What: A night of fun that shines a light on homophobia and transphobia in public life (with drinks & canapés)

Cost: $75 / $55 conc.

Tickets available now: trybooking.com/VDDD