SP campaign wins LGBTI books for Yarra’s libraries!
SP Newsletter No.323
Several months ago the Socialist Party began a campaign to get Yarra City Council to stock books and magazines of interest to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community in its libraries.
Often the local library is the only safe space for young people who are coming out. At school and even in the home LGBTI youth can face bullying and social pressure to adhere to a so-called norm. The Socialist Party website reported in May that:
“Recent studies have shown that up to one in five young LGBTI people have experienced homophobic bullying. Up to 16 per cent have been assaulted because of their sexuality. Young people who are bullied or assaulted often feel isolated and become depressed. They have lower levels of self-esteem which often leads to poor education results or high drop out rates.
“Of those who are victims of assault, 60 per cent have consequently considered harming themselves. Rates of self-harm and suicide are up to eight times higher than for heterosexual teens.
“Suicide is actually the leading cause of death among young LGBTI people. The majority of LGBTI suicides take place at age 20 or younger, with nearly one-third occurring before the age of 17.”
In the libraries, young people exploring their sexuality can read and discover that they are not alone. They can improve their knowledge of health issues and find links to useful organisations and support groups.
For a Council that claims to be progressive and LGBTI-friendly, it was a disgrace that the libraries did not have a budget for LGBTI-specific literature. Even the conservative Port Philip Council puts funds aside to purchase LGBTI books.
Yarra Socialist Party Councillor Stephen Jolly called for the 2010-11 Council budget to include money for such literature. He appealed to residents to lobby the other councillors and to send in submissions to the Council to support this call. The Melbourne Leader followed our campaign and published a front page article on the issue.
Submissions were received from several people including fiction writer, Tom Cho. Tom wrote: “I support Cllr Stephen Jolly’s proposal…when I was younger, I sought out queer books in libraries”.
Chistros Tsiolkas, world famous author of ‘The Slap’ and ‘Loaded’, wrote “I remember how crucial it was discovering literature in the libraries that talked directly to me as a youth about my sexuality and my identity…I still recall the excitement and joy I felt coming across James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room in the library and realizing not only was I not alone, there was a way out of self-loathing and despair.”
The June budget included an amendment to put extra resources into the libraries to buy LGBTI literature. This small step forward was the result of our campaign and the active involvement of local LGBTI residents and their supporters. Well done to all concerned.
Attend the rallies for same-sex marriage rights
The Socialist Party urges all of our supporters to attend the rallies for same-sex marriage rights that are taking place this weekend. With neither of the major parties supporting this demand for equal rights, it is important that we put the issue on the agenda in the lead up to the Federal election. Actions are taking place in all major cities.
Melbourne: Saturday August 14, 1pm State Library
Sydney: Saturday August 14, 1pm Sydney Town Hall
Canberra: Saturday August 14, 1pm Petrie Plaza, Civic
Perth: Saturday August 14, 1pm Forrest Place
Brisbane: Saturday August 14, 1pm Queens Park
Adelaide: Saturday August 14, 1pm Parliament House
Hobart: Saturday August 14, 1pm Parliament House
Darwin: Saturday August 14, 1pm Parliament House
Rallies for refugee rights
The Socialist Party is also supporting several refugee rights rallies that are taking place this weekend. If you are in Melbourne, Canberra or Brisbane please come along and protest against the major parties scapegoating refugees. Demand jobs, homes and services for all!
Melbourne: Friday August 13, 5.30pm State Library
Canberra: Saturday August 14, 11am Petrie Plaza, Civic
Brisbane: Friday August 20, 5.30pm Brisbane Square
Upcoming SP meetings
The Melbourne Branch of the Socialist Party meets every Wednesday 7pm at Trades Hall on the corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets Carlton South.
Upcoming meetings include:
18/8 – The politics of the Greens
25/8 – Federal election debrief
1/9 – The life and politics of James Connolly
8/9 – Can a revolution be peaceful?
For more information or for details of meetings in other parts of Australia contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111.
News links:
Russia: Socialists brutally attacked after environment protest
http://www.socialistworld.net/doc/4438
South Africa: 1.3 million public servants in one-day warning strike
http://www.socialistworld.net/doc/4446
US: Police Murder of Oscar Grant Exposes Injustice System
http://www.socialistworld.net/doc/4435
Join the Socialist Party
If you agree with what you have read in our newsletter or on our website you should consider joining SP. The Socialist Party has branches in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Perth as well as members and supporters in all other states.
We are involved in trade union work and student work. We also run community, anti-war and environmental campaigns. But most of all we want to build a party that will fight to get rid of the capitalist system, the system that is at the root of all of these problems. We fight for socialism - a system that will bring an end to wars, poverty and environmental destruction. To join SP contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a membership application form.
Subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ newspaper!
Support the Socialist Party by subscribing to our monthly newspaper ‘The Socialist’. Subscription rates are only $10 per year or $20 solidarity price. You will receive 11 copies per year delivered to your door every month. You will also receive our email newsletter every week and you will know that you are supporting an organisation that is at the fore of fighting against the capitalist system. To subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a subscription form.
Socialist Party contact details
Melbourne: Phone Anthony on 0396399111.
Sydney: Phone Gary on 0297287727.
Newcastle: Phone Samantha on 0249681545.
Adelaide: Phone David on 0883441474.
Perth: Phone John on 0894020728.
Rest of Australia: Phone our National Office on 0396399111.
Rest of the world: Phone our International Office on ++ 44 20 8988 8760.
The Socialist Party is the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI). The CWI is organised in over 40 countries across the world.
