Ballarat Joins The NYA

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/ballarat-progay-mar...

Ballarat pro-gay marriage rally draws hundreds

EMMA BROWN
14 Feb, 2010 01:01 AM
SEVERAL hundred people marched through the streets of Ballarat yesterday in support of gay marriage in the city's first pro-gay marriage rally. The rally began at the Ballarat Skate Park on Main Rd before heading up Sturt St to the town hall.
Rally organiser and spokesperson for the recently formed Regional No Discretion group, Koby Drake, has attended pro-gay marriage rallies in Melbourne.

"This is the first rally in rural Victoria. It is time to fight in our own backyards and not just in the big cities," Mr Drake said.

"We're fighting for equal rights not special rights."

Attending the rally were several high-profile gay rights groups including The Equal Love Campaign.

ELC publicity officer Ali Hogg said the Ballarat rally stemmed from the big rallies in the capital cities where organisers noticed many of the attendees were from regional areas where homophobia is more prevalent.

"It's not that young people are planning to get married anytime soon but it is an issue of equality," Ms Hogg said.

According to Ms Hogg it is also about saving lives as suicide rates are higher for gay youths especially in rural areas.

"This year is a national year of action leading up to the federal election and we will be putting more pressure on the Government."

Ballarat MHR Catherine King said the Labor Party went to the last election with an unambiguous position on marriage: that legally it's a union between a man and a woman.

"At the same time, the Government is currently working extremely hard to remove all legal discrimination against same-sex partners," Ms King said.

Greens candidate for Ballarat Belinda Coates lent her support speaking at the rally.

"The Greens fully support gay marriage and human rights, and believe that everyone should be able to express their love and commitment in the same way," Ms Coates said.

"We think Kevin Rudd should say I do to gay marriage."

Socialist Alliance local branch convenor Erin Cameron said with over 70 per cent of Australians supporting equal marriage rights the Government should make it available to everyone.

Press release on behalf of Koby Drake 1st Feb 2010
For Immediate Release

‘Gay Love’ Comes to Ballarat!

Well it was already here, but now the GLBT community in Ballarat and surrounding towns are using their voice to fight for their right to equality! There is as much gay love in Rural Australia as there is in the big cities. Now we will stand up and tell our Federal Government that we will not stand for their discrimination in our home towns, by inviting all people who support Same-sex marriages to attend a protest rally in Ballarat.

The desired outcome of the rally is that every person will have the same rights as the next, no better or no worse. When getting married there should be no need to ask for a person’s sex, love is genderless. Some say marriage is a religious ceremony. If this is so, why are people who don’t practise any religion permitted to marry? This is a case of discrimination, which we will not stand for.

Koby Drake, the Rally organiser says “Attending all of the rally’s in Melbourne was a really good experience, but i think it is important to support our local community, and show people that they don’t have to live in fear of what other people think. They still have the right to freedom of speech, and equality. We don’t have to travel to the cities to stand up for our rights.” He adds “We are people, and we love. No matter what people may think. It hurts us when we see that the Australian Government enforces the homophobic behaviour we sometimes encounter, by them (The Australian Government) telling us that we are not allowed equality, tells everyone else that and by telling everyone else that it gives them the initiative to discriminate against the same sex attracted community”.

Ben Cooper, the Co-Convenor of CAAH (Community Action Against Homophobia), gushes “Reading the Ballarat (rally’s) Facebook (event page) brought tears to my eyes. Valentine’s Day is a day of love. Love is something that we all have, but some of us are not allowed to express it the way others do”. He adds “Coming from Lismore (NSW) I know just how significant it is to have regional centres on board and it is great to see Lismore, the gay activist capital, have competition for that title.”

One person wrote on the Ballarat Rally’s Facebook event page, “Whether you are for or against (gay) marriage, for all of us it is a representation of equality. I spent the first 17 years of my life in Ballarat, and for the most part felt very isolated. I am so pleased to see a more visible presence (of gay pride now).” He goes on to say “I have been with my partner for 22 years now, and I would love to take up the option (of marriage)”.

This year is the year of national action leading up to the federal election and the Ballarat GLBTIQ community is pleased to announce a rally, on the 14th of February 2010 at 1:00pm. The rally will commence at the skate park in the CBD (Main Rd), and then will march on to the town hall.
For further information please feel free to contact Koby Drake on via email, Click Here

End

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE: 30th of January, 2010

Community Action Against Homophobia LOVES! BALLARAT 4 EVA!

Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) came out today cheering that another regional centre of Australia is standing up and organising activities as a part of the National Year of Action (NYA) for Equal Marriage Rights!

And the winner is Ballarat! They have just announced a Rally for Marriage Equality for Valentine's Day (February 14th) at 1pm as part of the NYA! CAAH is excited the starting time will match up with the time the International KISSIN’ crew will hold their Valentines Day KISSIN’ as part of Sydney's "No more Forbidden Love" marriage equality event presented in partnership with the Oxford Hotel at Taylor Square Darlinghurst Sydney from 12-2pm on 14 February 2010.

Sydney's event will be hosted by CAAH's fresh new leadership team of co-conveners Steaphan Markotany, Catherine Rose and Ben Cooper.

Cooper has been a co convener for over a year now, and coming from Lismore in Northern NSW, Ballarat coming on board fills him with excitement, but also leaves him hoping that Lismore steps it up for the NYA. Lismore has participated in every National Day of Action (NDA) for Marriage Equality since 2006 and has also held numerous actions for equal rights during that time!

Ben Cooper gushes "Reading the Ballarat facebook page brought tears to my eyes!
'Valentine's day is a day of love. Love is something we all have, but some of us are not allowed to express it the way others do. What better day to rally for equality? ' I love it." Ben continues - "Coming from Lismore I know just how significant it is to have regional centres on board and it's great to see Lismore, the regional activist capital, have some competition over this title. Knowing that the majority of Australians are coming behind and supporting marriage equality, we at CAAH are just so excited to watch the NYA blossom like this. Add this to Perth and Brisbane rallies and we are be really stepping up the fight. This WILL be a federal election issue! "

Catherine Rose, active in CAAH SydneyCentral for almost two years, has loved every minute of organising Sydney's last two NDAs. Catherine has also been working with Sydney's Equal Love Campus groups and shares Ben's excitement- "The university campuses here in Sydney are really taking off with their activities, 2010 is shaping up to be massive and really showing that the overwhelming majority of Australian's EVERYWHERE are ready to take action, and we can dispel that myth that people in regional areas are resistant to Marriage Equality. Ballarat is shaping up quite nicely!"

Stephean Markatony is heterosexual, and over 2009 knew he had to step in and join the fight for marriage equality. He's worked so hard he was recently elected as CAAH co-convener. Markatony is quick to point out-"When we talk marriage equality, it's not some inner city gay ghetto boutique issue.” Markatony continues-"Because average people out there support us. They are everywhere! Our neighbours, brothers, sisters are denied equality! We are supporting the national Equal Love campaign, and working with the Australian Marriage Equality to ensure all the vibrant and new emerging groups coming out in 2010 for the NYA will really ensure the whole country remembers the complete lack of respect the federal government has for marriage equality!"

The Rally at Ballarat will be on the 14th of February, 2010. Starting on Stuart St, from 1pm and ending between 3pm and 4pm. Speakers and performers yet to be announced, along with the starting point, but they are definite that they will march to Ballarat town hall. They plan to march under the banner-"We Demand Equality!" Organiser Koby Drake urges-" Gay Straight, Bi, Transpeople, Lesbian, sex and gender diverse... Come along, bring your friends, and out of town guests are all welcome!" With a population estimated at 88,000 with half of the households being couples with children Drake wants to let people know-"This event will be a family friendly peaceful demonstration, and kids are more then welcome" The rally and march in Ballarat is endorsed by Equal Love and Community Action Against Homophobia.

For more information contact-
FACEBOOK
Or Call Koby Drake on 0400 725 209

The Rally at Perth announced their plans too! On February 14th, members of the public will take action in all-inclusive event: ‘Not invisible on Valentines Day.’ The event will begin at 12 noon on Sunday February 14th in Stirling Gardens on St. Georges Terrace in the Perth CBD and rally and a march through the streets of Perth. There will be a celebratory after-party in Stirling Gardens commencing at 1pm. With performances from local musicians, comedians and drag-artists – this fun, chilled-out and romantic event will be the perfect way to celebrate Valentines Day for our Perth friends. Everyone is welcome, and attendees are encouraged to wear pink, red and white to the event.
Contact: Kitty Hawkins – Families for Freedom Community Co-Convener
Email:Click Here or 0414 846 153

WEBSITE:
CAAH SydneyCentral
Equal Love
Families for Freedom

CAAH

Email:
Click Here

Catherine Rose: 0405 770 302
Ben Cooper: 0412 325 231
Steaphan Markotany: 0433 825 039