As the deadline for the introduction of the cross-bench bill on marriage equality looms next week, Cory Bernardi took on the role of defender of traditional marriage in a televised public debate with Labor senator and our favourite openly gay federal MP Penny Wong.
As to be expected, Penny Wong wiped the floor with him and debunked many of the long-propagated myths about the threat posed by same sex couples getting married, and reassured straight people that gay marriages won’t harm children (since a quarter of same sex couples already have children), won’t take away the rights of heterosexual couples to marry or not, and won’t bring about the rapture.
Of course, neither side of the debate was in it to change hearts and minds.
Half a world away, in Jerusalem, the LGBTIQ community was reminded that there are still clear and present dangers facing our community that go beyond the right to marry. An anti-gay extremist identified by authorities as Yishai Schlissel attacked the crowd indiscriminately stabbing attendees at Jerusalem’s annual Gay Pride Parade where 5,000 people had gathered for a day of celebrations that ended in bloodshed. Six people were stabbed, and several seriously injured. A teenage girl, 16-year-old Shira Banki, died on Monday after being stabbed in the attack.
The ultra orthodox assailant had been released from prison after serving a 10-year sentence for a similar stabbing attack at the 2005 Pride event where he attacked three people. The attack is a chilling reminder that bigotry and homophobia isn’t harmless and it isn’t going away.
The only comforting thing was the response. All sides of politics in Israel – right and left, religious and secular who rarely see eye to eye on anything – were united in condemning the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “despicable hate crime”.
After a huge sixth birthday, CLOSET throws its last party of the winter on Friday August 7, this time in homage of Zac Efron and his sculpted abs. Sydney DJ Smithers will be down for the festivities, and joining him on DJ duties will be Jennifer Loveless (back from her China tour), resident JLAW and Luke Agius. CLOSET is one of Melbourne’s longest running nights for homosexuals and those who love them. Little & Olver, 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Doors open 10pm until 5am. Entry is $15 on the door. Further information and the chance to win free entry: facebook.com/closetpartyoz.
After CLOSET and BARBA, if you’ve still got the energy this weekend you can back it up with the next instalment of The Outpost called Keep The Fire Burning on Saturday August 8 at The Gasometer Hotel. DJs Whiskey Houston, Mr Weir and Butch le Butch will be delivering the disco. Doors open 9pm until 3am. $15 on the door.
As if that wasn’t enough already, SWAGGER is back for a night for ’90s inspired R&B and hip hop Rack to the Future. Presales $10, door sales $15. The Bottom End, 579 Little Collins St, CBD. Tickets are available for itdevents.yapsody.com. DJs haven’t been announced, but you know you’re in for lots of Queen Bae.
