A study conducted by The Australia Institute found that 35% of the population aged 14 years and above believes that homosexuality is immoral. Nearly 43% of men and 27% of women take this view.
Further research in Australia found that 61% of same-sex attracted young people have experienced verbal abuse and 18% have experienced physical abuse on the basis of their sexuality.
Quest for Equality Continues But Challenges Remain Ahead
AussieBum’s decision to host its WorldPride event at The Ark, a private and exclusive tennis centre located in Sydney’s Haberfield between 10am and 1pm on Friday, 3 March 2023, is causing equal measures of consternation and excitement in the LGBTIQA+ community.
The Ark has a chequered history due to its association with controversial tennis champion Margaret Court, who officially opened the centre 50 years ago and holds negative attitudes towards homosexuality.
The event, expected to be attended by 500 people, is located at 154A Hawthorne Parade, Haberfield NSW 2045, a short distance from Hawthorne stop.
Court’s Relationship With The LGBTIQA+ Community
Margaret Court is a former Australian professional tennis player who has won a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in tennis history. Court has also been vocal in her opposition to same-sex marriage and has made a number of homophobic comments over the years.
In 2017, she stated that same-sex marriage was a plot by the devil and that tennis was “full of lesbians”. Despite the controversy surrounding her, Court has continued to stand by her statements, with her church also supporting her views
LGBTQ rights in Australia
The controversy surrounding the event has sparked a larger conversation about LGBTQ rights and discrimination in Australia and around the world.
LGBTQ+ people in Australia still experience discrimination, harassment, and hostility in many parts of everyday life, in public, at work and study, accessing health and other services, and securing proper recognition of their sex in official documents.
While progress has been made in some areas, discrimination against LGBTQ individuals is still prevalent in many parts of the world. In Australia, however, there have been steps taken to promote LGBTQ rights, such as passing anti-discrimination laws and legal protections for LGBTQ individuals.
Founder of AussieBum, Sean Ashby, has defended the party and its message of promoting equality. “Our party at The Ark is about celebrating equality in a fun and inclusive way,” he said. “We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to using our platform to promote these values and to help create a more equal world.”
Ashby, the upcoming event organizer, is determined to make a global statement about living in harmony and supporting equality for all, regardless of their background. The event, set to take place at The Ark in Haberfield, located in the Inner West Council region, is of particular significance as it will be held on land owned by the Catholic Church.
To emphasize the theme of unity and inclusivity, Ashby has invited Deborah Lennis, the Indigenous Australian representative for her land in the Inner West NSW region, to attend and bless the event. This gesture holds great significance since the traditional Aboriginal groups of the Inner West Council area, the Gadigal and Wangal peoples of the Eora Nation, will welcome and bless attendees as a show of support for equality.
The controversy surrounding the event at The Ark brings attention to the ongoing global discussions about LGBTQ rights and discrimination. Actor, dancer, and “Gay Street fighter” singer Keiynan Lonsdale, who was born in Sydney, attended the event to support equality for all. He will be performing at the closing concert Rainbow Republic for this year’s Sydney World Pride.
While progress has been made in some areas, there is still much work to be done to address discrimination and promote equality for all. Sean Ashby knows this all too well, and is hoping for a solid turnout on Friday, 3 March 2023 in solidarity with attendees to further promote the values he holds dear. Despite his success as CEO and Founder of aussieBum, Sean Ashby has taken the bold step to provide his email address for those that are interested in speaking to him about the event and his views on the controversy.
