Logo

The League of Gentlefellows
You're not the only Gay in the village!

News

News items on this page relate specifically to The League of Gentlefellows and the Rainbow Annual Awards. For news relating to the Coming Out Proud Program, jump to the News page of the Coming Out Proud site.

Tribute evening to be held for Roz Houston

1 June 2010
On Tuesday 22nd June, between 7:00pm and 10:00pm, there will be a tribute evening at the Republic Bar (upstairs) for the life of Roz Houston, humanitarian extraordinaire. Steve Rogerson's band will play. Steve works in Community Services at the Polytechnic (formerly TAFE), where Roz completed her diploma in Community Services in 2002. A donation of $5 or $10 is requested, but not required.
 

EOI called for rainbow artists' exhibition and auction in June

25 April 2010
Expressions of interest are called from artists who celebrate diversity to enter an art work (multi-disciplinary) into an exhibition & auction entitled "From Market to Mainstream", which is to be held from 1 to 5 June in Hobart. A percentage commission on the sale of each artist's work will be paid from the auction. Sponsors for the event are also encouraged to register their interest.

The five-day exhibition will culminate in a prestigious cocktail party and auction launched by the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Rob Valentine, on the 5th of June. The project is an initiative of the Greater Hobart Coming Out Proud (GLBTI) Community Liaison Committee. The CLC, in collaboration with the Hobart & Glenorchy City Councils, aims to provide strategies that will enable gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people in the Greater Hobart Region to “come out with pride” and live in their community with dignity, as fully respected and participating members. The exhibition and auction of the work of new and emerging 'Rainbow' artists is planned in conjunction with the Salamanca Arrest Apology, given in 2009 by the Hobart City Council.

Many rainbow people express their talent and skills, as well as oppression, through art. The exhibition and auction of ‘New and Emerging Gay Artists aims to promote the positive contribution and rich diversity that the rainbow people contribute to the general community. It has been observed that new and emerging artists benefit from an opportunity to exhibit their work by gaining market exposure and the required sense of excellence. The auction will also provide funds to the Coming Out Proud Trust. These funds will be dedicated to our community matching the Hobart City Council contribution to an art installation in the Salamanca Precinct, commemorating the arrest of activists over twenty years ago, as well as celebrating a transformative moment for LGBTI Community in Council’s Apology last year. Interested artists should contact John Perry before 10 May with a description of their work and a bio (up to 100 words). Sponsors of this event are also invited to contact John on 6223 6003.
 

Two LoG members to marry in Spain

7 January 2010
League members will remember Manuel Munoz, a Spaniard by birth, and Robert Lewik, originally from Poland, founding members of LoG who were very generous in their hospitality to others. If you had been invited to their home on the waterfront at Gordon you would never forget their exquisite paella. Also the dogs, Mr Foxy and Floria.

Sadly, Manuel & Roberto experienced some disturbing harassment and threats of violence, which was unresolved and impossible for them to bear. They decided to return to Spain after the law change that acknowledged same sex marriage, despite the Catholic culture.

Manuel and Roberto are getting married January 15, 2010 at 7:45pm in el Ayuntamiento de Murcia, located in la Glorieta de Espana. Congratulations and best wishes have been sent from the League - we're just sorry that we're unable to make it.
 

Rainbow Awards Announced

6 December 2009
The Annual Rainbow Dinner was held last night at the Mercure Hotel in Hobart. Guests were entertained by a range of talented performers including Lesbodacious - Ian McDonald and COPP's own Jo Goodman, Mz Ima Starr and Melbourne dance troupe, Destiny Forbidden.

Some photos from the night, courtesy of Rod Anderson, are available by clicking here.

The following awards were made at last night's dinner:

  • Community Harmony Award * Commitment and Perseverance in Law Reform
    Judy Jackson

    Nominated by Lara Giddings, Attorney General.
    Our community (GLBTI) their family and friends sincerely thank you Judy for your tenacity and dedication in delivering us the Relationship Act 2003, when you were Attorney General of Tasmania. Your political leadership changed views not only across State Parliament but across the Tasmanian community and guaranteed not only recognition of significant relationships and caring relationships but offered pragmatic legal protections and rights our community had previously not enjoyed as of right. Your actions, with the passage of this Act, have ensured our legal rights are protected. Previously the rights you provided our community with were reserved to and restricted to married heterosexual couples. The law reform you promoted has changed attitudes and promoted cultural change affecting the very fabric of Tasmanian society.
     
  • Community Well-being Award * Outstanding Voices for Change
    Paul Thomas and Bob Brown

    Nominated by John Perry.
    The Rainbow Community thanks Bob & Paul who have registered their relationship and for their courage to present their relationship as worthy of the recognition that other couples have in Marriage. Paul & Bob are a very public same sex couple and have maintained a strong campaign on relationship equity while insisting on respect for privacy in their personal commitment to each other. . Bob and Paul in demanding equity, recognition, and respect for their partnership as for married people is an example that eventually will win through. Their commitment to our community especially members who have a hard time of it as well as celebrating our strength and dignity is helping us to reject the stereotyping that we too often experience.
     
  • Community Well-being Award * Overseas Development
    Bob Lavis
    Nominated by Brian Doran.
    The Rainbow Community applauds Bob Lavis for his great commitment and self sacrifice in establishing and developing the international best practice Himalayan Spiti Dental Program. Supported by his partner Michael and a dedicated team Bob significantly contributed to communities that develop at the pace of the less well off and not the wealthy – their values are based on shared endeavour and care. Bob & Michael have a deep sense of an inclusive community and encouraging others to develop their talents in a sharing way to the benefit of all. They have uniquely contributed to the rainbow community especially in the construction of an inclusive community where all are equal and discrimination is rejected.
     
  • Community Well-being Award * Government Services Division
    Centrelink Financial Information Services Hobart - Julie Cowley
    Nominated by Jo Goodman.
    Centrelink staff are thanked and applauded by our community for the four regional forums they conducted in collaboration with the Coming Out Proud State Steering Committee to explain and offer assistance to those same sex couples affected by the Federal legislation removing over 85 pieces of discriminatory legislation. Centrelink is also applauded for the special cultural awareness training provided to staff in preparation for the changes. Julie Cowley is especially commended and thanked for the respectful way that she prepared and delivered the forums and worked with people afterwards. Neville Shaw is also commended in the delivery to all Centrelink Staff of GLBTI Cultural Awareness training in preparation for the changes and sensitive treatment of LGBTI clients.
     
  • Courage of Conviction Award * Recognising the Importance of Suicide Prevention
    Ian Horncastle - Men in Uniform Postcards
    Nominated by Marnie Punch.
    Enormous appreciation goes to Ian Horncastle for his passion and dedication to suicide prevention. His personal loss of a loved partner has driven him to dedicate his photography and fundraising skills & talents to Lifeline. There is no doubt his efforts will result in others not suffering through a loved one’s suicide. Utilizing his talent and expertise in photography, Ian has devoted his time and skills to several projects. Significant has been the ‘Men In Uniform’ series of post cards and the launch in Kings Cross raising awareness and funds for suicide prevention strategies targeted to the sexual & gender diverse community. While the monies raised through the project are significant, just as important is bringing suicide prevention awareness to the public especially those that have experienced a personal loss.
     
  • Community Well-being Award * Outstanding Voices for Change
    Outright Youth Support Group
    Nominated by Sandi Verrier.
    The Outright Youth Support Group is a most important innovative initiative providing critical peer support for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Young People to better support young rainbow people ‘coming out’ into a sometimes hostile and threatening environment. Tonight we applaud them as well as the teachers and youth workers who have supported them. The group is currently working with schools and polytechnics to establish a basis of peer and professional support for young sexual & gender diverse people in educational and at work. As well they are organising special social celebrations in a cultural and safe environment for their peers. The Group aims to establish sensitive support for LGBTI people from one dedicated teacher/social worker in each high school and college. As well they have developed a cultural awareness tool kit for professional and peer support in schools.
     
  • Community Well-being Award * Community Services Division
    MAN2MAN Program - Brian Morris
    Nominated by Jude O’Day.
    The MAN2MAN Program (formally the Gay Men’s Health Program) has re-established an emphasis on the sexual health of men who are attracted to other men. The Program, coordinated by TasCAHRD’s Brian Morris has effectively reached out to men in all parts of Tasmania but notably to those in the North and North-West of Tasmania. As well as on-line outreach the work of the Program has resulted in increased numbers of men accessing sexual health services and established effective relationships with local government, services and groups in regional Tasmania.
     
  • Community Well Being Award * Establishing a Positive Harmonious, and Creative Communal Setting
    DS Coffee Lounge - Steve Hollingsworth & David Batters
    Nominated by Cr Liz Smith.
    The unique contribution that Rainbow People make to the creation of a culture that celebrates and values its diversity is immeasurable in establishing harmonious communities. Tonight we recognise and applaud Dave & Steve’s great contribution to the Huon Valley community through setting up the DS Coffee Lounge & Internet Café as a place where people can relax, meet one another and share their lives in a positive, harmonious and creative communal setting.
     
  • Community Well being Award * Community Services Division
    Gay & Lesbian Switchboard
    Nominated by Dr Wilfred Laycock.
    The Switchboard telephone counselling & referral service is applauded for its support to rainbow people in Tasmania. The confidential professional service is an essential service in remote rural areas of Tasmania where support is not always readily available and the situation of isolation and discrimination can create a desperate and critical loneliness. The Coming Out Proud four regional Community Liaison Committees have all identified the desperate situation in the rural areas and is conscious of the awful results and desperation of some members of our community who are isolated but often harassed or discriminated against.
     
  • Community Well being Award * Excellence in Social Events for the Gay & Lesbian Community
    Gay & Lesbian Centre Inc - TasPride Festival

    To night is a chance to thank all the past and present members of the Gay & Lesbian Centre for their dedication, commitment and professionalism in providing social events that promotes the positive contribution of our community in Tasmania. Over the years GLC Centre has presented a program of events celebrating Tasmanian’s sexual & gender diverse communities. This has involved great effort by the organising committee and other dedicated organisations. The membership of the GLC which now incorporates the very successful Pride Festival is very well served with regular information about gay life in Tasmania through the GLC newsletter and website. Gay social life in Tasmania is quite unique to that on the other island given the smaller and most dispersed population but is essentially tied up with our well-being and image as a community.  

  • Community Well being Award * Outstanding Volunteer Support
    Michael O’Halloran

    Nominated by Julian Punch.
    The Rainbow Community thanks Michael for his work in establishing and maintaining the League of Gentlefellows and Coming Out Proud Web Sites. They are an important source of information and ‘gay friendly’ resources for people who have a need for this unique and important information. . Michael played a critical role in creating a collaborative and positive relationship with local government and the local community service organisations. Michael’s professionalism and planning skills are very well respected in the community and have led to a competent management planning process that is now replicated across Tasmania to assist provide for strategies that will allow GLBTI people in four regions to ‘come out with pride’ and live in their community with dignity as fully respected and participating members.
     
  • For services to the Sexual and Gender Diverse community over the past six years in particular.
    Julian Punch
    Julian showed insight and compassion for people in the GLBTI sector through starting the League of Gentlemen. Now known as the League of Gentlefellows, this group is inclusive of all those within the sexual & gender-diverse community, along with their families and friends. This social activities group provides regular social events for anyone to meet in relaxed and safe space. Julian has networked and involved members extensively from across the state, nationally and internationally. Julian commenced a confidential membership list and with the assistance of Marty has developed a database which comprises fifteen hundred members.

    Julian, with Michael O’Halloran, formed the Coming Out Proud Program (COPP), which has culminated recently in the formation and incorporation of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People (TCS&GDP), a state body made up of representatives from COPP and other GLBTI organisations, existing to represent the issues of the Tasmanian GLBTI community to the State Government. COPP works on a local level in association with local government in Tasmania to foster equity and social inclusion policies for the community. COPP evolved by recognising the social injustices against people who are GLBTI and have suffered discrimination and harassment. Julian has been instrumental in supporting victims of discrimination and has ensured political leaders, government agencies and unions have been aware of cases and supported victims in their struggle for justice.
     

University of Queensland conducting survey of same-sex attracted Australians

16 July 2009
The University of Queensland is conducting a national online survey of GLBTI people, entitled Not So Private Lives. The aim of the survey is to offer a positive and unique contribution to the growing body of research on the lives of sexual minorities in Australia and ultimately help provide a more effective means of communication between people differing in sexual orientation.

The survey is anonymous and comprehensive and can be completed at any time before midnight on Friday 14 August. It should  probably take no more than half an hour to complete. To access the survey, click here.
 

Article on Apology by Hobart City Council

9 July 2009
Corey Peterson has made available a copy of the article he wrote for The TasPride/GLC Newsletter on the apology which the Lord Mayor of Hobart delivered in December 2008 for the Council's actions twenty years earlier in Salamanca. To download a copy of the article (PDF, 1.4MB) click here.
 

David Chadwick to publish a book on growing up Gay in rural Tasmania

19 June 2009
David Chadwick has supplied the following call for material for a book that he is researching.

Background: Today's gay scene in Hobart and across Tasmania is as we all know very different from what it was only a decade ago and even more different from what it must have been like in the 1950's & 60's? It is with this in mind that I am about to commence research into the changes we as Tasmanian gay men have witnessed and experienced over the last half century or more. I believe that we carry within our memories and personal stories an archive that if it is not recorded will be lost and that loss would be a great loss indeed not only to younger gay men but also to history.

It is with this imminent loss in mind that I have decided to beginning to collect and catalogue our history which can be brought together as a book , a book based on first hand experiences, memories and reminiscences. I would therefore love to hear from anyone with a story to tell, pictures to share. Just what was it like growing up in rural Tasmania in the 1930/40/50's knowing that you were gay - was it easy or was it hard? Did you leave Tasmania, did you join the many who fled to safer cities countries? Or did you stick it out and to hell with what anyone else thought?

For further information please contact me - all information will be respected and where necessary be kept in confidence.
Thanks - David Chadwick dchad@aapt.net.au
 

LoG Poster and Brochure released

23 February 2009
A poster and brochure promoting The League of Gentlefellows was released today. To download a copy of the brochure (PDF, 122KB) click here. To download a copy of the poster (PDF 149KB), click here.
 

Milk

Julian and Brian30 January 2009
Tonight over seventy League of Gentlefellows members and friends attended the Milk Film Night and enjoyed the inspiring story central to gay liberation in the USA.  Starring Sean Penn, the film portrays how two members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors - Harvey Milk and  Mayor George Moscone - were assassinated by Supervisor Dan White on November 27, 1978.  Harvey Milk's life leading up to his election, his successful efforts to politically represent San Francisco's gay community, and the city's reaction to the assassinations are documented with extensive news film and personal recollections.  

Thanks to the Village Cinema Hobart for their hospitality.  $35.15 was given in donations to the Coming Out Proud Trust Fund for Suicide Prevention.  On the left is a photo of Julian and Brian taken on the night by Craig White.

 

Australia Day Sizzles

26 January 2009
Nearly seventy League of Gentlemen members attended the first LoG event for 2009 - a Sausage Sizzle at 'Baanya', Longley the home of Brian & Julian.   Longley is a historic area renowned for its small fruits and certainly celebrated a very 'gay' Australia Day with 'Camp Hill' in the back ground this year . A great time was had by all with many new members attending and enjoying their initiation. The festivities included a free wine tasting of a Western Australian wine produced and donated by new LoG member David Cull.  Ian Lane and Roger Chevalier conducted a seven team questionnaire featuring prominent gay Australians with some fascinating and traditional 'over the top' responses. Lucky door prizes worth more than five hundred dollars were won by members and promoted our generous sponsors. $644.10 was made for the Coming Out Proud Trust (see see www.comingoutproud.org) on behalf of the COPP Regional Committees and the Gay & Lesbian Switch Board.

The next LoG event after the 'Milk' Film Night will be A GAY SOIREE & BBQ on Saturday 21 March at John & Ashley's beautiful home overlooking the Naughtyxxical Derwent.  For details, see the Calendar page (menu option at left). Hilarity, naughtiness & fun will again be guaranteed.
 

The League of Gentlefellows Events Calendar

13 December 2008
The LoG Calendar 2009 will be soon listed on this website.  It will include a range of social functions for both men and women only in the Leagues of Gentlemen and Gentlewomen as well as the mixed functions held last year at the Red Velvet Lounge, Cygnet and this year at the Magnolia Cafe, West Hobart.  It is hoped that our community will get behind the functions to ensure that the efforts in organising them and the host people will be rewarded.

The Rainbow Dinner and Address

13 December 2008
This year is the 20th Anniversary of the arrests of 130 people following a complaint about the gay & lesbian stall at the Salamanca Market.  It is also the 10th Anniversary of the enactment of anti-discrimination legislation in Tasmania.  These are significant milestones in the path of self-determination and liberation from oppressive laws and exclusion of the Rainbow People from the mainstream.

The Rainbow Address ‘Looking Forward – Looking Back’ was an opportunity to discuss these events and to acknowledge and celebrate our diversity as well as our unique contribution to the Tasmanian Community. Senator Bob Brown and Justice Pierre Slicer were both inspirational reflecting on the path ahead for the Rainbow People by way of our past history of struggle.  Both Pierre and Bob have made a valuable contribution to the constructive dialogue, of expecting acknowledgement of our diversity, respect within the general community and celebration of our unique contribution to society. 

Auction at the Rainbow Dinner

Graham Deller Painting13 December 2008
At the Rainbow Dinner, Master of Ceremonies Roger Chevalier auctioned a beautiful and provocative painting on canvas that Graham Deller kindly donated to support the work of the COPP Community Liaison Committees in the regions as well as the establishment of the Gay & Lesbian Switchboard. Graham’s generosity is greatly appreciated.  The quality of Graham's painting spoke for itself on the night when the auction price raised $1450. Graham will sell many more paintings to the disappointed bidders.  The picture at left is a detail from the auctioned work.

Proceeds from League of Gentlefellows Events

13 December 2008
Proceeds from LoG events this year will be distributed to the COPP Community Liaison Committees and to our partner program, the Gay & Lesbian Switchboard Victoria – 1800 184 527 – through the COPP Trust.  Members are encouraged to be generous as both projects are an important part of our community.

2007 Rainbow Awards announced

8 December 2007
The 2007 Rainbow Awards were announced at the LoG Annual Dinner at the Waterfront Hotel on Saturday, 8 December. To download the award citations (PDF approx. 130KB) click here. Photos of the Award presentations can be viewed by clicking here.

Cradle Coast Chapter holds its first social event

1 May 2007
A Barbecue on Saturday 26 May 2007 at Penguin marks the first-ever event to be held by the Cradle Coast Chapter, which covers the North-West and West Coast areas of the State. The Local Government Areas covered are the same ones covered by the Cradle Coast Authority - from West Coast Council to Latrobe Council and including King Island.
 

Northern Chapter blossoming

1 April 2007
The Northern Chapter, which covers the Greater Launceston area and the North-East of the State, held its first social event in March 2007. A number of events have been held since then, with participant numbers and LoG membership in the North on the increase.
 

Rainbow Annual Awards

8 December 2006
At the Rainbow Annual Awards Dinner of The League of Gentlemen, held on 8 December 2006 at Home Hill, the following four awards were made:

Community Harmony Award * Local Government Division Awarded to Kingborough Council and Hobart City Council

Progressive Business Award * Private Sector Division Awarded to Malcolm Schyvens, Solicitor at Ogilvie Jennings

Community Wellbeing Award * Government Services Awarded to Tasmania Police

Courage of Conviction Award * Recognising the Principles of Private Individuals
Awarded to Cr Liz Smith of Huon Valley Council