2nd AsiaPacific Outgames

12-19 March 2011

Wellington, New Zealand

·        Report on the HR Conference by Tony Reed

·        Report by Amadee Rose

 

 

I trust you all enjoyed Outgames. As you all know, RW was most involved in the Human Rights Conference, in which we sponsored two of the overseas key speakers, to the tune of some $10,000, by far the largest act of sponsorship in the history of the group. Here is my report on the presentations of our two sponsorees, which both took place in the plenary session at the beginning of day 3:

 

The last day of the Conference, Friday March 18^th, I made sure I got to town for the opening of the plenary session at 8.30 am. This was because the two overseas keynote presenters sponsored by Rainbow Wellington were speaking.

 

Nepalese MP Sunil Pant does not have a dramatic presentation style, but the content of his speech was amazing. He started with a slide-show which showed the change in Nepal over the last 10 years, from a situation where gay people were regularly beaten up by the police, to one where over 300,000 are now out, the Supreme Court has ruled against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and of course Sunil himself is an out MP in the Parliament in Kathmandu.

 

Sunil emphasised that, although government action is important, it is we ourselves who are the key to an improvement in the rights of LGBTIs. And to achieve this, we must “move beyond grievance” and look forward to a better future.

 

There is now serious talk that Nepal could be the venue for the next Asia Pacific Outgames. I am sure that they could put on a great show, and that we could all enjoy the services of Pink Mountain Travel, run by the Blue Diamond Society, which has been responsible for the one of the greatest improvements of LGBTI rights in Asia.

 

Grace Poore from Malaysia spoke movement building in the region, concentrating on the different types of movement in Hongkong, Vietnam and Cambodia.

 

In Hongkong new technology has been at the forefront of campaigning, initially because a movement based on networking via Facebook and other electronic media has been easier to arrange when money is very short. This has led to successes such as ensuring that a new law on domestic violence covered LGBTIs – despite opposition from some much better funded religious groups.

 

In Vietnam the concept of a “movement” is not used, as it implies confrontation. Instead the key point has been education, based on a belief that better information can lead to less discrimination. Cambodia has a similar approach, but within the LGBT community. The concept of Pride has been employed, but there it does not tend to involve public marches or rallies, but indoor activities which help to develop a confident community.

Grace emphasised that, although outside help (mostly from white Westerners) can be helpful in kick-starting developments in these countries, it has to be carefully monitored, and a locally based capacity developed as soon as possible. This is partly because it is local people who suffer the consequences of any activism, as opposed to the foreigners, who can of course just go home. New media technology is clearly the key to attracting larger numbers, as it enables many people to feel that they are part of a movement. The international element in this involvement can be helpful; bad governments know that the world is watching. However, we need to be aware that our enemies are also able to network in a similar way, and that cyber attacks by homophobic groups, especially religious ones, are on the increase. Human Rights Commissions in the region in particular must come to terms more with these developments.

 

Both speakers received a rapturous reception, and I came away feeling proud that we at RW had been able to support two such visitors, who otherwise may not have been able to attend and make such memorable presentations.

 

Later in the day, Kiwi ex-pat John Fisher inspired us all further, and his comments have been reported on GayNZ.com and elsewhere. Even whilst John was at the conference, his Geneva-based organisation, ARC International, was helping to maximise support for the UN Joint statement on sexual orientation and gender identity, and we received a running commentary throughout the conference on the number of countries adding their support. The final number was 85 – see more under “Overseas news” above.

 

TonyReed

Hon Secretary RW

 

 

 

 

I was lucky enough to get time off work to attend the first day of the Human Rights Conference of the Asia-Pacific Outgames. In my activist days, it was me and my kind whose human rights were being abused. This time, it was very different. By the end of the first 3 sessions, rushed though they were, I found myself feeling saddened, and quite insular.

 

Obviously, to attend a Human Rights Conference for LGBTI people, you must be out and an activist in the country where you live. So, everyone was talking about the positive steps they are taking to progress LGBTI human rights in their home countries. However, although the speakers were positive, the background against which they are taking action is appallingly hard for many of them, and their lives are often in danger. Being gay or lesbian, but especially transgender, makes you a target for the law in their countries, not just for rednecks.

 

It was therefore heartening to hear the Dutch Ambassador speaking about the United Nations Joint Statement on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, but distressing to realise how necessary such a statement still is in the world we live in.

 

It was also noticeable that the focus of the first day was on transgender issues. It made me remember with gratitude what we have achieved here for gays and lesbians, which  I sometimes take for granted now. I remember what it was like when I first came out. Of course it was exciting, because the whole liberation movement was just starting, black, women’s, gay and lesbian. I was young and fearless then.

 

I remember the fight to get the HLR Bill passed into law. However, I also remember that we were so focussed on promoting our own identity that most of us had little time to give to issues such as transgender and intersex, and it is important to note that human rights for these groups are still not the norm, and not just overseas, but in NZ as well. In some ways LGBTI is an odd combination of people, not necessarily with the same end goals and desires. However, just as when I was fighting for lesbian liberation I wanted the support of all oppressed groups, so now I need to support those fighting for their liberation and rights.  

 

And remember, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance…

 

Which brings me to my next point. I cannot be the only one to notice that the DumPost is doing its very best to make us invisible. I was very angry when the flash demo was cancelled. We were apparently promised coverage by the DumPost, so we canned the demo. Well, the DumPost printed a big picture of drag queens with fruit on top of their heads (classic stereotypical straight portrayal of what is not typical LGBTI life) and printed a headline about a straight woman winning at the swimming. The rest of the so-called coverage was tiny little side bits about one or two items. There was NOTHING about the HR Conference. People were here from all over the world – government representatives were speaking, there was an excellent session on action being taken in schools to counter homophobic bullying overseas, etc.

 

And as an aside about DumPost who saw the headline about “The fury of two-women two-timed”? Am I the only one who read to the end and discovered that article also covered the blackmail by Gay Guy A of Gay Guy B who was having an affair with Gay Guy C while he was in a relationship with Gay Guy D? Now while I think there is something to be said for not having blackmail by a gay guy as the main headline, the headline was so out of whack that I can only suppose it was a deliberate ploy. 

 

I was reminded just how important it is to keep in touch with social attitudes, and the laws being made, and aware of how they will affect LGBTI rights. At which point, as the vice chair of Rainbow Wellington, can I make a plug for you all to sign up and pay your membership fees. Rainbow Wellington is the only permanently active national lobby group for LGBTI HR issues, and appreciates your support. The AGM is coming up on Thursday 14th April at 6pm at the old Town Hall. Please do all come to that meeting, take an interest in your own communities’ HR issues, and support Rainbow Wellington.

 

On a really positive note, what a fantastic night at the Takatapui-organised dinner at Wharewaka. Go the Manu Dolls!! Nothing beats Kapa Haka in drag, with the lights down low and fluoro accessories. Loved it – fabulous!!

 

And finally, personally, it was wonderful to be at the lesbian caucus – haven’t been to anything like that for so long – at the same time, I was very aware that the days of the Baader-Meinhof lesbian splinter group (to kill all the men in the world) are well and truly over….

 

Amadee Rose

RW Board member