Remember CAMP’s birthday
Almost forty years ago the Australian gay and lesbian community found its voice through the formation of CAMP (Campaign Against Moral Persecution), an event which the Pride History Group hopes to commemorate with a range of community events.
The group will hold a meeting on March 16 to bring together activists from the original movement, City of Sydney representatives and the general public to discuss ways the anniversary could be marked.
We’ve called a meeting of interested parties to get some ideas. It’s important we mark the anniversary, because it was the first time we had organised groups of gays and lesbians providing services and fighting for rights, Pride History president Diane Minnis said.
The City of Sydney -鈥� which previously aided the organisation with producing publications -鈥� has already agreed to assist the Pride History Group.
At a recent council meeting, Independent councillor Phillip Black moved that council officers liaise with the Pride History group and other GLBT community organisations, on suitable ways to commemorate the 40th anniversary next year of the formation of Campaign Against Moral Persecution, the first gay civil rights organisation in Sydney and Australia, and which continues today as the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore agreed that it would be fitting for the council to work with the gay and lesbian community to commemorate this significant anniversary.
In the early to mid ’70s it took real courage for people to come out publicly as gay or lesbian and argue for equal rights. Some people who did so lost their jobs or suffered other discrimination as a result, she said.
I think we all owe a debt to CAMP. The work it did, and encouraged others to take on, has made a major contribution to Sydney being a more tolerant and accepting city. There will be further discussion at the next council GLBT forum on May 12.
info: The Pride History Group community consultation is on Monday March 16, 6pm, 186 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe.
