Intersections: A Pride Month Event
Wednesday 5th June
11.00 AM to 3.30 PM
Small seating and spaces,
Pearl Cove Library
Join us at Pearl Cove Library for Pride Month in June where we will celebrate the stories of four LGBT+ members and how their identities intersect and interconnect.
This is a free event, no RSVP necessary.
More information about Pride Month:
More information about Intersectionality:
Background:
Intersections is a Living Libraries event organised to celebrate Pride Month. Participants have the chance to borrow one of you four "Books", who are members of the LGBT as well as member of other marginal groups, participants will have 10-20 minutes to talk with their book and gain great insights into their lives.
The aim of the event is to promote acceptance and inclusiveness of marginalised people and to encourage interaction with people you normally wouldn't even talk to.
Conceived by Kimberle Crenshaw, Intersectionality is a concept that accounts for people with several marginalised identities in feminism. Here,
intersectionality is being taken from its feminist roots and used to highlight
the vibrant and diverse people within the LGBT community. There are many
sub-communities that exist within it that are equally as valid and worthy of
support and acceptance.
The Books
Rosie
Indigenous, bisexual
“Many people who learn of my dual identities believe
my life to be a struggle, but to me, it’s a blessing I am thankful for
everyday.”
Rosie is an
Aboriginal woman, her parents being from different indigenous groups. She has been heavily involved in both indigenous groups ever
since she was a young child, participating in cultural festivals and events and
travelling around Sydney hosting talks and workshops to teach tourists and
Sydney-siders about her heritage.
Rosie discovered
her orientation in her teenage years and is outspoken about her identity,
having talked and written extensively about her unique experience.
Maurice
Refugee, homosexual
“I am thankful that I get to live in the lucky
country, where I can be who I truly am.”
Maurice fled a
hostile environment in the Middle East and waited over three years in another
land to obtain a visa and legal documents to enter Australia. His LGBT status
put him in danger, so Maurice had to leave his family and old life behind so
that he could live in safety and peace.
Today, Maurice is
active in several refugee and LGBT organisations and wants to share his story
to the public. Enlightening people of the plight and problems of his former
country and telling his readers how fortunate he is to be an Australian
citizen.
Rachel
Former addict, lesbian
“I was in a dark place for a very long time, every
time I tried to escape I just wound up feeling trapped. Now, I see the light,
and I want to share it.”
Rachel has been in
and out of rehabilitation and therapy for many years. Now over 14 months clean,
Rachel joined Living Libraries so she may inform the readers how addiction is a
very big issue in the LGBT community, where drug addiction rates are significantly disproportionate compared to the general population. She will
explain the unique situations of LGBT people that lead to addiction, how she
believes we can tackle the problem as a whole, and her tips and advice for
recovery.
Josh
HIV positive, bisexual
“Yes, I am HIV positive. No, I am not unworthy of love.”
Josh recalls that
dreary September day in 2003 when his GP broke the news to him: his HIV had
developed into AIDS. Except nowadays, it is a memory that no longer haunts him.
Josh is happy to
share his journey with his readers: the long, hard road to accepting his status
as well as himself. And the innovations and breakthroughs in medical science that
allow him to live a normal life and look forward to a bright future.
Josh will draw
upon his experience as a panel member of a podcast that explains the historic
relationship of HIV, AIDS and the LGBT community: the hardships and
devastating losses, the united and unyielding strength of the community, and
the newfound hope today.
Contact:
Caroline Resiak, Head of the Intersection Committee:
- c.resiak@pccouncil.com
- 04X5 9X2 15X
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