A safe season

As I write the final lobby column for 2010, I’m saddened to hear of an alleged homophobic crime in the Collingwood area.

While every decent human would want to see an end to every violent crime, in the mean time, violence – both queer-phobic and general violence – does happen.

Things everyone can do to protect themselves include being aware of your surroundings, park in well lit areas, have your car keys ready and don’t be caught fumbling for them.

Check out the Victoria Police or Anti-Violence Project websites for more tips and related information.

Long term, the lobby continues to work with community partners like the Victoria Police Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers (GLLOs) and the AVP on projects like Out and Safe in Brunswick (and other areas).

Numerous representatives of the GLBT community also attend the community encounters training with police recruits.

Having the police condemn homophobic violence and prejudice in general sends a strong message to the idiots who might try to perpetrate it.

The community encounters program gives a chance for the GLBT community to re-iterate how important it is to have police at all levels working with us, both preventively, and where needed, after the fact.

Long term education projects such as the With Respect Awareness Project (WRAP) certainly need to continue, regardless of who is in government.

The Lobby, TransGender Victoria, ALSO, AVP and other partners will push to ensure this and other educative and preventative projects proceed and quickly in 2011 and beyond.

For some in our community this time of year may involve psychological safely factors, such as isolation.

So remember the good folk at Switchboard are there for you, so visit www.switchboard.org.au if you need someone to talk to.

Queer or otherwise, safety also applies in other ways. Please make sure any sexual or related activity you have is safe and consensual. And please use the roads safely over the holiday period, whether as pedestrian, cyclist or motorist.

We want you with us in 2011 to enjoy the queer community and all it has to offer – check out the ever-growing Midsumma guide for starters.

So have a safe, happy and relaxing season and we look forward to working for and with you next year.

By SALLY GOLDNER.

Sally Goldner is VGLRL treasurer and TransGender Victoria spokesperson.