Brisbane censors safe sex poster

By Susan Price

BRISBANE -- A poster designed to promote safe sex practices for lesbians was banned from a political posters exhibition here on April 15 by the Brisbane City Council because it “saw no reason to needlessly offend public taste”.

The poster, designed by Susi Blackwell and Angela Bailey, was produced in consultation with members of the Brisbane lesbian community and is entitled “Dam Dykes”. The poster addresses issues of lesbians and HIV/AIDS and was to be featured as part of an exhibition by Inkahoots, a Brisbane community printing collective, at the Brisbane City Hall.

Though the image appears in the exhibition catalogue, it was absent from the walls under pressure from David Hinchliffe, recently elected ALP councillor for Central.

A protest by 30 members and supporters of the lesbian community was held at the exhibition opening, with protesters donning flannelette shirts and gags to symbolise the silencing of lesbian voices. A statement protesting against the censorship by the BCC was read by Tracey Wing. It called on participants and sponsors to pressure the council into reversing its decision.

When Hinchliffe was asked to provide a written explanation of his reasons for banning “Dam Dykes”, he replied by saying that it could take up to two weeks to do so.

“Dam Dykes” will be launched at the Signal Gallery at 185 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, on Friday, April 22, at 7pm.

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