Farida Iqbal, Wollongong
On April 4, queer rights activist Annaliese Constable appeared in court under the charge of trespass. Constable led the 2004 campaign at Wollongong University for a safe queer space.
The existing campus queer space was a fire hazard, located away from the main university campus and there was a history of homophobic attacks on the users of the room. On August 26, 16 students and their supporters occupied a safe queer space on university grounds and remained locked in for 47 hours. Riot police invaded the space, arresting three students and charging them with trespass.
Constable said: “I want to win this case but regardless, we have succeeded in raising awareness of queer issues and we are on our way to winning a broader fight against discrimination, in all of its forms.” She argued that Wollongong University has “obstructed every attempt to ensure a safe campus for all students. It is a shame that we, the students, are teaching the so-called heads of our university.”
Constable was found guilty of trespass and was given a six-month good behaviour bond. However, no conviction was recorded.
The National Union of Students queer department, Community Action Against Homophobia and the Socialist Alliance opposed the charges. Socialist Alliance NSW queer rights spokesperson Rachel Evans told Green Left Weekly that “the court’s decision is designed to intimidate activists and prevent them from fighting for their rights, as Annaliese and the other Wollongong activists did”.
From Green Left Weekly, April 13, 2005.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.
