By Janet Parker
SYDNEY — In a world where only 1% of property is owned by women, there are very few places for women which are safe and accessible. For lesbians, the situation is even more bleak. But a group of Sydney women are about to change all that.
The 500/500 Lesbian Space Project was officially launched in December 1992 with the aim of raising $250,000 to purchase a building in Sydney's inner west. The building, owned by lesbians for lesbians, will be run as a lesbian community centre.
The 500/500 plan involves collecting 500 cheques of at least $500 by the December 10 deadline. The campaign will climax that evening with a gala concert at Sydney Town Hall. If all goes according to plan, the keys for the newly purchased building will be handed over as part of these festivities.
The plans for the centre are based on the responses the LSP received to a survey circulated in Sydney in 1992.
The 430 respondents indicated that they wanted a centre in the inner city area that can hold at least 500 women at large events as well as provide a networking and information hub, meeting areas, performance and dance space, a library, lesbian businesses, pool table, garden, art gallery and cafe. The centre should be accessible to lesbians from non-dominant cultures and to lesbians with disabilities.
"Of course, we would love a five-storey gala Opera House type building with a movie theatre on top and a sauna and spa, but we'll get what we can afford", LSP co-convener Georgina Abrahams told Green Left Weekly.
The LSP does not want a mortgage — the building must be purchased outright. If the target is not met by December 10, all money donated will be refunded.
"We feel we have a responsibility to succeed in establishing in Sydney the world's first centre for lesbians", Georgina continued. "We live in a unique situation where, comparatively, we have a high degree of freedom, anti-discrimination laws, an organised community and many allies and supporters."
The centre will be run by an elected management committee chosen by a voting lesbian membership and run along cooperative, flexible principles with constitutional guidelines.
Money for administration will come from membership fees and income from events organised by the centre and lesbian groups who hire the space and its facilities. There will also be a "Friends of the Centre" category of supporters who pay an annual fee and receive a twice yearly newsletter detailing the centre's activities.
"Already we've been approached by a lot of groups who want to work in it", Georgina explained. "There are women who want to run their businesses, publications and services from a building like this, so there won't be a problem in maintaining it.
"There is enormous support, not only from lesbians in Australia but internationally as well. We've spent nearly a month doing a huge mail-out that has gone everywhere from Argentina to Zimbabwe. Already, we've received cheques from the US and Japan.
"Of course we don't expect cheques from the poorer world. Rather, we want to spread the inspiration and knowledge that there are lesbians around the world who know how important it is to have their own space.
"Already, it has given rise to a group of women in Melbourne who are working towards their own space. Just recently, 40 women met in Brisbane to discuss the setting up of a similar centre."
The women currently have 50 cheques in the bank and a further 220 pledged. But in the final months they are urging other women to get together with friends to hold a raffle or dinner party, charge an entry fee and donate the proceeds to the LSP. "It's the many doing for the many", Georgina enthused, "not just one or two women working hard. In this way everyone feels they have an investment in it. If a lot of women don't support it, it won't happen."
Women can also support the project by attending one or all of the many fundraisers planned over the coming weeks — Karaoke nights, a '70s skating night, a slumber party, a festival, cabaret and dance on October 9 to mark International Lesbians Day (October 8) and the culminating concert "Coming From a Strong Space", to be held at Sydney Town Hall on December 10. A full house of 2000 women will raise an additional $30,000 to furnish the centre with photocopier, fax and other essentials.
Women wanting to organise fundraisers can call on LSP women to help. For brochures, a speaker or information, phone (02) 567 3339. Cheques can be sent to Box 503, Glebe NSW 2037.