Outing a media beat-up

August 14, 1991
Issue 

Outing a media beat-up

On July 23 Franca Arena, a Labor Party MP with a reputation for a generally positive stance on democratic issues, blotted her record with an outburst against supposed gay domination of the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON). She also attempted to draw a distinction between "innocent" and other people with AIDS or the HIV virus.

This aroused considerable anger among gay and lesbian organisations, which rightly insist that there are no innocent or guilty victims of AIDS or any other illness. This anger boiled over late last week when two gay activists, acting alone and perhaps rashly, confronted Arena in a heated exchange at a meeting of a parliamentary committee. They also distributed a leaflet denouncing Arena for her statement.

-2>While there might be argument about the methods and timing of the two activists, there is no doubt that their actions fell within the bounds of normal political exchange between politicians and constituents (in this case very angry constituents).0>

But this minor incident became celebrated in the Sydney media as a "Vicious gay campaign against Franca Arena" (front-page headline on the Sydney Morning Herald, August 9), and even more strangely, Australia's first case of "outing", the practice of publicly naming undeclared homosexuals and lesbians.

Accusations were made of threats concerning AIDS-infected syringes, and "outing" of Arena's two sons. Attempts were made to connect these threats with ACT UP, a gay and lesbian organisation campaigning, sometimes spectacularly, on AIDS-related questions. ACT UP has publicly deplored the alleged threat to Arena's life, and declared that it has "no stance on a non-AIDS related topic like outing".

-1>While the origins of the supposed syringe threats may never be known, the origins of the "outing" threat are known. They came from a Sydney Morning Herald journalist, who rang Arena claiming a mysterious group called Queer Nation was about to plaster the city with posters naming Arena's sons. To date, this has not happened, and there is very little likelihood that it will, since there appears to be a strong feeling in the gay community that outing is not an appropriate tactic, except perhaps against prominent individuals who use their positions to promote homophobic views.0>

-2>On this flimsy basis, the media constructed a couple of days' worth of spectacular anti-gay headlines and "provocative" talk shows, reinforcing homophobic prejudice and an atmosphere of fear and ignorance around the question of AIDS. The media, not any gay organisation, raised the issue of "outing" and then worked overtime to keep the issue alive, and what a fortunate coincidence for the SMH that its

Saturday Spectrum section, which has a mid-week deadline, was able to carry a major feature (soberly headlined "Gay guerillas come out to prey") on a story that broke late in the week! As well as a shameless beat up, the whole incident has the odour of a0> set-up.

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.