Plan to counter anti-homosexual violence
By Nick Ward
BRISBANE — Campaigns against anti-lesbian and gay violence are anticipated following meetings here on April 27.
A conference was held by the LRAT (Legal Research Advisory Trust for the gay, lesbian and HIV positive communities) Anti-Violence Campaign with police, education and health officials, church representatives, lawyers, representatives of the Human Rights Commission and members of the gay, lesbian and transsexual communities.
Superintendent Jill Bolen of the Police Department's Community Policing Support Branch indicated they would be recommending establishment of a community consultative committee as part of an effort to eradicate anti-lesbian and gay violence.
The representative of the Anglican Church Social Issues Committee, Babs Kettle, expressed support for efforts to wipe out violence and suggested the church could extend its initiatives in the area of domestic violence to include violence within homosexual relationships.
A meeting on HIV and AIDS-related violence was held by the Queensland AIDS Council in the afternoon.
In the evening the LRAT Anti-Violence Campaign held a public meeting. It was attended by more than 80 people, and after discussion it was decided to set up working groups on a number of projects, including police liaison and the community consultative committee, school education initiatives, lesbian violence, media watch, street patrol, whistle project, survivor support and advocacy, self-defence and a "reclaim the streets" rally.