Farida Iqbal, Canberra
On February 15, the University of Canberra Queer Collective (UCan Q) launched a campaign for a "queer space". The UC Students' Association, while supporting the queer space campaign, does not have adequate spare rooms to offer.
Jess Rodgers, queer officer on UC, told Green Left Weekly: "According to the national study, Writing Themselves in Again, conducted in 2005 by LaTrobe University on the health and wellbeing of same-sex attracted young people, same-sex attracted youth are up to six times more likely than heterosexual youth to attempt to kill themselves.
"Queer spaces are a safe space where queer students can feel comfortable to be themselves and not fear queerphobia, where they can seek out information and build strong networks. We need this space so we can be part of combating these horrendous suicide figures, and so we can campaign against homophobia, unjust laws and raise the banner of queer pride. We will be part of the campaign to get rid of the federal ban on same-sex marriage."
Rachel Evans, the National Union of Students' female queer officer, told GLW: "Most university campuses have queer spaces and some of them have come about as a direct result of political action on campus. Wollongong campus and Deakin are two examples of campuses that have carried out successful battles for queer spaces. We will start that at UC today."
Phone Jess on 0408 409 157 for more information.
From Green Left Weekly, February 22, 2006.
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