By Cassandra Pomroy
SYDNEY — More than 300 people attended the "harmony afternoon of reconciliation" at the University of Technology on September 12. Organised by Black, White and Pink, the forum addressed the need for gays and lesbians to take up the issues of racism and native title.
Wiradjuri woman Sylvia Scott welcomed participants and applauded gays and lesbians for leading in the struggle for reconciliation. In response to Pauline Hanson's claim to be the mother of all Australians, Scott joked "the Aboriginal people are going to put her up for child abuse".
Journalist David Marr said: "Directing and nurturing and focusing hate is one of the primary tasks of politics — communists know all about that, homosexuals know all about that, Asian immigrants know all about that, Aboriginal Australia knows it in its bones."
He stressed the need for a viable alternative to the Labor Party that can combat racism: "Labor allowed the Hindmarsh Island Act through parliament. That is the first federal piece of legislation in the history of this country that has taken rights from any racial group."
Linda Burney from the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board described Australia's racist history: "Australia was built on imperialism. It was founded on a lie. We can no longer think that our political masters are going to deliver. The only people who will deliver reconciliation are ourselves."
Democrat Senate candidate Aden Ridgeway, Greens Senator Bob Brown, Reverend Dorothy McMahon, Aids Council of NSW president Chris Gration and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras board member Wendy Brady also spoke.