Three Blue Mountains participants in the first Sydney Mardi Gras, known as 78ers, will raise the rainbow flag on IDAHOT Day, the International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia.
Supported by the Blue Mountains City Council, IDAHOT events will be held from 10am-noon on Thursday, May 17 at 2 Civic Place, Katoomba. Community members are warmly welcome.
Brian Coates from Blackheath, Genie Melone from Katoomba and Wentworth Falls resident Jan Forrester would love any other 78-ers living in the Blue Mountains to come and join them.
“I struggled quite a bit as a young gay man and, for a very long time, the only place I found male camaraderie was in the gay bars on Oxford Street in Sydney,” said Mr Coates.
“On the other hand, most lesbians I knew were part of the women’s movement which was a remarkably inclusive and practical vehicle for learning how politics worked at the community, government and public level.”
Genie Melone remembers the torrent of creative events that followed the 1978 Mardi Gras.
“It was as if the act of coming out on the streets, despite the horrible events at Mardi Gras gave us licence to be more visible. It was a very creative time,” she said.
“There were lesbian women demonstrating at the Women and Arts Festival, lesbian cabarets, and the Freda Stares, a lesbian tap dancing group, just to name a few. We were coming out and it was fun and exciting.”
Brian Coates started training to be a nurse in 1978.
“The HIV/AIDS epidemic that hit Australia in 1982 was personally confronting – and also incredibly challenging as a nurse working closely with those who had the virus,” he said.
“And a fast and effective grassroots response was crucial in keeping infection rates low.
“Partnership between government and community groups was critical to Australia’s success in managing the epidemic. And here’s a shout out to the then federal health minister, Neil Blewett, who is a Blue Mountains resident.”
In 2016 the NSW State Government and NSW Police apologised to 78-ers for the arrests and bashings in 1978.
“A public embrace like that also acknowledges LGBTIQ people’s contribution to local organisations, businesses and the community,” said Jan Forrester.
Brian Coates has also reflected on recent changes.
“It’s not over. Young gay, lesbian and transgender people may believe that, with marriage equality, everything is OK. We should never believe that any political or social rights are won forever - for anyone. They are tender plants and we need to cherish and grow them in our communities, not take them for granted.”
Members of the community are invited to commemorate IDAHOT on Thursday, May 17 from 10am-noon in Civic Place, Katoomba.
Morning tea is from 10-11am. Guest speakers and raising of the Rainbow Flag will be from 11am-noon.
