Pride March packs a punch (Star Observer)

Acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner Karen Toohey has said Victoria still has along way to go on homophobic and transphobic harassment just days before the state’s annual Pride March.  The parade, organised by Pride March Victoria, falls this Sunday, February 3 and kicks off from 2pm along Fitzroy St, St Kilda.

Hundreds of community members are expected to march for the 17th annual Pride March, which will be led by openly gay AFL footballer Jason Ball and his Yarra Glen team mates.

The ENUF Campaign, combatting stigma against HIV-positive people will be marching, as will the new March with Pride group that is inviting anyone not aligned to a group to join and march with.

The acting commissioner said that while we have come a long way in tackling homophobia in Victoria, we have a lot of work left to do.

“Many GLBTIQ people still have to deal with homophobic or transphobic harassment or verbal abuse and many have been physically attacked, just for being who they are,” Toohey said.

Pride March is Victoria’s most visible LGBTI event, she said, and is a demonstration of community acceptance as well as a celebration of diversity.

Toohey added the parade was also an opportunity to highlight the widespread discrimination still faced by the queer community.

“We look forward to marching with Jason and No to Homophobia to spread the message of acceptance and understanding and to get the message out that there is no room for homophobia and intolerance in our society,” she said.

No to Homophobia Campaign coordinator Daniel Scoullar said the march sent a strong signal out to the wider community.

“Pride March is the loudest and most visible statement by Victoria’s sex and gender diverse community that we are here and that we have a right to be here,” he said.

“The No to Homophobia Campaign is proud to bring together groups like the Commission, community leaders like Jason Ball and our thousands of members and supporters to reject homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and the physical and psychological harm they cause. There’s no place for them anywhere in society.”

Jason Ball said he was honoured to be part of Pride March and was particularly excited to march with his footy teammates.

He said the Pride march was a great opportunity to show the inroads made towards tackling homophobia in football.