Allies battle homophobia

by John Chan

April 10, 2008

THE tranquil waters of tolerance were disturbed recently when homophobia bubbled to the surface in the form of a note placed in the office of Murdoch University’s Queer Collective.

According to collective rep’ Emma Kingdon, the note [pictured] was placed in her office during the university break when the office was locked.

“The majority of people in the collective aren’t fully ‘out’, especially to their families. But you would hope that while on campus, you would free to be who you are,” Emma said. “When you are confronted by homophobia in a university system that is supposed to be more liberal, it is hard to encourage people to branch out and come to terms with their personal identity.

“I have no doubts that [acts of homophobia] stop this from happening.”

The Queer Collective’s Allies program aims to educate folk who liaise with students .

“Homophobia never goes away, but the aim of the program is to educate so that students with questions about sexuality have someone to talk to,” said guild equity officer and Allies organiser Geraldine Box. “It’s about opening the minds of staff to gay and lesbian issues.”

Homophobia has been in the spotlight for the Queer Collective since January, when the note was found. Almost 50 Murdoch students and staff have signed up to the Allies program.