2nd July, 2005
Pride Western Australia Incorporated has named John Curtin College of the Arts teacher Suzanne Covich as Patron for this year's Pride Festival.Pride WA is Western Australia's largest lesbian and gay organisation and has staged the annual Pride Festival since 1990. This year's Festival will begin with the City of Perth Pride Fairday in Northbridge's Russell Square on Sunday 25 September, run throughout October with a rich mix of arts, culture and community events, before reaching its climax with the 16th Annual Pride Parade through the streets of Northbridge on Saturday 29 October. Past Patrons have included Senator Brian Greig, Hon Giz Watson MLC, Hon Louise Pratt MLC and Professor Christopher Kendall from Murdoch School of Law.
Pride Co-President Laura Foster said, by appointing Suzanne Covich as this year's Festival Patron, Pride hoped to highlight the problem of homophobia and discrimination against lesbian and gay students and staff in Western Australian schools.
"Most people who have grown up lesbian or gay know how difficult coming to terms with their sexuality can be and how harsh the school environment can be," Ms Foster said.
"This year, Pride will turn the spotlight on homophobia in Western Australian schools by highlighting the issue through events during the Pride Festival, including the Pride Parade through the streets of Northbridge, which last year attracted a record 70,000 spectators."
Pride Co-President Daniel Smith said, while the Gallop Government had led the nation in lesbian and gay reform, there was still more work to be done.
"The work of organisations like Pride will not be complete until every Western Australia child can go to school without fear of being bullied or discriminated against because of their sexuality," he said.
Welcoming her appointment as Pride Patron, Suzanne Covich said it could not have come at a better time.
"With the lesbian and gay law reforms well and truly in place, it is time that people who have lived the awful experience of homophobia in our schools (students, parents, teachers and administrators) worked together to tackle the problems," she said.
"We need to address the ideas, attitudes and behaviour that result in far too many people within our schools being hurt because they do not fit traditional stereotypes.
"While some schools have already begun to deal with the issues at a grass roots level, we need clear leadership, direction and support from the State Government to achieve permanent improvements throughout the entire Western Australia education system."