Reflections on January 2020
While a lot of Australia was dealing with drought and bushfires,
I went to Melbourne to attend the Better Together Conference.
This conference brings together individuals from the Rainbow Communities and "aims to explore current issues facing the LGBTIQ+ movement, bringing together voices from indigenous communities, people with a disability, the Deaf community, as well as multicultural and multi-faith communities." It is really special to be around so many committed and talents individuals.
One of the clear messages I heard over and over again went something like "we want a seat at the table". This really challenged me as one of the values I have tried to uphold is that of inclusion. I am proud that our board is equal (in terms of the binary split male/female). There is always room for improvement though. We will be looking for some additional board members in the coming months so please touch base if you think you can serve. The board meets quarterly.
After the conference, I was scrolling through Twitter. Someone had posted that protestors had disrupted a story telling session at a library in Brisbane, where drag queens were reading to children. When social media erupts over an event, I sit back and wait. It's important for me to have an informed opinion before I comment.
The next day I heard the news that the person who had led the protest had taken their life. As it turned out,
the leader of the protest, Wilson Gavin, was gay.
I do not profess to know why Mr Gavin took his life nor why he felt called to lead a protest in front of children.
What I do know is that even the darkest moments of our life pass. It is in these moments that maintaining connection to family, family of choice or friends is really important. When we are seek these people out, they help by listening to us and providing different perspectives on situations.
What I also continue to observe is that reaching people who are isolated (in thought or geographically) is very difficult. The socially isolated don't move around with flashing neon lights. It takes each one of us to look through our networks and check in on people. That requires active participation.
My hope for Mr Gavin is that he rests in peace.
At the end of January I returned to Melbourne to attend the Metropolitan Community Church Network Gathering. This event brings together the MCCs in Australia & Aotearoa/New Zealand for a weekend of fellowship and learning.
Some of us spent Friday learning about two services that operate in Melbourne.
We first visited the Positive Living Centre, which supports people living with HIV. They offer a wide range of services including a food pantry, art and computer classes as well as a weekly lunch and dinner. They also have caseworkers available to support people who are diagnosed with HIV.
The PLC showed me what is possible for MCC Welfare Services. I would love for us to have something similar - a place where people could wander in, have a cuppa and then learn (or brush up on) conversation skills. We could also connect people with any services or supports they might need.
Our vision is set. We can dream dreams. This chapter is about to be written. What part will you play?
