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Workers' Liberty'the emancipation of the working class must be the act of the working class'Workers' Liberty Australia |
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Queer students organise for S11Activists from the Cross Campus Sexuality Network (CCSN) in Victoria have organised Q.U.E.E.R. It is planning a large, lively and interesting contingent at the S11 demonstration. Q.U.E.E.R. is a group of progressive queer activists fighting to abolish inequalities such as racism, sexism and homophobia as perpetuated by capitalism. We meet every Tuesday @ 6pm in the RMIT (City) activist space. As queers, we are actively targeted by big business through their carefully constructed 'queer-friendly' or homoerotic images and advertising campaigns. The thinly veiled tolerance of queers due to the perceived value of the 'pink dollar' is not acceptable. Our rightful place in society cannot be bought. Liberation will not come from consumption. Queer people must link their oppression with other issues of social justice. For as long as women are still oppressed, the working class is still exploited, indigenous people are still denied land rights and so on, fighting to end homophobia has limited aspirations. Queer liberation is intricately connected to the liberation of all people. In preparation for Queer S11, a convergence meeting will be held on September 10. This will enable all non Melbourne queer activists to meet with Q.U.E.E.R. and each other and to discuss and finalise our S11 actions. CONVERGENCE: 12pm, Sunday, September 10 — North Court, Melbourne Uni. For more details re Q.U.E.E.R., contact Xanthe -0407 519 348 (Queer officer @ Melbourne Uni) or Josh -(03)9925 3707 (CCSN Vic convenor and Queer RMIT convenor) CCSN activists have also organised a Queer reading group, "Read React Revolt", on Wednesdays in the queer room Melbourne Uni. Student Union 3rd floor. Contact: Xanthe/Adrian at Melb Uni on 83444816 or Jonathon/Brad at RMIT on 99253707 UNITE UNITE, the group for lesbian, gay, bi and transgender workers in Victoria met on 17 August. Decisions included: To regularly submit articles on industrial and workplace issues to the gay and lesbian press. To finalise mission statement, then contact other gay and lesbian community organisations to discuss coordination. To hold a function to launch the mission statement towards the end of the year. Resolutions condemning Steve Bracks and SDA Secretary Joe DeBruyn on EEO and IVF were discussed. It was decided that UNITE should write to Joe DeBruyn and issue a public appeal to SDA members to do the same. The resolution and letter to be refined by members through the e-group. In order to boost
membership the following initiatives were suggested: Ask all members to
email the finalised mission statement to 3 people they know who might
be interested in UNITE. Approach gay and lesbian friendly union officials
and those in industries with high gay and lesbian representation, directly.
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Sexuality, gender and class politics discussionsA lively, enthusiastic and interesting discussion amongst ten people occurred at the first meeting of the ‘Sexuality, Gender and Class Politics’ discussion group established by Workers' Liberty in Melbourne. Since then, a number of other people have expressed interest. It looks like it will outgrow my living room! In the spirit of Karl Marx's famous statement: "The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways: the point, however, is to change it." we hope that this discussion series can, at least in a small way, help to change the world. There is lots to learn and much interesting material to read and discuss. But unless there is an orientation back to practice, it is of little final consequence. A reasonably high and well-informed level of debate is to be desired, but the discussion will be accessible to those who are new to the topics. The first four discussions were set: Tuesday 5 September Construction of Heterosexuality Tuesday 3 October Queer theory. Psychoanalytical theories of Identity. Tuesday 1 November Why has the G&L law reform movement been so successful, Tuesday 29 November Transgender politics Contact Riki for reading material and information. (03) 3877819 riki@rabbit.com.au Quick Queer News
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