GenQ - For the not so straight individual

I must admit I am not entirely comfortable with the name change from Queerplanet to the more esoteric Generation-Q. My generation certainly did not feel, as today's young people may, that one's sexual orientation does not have to be given a clear, defining label. We grew up in a time when homosexual acts were illegal, and the only way to bring about change was to become politically active, and collectively assert our identity.

Over three decades ago in NSW, the Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP) aimed to overturn outdated laws that discriminated against homosexuals. However, the term ?homosexual? sounded clinical, implying that it was just sexual acts that defined us. Hence, ?gay?, referring to same-sex attracted people of either gender, was adopted. ?Gay? had a positive slant and conveyed the important message that we not only had sex with people of the same gender, we also embraced our sexuality, and often loved those with whom we slept.

In Victoria, an organisation called Society 5 had similar objectives to those of CAMP. Bodies like these, through activists including Jamie Gardiner (pictured above), worked hard to unite and mobilise gay communities in each state. As well as being active behind the scenes, Society 5 ran a drop-in centre, including a coffee bar and library. This was at a time when few gay venues existed, and those that did had discreet names like The Anglers? Club.

However, it was not an easy period. When Sydney gays celebrated the anniversary of a raid on New York's Stonewall Bar, in which patrons resisted police standover tactics for the first time, the celebration turned sour when a number of Aussie revellers were arrested, thrown into paddy wagons, beaten up by police, and outed by the press, leading to many losing their jobs. From this, the first Gay Mardi Gras was born.

Through this earlier generation's efforts, legislative change did eventually occur. South Australia was the first state to decriminalise gay sex, followed by Victoria, NSW, and, in time, the other states. Gay venues began to flourish, proudly asserting themselves with names like Mandate and the Tool Shed, and often flying rainbow flags. Gay and lesbian precincts such as Sydney's Oxford Street and Melbourne's Commercial Road became established. Even when AIDS reared its ugly head, we managed to stand firm.

It is important not to forget this considerable history and the people who fought hard for rights that, today, we take for granted. It is also crucial to remember that we are still not equal in so many ways, including the right to marry, the right to adopt children, and the right to consent to anal sex at the same age as vaginal sex (in some states). Add to this, cases in which gay bashers appear to get lighter sentences because their homophobia is taken into account, and thus legitimised. There is much yet to be achieved.

While it would be great if we didn't need to use labels like gay, queer, LGBTI, etc, by going without them we risk blending into the crowd and losing the monumental achievements that have been won. We need to continue proudly declaring who we are, and what we want. If this means unambiguously labelling ourselves, so be it!