The Sydney GLBT community stood together this weekend and said no more violence on our streets. If you couldn't make it, your voice can still be heard.

At the end of 2007, GenQ put out the call to encourage those who want to see Oxford Street become safer to speak up. With over 800 signatures being collected after initial campaigning conducted purely by word of mouth, the general public is having their say; Oxford Street needs to be made safer.

Comments made on the Make Oxford Street Safer petition by those who have signed include “We are all humans who are born with the right to feel safe at all times”, “I do not feel safe , every day more and more gay bashing goes on I am close to destruction”, and “Long overdue!! The growing number of issues and incidents occuring is awful..people should be able to feel safe in the City of Sydney.”

Every single person that visits Oxford Street deserves to be safe, no matter their gender, religion, or sexuality.

GenerationQ Producer Chris Pycroft has welcomed the initial response to the petition, and agrees that more needs to be done to ensure that Oxford Street is a safe place.

“People deserve to be an environment where they should feel safe enough to comfortably be themselves,” Pycroft said.

“Actions speak louder than words. We need to stop saying ‘we want Oxford Street to be safer’; we need to take action otherwise nothing may ever happen.”

Pycroft said that although Oxford Street is known predominately as an area associated with the gay community, the campaign is about making the area safer for all people.

“Every single person that visits Oxford Street deserves to be safe, no matter their gender, religion, or sexuality.

“With initiatives such as the GenQ Street Angels and increasing campaign levels, Oxford Street will soon be safe for anyone who chooses to visit the area, regardless of their sexuality.”

This weekend's "Reclaim the Right" vigil saw around 1000 people gather in Harmony Park, about half of whom then walked hand in hand down Oxford Street. It has been hailed a great success by the community.

If you couldn't make it to the Vigil, you can still make a difference. Sign the online petition and get all your friends to sign it too. Just click on the link below to read and sign.

Tags: gay australia, glbt community, homophobia, homophobic, vigil