Beyond 'That's So Gay'

WHO IS DANIEL WITTHAUS? (YOUTUBE)

Dan — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:26:21 +0000

A video introduction to ‘Who is Daniel Witthaus?’ was recently put together by award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Duffy and uploaded to YouTube. Better known for his documentary, The Doctor’s Wife, charting he and his partner’s journey as a gay couple into rural Queensland, Jono wanted to highlight other people making a difference in the LGBT community. In Jono’s own words:
“Gay rights advocate and education activist Daniel Witthaus is an extraordinary man with an extraordinary mission to eliminate homophobia in Australia. This passionate Victorian from Geelong embarked on an incredible 38 week journey in 2010, all around rural Australia, taking his anti-homophobia training, called Beyond That’s So Gay’, to schools, organizations and individuals. This video entitled “Who is Daniel Witthaus?” is the first in a serious about influential GLBTIQ people who are helping to make the world a better place.”

To view ‘Who is Daniel Witthaus?’ click here: Who is Daniel Witthaus?

For more on The Doctor’s Wife, click here: The Doctor’s Wife Official Website

CAPTURED: BEYOND ‘THAT’S SO GAY’: LESSONS FROM THE ROAD (FILMED)

Dan — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:02:15 +0000

On Tuesday 13th March something special happened at the Canterbury Street Stables, Flemington.

Sixty people joined Daniel for an exclusive filmed event where he sharee the findings of 100s and 100s of ‘cuppa’ conversations with every Australians from all walks of life. The audience found out if things really are better these days for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people and what can be done to best support them and challenge the homophobia of those around them.

Hosted by the City of Moonee Valley, the event was divided into two parts:
(a) A multi-media presentation that shared stories, video clips and photos to illustrate what Daniel found out after 266 relentless “Groundhog Days” on the road; and (after a break),
(b) A Q&A with the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission’s Kenton Miller that teased out audience questions and the things that amused and intrigued Kenton.

Stay tuned over the coming months as this event becomes a collection of YouTube clips that can be readily accessed by regional, rural and remote Australian communities.

MQFF ♥ PEOPLE POWER PANEL A SUCCESS

Dan — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:54:34 +0000

Daniel joined Federal MP Adam Bandt for a ‘People Power’ panel at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival on Sunday 18th March. Following on from a Dutch documentary, ‘Help! We’ve Got A Gay In The Class’, Daniel and Adam discussed the realities of individual vs collective activism.

Click here for more details: Help! We’ve Got A Gay In The Class

BEYOND ‘THAT’S SO GAY’ & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Dan — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:28:27 +0000

For the last 6 months Daniel has been working with Hobsons Bay City Council in Melbourne’s West. Thanks to the now internationally famous and first Intersex Mayor Tony Briffa, Hobsons Bay have been looking at ways to better include and support GLBTIQ residents. Daniel only just completed Beyond ‘That’s So Gay’ training for an all-of-staff session. Due to the interest and popularity, the session had to be moved to the largest room at Council! This built on the success of training for Youth Service staff and was followed by a presentation to Hobsons Bay’s own GLBTIQ Reference Group.

Daniel has been lucky enough to help with Hobsons Bay’s efforts to encourage local governments in Melbourne’s West to start meaningfully addressing GLBTIQ needs. Earlier this year he presented to the Western Region’s GLBTIQ Local Government Reference Group which resulted in quite a bit of fun, frivolity and excitement.

Stay tuned for more exciting local government news. And go Hobsons Bay!

BEYOND ‘THAT’S SO GAY’ SUMMARY SERIES: PART FOUR

Dan — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:14:30 +0000

Find out what the birds-eye view of regional, rural and remote Australia is from the perspective of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as well as those who support them.

For The Head: LGBT Summary: For The Head
(An LGBT Support Black Hole; LGBT Support Snapshot; LGBT Support Worker Snapshot)

For The Heart: LGBT Summary: For The Heart
(LGBT (Sydney) Utopia; Starting Out – Geelong; New Work – Indigenous and Trans)

For The Hand: LGBT Summary: For The Hand
(Mainstream Leveraging; Talk, Share, Change: Cuppa and Cake; LGBT Young People Snapshot)

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thisisoz CAMPAIGN

Dan — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:53:37 +0000

Recently at the 2nd CoastOut Festival in Coffs Harbour, Daniel added his support to ACON’s thisisoz campaign. As the website says: “This Is Oz is an online photo gallery where you can help spread the word about GLBT rights by uploading an image of yourself with your message and encouraging friends and family to do the same.”

www.thisisoz.com.au

KEY INDEPENDENTS/MARRIAGE EQUALITY DINNER

Dan — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:49:55 +0000

On October 31st 2011, Daniel joined AME and everyday marriage equality advocates for a dinner at Parliament House with the key Independents (i.e. Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Andrew Wilkie). Happy Halloween!

Daniel with Rob, Tony and Andrew

Independent’s Dinner attendees

One example of the coverage can be seen here:
gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/national/2541-independents-agree-gays-right-to-marriage.html

For more information, go to: www.australianmarriageequality.com

DANIEL SPEAKS AT COAST OUT FESTIVAL

Dan — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:48:18 +0000

Late October saw Daniel travel to Coffs Harbour, NSW for the first time in 3o years to speak at the Coast Out Festival’s Gender & Sexuality Conference. Held at, and in partnership with, Southern Cross University, the conference was hailed as a success by both organisers and those that attended. Daniel spoke about his tour, his findings and the implications for regional, rural and remote Australia.

Daniel then enjoyed being a guest of the 2nd Coast Out Festival. For more information on a fun-filled weekend, see:
www.coastout.com.au/

PRIDE & PREJUDICE FACILITATOR TRAINING @ HOBSONS BAY

Dan — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:24:05 +0000

On Thursday 20th and Friday 21st October, a committed group of teachers and health professionals undertook and completed the two-day Pride & Prejudice Facilitator Training. Hosted by Hobsons Bay Youth Services, educators and workers from across three local government areas came together to stop talking about challenging homophobia and to get moving.

Not only did participants receive frameworks, strategies and action plans for challenging homophobia, making schools safer and supporting young people better, they also got all the resources they could possibly need: Pride & Prejudice, Beyond ‘That’s So Gay’ and bound Summary Series from the tour.

One participant described feeling “energised” at the end, whilst another said in Beyond ‘That’s So Gay’ she had found “the Bible” on challenging homophobia in Australia schools.

If you are interested in organising a similar training for your region, see the Pride & Prejudice and Schools sections of this website, or e-mail: daniel@thatssogay.com.au

Newly trained teachers/health professionals

The resources

BEYOND ‘THAT’S SO GAY’ SUMMARY SERIES: PART THREE

Dan — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:37:53 +0000

SUMMARY SERIES, PART THREE: MAINSTREAM RESISTANCE (AUGUST 2011)

Find out what the birds-eye view of regional, rural and remote Australia is from the perspective of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as well as those who support them.

For The Head: Mainstream Summary: For The Head
(Everyday Mainstream LGBT Resistance: “not on the radar”; Mainstream Exceptions)

For The Heart: Mainstream Summary: For The Heart
(Steve’s, story; ‘Whatever’ and everyday mainstreaming; Michael and Mary’s story)

For The Hand: Mainstream Summary: For The Hand
(The Faces of Homophobia; Hopping On The Homophobic Scales; Is Your Workplace “Ready”?)