ACT and the Gay Community
The ACT Jewish Community’s (ACTJC) Board of Management has passed a motion unanimously in relation to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) community.
The motion was initiated by the ACTJC’s President, Mr Manny Waks, after being contacted by GLBT Melbourne activist, Mr Michael Barnett.
This matter was raised around the two year anniversary of the murder of two members of the GLBT community in Israel.
Mr Manny Waks commented: “This motion sends a strong message; that discrimination against the GLBT community is simply unacceptable and that our community is determined to combat such discrimination.I encourage anyone within the GLBT community who is discriminated against to report this to the authorities. Moreover, it is imperative that anyone who is feels victimised as a result of their sexual orientation to seek the support that they may need. The ACTJC is willing and ready to provide any assistance within its means that is necessary.”
The ACTJC acknowledges the contribution of Mr Michael Barnett, Ms Jacquie Seemann and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies in passing this motion.
Policy on counteracting hatred and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender persons
The ACT Jewish Community Inc:
RECOGNISES that the ACT Jewish community:
· is part of the Jewish people worldwide, with a shared history, culture and religious tradition; and
· is at the same time diverse and pluralistic, with its members holding different views on a range of issues;
CALLS FOR:
· mutual respect for the human dignity of all members of the community, despite any strongly held differences;
· recognition that disagreement is possible in ways that do not vilify other persons or their views; and
· avoidance of any public or private conduct that incites hatred , ridicule or contempt of another person or class of persons on the ground of their sexual orientation or gender identity;
AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AFORESAID PRINCIPLES:
· opposes any form of hatred of any person on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity;
· acknowledges that there is still much work to be done to remove intolerance of and unlawful discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in the Jewish community and the wider Australian community, and to provide adequate services and support for them and their families; and
· calls on persons and organisations in the Jewish community to support that work both in our community and in the wider Australian community.
