Magda Szubanski and friends launch alternative GoFundMe: ForLove
Comedian and campaigner Magda Szubanski, in conjunction with interfaith friends, has launched a fundraising campaign to speak to the love and acceptance of the Australian people – not to division and mistrust.
Within the first two hours, the campaign has raised $50,000 to support children with cancer, and at- risk LGBTQI youth.
Speaking on the Project on Tuesday night, Szubanski said that the campaign “hopes to raise $500,000” to help the Children’s Cancer Foundation and Twenty10.
Campaign instigator Magda Szubanski said: “In response to Israel Folau, we are not gonna argue or fight. We are gonna try and show a better way. A group of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, atheist, straight, LGBTQI friends have come together to start a GoFundMe campaign. Let’s show that there are many of us who wish to use faith – or even no faith – to unite us rather than divide.”
Journalist and TV presenter Patrick Abboud added: “Faith or no faith, we can unite rather than divide if we just try to live from a place of love and respect. It’s not rocket science, it’s simply the way life should be for all of us and that’s what we’re trying to say with #ForLove”.
Father Rod Bower is an Anglican priest and social activist added: “Jesus formed my philosophy of what the gospel is. His practice was radical inclusivity. He even ate with sinners! So, if I’m going to be a Jesus follower, this fundraiser is something I can support.”
Mariam Veiszadeh is an Afghan-born Australian lawyer, opinion writer noted for her anti-racism campaigns. A prominent member of the Australian Muslim community, she been described as a “typically assertive Australian woman” by ABC News. She commented: “Words, and the context in which they are used, matter. You can’t foster inclusion, when people in positions of influence preach exclusion in a manner that incites hatred. Protecting one group, shouldn’t therefore come at the expense of significantly hurting another, particularly when the LGBTI community have significantly poorer mental health and higher rates of suicide than other Australians. I know first hand what it feels like to be demonised which is why I’m so passionate about creating a more welcoming and inclusive society.”
Justin Koonin: “We are ordinary Australians from very diverse backgrounds. What unites us is our desire to understand each other better, our belief that we are stronger together, and our hope that Australia can be a fairer, more welcoming and more inclusive country for all of us.”
Nic Parkhill: “Australian people and communities are all strengthened when we work together, despite our differences. Our individual and collective dignity is precious and we need to celebrate it, in ourselves and each other. Kind words and actions, no matter how small, can make big differences in people’s lives and we hope that this small action can reinforce the importance of kindness and compassion in contemporary Australia.”
Lyndall Katz: “We came together as a coalition of people from different backgrounds but with a strong understanding we are all human. This means what hurts you, hurts me too. Reaching together towards love, connection and humanity is what will make this world right. I am part of this because I want to move towards others, not away from them; because I am for people, and not against anyone; because I am #ForLove”.
Josh Kirsh: “My Jewish education taught me to seek to do good – to do tikkun olam and repair the world. We will only ever do that together, when we help each other in a way that is collaborative and community focused. Our Australian community, and how we can make it better, should always be front and centre – everything else is just noise.”
The Children’s Cancer Foundation “was founded by parents who fought for their children to be allowed to be children. After all, a sick child is still a child, and there isn’t one child who doesn’t delight in play and laughter and singing and dancing.” The Foundation distributes funds towards research, patient care, and family support. 90% of all donations raised by the campaign will go to the CCF.
Twenty10 is “a Sydney based service working across New South Wales, providing a broad range of specialised services for young people 12-25 including housing, mental health, counselling and social support.” 10% of all donations raised by the campaign will go to Twenty10.
Such a wonderful initiative.