PRIDE PARADE: JUST MARRIED #lovewins It was a fantastic night with bright colours, bright lights and bright smiles; demonstrating the power of fun and positivity in the pursuit of acceptance and change in our community. Amnesty WA’s LGBTIQ Action Group went with a wedding theme for its float – pointing to the issue of marriage equality that is yet to be legalised here in Australia. The message was strong, but this didn’t stop the group from having some fun with the theme. The car was decked out in rainbow lights and rainbow flags, and the two brides looked fabulous whilst holding their flowers that trailed rainbow ribbon from below. The final touch was the banner on the back of the car – differing from the typical ‘just married’, this banner read a different message entirely: Just in Love, . Just not Allowed to Marry. The Pride Parade is not the only event that Amnesty WA’s LGBTIQ Action Group gets involved in. During the 2016 PrideFEST the group hosted a film screening (Holding the Man) and also attended Pride at Parliament. The group actively campaign to defend the rights of gender, sex and sexuality diverse people in Australia and around the world, and with this comes an array of different events, including (but not limited to) community fairs, community forums, rallies, important marches, petitions, and letter-writing workshops. They’re a wonderful group of people working to make change for the LGBTI community, which is echoed in their work and their ethos.
#BLOCKTHEB NEGLECT IS NEVER THE SOLUTION
Find the group on Facebook @aiaLGBTQIaction
The Federal Government has said it will move to ban refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru from ever coming to Australia. This lifetime ban, headed by Malcolm Turnbull, will mean that refugees who have arrived by boat since July 2013 will never set foot on Australian soil – destroying their chance of a better life in Australia. Amnesty International WA marched at the Fremantle Parade on the 6th of November to oppose this proposed ban; standing in solidarity with the refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru. In yellow unison, Amnesty WA championed above hate – calling on the Australian Government to open their hearts and close the camps on Nauru and Manus Island It was fantastic to see an array of yellow at the Fremantle Parade, with Amnesty WA’s Curtin University Group, Refugee Rights Action Group and Fremantle Group all in attendance. Although the day was solemn, the collective effort brought positivity and hope. It is this collective effort rthat is at the heart of Amnesty International – a grassroots movement that invites collaboration for change. If you’re concerned for the rights and protections of refugees and asylum seekers in our community, get involved in Amnesty WA by joining one of our Action Groups. #IWelcome was part of Amnesty International Australia's National Week of Action for Refugee Rights.