Not serving the entire community
On behalf of Ballarat Pride Hub Inc. we are extremely disappointed in the Liberal Party endorsement of Buninyong Independent candidate Dianne Colbert. The very idea that a candidate with such extreme views on the validity and rights of our LGBTIQ+ community is able to run for a political position at all, let alone be endorsed by the region’s Liberal party, is hugely concerning. Our community is feeling very threatened by any possibility of such a person holding any position of authority and every candidate on the ballet paper should feel ashamed if they do not have the best interests of every constituent in mind.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
We are well aware of what Dianne Colbert believes the best interests of our community are, given her endorsement of and participation in practices of gay conversion therapy. We have no trust in someone who believes in such barbaric practices and would hope that a community that returned a 70.5% ‘Yes’ vote during the postal vote on Marriage laws wouldn’t either. We need to be maintaining a strong stance against such outdated ideas and we at Ballarat Pride Hub Inc. are here to let our fellow LGBTIQ+ and Ally community know that we do not stay silent in the face of such grossly bigoted attitudes.
It is unfortunately obvious that the Liberal party in Ballarat and Buninyong and those like Dianne Colbert, whom they support, are very much out of touch with their own community. Politicians, at the end of the day, work for their constituents and candidates like Michaela Settle and Juliana Addison have been incredibly supportive of equality amongst all constituents, and for this we applaud them.
We do know that, as a community, we have many supporters in our region and it is very important that this remains as such. We are committed to ensuring that this is so and always will be. We thank those who do support us and will always have the safety and best interests of our LGBTIQ+ and Ally community at heart. We are with you, don’t lose heart, regardless of Saturday’s results. You are never alone.
Kirsten Holden, Jen McInerney, Yasmin Mata, Executive Committee, Ballarat Pride Hub
Give Thelma a fair go
I was sad to read about the lady who was trying to make a few bucks before Christmas by holding a coffee sign outside a bakery, was directed by council to stop because some motorists complained she was a distraction. What is wrong with people? The council should concentrate on more important things than worrying about a lady holding a coffee sign. I say good on Thelma
Geoff Rundell, Ballarat.
If anyone doubted the lack of common sense of the Ballarat City Council, their latest decision to ban Thelma demonstrates changes in personnel are required. If we are talkinbg motorist distractions; what about thelarge regular flashing neon sign a few blocks up Latrobe Street, or the huge amount of multi-national signs across Ballarat? This preposterous decision needs to be reversed or every advertising sign in Ballarat has to be removed.
Daryl McCulloch, Alfredton.
