After a decade of involvement with Gay and Lesbian Equality (WA), Rod Swift is saddling up and riding off into the sunset. Speaking exclusively to Out In Perth, Mr Swift talks about his history in GLBTI activism, why volunteering is important and a rewarding experience, and the importance of GLBTI lobbying even after achieving significant law reforms in WA and Australia.
Q: When did you get involved in Gay & Lesbian Equality?
I first got involved with GALE when I returned to Perth in April 2000 from working for a while in Adelaide and Melbourne. But it was by no means the first foray for me into lobbying and GLBTI rights. One of those big tasks was setting up a safe space for queer and questioning youths on the internet called soc.support.youth.gay-lesbian-bi – this was in the days before the internet was graphical. I also set up one of the first websites for information about the Hawaii marriage case of Baehr v Lewin.
Q: What was it like, being part of making the 2001-2002 reforms happen?
Being around during those law reforms was a very surreal experience. It was amazing to see some of the work achieved by, sometimes, a small group of committed people helping to motivate hundreds of others to get involved. I suppose there was also an air of hope and change for the better being a real possibility that helped galvanise our community behind the law reforms. From a personal perspective, I think the most rewarding part of my input was that into the media strategy and making sure that our side of the story was being heard clearly and succinctly. Those tactics had our opponents sounding shrill and objectionable, and our message was calm, clear and reasonable. This was essential to winning over the middle ground and the minds and hearts of reasonable people.
Q: Why is the work GALE does important?
The work GALE does is essential, in my opinion. A lot of people think that our job is done because we have law reforms in WA and now some law reform across Australia – but it is not. We still have quite a task ahead of us with issues like marriage and civil union laws. We also have the task that will remain forever: counteracting some of the terribly backward or uninformed opinions that appear in the media about our relationships and families. This most recent election saw Family First make deliberate attacks against GLBTI families and relationships and that alone is just one reason why GALE’s work in counteracting that message is important.
Q: What would you say to other people who want to get involved in this sort of work?
Well, it’s not work. People think the task of being involved in a community organisation or movement is hard work, or hugely time consuming, when it’s not. It’s about finding where you fit into a community organisation and doing what you enjoy, not what is arduous. Given my background and training has been in media analysis and public speaking, I sought to do what I felt comfortable and skilled in and gained much enjoyment in being media spokesperson for GLBTI issues and handling those tough questions. So I would encourage people to think about getting involved in any of our community-based volunteer organisations and give a couple of hours a month to be on a committee, or part of a project group. It does give you a good feeling of having made a difference. Community organisations are also a great opportunity to learn new skills from others, so give it a go.
Q: What is your favourite memory from your time with GALE?
I have quite a few. I think paramount is the feeling that with something like law reform, you change hundreds and even thousands of people’s lives for the better – even though your work might have been behind the scenes. That feeling of having made a mark, or changed the world just a little bit for the better, will always stay with me. There are also the visual memories: countless hundreds of people at rallies throughout the years, the marches for equality, watching opponents to equality squirm uncomfortably when challenged outside Parliament House.
Q: Worst memory?
Not really worst, but disturbing the first time and now somewhat amusing: the weird correspondence. We got a lot during the law reform debate from people who sent us back copies of an advertisement in The West Australian that was usually defaced with some horrid words or images. Even now, we occasionally get someone who might not like what GALE says or does and they write in to the post office box – usually using an old, clunky typewriter or in small handwriting – with an admonishment or judgement. Usually they come from people of a religious bent wanting to damn us all to hell. It is quite amusing to read some of the rants.
Q: Where to from here, for you and GALE?
Well, for me it is off to Melbourne to continue the GLBTI activism over there. It’s sad, because I love the work I do for GALE, and I might offer to stay for a while as a media speaker from time to time to help with the transition to new spokespeople. But my other half has moved to Melbourne for work, and therefore it’s time to move on. For GALE, there’s some exciting projects still in progress. We have seen a resurgence of community activism with the marriage equality events in WA and the recent elections. And I hope there is news soon of the work that GALE has been toiling behind the scenes on for the past nine months, a special project which I hope will again change the lives of hundreds of GLBTI couples and families in WA like we did in 2001 and 2002.
GALE(WA) is seeking new committee members!
The Annual General Meeting of Gay & Lesbian Equality (WA) is coming up soon, and along with Mr Swift, two other committee members will be moving on. There are positions available on the committee for interested individuals who want to get involved in making a real difference to the lives of people of diverse sexuality & gender in Western Australia. The AGM is open to all community members who want to know more about what is going on in the campaign for full equality, and who want to give their input to the strategic direction of GALE in 2011.
WHEN: Saturday 25th September, 2pm
WHERE: Northbridge Piazza Community Facility, Cnr James St / Lake St Northbridge
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST: http://galewa.asn.au/AGM
