WA OK WITH GAY
A recent Westpoll has found a clear margin of West Australians in support of marriage equality, according to The West Australian. The poll of 400 WA residents found 61 per cent were in favour of same-sex marriage compared to just 33 per cent who opposed it. Commissioned by the West, residents under 35-years showed stronger support for same-sex marriage than people over 35-years with 77 per cent in favour. There was a clear divide between the sexes with 70 per cent of women supportive of same-sex marriage while only 52 per cent of men showed support. Greens Party supporters led the way with 97 per cent for marriage equality while 70 per cent of Labor voters also agreed with same-sex marriage. While support from Coalition voters fell just short of half at 49 per cent, it still outweighed any opposition from the party faithfuls at 45 per cent against.

MORE MEN PLEASE
More men are required in the social services’ sector according to a new report on intimate partner abuse of men. The Men’s’ Advisory Network hosted a workshop in June last year where industry members discussed the current state of support available for men. Other findings included earlier intervention and a greater consideration for Culturally and Linguistically Different families (CALD), aboriginal and same-sex relationships. The general lack of resources and inaccessibility to existing services was one of the gaps found. The workshop agreed there was an ongoing need in future for ‘good male role models’ for boys and men.

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YOUTH PORTFOLIO GROWS
2011 is set to be a big year for the young people of WA with four new youth-focused events on the horizon. The youth portfolio featured heavily for Pride WA last year with new events such as The Queer Underage for people under the age of 18. Pride WA male co-president Charles Denham said more involvement was needed this year. ‘Youth on the committee was a positive step in the right direction… more committee support and involvement needs to happen to expand the portfolio to its full potential and I have no doubts that our Youth Officer will do just that,’ Denham said. More information will be available throughout the year.

GET SET TO PASH
The national Pleasure and Sexual Health (PASH) study is coming to Perth next month, providing an insight into the findings with a Western Australian focus. People working with gay men are encouraged to attend with presentations from AFAO president and senior lecturer Graham Brown as well as Ian Down, Michael Hurley and Garrett Prestage. The PASH workshop will be held at Curtin University on February 9. RSVP to Ian Down on idown@nchecr.unsw.edu.au for more information.

Benn Dorrington

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