Invisibility cloak is off
TONY Robertson recalls the “cloak of silence” that engulfed Geelong in the late 1960s.
“Gay” — as a word or concept — simply wasn’t in the local vocabulary, he says, conjuring the “fear and isolation” he felt as a confused, Catholic teen.
The prominent gay rights activist, now based in Brisbane, this week attended the 18th anniversary of the Geelong Adolescent Sexuality Project (GASP); at 61, his first public LGBTI event in his birth city.
“There has been an amazing cultural shift over the years,” says Robertson, whose lobbying has focused largely on inclusion for gays within the church.
“When I was growing up, there was a great silence around sexuality and certainly no support networks for a young person interested in those questions.
“Homosexuality was a taboo topic back then, and so it’s wonderful to see a program like GASP, which is providing young people with a space and community to explore, ask questions and get the support they need. If they grow up with self respect and respect for diversity their whole outlook on life is improved.”
GASP was established by the City of Greater Geelong in 1996, and its group meetings have provided a haven of support and acceptance to hundreds of LGBTI teens, says team leader Susanne Prosser
The group also offers training programs and counselling and as- sists in setting up advocacy groups in local secondary schools.
“GASP is one of the longest running projects of its kind in the state, maybe the country, and it all came about because one young girl approached the city’s youth team with an idea,” Ms Prosser says.
“At the 18th birthday celebration, we had young people who currently attend talk about what it means to them, and many said GASP was like a family. It’s a place they can come and be themselves without worrying about being judged. Former participants said it had brought connection and belonging at a time when they felt isolated and marginalised.”
Robertson, a former St Joseph’s College student who has worked in the education and community sectors, knows well the psychological toll of isolation and says he has discovered the true reach of his era’s deafening cultural quietness.
“Years later I found out four of my school friends were going through the same thing, but back then we didn’t understand what was happening or how to speak about it,” he says.
“I’ve been back to St Jo’s and seen the positive change that is taking place. Just the fact that they invite me back as a gay man to talk to the kids about homosexuality and homophobia gives me hope that something wonderful is happening.”
Reconciling an identity as a gay Catholic man had been an ideological battle.
“Being Catholic and gay is about living with paradox and ambiguity. It’s a choice between walking away or hanging in there and confronting the prejudice. It’s a political choice to challenge the structure and practices so that it is possible to be gay or lesbian and part of the Catholic community. I have young Muslim friends facing the same thing — it reaches across religions and culture.”
The world has changed considerably for the LGBTI community since Robertson’s teenage years, but he acknowledges there’s still a long way to go.
“One thing I see now, which is great, is young guys hugging their mates. I think it’s wonderful young men can show affection and love for one another regardless of their sexuality,” he says.
“It never happened when I was at school, and learning to be affectionate is at the core of addressing male aggression
“However, we’re still dealing with abuse and stereotyping, particularly on the sporting field. We need to see more gay role models, not only in sport but also other domains, and to honour them, and their sexuality.”