Item 18 Notice of Motion: Inner West Pride History and Heritage

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Norrie addresses the Inner West Council about the Gender Centres' Inner West History - Watch at https://youtu.be/4aj_Gq3Jh6k?t=1960

Worked with Deputy Mayor Jess D'Arienzo on this motion. Following a compelling presentation from Norrie on the History of the Gender Centre the motion was resolved unanimously on 12 April 2022

Item 18 Notice of Motion: Inner West Pride History and Heritage 

That Council: 

  1. Receive and note background to this Notice of Motion;

  2. Acknowledges and thanks the LGBTQ working group for their ongoing work and support; and  

  3. Requests that the World Pride Committee which was resolved at the last Council Meeting, and the LGBTQ Working Group consider, support and promote accessible initiatives and events, to celebrate and share our Inner West LGBTQ pride history, heritage and communities.  

Background

Sydney World Pride: “Gather. Dream. Amplify.

Sydney WorldPride acknowledges the traditional custodians of Australia, the oldest surviving culture on the planet and invites us to work together to create change and long-lasting legacy for all our communities.

We welcome LGBTQIA+ people from across the globe: to honour our elders and communities, acknowledge our connections, and empower each other to celebrate together in new ways.

Gather in conversation, celebration & ceremony Non-stop virtual and in-person parades, conferences and concerts, from Friday 17 February until Sunday 5 March 2023” https://sydneyworldpride.com

Boomalli

Boomalli Aboriginal Artist Cooperative started in Chippendale, had a short period on Parramatta Road Annandale before moving to Flood Street Leichhardt. They have held a Mardis Gras exhibition since 1994. 

2022 Mardis Gras Show

78ers

A number of ‘78ers live in the Inner West. A plaque has been installed and flags flown in Balmain.

Dykehardt

In the 1980s cheaper housing attracted low income people to Leichhardt and the rest of the Inner West – this included generally lower paid Lesbian and Gay couples who could not afford the Eastern Suburbs.

But perhaps Leichhardt’s Lesbian history dates back to Ida Leeson: “Ida Emily Leeson (1885-1964), librarian, was born on 11 February 1885 at Leichhardt, Sydney, daughter of Thomas Leeson, carpenter from Canada, and his native-born wife Mary Ann, née Emberson. Ida's schooling began at Kogworth Public School ..” Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10 , 1986 https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/leeson-ida-emily-7157 Though there is also a strong view that Ms Leeson attended Leichhardt Primary. She lived for a while, with her partner Florence Birch, at the bohemian enclave Walter and Mahony Griffin created at Castlecrag -Ida Leeson: A Life

Not a blue-stocking lady, Sylvia Martin https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/other-books/Ida-Leeson-A-Life-Sylvia-Martin-9781741148503

Norrie

“Sono rimasto davvero sorpreso di sapere che sono il primo al mondo ad avere un passaporto senza indicazione di sesso. Non sarò certamente l'ultimo” ha detto Norrie al quotidiano Scavenger. . “[“I was really surprised to learn that I am the first in the world to have a passport with no indication of gender. I will certainly not be the last, ”Norrie told the Scavenger newspaper. .] - NORRIE, SENZA SESSO-FOTO, STATO FA UN PASSO INDIETRO, Giovedì 18 Marzo 2010, Leggo Foto https://www.leggo.it


Norrie was invited to write the forward to the recently published The NSW Trans History report https://www.transhub.org.au/101/is-trans-new#the-nsw-trans-history-report 

Renny Roccon

Author and illustrator of two children’s books: It’s OK to be Me and The Fabulous Wonder Mama https://fabulouswondermama.com.au/

The Gender Centre Annandale

“Soon after Frank Walker's department provided a second house located in Ashfield and a third house was also soon provided in Haberfield. By mid-1984 we had a structured residential system from short to medium-term accommodation.”


“By 1993, D.O.C.S. and the N.S.W. Department of Health entered into a joint funding agreement. This meant that Tiresias House was funded to provide services to minimise the effects of H.I.V./ AIDS on the transgender community. These services included outreach and a community worker position. At this time, Tiresias House was incorporated and renamed The Gender Centre Inc., to reflect the change in services and service philosophy. “ https://gendercentre.org.au/about-us/our-history

Mardi Gras Football Tournament

Sydney Rangers FC host an annual Mardi Gras Football Tournament at Lambert Park, Leichhardt, in partnership with The Flying Bats and Pride Football Australia...https://sydneyrangersfc.com.au/mardigrastournament/

Suggested Initiatives for consideration

  • Events in Leichhardt to ensure Dykehart is recognised for its extensive LGBTIQ+ history.

  • A celebration of the life and achievements of Ida Leeson who was born and educated in Leichhardt

  • Celebrating the history of the Dykes on Bikes headquarters at the London Hotel, Leichhardt

  • A Story Telling event focussing on LGBTIQ+ activists and their connection to the Inner West

  • Decorating paths and platforms at the Marion Street and Hawthorne Canal light rail stops in partnership with Transport NSW. Pride banners at light rail stations and involve Transit Systems who operate Leichhardt Bus Depot.

  • A focus on LGBTIQ+ artists for the 2023 EDGE Greenway festival (extending to promote the annual Mardis Gras Festival at Boomalli) or maybe provide opportunities for artists to create flags/banners for areas around the Inner West.

  • A cycle or walking tour with historical interpretation (in partnership with Pride History) to recognise the significant LGBTIQ+ landmarks - the Feminist Bookshop, Leichhardt Town Hall, Leichhardt Women’s Health Centre, the Jimmy Little (formerly Les Moore) Centre etc

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