Activists warn against gay hate conference

The NSW Government is refusing to allay concerns aired by gay activists and State Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich that an upcoming conference will become a lightning rod for anti-gay sentiment.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souriss, has brushed off fears that the World Congress of Families – which will convene at the Australian Technology Park, Redfern in May – could breach NSW anti-discrimination laws.

Last year, the Congress aroused controversy in Britain when its conference, ‘One Man. One Woman. Making the case for marriage, for the good of society’, was banned from UK Law Society headquarters in London.

The Society revoked use of its headquarters after gay activists pointed out that Congress members had compared homosexuality to paedophilia and incest, among other anti-gay rhetoric, reported Pink News last May.

Expressing concern that delegates could espouse similar sentiments in Sydney, Mr Greenwich wrote to Mr Sourris on January 30, asking him to remind participants of their responsibility to adhere to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

“Constituents tell me that … speakers listed for this event have previously made public statements that are in conflict with NSW legislation, particularly the Anti-Discrimination Act,” wrote Mr Greenwich in the letter, seen by City News.

“My constituents are concerned that overseas delegates should be aware of NSW legislation in order to avoid breaching the law and local community standards.

“Could you please ensure that delegates and speakers … are aware of NSW discrimination provisions?”

However, Mr Sourris has dismissed the letter, referring all enquiries to conference organisers.

“Neither Destination NSW nor any agencies of the NSW Government have funded the visit to Sydney by the World Congress of Families,” said Mr Sourris.

“Business Events Sydney Pty Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation … has assisted with in-kind marketing support of the World Congress of Families conference.

“Any further enquiries should be directed to Business Events Sydney or the World Congress of Families.”

Australia’s peak same-sex marriage lobby group, Australian Marriage Equality (AME), said Mr Sourris’ response was not good enough.

“If George Sourris won’t remind visitors to NSW of their responsibilities under NSW law then another NSW official should,” said AME National Convenor Rodney Croome.

Mr Croome said while delegates had every right to object to marriage equality or same-sex parenting, “they do not have a right to abuse their freedom of speech by inciting hatred”.

“Given the links organisers of this conference have made in the past between homosexuality, incest and paedophilia, I’m particularly concerned they may express their views in language that incites hatred, which is illegal,” he said.

Rachel Evans from Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) expressed similar concerns and said CAAH would consider “snap action rallies” and other measures to disrupt the conference.

Ms Evans said CAAH would consult marriage equality group Equal Love about the possibility of holding joint protest actions.

Representatives of Business Events Sydney and the World Congress of Families did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.