Mary’s Place to be restored

BY MICK ROBERTS

More than a decade ago, down a small Surry Hills? laneway, two men followed a woman leaving a nearby bar, abusing her for being a lesbian, than savagely raping her.
Mary?s experience was one of the most horrific acts of homophobic violence ever experienced in inner-Sydney.
A year after the rape, on February 10 1997, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) reclaimed the laneway by unveiling a plaque and completing an anti-violence mural on the pavement.
Known as Floods Lane, the roadway beside the Beresford Hotel, was officially re-named in honour of the victim to homophobic violence.
With the passing of time and what some say has been neglect by City of Sydney Council, the Mary?s Place mural faded and eventually, earlier this year, was destroyed when a new road surface was laid.
At a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community forum in July an announcement that the mural was to be restored was made by Council. The City?s GLBT coordinator, Pip Ditzell outlined Council?s plans at the forum.
Expressions of interest have been called for artists to work with Council and the Aids Council of NSW (ACON) to develop a new artwork in Mary?s Place.
A Council spokesperson said the City is committed to reinstating a public artwork in the lane and will work with the chosen artist, ACON’s Young Lesbian Project, 2010 and the wider community to develop a concept.
ACON?s acting CEO Nic Parkhill has praised the return of the mural.
?We welcome the opportunity to work with the City to reinstate a public artwork at Mary’s Place as a celebration of the resilience our community shows in the face of homophobic violence,? he said.
Nichols Street Community Group has also welcomed the reinstatement of the mural.
?City Council, after restoring the mural and plaque, needs to incorporate Mary?s Place into its regular maintenance program,” spokesman Brian Noad said.
?Council should also have an official re-launch of Mary?s Place due to its neglect since 1997. Lesbian advocates, councillors, including Lord Mayor, Beresford Hotel staff, politicians, security guards, bar workers, local residents, street people and lesbians all to be invited.
“This hate crime against lesbians and all women should never be forgotten,” Mr Noad said.