This is Oz, and it isn’t straight

This is Oz, and it isn’t straight, is the message of a new online art project aimed at breaking down prejudice against gays and lesbians.

The idea is for people to upload a photo of themselves holding a message at thisisoz.com.au. This is Oz is aimed at making Australia a place where everyone belongs. Participants are encouraged to spread the word among their friends, make facebook links and generally build a buzz around this public testimonial to tolerance.

Recent assaults on transgender sex workers in the inner city underline how far we have to go towards a tolerant society.

There is already a large and growing gallery with plenty of public figures putting their image up including Bob Brown, Clover Moore and Tanya Plibersek. But the less famous make the most interesting comments, like Jardin, a young lad from the Gold Coast who signs: “I love my two mums.”

by Michael Gormly