Homophobia-free Zone??

FIRST there were nuclear-free zones, then alcohol-free zones. Now Sydney is set to introduce "homophobia-free zones".

In an Australian-first, City of Sydney council is moving to single out parts of the city for a crackdown on homophobic behaviour.

The policy is still being finalised but Oxford St, as well as parts of Darlinghurst, King St, Newtown and Erskineville Rd, Erskineville will be recognised by the council as gay and lesbian precincts.

The move, passed by a vote of five to four, could allow City of Sydney Council to revoke late-night trading privileges for venues if their patrons commit homophobic abuse or violence, and require venues to include anti-homophobia measures in staff training and patron management.

Local businesses will be encouraged to use signs and stickers to declare their premises homophobia free.

The council will to consult with police, the Aids Council of NSW and other community groups to develop the strategy.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the move recognises the "essential gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) character of Oxford St". She added while all areas of NSW are technically "homophobia-free zones", this strategy recognises the importance of the GLBT community.

Councillor Phillip Black, who proposed the plan, said the idea was similar to alcohol-free or nuclear-free zones.

"At this point, the ball is with council staff to develop a proposal that will come back to council over the next few months, but it could involve stickers, badges, posters and T-shirts similar to the Safe Place pink triangle campaign," he said. "We have to create awareness that homophobia is not acceptable."

But gay Sydney councillor Shayne Mallard, who voted against the idea, has labelled the plan "a PR stunt".

"It's a gimmick, a token effort to do with a very serious problem," Mr Mallard said. "It's essentially signs and stickers. What we need is more police and, if they don't have the resources, council should provide money to employ security guards.

Drag Queen Maxi Shield, a City of Sydney Oxford Street Safety ambassador, said the idea "can't hurt".

"More education in anything doesn't go astray, but we need both awareness and more police," Ms Shield said.

"We need more police presence and safety measures, not just putting a label on it."

The strategy will operate in addition to two other council moves designed to make Oxford St safer and the Trading Premises Development Control Plan which was used to refuse the Gaff Nightclub's application to virtually double its size.

Ms Moore said that decision followed objections from local residents about noise and "gay men also wrote to me about homophobic abuse from nightclub patrons".

Source: Eros Newsletter (The Australian)