Yes I’m a gay activist, yes I’m serial litigant, yes I’m a media whore – I’m all those things. I have to be. If I wasn’t a media whore I wouldn’t get my work done. By being a media whore I’ve built up a public profile – and that means people listen when I bring instances of homophobia to light. I can bring attention to things. Yes, I’m a serial litigant. I make no apologies for going after people in the public eye who promote homophobia. That’s what I do. Sometimes I hear people say, ‘Oh, he’s a serial litigant’, and they mean it as an insult but I’m proud of what I do.
—Gary Burns, the Australian gay rights activist who’s succeeded in getting media personalities to apologize for homophobic comments, relishes the Gay Inc. hatred he faces from institutional (and often slow-moving) activists, who view him as a self-promoting nuisance. But maybe it’s because Burns, unlike Gay Inc., does not “claim to speak on behalf of the community. I don’t have that right and neither do any of those groups. We might do work that benefits our community – but anyone who thinks they can speak for everyone is having a lend of themselves.” [via; photo via]
jason
Gary Burns is a rarity in Australia. He’s actually a gay activist. Most other gay activists in Australia are lazy and uninspiring. They’re not on the ball.
Qjersey
So it’s the same down under as here!
Hurry up (give us money to do something), and wait (for us to actually do something).
Let’s call em what they are (yes you HRC, NGLTF etc).
Lobbyists.
Lakas
because that tie is a crime against the gay community, according to the “gay clause” included in the Geneva Conventions.
Gary Burns
That tie is my lucky litigation tie.
Rob Moore
@jason: That sounds very much like most American gay ‘activists’. They claim to be working to change things from the inside. I suspect they just like going to cocktail parties and political events with free food.
Gary Burns
@Rob Moore:
So true Rob.
These so called corporate gay activists spend far too much time drinking pink champagne in their office’s.
They are hypocrites of the first order.
prohomo
He’s what I call a true gay acyivist, not the impotent GLAAD and HRC kind.
Hal
Bless your heart Gary Burns. Sadly predictable that some crank would be snarky about your festive holiday tie. We continue I’m afraid to be our own worst enemy. What will we all do when / if we’re fortunate enough to survive to 30, 40, or even might as well be dead already 50 and beyond? Thank your lucky stars that there are people such as Gary Burns who’s trying to make at least part of the world a better place.
Gary Burns
@Hal:
Hey Hal,
Actually I won a very important homosexual vilification case wearing the above tie.
I am unsure what it’s significance is to America or Americans but to me it means plenty.
I am glad Lakas didn’t see the colour of the undies I was wearing.
For that he might of wanted to beat me up.
I really do want to see a world safe for GLBTI people.
Hopefully my dream will come true before I finish my life.
Michael
Gary Burns is a refreshing breath of fresh air to the bottom feeders and money grubbers that pass for a gay “community” in Sydney. The mainstream gay organisations hate him with a passion and have even convinced Sydney’s gay press – which they fund – not to mention him anymore. It’s a joke because the main daily newspapers add TV stations carry stories about Gary’s work, but the gay mags pretend he doesn’t exist. Such laughably obvious bias and one-sided reporting. Well it would be laughable if our community didn’t deserve a fair professional, impartial media. WHICH WE DO. Gary, thank you for all your hard work and don’t let the bastards get you down.
Daez
@Hal: Are you seriously bitching at people for complaining about his tie in the same paragraph that you call 50 the might as well be dead already age. SERIOUSLY!?! I could say what I think about that, but it would be censored.
However, let me assure you that my 54 year old lover (I’m 31) is still in amazing shape, still gets it up, still exercises daily and provides amazingly hot sex. He also provides security and intelligence that not very many twinks (or even 30 year old men) will ever provide.
Mike in Asheville
Cheers to Gary Burns and to all gutsy activists around-the-world.
I gave up on HRC back in 1995 when they failed to not only embrace the marriage equity fight started in Hawaii, indeed HRC then went out of their way to tarnish that effort as counterproductive to active gay causes and the HRC agenda.
NONETHELESS, before there is a long series of Gay Inc. bashing, do remember that each of these organizations all began with their own versions of headstrong leaders in the likes of Burns, who stood up and said enough, and organized to make a difference.
When you don’t like the way things are being run, supposedly of your and your LGBT community’s behalf, then get active yourself.
When HRC was founded, 1980, 31 states + PR all had sodomy laws criminalizing homosexual activities — including some states where a second infraction called for life imprisonment. I came out in 1980 and remember well checking gay guides about warnings for getting caught having sex while traveling. Through the efforts of HRC and others, almost all of those laws were repealed before the SCOTUS finally ruled them unconstitutional.
When HRC failed to get traction on HIV/AIDS outreach and research funding, new groups sprung up, ActUP (which my hubby and I joined in with) took on the cause.
So, younger readers, yes it is okay to hem and haw at Gay Inc. (one of my favorite sports); but only if you are willing, as Burns does, to stand up yourself and carry on the fight.
**************
Obviously Gary Burns is not alone in working hard for equality in Australia. Watch the Sydney Mardi Gras promotional video and you will witness the efforts of hundreds of gay/lesbian activists who have created the world’s largest g/l event.
Max
Bitch bitch bitch. The tie, HRC, GLAAD, Gary bitching about community groups and leaders. What you all need is some good therapy. Ask your therapist about projection and get that sorted out. Gary should focus on what he does best – file cases against homophobia in the mainstream media and not attacking people who work hard for the community. Has anyone thought that the reason the gay media are distancing themselves from him is because of his abusive emails to them and that he seems to becoming more and more of a loose canon. You don’t win allies and supporters through name calling. its petty, childish and immature.
Hal
@Daez: Hi Daez, Thank you for your passionate defense of gay people who are “older.” I’m 46, my partner who is 10 years older and I have been together 27 years so far. Perhaps my ill worded defense of Gary Burns led you to believe that I consider the over 50 to the “might as well be dead” and that is certainly not how I feel. My partner and I do experience ageist remarks by younger gay men, we chalk it up to blissful youthful ignorance. My intention was to be ironic and point out that someone who might be responding to this article have something more positive to say than a flip remark about the tie he was pictured wearing. Without getting all preachy, I’d like to ask people to try to imagine being in the other person’s shoes, before making a remark about age, looks, taste in neckwear, etc.
Gary Burns
@Max:
Hello Max or is it Nick.
Which Gay Inc do you belong to ?
Is the public purse keeping you in “pink champagne”.
Oops this sounds like an abusive missive.
henryrok
I’m not going to throw rocks at anyone acting to secure rights for the community, no
matter my aesthetic opinion of his tie. If I had something to say to Gary, he would be the only one to hear it because he’s the only one responsible for his behavior. Keep it up, Gary!
MD
Gary Burns has often spoken on behalf of the LGBTQI community here, and ironically, his stance has sometimes been far from positive from human rights. He made some very negative remarks on Refugees, siding with right wing political parties who have denied LGBTQI equal rights in Australia.
In Australia we have the Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby who do a fantastic job campaigning with and for us, rather than an individual who claims the media spotlight, while damaging our agenda.
Gary Burns
@MD:
MD which Gay Inc group is paying your wage ?
Are you from GAUY INC ACON ?
I never speak on refugees.
I only deal with homosexuality vilification.
The gay & lesbian rights lobby in Australia are about as useful as one of my used condoms after a good night of slap & tickle.
MD (whoever the annonymous troll you are) go and get a life.
I can recommend it.
You see folks in America I have to deal with these negative faceless trolls sniping from a crack somewhere because they lack the courage to identify themselves.
I shove their duplicity firmly right up their bottoms.
Dingo Baby
“about as useful as one of my used condoms”, “firmly right up their bottoms”… yes, there’s the Gary Burns charm that has made him so well liked in Australia.
Gary Burns
@Dingo Baby:
Is Dingo Baby Nicolas Parkhill from ACON ?
Yes imagery is a powerful tool for getting one’s message across.
And I do it very effectively.
Dingo why don’t you go and roam around Ayers Rock you imbecile.
Michael
MD, please provides links to where Gary Burns has ever criticised refugees. I have never heard this claim made before and I strongly suspect you are just throwing it in there to discredit Mr Burns.
Simon
MD may be mistaking Gary’s statements about Muslim immigrants for a statement on refugees specifically –
http://buggery.org/2010/05/27/gary-burns’-strange-bedfellows/
Gary’s disparaging comments about the Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby, are typically unkind and embarrassing to the GLBTQ community. The Lobby have achieved vast amounts. A cut & paste from their website informs that their;
“… campaigns and advocacy have led to key reforms including:
1990 – Introduction of Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers (GLLOs) across NSW police stations
1991 – Establishment of the Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project
1993 – Introduction of homosexual anti-vilification legislation
1998 – Establishment of a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer in the NSW Attorney General’s Department
1999 – Property, hospital, next of kin, inheritance and relationship rights for same-sex couples in NSW
2003 – Equal age of consent
2004 – First recognition of same-sex relationships in federal superannuation legislation
2008 – Parental status for co-mothers in NSW
2008 – 58 ’08 federal same-sex reforms: equal de facto rights for same-sex couples in areas including tax, super, immigration, social security, Medicare, aged care, veterans’ and defence entitlements, family law and child support
2010 – NSW Relationships Register
2010 – Adoption equality in NSW
Gary Burns
@Simon:
I called for all immigration numbers in Australia to be cut to 1.4 percent of the annual intake.
I notice the Commonwealth Government of Australia has adopted my submission on these numbers.
What have the gay & lesbian rights lobby been doing since 1978 & 1090 ?
That’s when I commenced working to change laws for homosexuals.
Perhaps those kids running the lobby were not even born yet ?
As for Paul Kidd on the buggery site he’s a sad and lonely manic depressive.
*Cough*
Gary Burns, Letter to the Editor, SX News, March 2007-
“I refer to Rev Nile’s proposal for a moratorium on the intake of Muslims into Australia for 10 years. As a person of homosexual characteristic I echo Fred Nile’s call for a moratorium on Muslim intake.”
“It is my understanding it currently stands at 1.4 percent of Muslim living in Australia. We must keep it under one percent, so as we can control Muslim numbers living in Australia.”
“Fred Nile and I disagree on many things, but Rev Nile has never called for the murder of homosexuals. He hasn’t advocated that my community be shot dead in Martin Place or thrown over Sydney’s notorious Gap. Islam calls for the murdering of homosexuals, and many Muslim countries carried out such killings.”
“If you ask any Imam his views on homosexuality, he will inform you that homosexuals should and deserve to be killed. Some Imams spread fear into our western freedoms with their extreme Shariah laws. We must protect our current western freedoms by supporting Rev Nile’s call on this issue.”
MD
@Gary Burns:
‘The following year, he took this bizarre alliance one step further: in a letter published in SX, Burns called for members of the gay community to vote for Fred Nile’s Christian Democratic Party because of their policy of limiting further Muslim immigration to Australia, saying it was ‘necessary’ the number of Muslims be limited to 1% of the population. This from the man who has campaigned against intolerance against homosexuals.’
Do you not consider it the height of hyprocrisy to deem it ‘necessary’ to cull the number of immigrants based on faith, and supporting a right wing religious political party while self proclaiming to be a “gay activist.” Rev. Fred Nile’s CDP are homophobic and downright hateful towards the LGBTQI community. He considers that gays shouldn’t adopt children in NSW, as if the Church has the right to comment on healthy and safe environments for children when they have institutionally allowed, and hidden child molestation. You cannot pick and chose which human rights your support. Love is a human rights, regardless of what your sexuality too. So too is freedom of religion. You view Muslims as a monolith, as if there is no diversity within that community. Just like in the LGBTQI community there are diverse people, ethnicities, beliefs and views. Your comments belong back with the White Australia Policy of 1901.
I don’t work or represent any LGBTQI organisation, however I have dedicated my life to the greater good. The difference between Gary Burns and I is that I don’t crave the media spotlight, however I can tell you that I have done more to advance civil, political and human rights for people around the world, including those living with HIV/AIDS than Gary Burns and his megaphone ever have.
I’ve said it before, as have many others in Australia: “Gary Burns you do not speak for me.”
Gary Burns
@MD:
You people fall into your own duplicity because I will always stand on what I believe is right.
Fred Nile has gotten elected every 8 years to the NSW Legislative Council because of silly gays like the annonymous one’s on here ramping up their duplicity against me.
It never works though because the people who attack me on forums like this don’t exist because they don’t have a name !
Who are these people ?
Folks it could be the case these people are the gutless trolls who go from forum to forum to attack anybody with an opinion that differs from theirs.
MD
@Gary Burns:
Fabulous: “Gay activist” who used the term “you people” to refer to his own community. I rest my case as you have just answered the title of the article.
Gary Burns
@MD: @MD:
Why don’t you annonymous people identify yourselves.
Didn’t your mummy give you a name when the doctor slapped your arse ?
Dingo Baby
I love how Gary can call other people duplicitous directly after being caught in a bald face lie.
Simon
I for one am reluctant to specify my full name, partly in fear of Gary trying to sue.
Paul
@Simon:
It seems after reading all of these messages the anonymous authors lack credibility.
Maybe that’s the way it is in Australia ?
Attack a man without revealing who you are ?
Maybe it’s safer this way for those who lack courage.
Jake
Some of your people are ridiculous. Gary has never said anything about refugees, the closest he has come is questioning the intake of Muslim immigrants from a gay rights viewpoint. That is valid questioning because in case you hadn’t noticed, in most Islamic countries homosexuality is illegal and punishable by prison and torture, sometimes even the death penalty. I for one am concerned about taking on lots of immigrants incompatible with the Australian way of life, from countries where women are subjugated and gay men put to death. I am not saying there should be no migrants from these countries but I *AM* concerned and debate about it is legitimate.
Jake
P.S. Before anyone accuses me of being a racist – Islam is a religion, not a race, so it is not racist to question followers of Islam. We seem to have a weird double standard in Australia where you can criticise Christianity all you like but mention something about Islam and suddenly you’re a racist. Well, I will continue to criticise Christianity AND Islam, thank you very much.
MD
If you haven’t noticed the majority of asylum seekers who make up that immigration intake fleeing conflict are in fact, Muslims from Afghanistan and Iraq, feeling conflict, persecution and torture.
And what is ridiculous is judging people based the laws of the countries where they were born. Are all Americans Christian Evangelicals who happyclap that Jesus is their saviour? Do all Americans support the death penalty? Do all Jewish people from Israel share the Zionist view? Just because someone is officially identified as Muslim does not mean they practice, believe in Shari’a, deny womens’ rights or are ‘incompatible’ with the Australian way of life, whatever that is.
Paul
MD,DINGO BABY,SIMON and the other et al who hate me should go to Iran and open a S.E.X on premises venue and see what happens.
Iranians will put a bullet in your head straight away.
Now who’s being intolerant ?
Paul
@Paul:
MD why don’t you buy a house in Auburn with your male partner ?
According to your rosy colored view on Sharia belief it will be safe for you to hold your male partners hand in the streets of Auburn.
I suppose you also believe tinker- bell is really butch to.
MD
@Paul: Ironic, cause Fred Nile would do the same. And we’re not talking about the laws of peoples’ governments, we’re taking about individuals.
By your logic we should cut immigration from nations such as Singapore, Burma, PNG, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa… shall I go on? Hate to break it to you but have you walked down the streets of Sydney lately? We’re a multicultural nation.
Apart from the Indigenous population that have lived here for 40,000+ years, we are all immigrants, yet somehow some people here feel they have a right to determine ‘who comes to this country, and under what circumstances’ just like John Howard.
Simon
Why is Gary now calling himself Paul? And isnt doing so “duplicitous”?
MD
@Paul: Oh, Paul, I live about 5 mins from Auburn. I wasn’t aware we practice Shari’a there. You really demonstrate your lack of knowledge of communities, cultures and ethnicities other than the one that you claim to fight for. Once again, not in my name.
Matthew Sommerville
Simon says:
“Gary’s disparaging comments about the Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby, are typically unkind and embarrassing to the GLBTQ community. The Lobby have achieved vast amounts. A cut & paste from their website informs that their campaigns and advocacy have led to key reforms including:
1990 – Introduction of Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers (GLLOs) across NSW police stations
1991 – Establishment of the Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project
1993 – Introduction of homosexual anti-vilification legislation
1998 – Establishment of a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer in the NSW Attorney General’s Department
1999 – Property, hospital, next of kin, inheritance and relationship rights for same-sex couples in NSW
2003 – Equal age of consent
2004 – First recognition of same-sex relationships in federal superannuation legislation
2008 – Parental status for co-mothers in NSW
2008 – 58 ’08 federal same-sex reforms: equal de facto rights for same-sex couples in areas including tax, super, immigration, social security, Medicare, aged care, veterans’ and defence entitlements, family law and child support
2010 – NSW Relationships Register
2010 – Adoption equality in NSW”
This can’t go unremarked. MANY, MANY groups and individuals have worked for these reforms. For the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby to claim the credit it all of this just proves Gary’s point about our indidious self-serving, self-congratulatory Gay Inc. And information about the Lobby taken FROM THEIR OWN WEBSITE is hardly an unbiased source is it?
P.S. Simon- you wouldn’t happen to be Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby stooge Simon Levett, would you?
P.P.S. I love how the people attacking Gary have ridiculous ‘names’ like “Dingo Baby” and “cough” or just use their first names or initials. Says it all really.
MD
@Matthew Sommerville: So you’re criticizing the G & L Rights Lobby (somehow termed Gay Inc. although they are a Not For Profit and hold DGR status) because they feature successes that they were instrumental in achieving?
No where does it say they were solely responsible for the reforms, however the fact is that the lobby’s campaigning, and advoacy led to their success. The Lobby is a membership based organisation, made up of individuals from within the community. They undertake government relations activity, hold rallies and protests, and write submissions to government. They work with and for us to achieve that success, as opposed to others who claim to speak for the community as whole, who are self appointed, and do more damage than good because of their right wing views, and support of Rev. Niles Christian Democrat Party,
Simon
In reply, all the above posts by Simon were by me, and no Im not Simon Levett. As I said earlier, due to Gary/Paul’s litigious nature, Im reluctant to provide my surname, for fear of being tied up in court. However I did support the idea of Gary taking 2UE & The Footy Show to court for their discriminatory broadcasts.
Gary Burns
@Simon:
Simon don’t be a sissy.
Show yourself.
If I have to sue you I will give the money to a gay charity.
Max
I think that with every reform and piece of legislation that has been successfully introduced or change there is always an unseen band of individuals and other groups that have contributed. From memory whenever I’ve heard a community leader speak they have always acknowledged how vital this has been to the success instead of grandstanding and posturing. We achieve more together than working as an isolated individual.
Possibly this is what is behind this current controversy. We have a person who works alone or others refuse to work with for a variety of reasons. From what I have seen here some of those criticisms seem valid.
Gary Burns
@Max:
Max I only deal with vilification litigation.
Nobody else in the community understands what gay vilification is except me.
I might work on my own but by jingoes I get results.
Max what have you done of late to help make it a better place for us gay folk ?
Probably nothing.
You are probably a forum troll going from one forum to another tearing the shreds out of people like me who are actually out there having a go.
shayne_chester
I think I’ve read GB say a hundred times, “I don’t claim to speak on behalf of the community,” so why is it that the less-than-droll-trolls on the hate speech sites keeps crying “Gary Burns does not speak for me”? We all get that, already. Question is, who do these anonymous dregs think DOES represent them? Certainly not the bargearsed hogs in the ‘industry’ with their snouts in buckets of smoked trout en croute and chardy, throwing yet another self-congratulatory back-slapping gala, while a third of our pozzie community struggle to put bread on the table…surely?
MD
I’m quite happy for the Gay & Lesbian Rights lobby to represent me as a member.
We have already seen disastrous management of BGF, which is simply unforgivable. It saddens me that our community has to put up with such behaviour from community organisations that squander their funds, withdraw services from those who need it most, and treat us with utter contempt. This behaviour would never be tolerated from the Cancer Council, the White Ribbon Foundation or other mainstream organisations, so why is it that BGF, ACON and other orgs can get away with it?
shayne_chester
I think, MD, the question is HOW they get away with it. And that is with the complicity of the right wing of our the community media. And a fairly lethargic community that just accepts, ‘that is the way things are.’
Apart from buying editorial comment with advertising dollars, I think its plain that they all comprise an elitist club who think they OWN community.
Complaints against one such publication are to be heard by the APC shortly, and we’ll probably see yet another correction and apology, tucked away somewhere under a feature on Kylie vs. Gaga… 🙂
MD
@shayne_chester: Shayne, I agree with you. Personally I have taken action by refusing to donate any further to BGF or ACON. Unfortunately that affects the people that they serve, but I will not donate to an organisation that has a reputation for not running as a not for profit, rather running at a loss because of staff expenses.
Certainly the gay press has a lot to answer for. Just look how much ACON spends on advertising. Do they really need to take an ad advertising their anniversary or that they are closing over Christmas? That money should have been spent on services.
I do my bit, in my own way, and I know good people in the community who do so as well, so I have faith.
shayne_chester
MD., your charity dollar does not go to those in need at BGF or acon. That is something we tried to put right at BGF this year, but there is still a long way to go.
But it’s not always about charities, I think we are all on this planet to help each other and we can all do our little bit, checking to see if the neighbour is ok, making some extra food to share with someone doing it tough and, in a 100 different ways, actively creating a strong and healthy community. I think the problem begins when that spirit becomes centralised in one or two groups with no checks on them, and is corrupted by greed, power and selfishness.
🙂
Max
@Max:
how wrong you are – once again.
Sorry it took so long to reply – I’ve been out there doing nothing. hehe
Mirror Gary – mirror – look in the mirror – possibly you are doing the very same things you accuse others of – minus the champagne of course.
Gary Burns
Max (whoever you are) I suggest you stick to your manic depressive existence and don’t comment on what I do with a stupid comment as above.
It makes you look like some uneducated imbecile.
And I didn’t need one glass of champagne to tell you that.
Max
thanks for proving my point so clearly Gary.
You’re way too predictable.
Mirror Gary Mirror. take a good look
Dingo Baby
I wouldn’t say without the champagne- Gary, doesn’t the Lord Mayor of Sydney invite you to the odd swanky function here and there? And of course you’ve never used your activism to praise her have you?
Gary Burns
Dingo you are been hanging around Lindy Chamberlain for far too long.
It is Clover Moore’s anti-vilification provisions of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act (the Act 1977) that I use to sue people in powerful positions like radio broadcaster John Laws.
Clover Moore is the only person these days who invite’s me to events and I attend her events because Ms Moore is true blue.
Aids Council of NSW (ACON) don’t invite me to the Moet Chandon free piss ups because I am a not a fully paid up bludger of GAY INC.
Dingo you better get use to hearing the name Gary Burns because I am going to be around for a very long time.
I have work to do.
I have press releases to put out.
I have hypocrisy to level at creeps like you and ACON.
Merry XMAS lovee
Don’t choke on your XMAS pudding because our community needs nobody’s like you to contribute to nothing.
M
Gary doesn’t do anything for the community, a point he readily acknowledges with a sort of perverse pride. For Burns it’s all about Gary, nothing else matters. He has no respect for anyone, I reckon you could include himself in that mix, and that lack of respect is returned to him 10 fold by all decent human beings.
Jeff Wright.
Gary Burns is an amazing activist.
He gets on with it regardless of what gay inc say or think.
I understand Burns does not want to be known as a gay rights activist any more because of the embarrassment of gay inc and the self appointed fools who think they speak on the behalf of the gay community in Sydney NSW.
Gary Burns wants to be known as a “equal opportunity campaigner.
Max
Better get this changed then.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Burns_(Australia)
Gary Burns is a controversial Australian anti-discrimination campaigner and serial litigant, focusing on homosexual vilification lawsuits.
Gary Burns
Andrew M.Potts- he’s an average in talented journalist from Sydney’s “dance bunny” publication the Sydney Star Observer (SSO).
He’s the one who updates my Wiki page.
I have nothing to do with it.
Can you alert Mr Potts to this please.
Cheers Gary Burns.