The Religious Roots of Homophobia
                                            25-26th February, 2001   VISIT THEIR WEBSITE!

Press Release Thursday 23rd November 2000

‘Homophobia is an attitude that renders violence.  It isolates individuals struggling with their sexual identity pushing them towards acts of self hatred and even suicide.  This environment of hatred is one that continues to be sustained by religious communities in Australia and such institutional support for violence needs to be confronted and exposed.’

 These comments were made today by Rev Rod Pattenden in announcing the details of a conference to be held in February next year that will look at the religious roots of homophobia.

Organised by a coalition of religious and community groups the event aims to provide a critique of the underlying connection between homophobia, intolerance and norms of sexual expression in religious communities in Australia.

 The Conference will be held in Sydney on the 25th and 26th of February and has been included in the program of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2001 Festival.

 One of the conference presenters Rev Dr Dorothy McRae-McMahon maintains that ‘Religious groups in Australian society still provide the main support for homophobic attitudes in our society.  These attitudes need to be challenged with a more critical reflection on the notion of normal religious experience.’

 Dorothy McRae-McMahon, well known for her positive expression of gay and lesbian spirituality, will be joined by David Marr, journalist and author of The High Price of Heaven, Rev Dr David Bromell, justice advocate, author and minister from New Zealand as well as comedian Jackie Loeb.  Further perspectives are being sought from the wide diversity of religious expressions found in Australia.

 A call for papers/workshops and presentations is currently being invited for the two day event. A Sunday afternoon talk-fest will be held at the Paddington Uniting Church 2-6pm followed by a full day conference at the Design Centre Edgeware Rd Enmore which will look in more depth at some of historical and contemporary issues that link homophobia and religion.  Costs will be Sunday $44/$33 concession,  Monday $88/$66,

Both days $121/$88 concession.  A full brochure is available.

 Proposals for conference papers should be sent to the details below.

Further information from Rod Pattenden. 

PO Box 379 Paddington 2021

Ph 02 9331 2646 Fax 02 9331 4864

email: eastside@ihug.com.au