Farida Iqbal
Life is often painfully difficult for young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex. They are faced with a choice — to live a life of shame and isolation in "the closet", or to "come out". Coming out often means risking violence and rejection. But at the same time it is about pride and freedom. Once they do it, many never look back.
As a consequence of society's homophobia, queer youth face such problems as violence, homelessness, suicide, and discrimination at school and in the workplace.
However, queer youth are politically organising. The federal government banned same-sex marriage in August 2004. Queer youth have been at the forefront of the campaign to repeal the ban.
"Being young, queer and politically active is exciting", says Ben Edwards, a member of Resistance and Sydney's Community Action Against Homophobia group. "We have it better today than our queer predecessors but you still feel stigmatised. We still feel isolated. Anything that isn't white, male and heterosexual in our society is oppressed ... Being queer has really opened my eyes about how appalling the policies are in this country for anyone who isn't white, heterosexual or male in this country ...
"Within Australia there is a significant amount of discriminatory legislation against queers. The push for same-sex marriage opens up the way for all discriminatory legislation to be removed. Even if you don't agree with the concept of marriage, we have to recognise that same-sex marriage is key to winning full legal equality. I got involved in the campaign because it affects me personally and because I see a link between our struggle and other minority struggles. There is a link between queer and women's oppression."
Edwards said the August 13 national day of protest against the same-sex marriage ban "was extremely positive. We got so much community support. I didn't come across anyone who was against it. John Howard is wrong. I am convinced public opinion is pro same-sex marriage."
"Personally, homophobia hasn't been a huge problem in my life because I have such a supportive group of friends", says Perth Resistance activist Kitty Hawkins. "But for a lot of people I know it's a problem. Especially in high school.
"People ask, 'Why fight for the right to marry?' Well, why fight for the right to do anything? We have to get rid of homophobia.
"The Resistance activists in Perth have been so dedicated. They actually give a shit and know about queer issues, even if they aren't queer themselves."
For Resistance, the struggle against homophobia is part of a broader struggle against the system — it si a struggle for everyone.