Lesbian activist of the gay liberation movement and homosexual law reform, Alison Laurie, is disappointed that fellow activist, Bill Logan, was barred from speaking at Saturday night's event at parliament acknowledging 30 years of law reform. Photo supplied by Michael P Moore. Laurie, who spoke at Saturday night’s Wellington Pride Festival Tū whakahīhī e Te Whanganui-ā-Tara opening event at Parliament, says she believes "the event was marred by the organisers 'dis-inviting' activist Bill Logan from speaking." She says the organisers "have claimed that this is because of allegations made about an incident during his work as a counsellor. These allegations were fully dealt with by their professional organisation. This was last year. Thus completely irrelevant to his role as an activist 30 years ago! “As one of the speakers, I can say that all of us original activists are appalled by this treatment of Bill. Some of us also spoke to the organisers, who refused to change their ruling." She says anonymous and secret complaints and decisions are unacceptable in our community. "Those making the complaint, and who apparently threatened to disrupt the event if Bill spoke, should be named, and should step forward. And the Out Wellington committee who met secretly and voted on whether to 'disinvite' him, should publish the minutes of their meeting and how everyone voted." "No-platforming, silencing and threats are completely unacceptable. I am shocked and angry that after all Bill's work for our communities 30 years ago he has been treated like this. “I demand that those responsible step forward and be named.” Logan, one of the primary strategists of homosexual law reform in New Zealand, was originally invited to speak, however his invitation was rescinded after some in the Wellington LGBTI community objected to his presence following his censure last year by the Association of Counsellors for what it called "professional misconduct and/or conduct unbecoming a member of NZAC."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 7th March 2016 - 12:16pm