AUSTRALIA SAYS YES http://www.metromagazine.com.au https://theeducationshop.com.au A STUDY GUIDE BY © ATOM 2018 ISBN: 978-1-76061-233-7 FIONA HALL CONTENT HYPERLINKS Packed with drama, high emotions and 4 CURRICULUM LINKS cliffhanger moments, Australia Says Yes 5 PREPARATORY ACTIVITY is the intimate and personal history of five 6 LEARNING ACTIVITIES decades of struggle and perseverance 6 Focus on Gay Rights that propelled Australia to finally say Yes to Activism in Australia marriage equality. 7 Focus on the Legal Battle for Marriage Equality Through personal reflections from the heroes 8 The Impact of AIDS on the and pioneers of the movement; behind- LGBTQI+ Community in the 1980s the-scenes moments revealing heartache, 9 Focus on Magda strategy and determination; and archival Szubanski footage featuring key moments in the historic 9 Focus on Edie Shepherd struggle, the film records the decades-long 10 Focus on Dr Kerryn battle to create a more equal nation. Phelps and Jackie Stricker-Phelps From the history of facing arrest, 10 Focus on Alex Greenwich imprisonment or even the death penalty 11 Writing Tasks simply for being gay, to the nail-biting, life- 12 Focus on Marginalisation changing results of the Marriage Equality and the Fight for Civil Rights Survey, the film reveals what has been 14 TIMELINE at stake for so long for the LGBTQI+ community. 16 REFERENCES © ATOM 2018 © ATOM Above: Marriage Equality advocates celebrate after the announcement of the Yes result of the Marriage Equality Postal Survey on 15 November 2017. Photo by Ollie Brunt. 2 The trials and tribulations of the 2017 postal survey on marriage equality serve as the spine of the film. We go on the journey with key players in the movement including long-time marriage equality activists Alex Greenwich, Dr Kerryn Phelps, Jackie Stricker-Phelps, Peter de Waal and Peter (Bon) Bonsall-Boone who have been fighting for LGBTQI+ people for decades; actress and comedian Magda Szubanski 1 who took a personal and very public role in the struggle for equality; and grassroots campaigner, Edie Shepherd, a hip gayby baby and co-founder of ‘Backfullas for Marriage Equality’. It is during this frenetic and momentous time that we see the personal cost to the main characters of this story as they experience a vote in which their very humanity is being debated. Every fibre of their being is invested to ensure that Australia says Yes to marriage equality. 2 The film revisits the events of 2017 and flashes back to the start of the modern gay rights movement in the late 1960s. For the wider community of Yes Critical moments in history are interwoven voters there is a palpable sense of with personal stories and illustrated with relief and pride that a nation brought archival footage, newspaper headlines, about change through courage, radio announcements, personal photos determination and an understanding of and television news reports. everyone’s right to be equal. On results day, the film follows the main characters from daybreak, documenting their nervous tension as they await the results of the vote and culminates in overwhelming joy and celebration the moment Australia says Yes. For Peter de Waal it is a bittersweet, very hard- won victory; his partner of fifty years passed away on the eve of the vote. © ATOM 2018 © ATOM 1: Peter de Waal on Stage in Sydney’s Yes Rally on the day the results of the postal survey were announced. 15 November 2017. Photo by Ollie Brunt. 2: Edie Shepherd. Photo by Kirk Marcolina. 3: Peter de Waal and Peter (Bon) Bonsall-Boone’s 50th Anniversary in Glebe Town Hall on 29 October 2016. Photo by Geoff Friend 3 3 Curriculum Links Australia Says Yes can be linked to the fol- Year 9 and 10 Health and Physical Education lowing subject areas within the Australian curriculum content descriptions relevant to National Curriculum: Australia Says Yes: • Civics and • Health and Personal, Social and Community Health Citizenship Physical • English Education • Evaluate factors that shape identities and • History critically analyse how individuals impact the identities of others (ACPPS089) Please note: There is occasional course lan- • Investigate how empathy and ethical guage in Australia Says Yes, with the docu- decision making contribute to respectful mentary recommended for study in Years 9 relationships (ACPPS093) and above. • Plan, implement and critique strategies to enhance health, safety and wellbeing of Year 9 Civics and Citizenship curriculum their communities (ACPPS096) content descriptions relevant to Australia • Plan and evaluate new and creative inter- Says Yes: ventions that promote their own and oth- ers’ connection to community and natural • The key features of Australia’s court sys- and built environments (ACPPS097) tem and how courts apply and interpret • Critique behaviours and contextual fac- the law, resolve disputes and make law tors that influence health and wellbeing of through judgements (ACHCK077) diverse communities (ACPPS098) • The key principles of Australia’s justice system, including equality before the law, Year 10 History curriculum content descrip- independent judiciary, and right of appeal tions relevant to Australia Says Yes: (ACHCK078) • How and why individuals and groups, The Modern World and Australia: including religious groups, participate in Depth Study 2 Rights and and contribute to civic life (ACHCK079) Freedoms 1945 – Present • The influence of a range of media, includ- ing social media, in shaping identities and • The US civil rights movement and its attitudes to diversity (ACHCK080) influence on Australia (ACDSEH105) • The continuing nature of efforts to secure Year 10 English curriculum content descrip- civil rights and freedoms in Australia tions relevant to Australia Says Yes: and throughout the world, such as the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous • Evaluate the social, moral and ethical po- Peoples (2007) (ACDSEH143) sitions represented in texts (ACELT1812) • Create literary texts with a sustained Australia Says Yes can also be used as a ‘voice’, selecting and adapting appro- supplementary text when studying a range of priate text structures, literary devices, senior school subjects, including: language, auditory and visual structures and features for a specific purpose and • Ethics • Politics intended audience (ACELT1815) • Legal Studies • Psychology • Create imaginative texts that make rel- • Health and evant thematic and intertextual connec- Human tions with other texts (ACELT1644) Development © ATOM 2018 © ATOM 4 Preparatory Activity Teachers are advised to conduct the following preparatory activity before studying Australia Says Yes. Talking about sexual orientation, marriage equality, discrimination, the importance of inclusivity and related ideas requires maturity and understanding of others. While the documentary Australia Says Yes and activities contained in this study guide clearly aim to increase students’ awareness of the importance of equality and inclusion in a diverse society, certain discussions may result in differing opinions and cause existing biases and stereotypes to surface. With this in mind, it is extremely important to spend time creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment. Suggested activities to help establish this: Activity ESTABLISHING ‘CLASS GROUND RULES’ The aim is to establish a classroom environment that encourages openness, positive behaviour and expected standards of interaction with other class members. Teachers are to lead a discussion that invites students to develop a series of Class Ground Rules. Ideas to include: 1. RESPECT OTHERS: You may hear ideas and opinions everyone be given the opportunity to learn as much as pos- that may differ from your own. Try and take in new informa- sible. If you are not confident in asking a question in front of tion without judgement and keep an open mind. Be mindful the class, make sure you approach your teacher personally. of your words and body language and ensure these reflect 4. RESPECT AND CONFIDENTIALITY: Everything said a respectful attitude. Learn by listening to others. in the classroom stays in the classroom. When sharing 2. OWN YOUR OWN VALUES: Speak personally (e.g. ‘I personal anecdotes, avoid using real names and carefully feel…’ or ‘In my experience…’). Avoid overtly negative, consider what personal information you choose to share accusatory or generalised statements when interacting with with the class. others in your class. If you disagree with a class member, 5. SHARE ‘AIR TIME’: Every student is encouraged to remember to challenge their opinion, not the person. express their ideas and opinions. Allow others to share 3. BE OPEN AND HONEST: All students have the right to and don’t monopolise discussion. You are not obligated to ask questions without fear of judgement. It is important that speak; it is fine to say ‘pass’. Once the class has established their ‘Ground Rules’ together, teachers should formalise these and display/make copies available to all students. These can be referred to during your study of Australia Says Yes. In addition to the above activity, it is recommended students read through and reference the following glossary when completing Learning Activities for a comprehensive guide to using correct LGBTQI+ terminology: <https://www.wearefamilycharleston.org/ lgbt-a-z-glossary/> © ATOM 2018 © ATOM Above L–R: Edie Shepherd (l) and her mother Alethea Belford (r). Photo by Kirk Marcolina; Jackie Stricker-Phelps (l), Alex Greenwich (c), and Dr Kerryn Phelps (r). Photo: Supplied 5 Learning Activities