REAL Newsletter Jan 09

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: real.illawarra@gmail.com <real.illawarra@gmail.com>
Date: 2009/1/19
Subject: REAL Newsletter Jan 09
To: Real Gmail <real.illawarra@gmail.com>

January 2009   •  Email: real.illawarra@gmail.com  •   Blog: realillawarra.blogspot.com  • PO Box 1073 Wollongong  • PH Merilyn 0415 835 507

REAL Update

A quick hello to let you know whats happening with REAL in 2009.

A new REAL committee will be formed in early March, in the mean time Merilyn and Wendy are looking after things. We would like to once again thank Tania for all of her hard work as Facilitator of REAL in 2008, Tania will be a regular face around REAL in 2009.

We will be getting a Newsletter out in February, but for now we have a few events you might be interested in in the mean time.

New REAL management committee

We are going to set up a management committee for REAL, this process will require the support of the members. We need your input and ideas in setting-up the committee and possible committee structures. To get involved please contact Wendy on 0407721800 or email REAL real.illawarra@gmail.com

REAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 08

Message from the outgoing co-ordinator, Tania -

"REAL – Respecting Equality Amongst Lesbians came back into existence from the former WLDI - Wollongong Lesbian Drop In. The WLDI was operating minimally so I, Tania Morsman approached the former facilitators, Sam & Sydney O'Neill in the offer of reviving the WLDI.

"I decided to change the name to reflect a more attractive overall look to the group, hence REAL – Respecting Equality Amongst Lesbians came about.

"So far the group has been fully operating again since December 2007. Just before Christmas we held an OPEN MIC' night @ Thirroul Senior Citizens Hall. It attracted 35 women and the organizers. It was an intimate affair and was a success in bringing REAL to the fore into the Illawarra Lesbian Community again. The support was tremendous given that it was very close to Christmas and there was little time to promote it.

"So far so good. REAL TALK (drop in) attracts on any one evening from 1 – 10 women and there have been different women at different evenings.

"I approached Pat, a lesbian in our community who I had talked with some time ago about having a writers/book group. Fortunately she agreed and her group is 5 strong in attendance regular every week.

"There have been 30 lesbians who have been added to the REAL email and hard copy mail since REAL began again.

"There have been 5 lesbians with children in the time of May to June who have asked for family get togethers of which I have accommodated for in this calendar.

"We have donated to a local lesbian, Mignon $200 to help her with cutting her new long awaited CD.

"REAL has been networking with LISA – Lesbians In the Shoalhaven Area & also with ACON since the new regional manager, Shannon Wright took the position at Wollongong.

"Above all REAL continues to support & unite our lesbian community and we pride ourselves on being non separatist and accepting of lesbians' families and friends.

"LINC grant - $500 toward ILD dance

Networking with LISA - lesbians in the Shoalhaven (cowgirls dance ILD)

October 11^th 2008 – International Lesbian Day Dance Party @ Berry.

GLBTIQ EVENTS AND INFO

Independent - Weekly Lesbian Brekky's, Sunday morning 10.30 – Check Pink Sofa for details

UNITY  Dance – Three times a year, Beaton Park Tennis Club, for more info and other events: www.unity-wollongong.org  MOB: 0403 899 015

LISA: Lesbians in the Shoalhaven Area, PHONE Marg: 44220103

VOX FM 106.9 - 'The Pink Nation Hour', 5 - 6pm Thursday's

ACON – Supporting Lesbian GLBTIQ health,  PHONE Shannon 4226 1163

Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service of NSW – Lesbian counselling and info line, 630pm - 930pm mondays,  PHONE 1800 14 4527 (admin 02 8594 9500)

IWHC – Illawarra Womens Health Centre,  PHONE 02 4296 7077

SUPPORTING BUSINESSES

Indigo online has a bold and unique range of stainless steel and titanium jewellery, pride jewellery, commitment rings and queer, punk, vintage and 80's T-shirts.
www.indigoonline.com.au

sales@indigoonline.com.au

Truffles Bistro, Oaks Hotel Albion Park Rail, PHONE 4257 8994

WHATS ON!

	REAL Talk 6-8pm 4th Thursday of the Month @ Acon Community Space, Kenny St Wollongong. Merilyn – 0415 835 507
	REAL Dinner TRANGS Vietnamese Restaurant, 165 Kiera St, call 42296883, bookings under Merilyn. 6-8.30pm 1st Thursday of the Month. Merilyn – 0415 835 507
	Dog walks @ Bellambi Boat Ramp – 3rd Sunday of the month, 6pm – Melody – 0403968160
	Albury Women's Dance Party 7th Feb 8pm PHONE 02 6040250
	Fair Day Picnic, Mardi Gras, 9am, Sunday 15th Feb, Sydney's Victoria Park. REAL will supply lunch, let us know Merilyn – 0415 835 507

 •  Email: real.illawarra@gmail.com  •   Blog: realillawarra.blogspot.com  • PO Box 1073 Wollongong

Disclaimer - REAL does not accept responsibility for any text, photographs or illustrations submitted by members. The REAL Newsletter is a forum for ALL members who wish to submit/contribute content. REAL will not however print any materials that is deemed discriminatory, incite violence or hatred or consider to be extremely sexually graphic. REAL encourage members to submit creative, factual and event materials.

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

Fwd: FW: same sex legislation

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: coal <coal@aapt.net.au>
Date: 2009/1/19
Subject: Re: FW: same sex legislation
To: Real Illawarra <real.illawarra@gmail.com>

The Coalition of Activist Lesbians has had 3 meetings to discuss the impact of the new legislation on existing Centrelink recipients. We have written to the PM and others and have begun a campaign asking for a "grandfather clause". If you wish to get information emails about this and or to join the campaign please email coal at  coal@aapt.net.au...    we have draft letters available. ...we urge you to contact your local federal member now.

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

Fwd: FW: same sex legislation

> To: leso40@femininebyte.org

> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 22:07:22 +1100
> Subject: Re: [Leso40] legislation
>
> The hotline number is
> 136280. However, I have not found them very empathetic to the issues, but
> they able to give the facts accurately.
>
> There will be a forum in Adelaide sometime in February being organised by
> AIDS Council of SA, PLWHA SA and few others. Not lesbian specific though, as
> our target is HIV+ people in same sex relationships, though open to others.
> I hope many will become active in requesting the grandfather clause, and
> would like to see a longer term goal of benefits/pensions being paid to the
> individual regardless of who they reside with or how they live. I have been
> working on an article for PLWHA SA where I currently work. Some of the
> points about who is viewed as a couple include:
>
> So, who is viewed as a couple in the eyes of Centrelink?
>
> The law covers two adults who live together as a couple on a genuine
> domestic basis if the living arrangement endures for at least three years.
> It does not include people who are just flat mates, a paid carer, or a
> boarder.
>
> Two gay men or lesbians who were previously lovers but now just live
> together as friends or two single gay men or lesbians setting up house
> together and sharing their lives as a couple in a mutually supportive way
> could be viewed as a couple - even if they are not in a sexual or romantic
> relationship.
>
> Some things which could be considered in establishing whether a same sex
> relationship exists include:
>
> . Do you share the whole of the house or have separate areas?
> (having separate living spaces may suggest that you are not really a couple)
>
> . Do either of you financially support the other, wholly or in part?
> Do you keep your money separate or do you share it? Do you have a joint
> bank account?
>
> . If you own property is it in joint names? Do you have other
> property in both names which you have contributed to?
>
> . Are you viewed as sharing a life? Do your friends consider you a
> couple and invite you to events together. Or do you socialize separately?
>
> . Have you provided care for children together in the past or doing
> so currently?
>
> . Do you each do your own housework or do you share it or carry out
> household tasks for each other
>
> . Have you made a domestic partnership agreement or had a commitment
> ceremony?
>
> . Are you on Facebook or other social networking sites and listed
> as 'in a relationship'
>
>
>
> Some of the benefits to same sex couples as a result of the change in law
> include:
>
>
>
> . Medicare Safety net which covers a range of out of hospital doctor
> visits and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme can be applied for as a 'family'
>
> . Death benefits will be conferred on same sex defacto partners and
> children of a same-sex relationship.
>
> . Private sector superannuation will make same sex partners and
> their children eligible for reversionary benefits.
>
> . Family assistance will apply to same sex couples
>
> . Veteran's Affairs benefits will include same sex couples. (Edward
> Young's 38 year relationship has finally been recognized and will entitle
> him to a war widow pension)
>
> . Taxation benefit as a defacto heterosexual couple
>
> . Child support can be applied for in a relationship separation
>
> Public housing rentals could decrease with both pensioners
> having reduced income.
>
>
> There are many other relationship benefits as a result of the new laws.
> However, the financial disadvantage to the cost of equality will be
> difficult for many to bear. A couple will undergo a standard Income and
> Assets test as heterosexuals do to determine whether the person on a benefit
> still qualifies for their pension, newstart allowance etc. An added
> financial cost in these cases may be loss of secondary entitlements such as
> travel concessions, health care card or change in rental allowance payment
> A Centrelink hotline has been set up for people to ask questions about how
> the changes will affect them. The number is 136280.
>
> regards to all, Mahamati
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: leso40-bounces@femininebyte.org
> [mailto:leso40-bounces@femininebyte.org] On Behalf Of Kassa Bird
> Sent: 09 January 2009 09:27
> To: leso40@femininebyte.org
> Subject: Re: [Leso40] legislation
>
> Hi women
> I have spoken to a friend of mine who is relatively high up within
> Centrelink, and is a feminist. She thinks it's possible that the
> grandfathering clauses can be implemented as a result of the letter writing
> campaign. She suggests that Jenny Macklin and Julia Gillard also receive the
>
> letters that COAL have drafted. There is a group of people within Centrelink
>
> still drafting the details- definitions, timeframes etc, and she will let me
>
> know if they are in a position to be contacted by peak bodies such as COAL
> and Matrix Guild.
>
> She recommends that individual lesbians go to the website and use the Rates
> Assessment facility to get an estimate of income changes as a result of the
> SS definitions. The details of these differences (loss) will assist to
> demonstrate the discrimination and income loss.There is also a dedicated
> hotline for SS enquiries (and unfortunately I have left that number at work
> but will send on Monday to list if it's hard to get) and she recommends that
>
> we use that hotline to air our concerns.
>
> I'll pass on more information when I speak with my friend again. cheers,
> Kassa
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jack Draper" <jackdraper@aapt.net.au>
> To: <jean_taylor2@yahoo.com>; <leso40@femininebyte.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2009 8:53 AM
> Subject: Re: [Leso40] legislation
>
>
> > Just to keep you in the loop...COAL is almost finished drafting letters
> > and case studies to be sent to politions re the new centrelink definitions
>
> > of de facto.... as soon as they are finalised I will put them on the list
> > so others can cut and paste and send letters too. Please feel free to
> > email coal@aapt.net.au with any info.
> >
> > thanks Jack Draper
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jean Taylor" <jean_taylor2@yahoo.com>
> > To: <leso40@femininebyte.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:15 AM
> > Subject: [Leso40] legislation
> >
> >
> >>
> >> dear Sisters
> >>
> >> good on you lesbians in NSW for starting to get together to do something
> >> about the inequitous situation some of us are going to find ourselves in
> >> come the middle of the new year
> >>
> >> I find I'm a bit wary of personally the issues and as we already have a
> >> few organisations focused on old age, the Matrix Guild Inc in Victoria,
> >> for example, (which is already researching discrimination in aged care
> >> with Vintage Men some of whom are equally concerned about the loss of
> >> income as we are), that might be an additional way to go
> >>
> >> the ALSO Foundation and the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby could
> >> also be pressured to take this on in a combined effort along with the
> >> above mentioned groups and make a case on our behalf
> >>
> >> and there's the 10/40 in Sydney and especially COAL which, because it is
> >> already established, could also officially act on our behalf
> >>
> >> just a thought, we might as well utilise the lesbian and gay groups
> >> already in existance (as well as start our own for those who want to do
> >> that) because we're going to need all the help we can get
> >>
> >> I've already suggested that we might have a workshop on what's going to
> >> happen at the forthcoming SpiritSisters camp and the L40 in April is
> >> another obvious place to discuss issues and plan strategies
> >>
> >> with love
> >> Jean

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/