May 2005 Archives

The short walk back to my hotel from Oxford Street takes me down Darlinghurst Road.

Past historic Sacred Heart Church, recently saved from demolition, with its life-sized statue of Jesus with outstretched arms above the entrance. Nearby is St Vincent's Hospital, known for its HIV palliative care.

On my left is the 20 foot high fortification that formerly enclosed the Darlinghurst Gaol, now known just as 'The Wall' and used as a pick up strip by male hustlers. None to be found tonight slouching against the sandstone brick or leaning into the passenger windows of cars slowly driving past, at least not this early.

I read today that Microsoft has now apparently reversed its position and will be supporting state and federal anti-discrimination legislation in the future. Per Steve Ballmer's announcement May 6:

After looking at the question from all sides, I’ve concluded that diversity in the workplace is such an important issue for our business that it should be included in our legislative agenda.

Given the importance of diversity to our business, it is appropriate for the company to endorse legislation that prohibits employment discrimination on all of these grounds.

Score one for liberty, zero for the fundamentalists?

Couple, son arrested in Colorado protest - from the Star Tribune.

This is a couple of days old now, but I had to take time to mention it. Phil and Randy Reitan, from Eden Prairie, and their gay son Jacob, went to Colorado Springs for a peaceful, non-violent protest against Dr. James Dobson and his right wing hate group, Focus on the Family.

From the news article:

Phil and Randi Reitan and their son, Jacob, 23, who is gay, walked arm in arm past 150 supporters to the Focus on the Family facility in Colorado Springs about 10 a.m. As they approached its campus, police informed them that the grounds were closed to visitors. Randi Reitan carried a typed letter intended for the group's founder, Dr. James Dobson. The family was told that he was not there.

Today I arrived in Sydney, back for a week of work (and a little pleasure). I try to get down here once a year, to catch up with old acquaintances and remind myself why Australia is just one of the best places on earth. Although I don't have family here, I lived in Sydney for about 15 years and always think of it as my home.

I never met an American who'd been to Sydney and hadn't fallen in love with the place and the people at first sight. Even in May, which is the middle of autumn here, the days are still warm and the nights refreshingly cool. It's hard to describe the excitement I felt as I got near. Even at the LA airport, I began to hear Aussie accents all around. I never noticed the accent of course before living in America, but now it sounds so fresh and sexy.

The news all over the radio here this morning was about Paula Abdul and some scandal with an American Idol contestant. I had to laugh. At least it wasn't about war or terror or some other disaster. Australians laugh at America and its celebrity culture. We love it of course, but we're just a bit cynical about everything. Americans often mistake this for a lack of seriousness. Which couldn't be further from the truth. We're a serious lot, it's just that we rarely take ourselves that seriously -- so it's easier to enjoy life.

I'm staying at this great little hotel in Darlinghurst, called the Kirketon. Very funky and classy. And close to everything - restaurants, shopping, gay nightlife, the harbour. Highly recommended. Right now I'm sitting in the lobby bar drinking a fabulous Sidecar (one of the better ones I've had) and nibbling on marinated olives and braised pork flank with tomatoes and something or other. As I often say to my partner Aaron, "very Nawth Shaww, dahhling".