Weeks after Victoria Police arrested six teenagers for a series of gay-bashing attacks in the parklands in Ashwood, the Monash City council on Tuesday passed a motion condemning homophobia.Trigger Warning: This story has details of homophobia and homophobic slurs, which might be distressing to some readers.
For 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.The councillors unanimously passed a motion in a council meeting on February 22 to fly the Pride flag across the municipality till March 7, in solidarity with the LGBTQI community. “One of the worst things about these sorts of incidents is the isolation and vulnerability that people feel.
Everyone needs to feel secure and needs to feel that they belong. Statements like this, sometimes can go a small way to doing that for some people,” said Cr Fergeus.
The councillor said he was surprised that the motion passed unanimously as councils in the past have been divided over issues relating to the LGBTQI community.