Fix this text
LESBIANS ON THE LOOSE
Fix this textDECEMBER 1990
Fix this textISSUE 12
Fix this textFREE
Fix this textOff Our Backs!
Fix this textIn a follow-up to the Streetwatch Report which
Fix this textdocumented violence against lesbians and gays, the Gay
Fix this textand Lesbian Rights Lobby is launching a separate anti-
Fix this textlesbian violence project. The survey called "Off Our
Fix this textBacks" appears in this issue of Lesbians on the Loose
Fix this textwith extra copies available from the Feminist Bookshop
Fix this textand the Bookshops at Newtown and Darlinghurst. The
Fix this textsurvey is designed to establish the extent and level of
Fix this textphysical and verbal abuse directed at lesbians. This is the
Fix this textfirst time for such a project in Australia. Previous gay
Fix this textand lesbian surveys have had a low lesbian response.
Fix this textThe ADB's "Homosexual Phone-in" in 1980 had 20%
Fix this textwhile Streetwatch had 6%.
Fix this textCarole Ruthchild, co-convenor of the Gay and Lesbian
Fix this textRights Lobby, says the lack of lesbian response to
Fix this textStreetwatch was due to the limited avenues available for
Fix this textadvertising at the time, and to the limited means of
Fix this textcollecting data. Lesbian Line and the Gay and Lesbian
Fix this textCounselling Service administered the surveys. Carole
Fix this textthought many women would prefer to call Lesbian Line
Fix this textwhich only operates one night a week. Inserting "Off
Fix this textOur Backs" in Lesbians on the Loose maximises the
Fix this textnumber of lesbians reached, while a survey specifically
Fix this texttargetting lesbians is more likely to generate lesbian
Fix this textresponse. "Violence against lesbians has been under-
Fix this textresearched" says Carole. "It's either been part of a study
Fix this textinto violence against gays or violence against women."
Fix this textThe necessity for such a survey is stressed by US statistics
Fix this textwhich show that lesbians are nine times more likely to be
Fix this textassaulted than non-lesbian women. While a straw poll
Fix this texttaken at the Lesbian Discrimination Workshop on
Fix this textOctober 27 showed that over 20% of women present had
Fix this textbeen physically assaulted, 90% verbally abused and 25%
Fix this texthad their property damaged because of their lesbianism.
Fix this text"Off Our Backs" intends to find out the types of violence
Fix this textinflicted upon lesbians, when and where it occurs and
Fix this textwho the perpetrators are. Carole says "the survey is also
Fix this textconcerned with finding out if women go to the police and
Fix this texthow police respond in their more caring role. I suspect
Fix this textmost women don't go to the police".
Fix this textCarole hopes a lot of lesbians will fill in the
Fix this textquestionnaires. Depending on feedback the Gay and
Fix this textLesbian Rights Lobby will do a basic analysis of the
Fix this textfindings in late January '9l. The Lobby then intends to
Fix this textapproach the Law Foundation for a grant to employ
Fix this textsomeone to analyse the surveys in depth and compile
Fix this textand interpret the data.
Fix this textCarole says the Lobby would also then like to do more in-
Fix this textdepth research - perhaps into police response, and into
Fix this textmedium and long term effects of violence upon lesbians.
Fix this text"Off Our Backs" was first proposed at the Gay and
Fix this textLesbian Rights Lobby annual strategic planning
Fix this textweekend held at the gay and lesbian country resort, Tara,
Fix this textnear Berry, in early November.
Fix this textThe other top priority for the Lobby in the coming year is
Fix this textthe establishment of a Lesbian and Gay Legal Centre.
Fix this textThis will provide legal advice, particularly in the areas of
Fix this textdiscrimination, business and relationships. The legal
Fix this textcentre will also investigate and research areas such as
Fix this textbias related crime legislation, superannuation and
Fix this textinheritance, next-of-kin status in hospitals, etc.
Fix this textThe Lobby, in a joint venture with the Women's Legal
Fix this textResource Centre, also intends to publish a lesbian legal
Fix this textbooklet early next year. It will contain information
Fix this textconcerning custody, discrimination, IVF, wills and a list
Fix this textof lesbian, or lesbian sympathetic lawyers.
Fix this textFor the Lobby to carry out these projects it needs $64,000.
Fix this textCarole Ruthchild says "this is our biggest commitment to
Fix this textdate in terms of the finance needed. We need all the help
Fix this textwe can get from our community if our projects are to
Fix this textbecome a reality".
Fix this textFrances Rand
Fix this textKatherine V. Forrest and Claire McNab
Fix this textduring Katherine's Sydney visit. Story p. 20
Fix this textinside...
Fix this textwine, women and...xmas...jewish dykes...discrimination...
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
With your Trove account you can:
http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-881422264
(1990). Lesbians on the loose Retrieved May 18, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-881422264
Lesbians on the loose Newtown [N.S.W.]: Lesbians on the loose, 1990. Web. 18 May 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-881422264>
1990, Lesbians on the loose Lesbians on the loose, Newtown [N.S.W.] viewed 18 May 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-881422264
{{Citation
|
| title=Lesbians on the loose.
| year=1990
| issn=1324-6542
| issue=Issue 12 (December 1990)
| location=Newtown [N.S.W.]
| publisher=Lesbians on the loose
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-881422264
| id=nla.obj-881422264
| access-date=18 May 2025
| via=Trove
}}
Citations are automatically generated and may require some modification to conform to exact standards.
Select the images you want to download, or the whole document.
You can order a copy of this work from Copies Direct.
Copies Direct supplies reproductions of collection material for a fee. This service is offered by the National Library of Australia
Copyright varies by issue and article
Copyright varies with each issue and article. You may have full rights to copy, or may be able to copy only under some circumstances, for example a portion for research or study. Order a copy where circumstances allow or Contact us for further information.
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply.
For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Copy and paste one of these options to share this book elsewhere.