In the aftermath of the 43rd Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Politics in Colour: Candid Conversations rises to the occasion with an inspiring conversation with three openly gay MPs.

In the spirit of this year’s Mardi Gras theme ‘RISE, letting our spirits soar after the challenge and hardship that 2020 presented’, we ask our panellists to share some of their proudest memories and a few of their greatest achievements over the past 12 months, as well as throughout their political ascension.

We also discover how their courage to lead as openly gay MPs has influenced change both in the halls of parliament and for all LGBTQI+ communities across the country.

Co-Hosted by former Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney Marcelle Hoff and Larry Galbraith, ‎Senior Policy Advisor to the Office of the Lord Mayor City of Sydney. During the 1990s, Marcelle volunteered as a grief counsellor and trainer for the Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt and Larry previously had a long involvement in the gay media as a journalist and editor .

Politics in Colour: Candid Conversations – On being a gay Member of Parliament

Date: Thursday 15 April 2021

Time: 7-8pm AEST

Venue: Zoom

Booking: https://events.humanitix.com/politics-in-colour-candid-conversations-gay-mps

Biographies:

Minister Don Harwin – Liberal NSW

The Hon. Don Harwin MLC was appointed New South Wales (NSW) Special Minister of State, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Public Service and Employee Relations and Minister for the Arts in April 2019.

Minister Harwin previously served as Minister for Resources, Minister for Energy and Utilities, and Minister for the Arts in the previous term of Government. Since his election to NSW Parliament in 1999, Minister Harwin served as President of the New South Wales Legislative Council and on numerous committees. He also served on the executive of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association before his appointment as a Minister in the Berejiklian Government.

Shayne Mallard MLC – Liberal NSW

Shayne Mallard was elected to the NSW Parliament Upper House at the general state election in 2015. He is a member of the Liberal Party of Australia. Prior to entering Parliament, Shayne had an extensive career in local government and policy development in the areas of land use planning, infrastructure, transport and social engagement. He also has a successful small business background in horticulture and hospitality and has a Bachelor degree from Macquarie University majoring in Australian History and Australian Politics.

Shayne served over 12 years in local government being first elected to South Sydney Council in 2000 and subsequently to the City of Sydney Council in 2004. Shayne is currently the Temporary Chair of Committees in the New South Wales Legislative Council and is a Member of the Upper House Standing Committee namely the Social Issues Committee for which he is Chair.

Alex Greenwich MP – Independent NSW

Alex Greenwich MP is the Independent Member for Sydney in the New South Wales Parliament and was first elected in 2012. Alex is the Chairperson of the NSW Legislative Assembly’s Environment and Planning Committee and a member of the Premier’s Homelessness Council.

Alex was the co-chair of the successful YES campaign that delivered marriage equality in 2017, a movement he led for over a decade and co-authored Yes, Yes, Yes: Australia’s Journey to Marriage Equality. He participated in the 2nd series of Filthy, Rich and Homeless on SBS to bring awareness to Australia’s homelessness crisis. Alex has addressed international conferences and legislatures on Human Rights, LGBTIQA+ equality, and effective campaigning. In 2019, Alex introduced the co-sponsored Reproductive Healthcare Reform Bill which decriminalised abortion in NSW.

For this event, Politics in Colour is proud to partner with The Star Observer with the aim of inspiring and equipping more LGBTQI+ people to consider running for public office, engaging with the political process or helping others to run.

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