It's about time that all Australians start standing up for Aboriginal people. They are oppressed as gays and lesbians, and various other groups in our community, so I think we should be seen to be supporting each other as much as possible.
It shouldn't be forgotten that there are Indigenous people in the queer community. It's not just us queers over here and them Kooris over there. We're all in the same community and we should live in the same community, as family. I have Aboriginal people that, while they are not blood related, are related by kinship ties, so they are friends and they are family, so why wouldn't I stand up for what they want? And I of course expect them to do the same for me, and they do.
We should remember where we are - on Aboriginal land. We should remember and respect where we are. I don't just walk into anybody's house and just sit down and make myself feel at home. If I want to go into their house I go and knock on the door. You should treat other people with respect.
Many queers have felt alienated from society and that's how a lot of Aboriginal people feel - alienated from society - and that's something that we share in common.
One of the things we're looking with Mardi Gras is to get the message out to the world that not all Australians are racist arseholes. Mardi Gras is filmed now and is broadcast world-wide so it's a really good way of sending that message. And also to Aboriginal people in Australia - so that they know that it is not just them sitting on their own, that there are people who will fight for them, who will put their hand up.
We've had Pauline Hanson. We have a right-wing government in power. The Wik Ten Point plan is being put before the Senate. There's the Stolen Children report. Everywhere you look it's just there. You've got to respond in whatever way you can.
Interview by Zohl
de Ishtar