An ordinance to
enforce homophobia-free zones throughout a traditionally
gay neighborhood in Sydney is drawing criticism from local
activists and editorial boards who say the crackdown
on hate crimes is weak and little more than a stunt.
The new law comes
in response to complaints from patrons of gay bars
along Sydney's Oxford Street, who say they're
sick of being the targets of homophobic slurs
outside nightclubs, Reuters reports.
But a Sunday
editorial in The Daily Telegraph notes
that there is "nothing praiseworthy in the
latest hare-brained scheme put forward by the City of
Sydney," rejecting the idea of an ordinance that
would draw distinctions such
that "instances of homophobia are somehow more
serious when they occur within a homophobia-free
zone."
The Australian newspaper seconded the
sentiment, calling the ordinance "a cheap
public-relations stunt that may lead to more attacks
on gays and lesbians."
Openly gay city
council member Shayne Mallard opposed the ordinance,
which passed by a 4-3 vote, saying that without
increased police and security support, the
"homophobia-free zones" will offer the LGBT
community little protection and might even provoke increased
violence. "The young men who come in from outer
suburbs to drink alcohol and assault gay people are
not going to be deterred by a sticker in a window,"
Mallard told The Australian. "Because they
already have homophobic and violent tendencies, it's
more likely to be a provocation. Lots of people in the gay
and lesbian community fear it will provoke more
violence ... we've had enough of these PR
stunts." (The Advocate)
