Perth deputy Lord Mayor’s inclusion idea to move past transphobic controversy

“We are committed to supporting diversity and inclusion of all members of the community, and respect is a core value.”

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Local government officers have suggested the creation of a broader advisory body which would be comprised of 12 to 15 members from LGBTQ, Indigenous, migrant, youth, poor, and senior communities.

The group would work towards the development of a diversity and inclusion framework that would be considered by council by July 2021.

TransFolk WA chair Hunter Gurevich said the need for such a policy had been raised with the City on multiple occasions.

“It is a bit frustrating that it had to come down to the Lord Mayor saying things like that for it to happen but it’s really heartening to see the city acting on that,” he said.

“An assault to any minority is an assault on every minority, so a diversity advisory group should include people from diverse cultural backgrounds, people with disabilities and Indigenous people, anybody that is in some way disenfranchised by the current standard.”

Former Pride WA organiser Paul van Lieshout Hunt, who petitioned for the festival to be moved out of Perth and into the City of Vincent following Mr Zempilas’ comments, said it was a great step forward which would set a precedent for other local governments in WA.

“The next step for us as residents is seeing who is actually in that inclusivity and advisory committee and just how much sway they will have on issues presented to council,” he said.

He said LGBTQ youth homelessness in the CBD and the renaming Northbridge Piazza as Equality Square should be at the top of the committee’s priority list.

Both Mr Gurevich and Mr Hunt said they would consider becoming a member of the advisory group if offered.

The move was also welcomed by Pride WA president Curtis Ward, who said the city was home to a large LGBTQ community.

Mr Zempilas sparked controversy when he said on his breakfast radio show that genitals determined a person’s gender and offered transgender radio listeners a $100 voucher if they called in to share their thoughts.

The comments were made while hosting his program on Perth radio station 6PR which is owned by Nine, the owner of this masthead.

Mr Zempilas has repeatedly apologised for his comments including at a recent council meeting.

“I understand my actions will speak louder than words,” he said at the meeting. “I am sorry for what I said and for the pain I caused.”