Ron Austin (activist)

Ron Austin (1929–2019) was an Australian activist for LGBT rights, who is known for being one of the founders of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978.

Early life and education

Ronald Patrick Austin grew up in Maitland, New South Wales and was the oldest of five children. He entered the Redemptorist monastery in Mayfield, Newcastle at the age of 16 but left in 1951. He enrolled in the National Art School in Newcastle before moving to Darlinghurst, Sydney to enroll in the National Art School there.[1]

Activism

Austin was an early member of the Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP) group, an LGBTIQ rights activism group working to end discrimination against members of the LGBTIQ community, having joined in 1971.[1][2] In 1978, this group were planning protests in support of LGBTIQ rights.

From 21-27 May 1978, 900 people attended Sydney's first gay film festival at the Paris Theatre.[3] One of the films, Word is Out[4], which included footage from the San Francisco Freedom Day Parade inspired Austin, a member of CAMP, with the idea of a street party which later became the first Mardi Gras in June of that year.[5] The suggestion that the demonstrations should be a street party led to the first march on 24 June 1978.[6][1] His friend Lance Gowland assisted with obtaining the permit, driving the truck and setting up the sound system.[7] 53 people were arrested for participating.[8] This event became a catalyst for a series of protests[2] and led to the repeal in April 1979 of the NSW Summary Offences Act, under which the arrests had been made.[9] The Mardi Gras became an annual event, and Austin marched in every parade for decades.[2]

Death and legacy

Austin died on 13 April 2019 aged 90.[2] The Mardi Gras Awards, given out annually, include the Ron Austin Award for Most Fabulous Parade Entry.[10]

gollark: A big country is arbitrarily going to war for territory gain. This is quite unusual.
gollark: Just write on a computer and make printouts, if you must.
gollark: Why an audio recording and not text? Text is less data. Easier to do stuff with.
gollark: Alternatively, just steganographically hide your messages in various popular internet memes and hope said memes get replicated to enough places to be recoverable later.
gollark: I'm sure there's some automated way to write on them.

References
  1. "Decisions for issue Vale Ronald Patrick Austin". meetings.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  2. "Tributes flow for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 78er Ron Austin". QNews. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  3. "Paris Theatre in Sydney, AU - Cinema Treasures". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  4. "Queer Screen | Past Festivals". Retrieved 2020-02-08.
  5. Chetcuti, Joseph (2018), Sydney's first gay Mardi Gras : what brought it on and how it changed us, Lygon Street Legal Services, ISBN 978-0-648-22530-0
  6. "'Godfather of Mardi Gras' Ron Austin passes away aged 90". Star Observer. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  7. Henderson, Nick (20 February 2018). "Sydney's Mardi Gras: 40 years of pride and protest – in pictures". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  8. "Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras - Australian Museum's Body Art". web.archive.org. 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  9. "History". Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  10. "Remembering Ron Austin". Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Ltd. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
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