In Episode 50, longtime LGBTI human rights activist Rodney Croome. We explore the lessons learnt from early campaigns to legalise homosexuality, unpack why personal stories are key, & small target strategies are a mistake. Plus, we zero in on the dangers of the ‘religious freedom’ movement.
Episode 50
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Episode Guest
- Rodney Croome has been a LGBTI human rights activist in Australia for over 30 years.
- In 1994, Nicholas Toonen along with his then partner, Rodney Croome were involved in an historic campaign to repeal the laws against homosexuality in their home state of Tasmania, Australia.
- This campaign took them all the way to the United Nations, and ultimately lead to the decriminalisation of homosexuality, and over time, a raft of progressive legal and social changes affecting LGBTI people in Tasmania.
Quick Guide
- Rodney introduces himself
- The promise of a place to belong
- Having optimism and hope
- Learning from early campaigns for change
- Judo activism
- Transforming Tasmania
- Why personal storytelling matters
- The founding of Australian Marriage Equality
- Why Rodney left Australian Marriage Equality
- The mistakes of the Australian Marriage Equality campaign
- The casting aside of older activists along with trans and gender diverse people, and school children
- How surveys can be used to determine priorities in human rights campaigns
- Hopes for the next generation
- The dangers of the ‘religious freedom’ movement
- Strategies that can be used against such
- To compromise or not
- How Rodney keeps going despite the many challenges.
Rodney Croome-related links
- Articles by Rodney Croome (via The Guardian, Australia)
- Why it was a Mistake to Make Marriage Equality a Small Target – Rodney Croome (via QNews)
- Time to Change Tactics (on Marriage Equality) – Rodney Croome and Robin Banks (via Junkee)
- Devil in the Detail: The Choice Between Marriage Equality and New Forms of Discrimination Against LGBTI Australians
- Free Ebook by Rodney Croome (2017)
- Listen to, and read more of, my LGBTIQ podcast episodes and posts
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