ENG Section B

1. Introduction

1. Since 10, dream police officer. Civil servant and instil safety

2. Upon sharing dream with uncle (78er 1978 Sydney Mardi Gras), met with furrowed brows

3. In confusion, shared with sister (marry 2020), met with pride “do so much for community. what’s wrong uncle?”

4. “At the hands of the police, I have lived a life filled with hurt and trauma” stated

2. Context

1. August 2019, Vic Police Chief Commissioner Ashton Graham issued apology to LGBT for horrific treatment, criminalisation of homosexuality

2. But would this heal my uncle’s pain? “Definitely not”

3. Explore a view (1)

1. That moment realised we as a community need to hold govt accountable for violence inflicted on our members

2. Like my uncle, many lead sorrowful lives bc police

3. Cannot accept just an apology

4. Explore a view (2)

1. Police have negative history in LGBT from long history of disgusting acts of violence

2. Mark Gillespie details in article, recounts police “unleashing a reckless and ugly attack on the marchers” Marchers who were only advocating for basic human rights

3. Single day of actions by police left thousands traumatised for rest of their lives

4. Apology should mean acknowledgement, reflection and not repeating the same horrific actions. = Bare minimum. Is this the case for LGBT?

5. Explore a view (3)

1. According to The Age, police at 2019 Mardi Gras “was so intense that observers compared situation to 1978, where comparable numbers were arrested”

2. Horrible events occurred, apology >40 yrs late followed. Still same events occurring. Apology and justice not enough, enough to heal uncle’s pain or thousands across country

3. If we held govt accountable, an apology issued sooner or genuine structural reform may have occurred

4. Served solace for victims, less of bandaid for third-degree burn

6. Explore counter view (1)

1. “But police have made so many attempts to mend relationship with LGBTQ” rebut

2. saying police have done nothing would be a lie

3. Police stations across Aus employed LGBT Liaison officers = well educated trusted contact points for community and issues

7. Explore counter view (2)

1. Despite police efforts , La Trobe study reported that only 43% have heard of officers, me uncle haven’t heard

2. How can you say efforts made, those hurt haven’t heard of solutions provide?

8. Explore counter view (3)

1. If steps forward not loud enough to near = no positive change, justice

2. Steps forward decades too late

3. Steps in ‘right direction’ are only followed by same disgusting acts of violence

9. Personal view (1)

1. Uncle PSTD 1 month ago, decades of sleepless nights from actions at Mardi Gras

2. Switch in sister flicked, wave of realisation and tears. Justice is more than solely what the eye can see

3. Takes more than just an apology to balance the scale.

4. “All that I beg, police never hurt community or anyone again” uncle

10. Personal View (2)

1. Plead to community, what if uncle was yours? Must come together to hold govt accountable

2. Choosing not to neglects LGBT, and every other marginalised group

3. I hope that you wouldn’t neglect Indigenous community too. Major step in enforcing positive change

11. Conclusion (1)

1. Clear police have done irreversible damage. 1st step to positive change is acknowledging damage has occurred (DONE)

2. Lacking is consistency in efforts to achieve solidarity.

3. Must change, cannot be something chosen to accept

12. Conclusion (2)

1. Police dream unchanged, but for different reasons.

2. Also want to hold govt accountable, part of positive change, but takes more than one to do so. Too much injustice to change

3. To trans, who continue to have discrimination, to indigenous, who dont have respect they deserve.

CLOSING LINE