Homosexuality and Greek Australian families: The conversation begins now!
Ιn the run-up to the postal referendum on Same Sex Marriage, homosexuality remains a taboo in Australian Greek community.
Ιn the run-up to the postal referendum on Same Sex Marriage, homosexuality remains a taboo in Australian Greek homogeneity. The social welfare organization ‘Pronia’, in collaboration with the ‘Greek and Gay Support Network’, has launched a program to educate and raise awareness among Greek families in Melbourne on issues such as same-sex relationships and diversity.
The social welfare organization ‘Pronia’, in collaboration with the ‘Greek and Gay Support Network’, has launched a program to educate and raise awareness among Greek families in Melbourne on issues such as same-sex relationships and diversity.
The title of the project: ‘Diversity in Greek Families: Let’s Start the Conversation’. Maria Bololia the ‘Pronia’s LGBTI Multicultural Project Officer and John Tzimas, the head of the ‘Greek and Gay Support Network’ spoke to SBS Radio’s Greek Program.
The acceptance of homosexuality from members of Greek Australian families could often be quite problematic. And that has significant negative consequences for LGBTI people who are trying to be accepted into their family circle and the wider community.
Support for homosexual people
‘Pronia’, a social welfare organization who mainly provides support to the first wave of Greek migrants, has stepped up and with Maria Bololia, who has been involved with the LGBTI sector since the 1980’s they started a program called ‘LGBTI: Starting The Conversation’.
Maria launched a series of consultations and there will be working groups to find the gaps in the services that support homosexuals in Greek families. ‘When we collect the necessary information, we will be conducting informative seminars and we will provide information and services for individuals and their families.‘
From the archive
At last, let’s talk openly
Maria says that what she wants to achieve is to have an open debate on homosexuality. ‘We want our people and our Greek community, mainly the first generation Greek migrants, to understand the consequences to a child when he or she faces rejection from his parents, his school mates or friends,’ says Maria.
She firmly believes that many families of Greek background find it difficult to accept homosexuality. In several cases, it has been considered a “sin” and the person is being called ‘problematic’ or ‘sick.’ ‘The oppression of homosexuality violates individual human rights’, she says.
Who to call
For more information, you can call ‘Pronia’ at (03) 9388 9998, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday or send an email to MariaBo@pronia.com.au. Also, you can seek more info on ‘Greek and Gay Support Network: http://greekandgay.com.au.
