The Fortnightly
WEEK THREE, SEMESTER ONE, 2025
WHY PRIDE STILL MATTERS IN 2025
The importance of Mardi Gras and Pride in Australian society
Ella Vanderzwan
Early in February I went to my first pride event. The event was in Hobart, and it took a decent effort from my friend and myself to get there. One three-hour bus ride later we were in Hobart, and at the start of our three-day stint flitting around amongst pride events For the first time I was able to really experience the weird and wonderful community I call myself a part of I have never felt safer in my life than I did at the TasPride parade People around me were wearing the same flags as me, drag queens were leading the parade followed by organised groups of furies to church choir groups, and everything in between I saw an older queer person watching us all and crying while their partner held them
While it is easy to think that since the Same Sex Marriage Postal Vote in 2017 that pride is no longer needed, the livelihoods and comfort of LGBTQIA+ people are being challenged every day. A little over a month ago Queensland’s government put an immediate pause on hormone treatment for people under 18 Transgender rights are being challenged all over the world, especially right now and the visibility of these people is more important
than ever Allowing people to see into the queer community is one of the most effective ways of combating the discrimination against them. An event that allows massive visibility for people across Australia about the lives of LGBTQIA+ people is the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras started in solidaritevent with events being held in California for the anniversary of the Stonewall Riot. Activists in Australia decided they would do several events to promote gay and lesbian culture On the 24th of June 1978 after a march and public meeting, they had a night party, playing loud music down the street and enjoying their night This would be the first Mardi Gras. Despite having a permit, police chased party goers down the street and would later arrest 53 people from that event The event continued, with a tentative relationship with the police and police presence due to the trauma of the first Mardi Gras. The event got bigger and bigger and in 1994 the event was broadcast by the ABC to millions of viewers. It has now turned into an event so big that it brings an estimated $185.6
million to the NSW economy Away from the economic value Mardi Gras brings, The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras promotes the visibility of LGBTQIA+ people in public life. It allows queer people to be highlighted to people all around Australia. It paves the way for other events to happen around the country and allows more queer people to feel safe in their own skin, like me at the event in Hobart.
That is why Mardi Gras and having pride is still important in 2025. Mardi Gras has always been a celebration of a community that had to hide themselves away from the world for centuries. Pride events are also celebrations of queer joy and allow for young queer people across the world to know that there are places where they are happy and surrounded by people who understand them.
DO YOU THINK YOU’RE TOO OLD TO BE HERE?
Bob’s reflection on returning to study after his first bachelors degree
Bob Pill
Deciding that I wanted a complete career change at age 35 wasn’t ideal, I thought Over the years I had grown increasingly envious of my former students heading over to the law school to commence their tertiary studies Before I knew it, some of them were contacting me to say that were graduating As a legal studies teacher I get to take my students to the annual LawFest event, a day at the Sandy Bay campus with UTAS lecturers and guest speakers. Each year, I find myself wanting more, waking up the next day and wishing I was going back to the law school.
But surely I am too old to start another degree?
I can’t do it at UTAS, I will be in classes with my former students
Will I be the annoying mature age student who asks too many questions? (I am)
Maybe a fully online LLB or JD would be better through a mainland uni?
If I did it online, I could continue to work full time while also studying full time That’s doable, right? For context, I am by choice, a busy person. A teacher, marriage celebrant, dad, and husband. Surely adding full time study to the mix would be fine?
My past decisions to study had been based on nothing in particular Arts because I wanted a degree but wasn’t sure what to study, and teaching because I wanted something clearly vocational This time was going to be different I was going to approach my decision methodically I looked at every law school in the country Every shiny prospectus and every colourful course page that exists Overwhelming is an understatement. After reading every page of every law school website, I gave up. It’s not the right time. Maybe I’ll have another look in 12 months.
At some point I had followed the UTAS School of Law on my social media Late one night a success story came up on my feed A fellow teacher, who had not only juggled life and study but had won the university medal! It was a revelation It was possible! A quick search revealed applications were still open and I could start an LLB mid-year The following Monday I told work “Good on you, go for it!” Returning to campus and attending a lecture was nerve wracking but incredibly exciting I had made a friend at orientation, and we sat together. Apprehension shared is apprehension halved I have discovered. My worry about being in class with former students dissipated when they invited me to sit with them at a Wednesday seminar. I made sure to check they weren’t just being polite. One told me that when he saw me, he thought I was there to teach! Years of indecision and doubt had all been resolved in two minutes The first, reading a Facebook post and the second, walking into a seminar It is easy to make a long list of reasons why we shouldn’t try something new From now on I am going to focus on reasons I should instead
Cartoon Maude D’Crus @madartdcrus
Sports
Social Netball - Kelsey Anderson
The hustle and bustle of semester one has commenced and that can only mean one thing –social sport has begun!
Social sport is an exciting initiative encouraging students to move their body and foster friendships with people across different degrees
Whether you’re a seasoned netballer who thrives on competition or are just looking for a fun way to stay active, there are both social and competitive leagues available, ensuring everyone can enjoy the game at their own pace
To highlight the value of social sport within the community, we caught up with the netball team, Let’s Net This Bread. The team took out the Gold Division in semester 1 2024, with the victory being a testament to their willingness to simply get out on the court each week and have a go And, of course, no game was ever complete without a trip to the Metz for half-off pizzas
But, to Let’s Net This Bread, netball isn’t all about winning – though a shiny medal is a bonus It’s about the chats on the bench, the high-fives and words of encouragement before and after each quarter, the reassuring smiles, and the echoes of laughter after somebody face plants on the (it’s inevitable). It’s the small thi th t made netball such a big part of so m week.
“Attheheartofit, it’sachancetocreate
long-lastingfriendshipsandjusthavefun.
Oh, andmyfavouriteposition? Easy–goalshooter!” saysteammemberLachlanSheedy.
With something for everyone, social sport is all about having a go, getting involved, and enjoying the experience It’s where everyone belongs – no matter your skill level
Summer Subjects
LAW277 (LOAC) - Olivia Bellchambers
Students who have undertaken the popular biennial summer school unit, Law of Armed Conflict and International Criminal Law( LOAC) always have something good to say about it - ‘inspiring,’ ‘interesting’ and ‘important in our current political climate’ will be the phrases you hear most often The unit brings together a range of (Tasmanian) international law experts to trace a comprehensive picture of the operation and development of international criminal law and international humanitarian law. It explores the rules that both attempt to reduce human suffering and place limits on war, and touches on the increasing respect for this body of law and the contribution it makes to ensure that there is no impunity for the commission of egregious crimes
This year, students taking the unit were also super lucky to be joined by Professor Alex Whiting, hailing from Harvard. As part of his visit, Alex also delivered a public lecture for the Island of Ideas lecture series, focusing on the recent arrest warrants issued by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for leaders vested in significant political power - Vladimir Putin, and Benjamin Netanyahu - and the normative significance of these arrest warrants for the international criminal court.
Why take this unit in 2027?
You will get the opportunity to:
Hear directly from some inspirational leaders in the field of international humanitarian law, including cases they have worked on at the International Criminal Court!
Think critically and make more informed decisions about the armed conflicts that occur in our world and;
Contribute to an area of law that aims to ameliorate human suffering, even in the midst of conflict.
*If you have any further questions, contact the course co-ordinator Tim McCormack
Horoscope
Trump and Putin’s Astrological Compatability
‘When Gemini and Libra come together in a love affair, they enjoy a great relationship based on intellectual interests and mental agility’
Born on the 16th of June, Donald Trump is strongly a June Gemini While Putin, born on the 7th of October, falls soundly in as a Libra
‘Libra loves art and beauty, while Gemini loves the beauty of an idea’
The opinions expressed herein are not those of the editors, the publishers, the University of Tasmania, or the Tasmanian University Student Association Reasonable care is taken to ensure that the content and information included is as up-to-date and accurate as possible, at the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken towards Togatus for any errors or omissions.
If you have concerns or questions about anything that has been published, contact the editor by email
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