Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson.
Camera IconDisability Services Minister Stephen Dawson. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

United in calls to end inequality

Anne Gartner, Guardian ExpressEastern Reporter

State Labor MLC Stephen Dawson and Federal Liberal Senator Dean Smith condemned the attack, saying any incident of discrimination should be challenged.

‘Thankfully I have never faced any physical abuse but I have been sneered at and jeered for being gay when I was younger,’ Mr Dawson said.

‘Ordinary people need to speak out if they see discrimination occurring. It needs to be stamped out so that we can be a truly modern society.’

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Mr Smith echoed the comments.

‘It would be a shame if discrimination based on someone’s sexuality was widespread and where it does occur, it should be openly challenged,’ he said.

The pair’s comments came in light of last week’s report in the Guardian Express of Mt Lawley man Jordan Devin, who said he was attacked in Northbridge on New Year’s Day for being gay.

Mr Smith said he recalled one incident where he felt threatened because of his sexuality.

‘I am not conscious of having been discriminated against, but it doesn’t mean it hasn’t occurred,’ he said. ‘At some point, I probably learnt to turn a blind eye and build an immunity.

‘I do recall in my early 30s having bottles thrown at me and my friends’