Synopsis

Although the Ancient Greeks celebrated same sex-love in various configurations, they did not invent homosexuality. It has been around since the dawn of humanity. Plato, in The Symposium, presented same-sex love as philosophically inspiring, and a higher form of love compared to heterosexual desire. Thus, the Ancient Greeks did not invent Gay Liberation, Pride Festivals or Rainbow flags because, being wise about the diversity of human nature, they had no need of these. How is it possible that today we celebrate so much of our precious Hellenic heritage yet persist in persecuting this one form of love? Why do we allow ignorant prejudice to tear families apart? This panel discussion reveals the courageous work of the Greek and Gay Support Network in championing same-sex love, and considers what more can be done to embrace our Greek LBGTQIA+ family.

Bio

Panellists Nektarios Christopoulos, Cathy (Katerina) Politis and John Tzimas are leading members of the Greek and Gay Support Network. The Network, for more than thirty years, has supported Greek members of the LGBTQIA+ community in coming out and coming to terms with rejection by family, community and Church in order to lead healthy and happy lives. Dr Dino Hodge, a Cypriot Australian, will facilitate the panel discussion. Dr Hodge, a ministerial adviser to Senator Nick Bolkus during the latter’s tenure as Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, has significant expertise in diversity and equity programs. He also is a co-founder in 1985 of Darwin Pride Festival.

How to Participate

This is an in-person only event, so please join us at the Greek Centre, on Level M.

See our speaker live, ask questions during the Q&A and hobnob with fellow participants before and after the event.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Sponsors

We thank Mary Rerakis, in memory of her mother, Olympia, and her ancestors from Asia Minor for the kind donation that made this seminar possible. 

During the course of the year considerable expenses are incurred in staging the seminars. In order to mitigate these costs individuals or organisations are invited to donate against a lecture of their choice.

You too can donate for one or more seminars and (optionally) let your name or brand be known as a patron of culture to our members, visitors and followers, as well as the broader artistic and cultural community of Melbourne. Please email: info@greekcommunity.com.au or call 03 9662 2722.

We thank the following corporate sponsors: