Lex Watson

Lex Watson
AM
Born
Alexander Watson

(1943-01-29)29 January 1943
Perth, Western Australia
Died6 May 2014(2014-05-06) (aged 71)
NationalityAustralian
Alma materUniversity of Western Australia
University of Sydney
Occupation(s)Historian and political scientist
Known forLGBT rights activism

Alexander "Lex" Watson, AM (29 January 1943 – 6 May 2014), was an Australian LGBT rights activist, historian and political scientist. Born and first educated in Perth, Western Australia, Watson spent most of his life working for and then later the cataloguing of, gay law reform and the gay rights movement in New South Wales and Australia.[1]

Background and early years

Alexander Watson was born in Perth, Western Australia, the son of a doctor, Alec Watson, and Margaret Newnham, a nurse. Originally educated in Geraldton, Watson moved with his family to Perth and, despite the wishes of his parents, was further educated at Perth Modern School. Watson won a scholarship to the University of Western Australia in 1960, where he studied for a Bachelor of Arts reading history and philosophy.[1] For his honours year in 1964, Watson transferred to the government department at the University of Sydney, where he took a position teaching Australian politics.[2]

Career

After coming out at an early age, Watson became involved in early movements to establish gay advocacy groups pushing for decriminalisation in New South Wales, spurred on after the Sexual Offences Act 1967 decriminalised homosexual acts in England and Wales. Watson was in Canberra three years later when the ACT Homosexual Law Reform Society was formed, which he immediately joined.[1] However, much closer to home Watson was much more heavily involved in the establishment of the Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP), which was Australia's first openly homosexual group, formed in September 1970. In early 1972, Watson became co-president with Sue Wills. In this role he spoke against the use of aversion therapy and psychosurgery then practised against women and homosexuals,[3] prior to the removal of homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1973. Watson also organised the first gay demonstration, held outside the Liberal Party headquarters in Ash Street, Sydney in October 1971.[1] Serving as co-president until 1975, Watson remained a member of CAMP until 1977 when he resigned as the organisation gradually moved to focus on its phone-counselling service.

Watson nevertheless continued his activism and was a regular contributor to the gay press, such as the Sydney Star. In 1976 he notably appeared on the ABC's Monday Conference program in Mt Isa, debating the topic of gay rights, in front of a partly hostile audience with one member throwing faeces at him. Watson maintained his composure throughout and won over the audience.[1] In 1980, with Craig Johnston (politician), Watson helped establish the Gay Rights Lobby (GRL) (now known as the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby) group, and began the push to decriminalise homosexual acts under the Crimes Act 1900. Watson, in a dispute over tactics and his administrative style, fell out with GRL, but continued his activism work outside the group. With the growing recognition of the threat of HIV/AIDS for the gay community, Watson helped to form the AIDS Action Committee in mid-1983, which later transformed into the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON), serving as its first president. In late 1984, the Federal Minister for Health Neal Blewett established the National Advisory Council on AIDS, with Watson being named as one of its first members.[3][4]

Watson was a member of a delegation to Premier Neville Wran in May 1984 on the morning of the introduction of his Private Members Bill called the Crimes (Amendment) Act 1984, to decriminalise homosexuality. Watson attempted to persuade the Premier to introduce an equal age of consent clause and when Wran refused, he argued for the inclusion of protections for persons between the ages of 16 and 18 years, which Wran agreed to.[1]

Honours

In 2010, together with Sue Wills, he received ACON's Community Hero Award. In retirement, Watson became involved with Sydney's Pride History Group, Sydney's gay and lesbian history organisation, and was president from 2010 until his death.[4] In February 2014 Watson objected to claims from members of the Labor Party that they were solely responsible for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in NSW: "Credit goes to a handful of individuals, initially all Labor and some minor party independents. We should acknowledge George Petersen in particular, Frank Walker, Jack Ferguson and Barrie Unsworth [...] Neville Wran, while personally in favour of homosexual law reform, bungled it badly and was only constructive at the end, in 1984 [...] It was a demonstration of ineptitude and failure of leadership by numerous MPs and to the glory of no major party."[5]

On his death on 6 May 2014, the president of ACON Mark Orr noted that "Lex was a dedicated and courageous pioneer whose work laid the foundations for a more authentic, caring and inclusive society, and for that he has earned himself pride of place in the history of our community [...] His work in relation to LGBT rights was ground-breaking, and throughout his life the outcomes he helped achieve in relation to law reform and community health have been significant and enduring."[6]

In the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours, Watson was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "significant service to the community as an advocate for gay and lesbian rights."[4] Watson had been aware of the award before it was gazetted, but died before he could be presented with the honour.[7] It was granted with effect from 12 November 2012.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f French, Robert (28 May 2014). "Lex Watson: Leading gay rights activist and trailblazer". Obituary. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Lex Watson: Leading gay rights activist and trailblazer". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  3. ^ a b Moore, Clover (12 May 2014). "Minute by the Lord Mayor – The Late Alexander (Lex) Watson – Condolences" (PDF). Sydney City Council. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "The Late Mr Alexander WATSON – Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia" (PDF). Governor-General of Australia. Australian Government Gazette. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  5. ^ Ozturk, Serkan (19 February 2014). "Rainbow Labor gets history lesson over false claims". Sydney Star Observer. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  6. ^ "ACON Honours Passing of Community Hero Lex Watson". ACON. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  7. ^ Duffy, Nick (9 June 2014). "Australia: Gay rights campaigner Lex Watson granted honour after death". Pink News.co.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  8. ^ It's an Honour. Retrieved 12 July 2017

Selected published works

  • Watson, Lex (1979). "The United Australia Party and its sponsors". In Hazlehurst, Cameron (ed.). Australian Conservatism: Essays in Twentieth Century Political History. Canberra: Australian National University Press. pp. 71–109. ISBN 0708113591.
  • Watson, Lex (July 1979). "Gay rights legislation". Current Affairs Bulletin. 56: 19–25. ISSN 0011-3182.
  • Watson, Lex (27 October 1984). "Living with AIDS -Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome-". Medical Journal of Australia. 141 (9): 559–560. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1984.tb113137.x. ISSN 0025-729X. PMID 6092879. S2CID 46017623.
  • Watson, Lex (7 February 1985). "AIDS Task Force: the Peter Principle in operation -Criticism of the Task Force-". Star. 6 (16): 6–23.
  • Watson, Lex (September 1986). "The Senate: an uneasy compromise: government. -Radical reform: a second look at the constitution". Australian Society. 5 (9): 33–34.
  • Watson, Lex (October–November 1988). "Out of the closet, into the nineties: life after AIDS". Australian Left Review (107): 12–13, 15. ISSN 0004-9638.
  • Conell, R. W.; Crawford, June; Kippax, Susan; Dowsett, G. W.; Baxter, Don; Watson, Lex; Berg, R. (October 1989). "Facing the epidemic: changes in the sexual lives of gay and bisexual men in Australia and their implications for AIDS prevention strategies". Social Problems. 36 (4): 384–402. doi:10.1525/sp.1989.36.4.03a00050. ISSN 0037-7791.
  • Watson, Lex; Smith, Rodney, eds. (1989). Politics in Australia. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0043640273.
  • Watson, Lex (1990). The Condom Project: Testing the Market. Sydney: Department of Public Health, University of Sydney.

Read other articles:

GeppetoTokoh Le avventure di PinocchioGeppetto mengukir Pinocchio.PenampilanperdanaLe avventure di PinocchioPenciptaCarlo CollodiInformasiSpesiesManusiaJenis kelaminLaki-lakiPekerjaanTukang kayuKeluargaPinokio (putra)KewarganegaraanItalia Geppeto (/dʒ[invalid input: 'ɨ']ˈpɛtoʊ/;[1] bahasa Italia: [dʒepˈpetto]),[2] juga Mastro Geppetto, adalah sebuah karakter fiksi dalam novel Le avventure di Pinocchio karya Carlo Collodi. Geppetto digambarkan sebagai orang tua, pen...

 

Company based in Riga, Latvia This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (December 2011) Latvijas KrājbankaCompany typeJoint stock companyTraded asNasdaq Baltic: LKB1R Nasdaq Baltic: LKB2RIndustryBankingPredecessorLatvian Postal Savings BankFounded1924FateIn liquidationHeadquartersRiga, LatviaNumber of locations155 service centres[1]Area servedLatviaKey peopleRaimondas Baranauskas (Chairman)[...

 

Ini adalah nama Korea; marganya adalah Lim. Lim Ju-eunLim Ju-eun pada konferensi pers Uncontrollably Fond, 4 Juli 2016Lahir7 Januari 1988 (umur 36)Korea SelatanNama lainIm Joo-eunPendidikanDongduk Women's University - Media Arts and EntertainmentPekerjaanAktrisTahun aktif2005-sekarangAgenKing Kong EntertainmentNama KoreaHangul임주은 Hanja林珠銀 Alih AksaraIm Ju-eunMcCune–ReischauerIm Ju-ŭn Lim Ju-eun (Hangul: 임주은; lahir 7 Januari 1988) adalah aktris asal...

Cet article est une ébauche concernant le cyclisme. Vous pouvez partager vos connaissances en l’améliorant (comment ?) selon les recommandations des projets correspondants. Tour des Flandres espoirsRonde van Vlaanderen U23 (nl) Généralités Sport cyclisme sur route Création 1996 Disparition 2019 Organisateur(s) Flanders Classics Éditions 24 (en 2019) Catégorie UCI Europe Tour 1.Ncup Type / Format course d'un jour Périodicité annuel (avril) Lieu(x) Belgique Région flaman...

 

イスラームにおける結婚(イスラームにおけるけっこん)とは、二者の間で行われる法的な契約である。新郎新婦は自身の自由な意思で結婚に同意する。口頭または紙面での規則に従った拘束的な契約は、イスラームの結婚で不可欠だと考えられており、新郎と新婦の権利と責任の概要を示している[1]。イスラームにおける離婚は様々な形をとることができ、個�...

 

追晉陸軍二級上將趙家驤將軍个人资料出生1910年 大清河南省衛輝府汲縣逝世1958年8月23日(1958歲—08—23)(47—48歲) † 中華民國福建省金門縣国籍 中華民國政党 中國國民黨获奖 青天白日勳章(追贈)军事背景效忠 中華民國服役 國民革命軍 中華民國陸軍服役时间1924年-1958年军衔 二級上將 (追晉)部队四十七師指挥東北剿匪總司令部參謀長陸軍�...

Ini adalah nama Batak Angkola, marganya adalah Harahap. Hasjrul Harahap Menteri Kehutanan dan Perkebunan Indonesia ke-2Masa jabatan21 Maret 1988 – 17 Maret 1993PresidenSoehartoPendahuluSoedjarwoPenggantiDjamaluddin SuryohadikusumoMenteri Muda Tanaman Keras Indonesia 1Masa jabatan19 Maret 1983 – 22 Maret 1988PresidenSoehartoPendahuluTidak ada, jabatan baruPenggantiTidak ada; jabatan dihapuskan Informasi pribadiLahir(1931-11-18)18 November 1931Pematangsiantar, Suma...

 

Selection for Secretary General of the United Nations 2021 United Nations Secretary-General selection ← 2016 SC: 8 June 2021GA: 18 June 2021 2026 →   Nominee António Guterres Country  Portugal Result Acclaimed Secretary General before election António Guterres Elected Secretary General António Guterres A United Nations Secretary-General selection was held in June 2021 to choose the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Incumbent António Guterres was the ...

 

Primeira DivisãoSport Pallavolo TipoClub FederazioneFPV Paese Portogallo OrganizzatoreFPV TitoloCampione di Portogallo CadenzaAnnuale AperturaOttobre ChiusuraMaggio Partecipanti14 FormulaGirone all'italiana + play-off Retrocessione inSegunda Divisão StoriaFondazione1946 Numero edizioni77 al 2023 Detentore Benfica Record vittorie Espinho (18) Ultima edizionePrimeira Divisão 2022-23 Prossima edizionePrimeira Divisão 2023-24 Modifica dati su Wikidata · Manuale La Primeir...

2010 studio album by Jamey JohnsonThe Guitar SongStudio album by Jamey JohnsonReleasedSeptember 14, 2010 (2010-09-14)StudioBig Studios, Nashville, TN Lionsound, Los Angeles, CA Shrimp Boat Sound, Key West, FL[1]GenreCountryLength105:26LabelMercury NashvilleProducerArlis Albritton (track 20)Dave Cobb (tracks 3, 6, 8, 16, 18, 19, 23)The Kent Hardly Playboys (all tracks)Jamey Johnson chronology That Lonesome Song(2008) The Guitar Song(2010) Living for a Song: A Tri...

 

土库曼斯坦总统土库曼斯坦国徽土库曼斯坦总统旗現任谢尔达尔·别尔德穆哈梅多夫自2022年3月19日官邸阿什哈巴德总统府(Oguzkhan Presidential Palace)機關所在地阿什哈巴德任命者直接选举任期7年,可连选连任首任萨帕尔穆拉特·尼亚佐夫设立1991年10月27日 土库曼斯坦土库曼斯坦政府与政治 国家政府 土库曼斯坦宪法 国旗 国徽 国歌 立法機關(英语:National Council of Turkmenistan) ...

 

Gargantuas redirects here. For other uses, see Gargantua (disambiguation). 1966 Japanese filmThe War of the GargantuasTheatrical release posterJapanese nameKanjiフランケンシュタインの怪獣 サンダ対ガイラTranscriptionsRevised HepburnFurankenshutain no Kaijū: Sanda tai Gaira Directed byIshirō HondaScreenplay by Ishirō Honda Takeshi Kimura[1] Produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka Kenichiro Tsunoda[1] Starring Russ Tamblyn Kumi Mizuno Kenji Sahara CinematographyHajime ...

نهائي بطولة أمم إفريقيا للمحليين 2014ملعب كيب تاون في كيب تاون حيث فيه لُعِبت المباراة النهائية.الحدثنهائي بطولة أمم أفريقيا للمحليين 2014 ليبيا غانا 0 (4) 0 (3) التاريخ1 فبراير 2014 (2014-02-01)الملعبملعب كيب تاون، كيب تاونالحكممحمد بنوزة ( الجزائر)الحضور16,505 → 2011 2016 ← نهائي ب...

 

 本表是動態列表,或許永遠不會完結。歡迎您參考可靠來源來查漏補缺。 潛伏於中華民國國軍中的中共間諜列表收錄根據公開資料來源,曾潛伏於中華民國國軍、被中國共產黨聲稱或承認,或者遭中華民國政府調查審判,為中華人民共和國和中國人民解放軍進行間諜行為的人物。以下列表以現今可查知時間為準,正確的間諜活動或洩漏機密時間可能早於或晚於以下所歸�...

 

R.T.A Kartanata Negara Bupati Lebak ke-2Masa jabatan1 November 1837 – 1865PendahuluPangeran Sendjaya R. DjamilPenggantiT. Prawirakoesoemah Informasi pribadiLahir1790Meninggal1879Sunting kotak info • L • B Raden Tumenggung Adipati Kartanata Negara adalah Bupati Lebak ke-2 dari tahun 1830-1865 yang terkenal akan kesewenang-wenangannya yang diabadikan dalam buku Max Havelaar karya Multatuli. Kehidupan Awal Kartanata Negara adalah demang di Jasinga, Bogor. Perlawanan ...

American politician and physician (born 1950) This article is about the physician and Green Party activist. For the British restaurateur, see Jill Stein (restaurateur). Jill SteinStein in 2016Member of the Lexington Town Meetingfrom the 2nd PrecinctIn office2005–2010 Personal detailsBornJill Ellen Stein (1950-05-14) May 14, 1950 (age 74)Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Political partyGreenOther politicalaffiliationsDemocratic (1968–2002)SpouseRichard RohrerChildren2EducationHarvard University ...

 

Professional honorary art organization in Manhattan, New York National Academy of DesignThe academy's previous building at 1083 Fifth AvenueFormation1863; 161 years ago (1863)TypeHonorary organization, museum, and schoolPurposeTo promote the fine arts in America through instruction and exhibitionHeadquartersManhattan, New York City, U.S.Location14-15 Gramercy Park SouthCoordinates40°44′15.7″N 73°59′12.3″W / 40.737694°N 73.986750°W / 40.737...

 

Nordic Christmas hymn by Bernhard Severin Ingemann Dejlig er jordenTune and first stanza of the Danish hymn 'Dejlig er jorden'.EnglishThe earth is (so) beautifulOther namePilgrimssangYear1850OccasionChristmasLanguageDanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Faroese, Finnish, Kven and SaamiMelodySchlesische Volkslieder mit ihren MelodienDuration2 minutes Dejlig er jorden (Danish: Dejlig er jorden/Pilgrimssang, Swedish: Härlig är jorden, Norwegian: Deilig er jorden, Finnish: Maa on niin kaunis, Faroese: F�...

Sahle-Work Zewde ሳህለወርቅ ዘውዴ Presidente dell'EtiopiaIn caricaInizio mandato25 ottobre 2018 Capo del governoAbiy Ahmed Ali PredecessoreMulatu Teshome Dati generaliPartito politicoIndipendente Titolo di studioLaurea in scienze naturali UniversitàUniversità di Montpellier Professionediplomatica Sahle-Uork Zeudé (in amarico: ሳህለወርቅ ዘውዴ, Sahəläwärəḳ Zäwəde; Addis Abeba, 21 febbraio 1950) è una politica e diplomatica etiope. Il 25 o...

 

Calendar year Millennium: 2nd millennium Centuries: 18th century 19th century 20th century Decades: 1780s 1790s 1800s 1810s 1820s Years: 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809 1806 by topic Humanities Archaeology Architecture Art Literature Poetry Music By country Australia Brazil Canada Denmark France Germany New Zealand Norway Russia South Africa Spain Sweden United Kingdom United States Other topics Rail transport Science Sports Lists of leaders Sovereign states Sovereign ...