Understanding Social Tolerance at Gay Events

Monday 7 February 2005

A national web-based survey has been launched as part of a study into understanding crowd behaviour at large scale gay and lesbian events.

Researchers from the Universities of Newcastle and Sydney say the economic, social and cultural effects of gay and lesbian celebratory events such as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Melbourne's Midsumma Festival are now reasonably well understood. However, they say that while crowds are remarkably well behaved, the events may also have the ingredients of a serious law and order problem.

Dr Stephen Tomsen from the University of Newcastle says the visible displays of homosexuality and other transgressive sexualities in large crowds may have an effect on some heterosexuals who may not be sympathetic to homosexuality.

"We are working on a project funded by the Australian Research Council that seeks to better understand social intolerance and homophobia by examining crowd behaviour at these events including similar festivals in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth," says Dr Tomsen.

"The current and potential economic benefits of these events in Australia are considerable, yet their ongoing success and growth will turn on the real experience of tolerance, safety and enjoyment by participants and tourists."

The research team hopes the web-based questionnaire will be completed by people who have participated in these events either as part of the crowd, or who have played a role in their organisation and management.

"The web-based questionnaire is a crucial part of the project because we are trying to form an understanding of the extent to which gay and lesbian people feel safe at such events as well as identify factors that contribute to social tolerance and conversely, social intolerance," says Dr Tomsen.

For further information and interviews, please contact Dr Stephen Tomsen on (02) 9351 0242.