Pride, Prejudice and Prevention – Campaigning in the Bush

Ian MacdonaldEducation and Community Development

ACON Northern Rivers

Geography lesson!

• ACON Northern Rivers is situated ~110 km from the nearest SOPV on the Gold Coast and ~200 km from Brisbane

• Sydney is ~750 km south• Lismore our biggest centre has a

population ~50K• NR ~ 150K• Byron Bay is ~45 km from Lismore

Key Facts

• Once upon a time there was the Winsome…• GLBT social events (non private affairs) are

held quarterly• The only SOPVs in the area cater for

heterosexuals – the local brothels

Summary of Key Issues

• An absence of bars and clubs• Social events - very well organised but

there are only 4 each year• There is a reluctance in many organisations

to display campaign materials• Problem – lack of opportunities to sustain

the message over a reasonable time

Solution!

• Do it differently while supporting the campaign by creating “local” opportunity

• Deliver the message in a memorable way• Activate/motivate people to participate in

the message giving• Provide a format to which they will

enthusiastically return• This is the digital age – embrace it!

History! 3 Campaigns in 6 Months

• Each was different and each addressed a specific area that an educator would meet

• WOULD YOU BELIEVE THEY FORMED 3 CATEGORIES OVER 6 MONTHS?

3.Pride – This is Oz4.Prejudice – Let’s Sink Homophobia5.Prevention – Slip it On

Pride

• This is Oz - web based • this campaign provided the initial idea to

embrace digital technology • we soon understood that the participants

spread the message of their involvement in this campaign to other people

Pride

Prejudice

• Let’s Sink Homophobia• Lismore Agricultural Show – over 2 days• Ducking chair• Use of notable people including the press,

LGA councillors, NSW Police (GLLOs) and public figures

Prejudice

Prejudice

Prejudice

Prevention• Current campaign - Slip it On• Campaign Support - a photo booth at Tropical

Fruits NYE Party in Lismore – 3,800 attended• Subjects asked to pose with real bananas and

condom packs• Permission to publish completed and addresses

for postage required• Pictures taken were emailed with attachments

www.acondom.org

Prevention

www.acondom.org

Prevention

www.acondom.org

Prevention

www.acondom.org

Evaluating our initiatives

• number of This is Oz website hits (220,000*) – great empirical evidence

• participation – people actually queued for a photo opportunity

• count subjects who had to call in at the office to collect their photo

• subjective comments • permission to publish form provided

another count

*ACON AVP to 21 May 2010

Conclusion

OURTHINKING

IN THE BOX