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FPDN represented at LGBTI people with disability event at the United Nations New York

By June 13, 2018May 29th, 2019No Comments

People with Disability Australia hosted a side-event at the United Nations in New York as part of Disabled People’s Organisations Australia participation at the Conference of State Parties (COSP) this week.

The event explored the intersection between disability and sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status, the emerging response of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to this intersection, and the role of States Parties in ensuring that LGBTI people with disability are not left behind. This is the first time this important conversation has been included at the COSP.

FPDN’s Paul Calcott presented an artwork he has painted for the event. FPDN has made postcards of the image to give to attendees.

The painting was created by Uncle Paul Constable Calcott, FPDN’s Training and Resource Development Manager. The artwork talks to some of the issues and barriers faced by LGBTIQ First Peoples living with disability in their day-to-day lives. The painting also depicts positive reforms such as the recent same sex marriage bill in Australia and how this has positively impacted on the LGBTIQ community.

[Image description: Paul is smiling and resting his arms on his walking stick standing next to the colourful artwork he has painted to depict the experiences of LGBTI First Peoples with disability, using bright colours and using methods including dot painting and traditional symbols.]

A bit more about the event:

LGBTI people with disability and the implementation of the CRPD

Opening Remarks:

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan

Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, Government of Canada

Facilitator:

Colin Allen

Chair, International Disability Alliance

Speakers:

Theresia Degener

Chair, Committee of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Clifton Cortez

World Bank Group, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Global Advisor

Alastair McEwin

Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission

Matthew Bowden

Co-Chief Executive Officer, People with Disability Australia

Margherita Coppolino

President, National Ethnic Disability Alliance

Paul Calcott

National Projects Manager, First Peoples Disability Network Australia

Hosted by:

People with Disability Australia, on behalf of Disabled People’s Organisations Australia.

Sponsors:

  • Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations
  • International Disability Alliance