CAAH on search for new co-convener after Hutchinson exit

Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) will soon have a new leadership team following co-convener Bryn Hutchinson’s recent decision to not seek re-election this year.

Hutchinson’s decision comes as the grassroots organisation prepares for its next major marriage equality rally on May 25 and participation in the Sydney Mardi Gras parade on March 2.

Hutchinson (pictured) told SX he had decided against contesting another term as he wanted to make time for other activities including pursuing a PhD later this year.

“After a year serving as CAAH co-convenor I have chosen not to run in the upcoming election and have wrapped up my convening duties,” he said.

“I am proud to have been a part of CAAH over the past 8 years and continue to support its work. CAAH is one of the precious few campaign organisations that is directly democratically accountable to the community.”

Hutchinson said while he was also in the early stages of discussion with other community members on a project that would seek to enhance the quality of community debate on LGBTI issues he was nevertheless extremely proud of his work with CAAH.

“We have spoken out on things such as marriage equality, refugee rights and transgender deaths in custody,” he told SX.

“With the LGBTI support of marriage equality having reached a near consensus it is easy to forget that CAAH was at the forefront of community mobilising when it was an unpopular issue.”

Late last year, CAAH was forced to hold a clearing-the-air meeting following complaints and concerns from some in the community that the organisation had lost its focus.

Continuing co-convener Cat Rose told SX that elections would now be held at the next available opportunity.

“It’s quite a shame for us and the campaign to see him leave, but of course I know that these things happen and people who have contributed heaps to the struggle like Bryn will sometimes have to focus on other things,” she said.

Rose said CAAH was calling on more people to join and help the organisation with a federal election looming in mid-September and plenty to still fight for on behalf the LGBTI community.

“The federal election this year will throw up all sorts of opportunities to push Labor and Liberal candidates around marriage equality,” she said.

“So we will be holding a marriage rights rally on Saturday May 25 at Town Hall, 1pm to start that off but people will see us next at Mardi Gras marching under the banner of ‘Generations of Protest’ to get in on the theme of ‘Generations of Love’.”