Few people have contributed more to Sydney’s LGBTQI+ rights movement than Peter Bonsall-Boone
Known as Bon, he and his life-long partner, Peter de Waal, were at the forefront of every significant moment in the fight for freedom and equality for the queer community in this country. They both helped establish CAMP (Campaign Against Moral Persecution) in 1971. CAMP was one of the first gay rights organisations in Australia and it broke a lot of ground.

Bon and de Waal featured in the 1972 ABC documentary series, Chequerboard, in which they shared a brief kiss — reputedly the first gay kiss ever seen on Australian TV. While it was a milestone for the gay movement, it also led to Bon’s being dismissed from an administrative role with his local Anglican Church.

Bon was brought up Anglican and always held onto his faith, despite the hostility many of the clergy had towards homosexuality. He knew he was not alone in being gay and wanting to remain a practising Christian and he established Cross-Section, a sub-group within CAMP for Christian gays.
In 1973, Bon and de Waal helped set up Phone-A-Friend, one of the first telephone support services for gay people. They even ran the service from their home in Balmain. Phone-A-Friend eventually morphed into the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service, which continues to this day. \
By Rita Bratovich

Comentários