Tuesday, 8 March 2022
Members statements
Francesca Curtis
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Table of contents
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Bills
- Domestic Animals Amendment (Reuniting Pets and Other Matters) Bill 2021
- Domestic Animals Amendment (Reuniting Pets and Other Matters) Bill 2021
- Health Legislation Amendment (Quality and Safety) Bill 2021
- Major Events Legislation Amendment (Unauthorised Ticket Packages and Other Matters) Bill 2021
- Service Victoria Amendment Bill 2021
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Bills
- Domestic Animals Amendment (Reuniting Pets and Other Matters) Bill 2021
- Domestic Animals Amendment (Reuniting Pets and Other Matters) Bill 2021
- Health Legislation Amendment (Quality and Safety) Bill 2021
- Major Events Legislation Amendment (Unauthorised Ticket Packages and Other Matters) Bill 2021
- Service Victoria Amendment Bill 2021
Francesca Curtis
Ms CRUGNALE (Bass) (12:54): On International Women’s Day I honour Francesca Curtis, a fighter, an accelerator of social change, impactful with her stride—in presence and achievements—who died on 24 December at the magnificent age of 90 and was farewelled at the beautiful Rhyll cemetery in the midst of a spectacular storm, which seemed fitting to mark her life.
In 1960s Melbourne gays and lesbians were vilified, often bashed or fired for being gay. Most stayed in the closet; not Francesca—she lived openly as a lesbian. In 1970 she appeared on TV to talk about the Daughters of Bilitis, set up to improve the lot of the female homosexual and now considered to be Australia’s first gay rights group:
Why have you been agreed to be interviewed full face… tonight?
… I have nothing to hide, I have nothing to be ashamed of …
she replied.
A young Phyllis Papps contacted the group. Her connection with Francesca was immediate and so began a loving relationship. They appeared on This Day Tonight, leading to a flurry of complaints and an equal flurry of women contacting the group. Phyllis later wrote, ‘Our lives have been about freedom, diversity, equal rights and a better future for everyone, devoid of bigotry, hate and discrimination’. In 2019 they received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the LGBTI awards in Sydney and last year were loudly cheered at the premiere of Why Did She Have to Tell the World?, a film of their lives. My heartfelt condolences to Phyllis and to all who loved Francesca, were encouraged by her and walked beside her. Thank you, Francesca, for being you. You have left an indelible imprint on the hearts of many and on our nation.