Victory for gay rights
By Melanie Sjoberg
ADELAIDE — David Paul Jobling was granted a $60,000 compensation payment on November 22. The Equal Opportunity Tribunal declared that Jobling was prevented from taking up an artist-teaching contract in Jamestown in the north of the state "because of his sexuality".
The Education Department rescinded Jobling's contract in May 1992, alleging that he had written a violent article with allusions to paedophilia. Although the article had been written for a Darwin gay newsletter, it somehow found its way into the country town, generating an outcry. Further panic was created due to Jobling being HIV-positive.
Media follow-up of the people of Jamestown revealed that the homophobia which led to Jobling's ostracism has not changed. Parents were shown still opposing the presence of a gay teacher.
The ruling is an important landmark affirming that discrimination on the basis of sexuality is unacceptable. It is also a testament to Jobling's personal determination and support from the gay and lesbian community that he pursued the legal battle.