Overlooking the beautiful Tamarama coastal path which links to Bondi and Coogee is “Rise,” a newly-installed LGBTQIA memorial for victims and survivors of hate crimes of the 1970s to the 1990s.
Designed by John Nicholson of Urban Art Projects (UAP), this memorial was six years on the planning board with Waverley Council, UAP, and ACON, the organisation working to uplift LGBTQIA communities in Australia. The site was specifically chosen because the cliffs and the surrounding areas are “the sites of horrific acts of violence towards LGBTQ people,” according to the Bondi Memorial.
Officially launched on 4 June 2022, as the world celebrates Pride Month, the LGBTQIA memorial comes with six sculptured stone layers to represent each of the coloured bands on the Pride flag.
The layers look like staircases to represent the spirit of those who have risen despite the history of violence against the community. Embedded in the memorial are the names of the lives lost.
“John Nicholson and UAP’s design responds beautifully to the project’s guiding principles of remembrance, diversity, inclusion, justice and acceptance,” Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos said in a statement.
“Having a permanent catalyst for the ongoing building of an inclusive, accepting and resilient society will ensure that this dark history will never be repeated.”
Rise’s Biggest Donor
The project was also possible through the donation of Stephen Heasley, an Australian-American, and his partner Andrew Borg. The couple donated part of the lawsuit payout they received against Vistaprint, the company they hired to print their wedding invitations and programs.
Instead of printing what the couple wanted, Vistaprint sent them pamphlets with hateful quotes commonly used in conversion therapy treatments. The couple regarded this act as a “gay hate mail” and sued in 2018.
The court sided with the couple and asked Vistaprint to donate US$100,000 to LGBTQIA charities in U.S. and Australia. Stephen and Andrew gave $64,000 for Rise.
Stephen loved the idea of the memorial because, as a younger man, he used to visit Marks Park on the Tamarama coastline to jog, soul search and reflect, and listen to the sound of the ocean while figuring out what he can do with his life.
A Time for Healing
To complete the project, Waverley Council also contributed $100,000 whilst ACON acquired the rest through fundraising drives.
“For decades, our communities have endured the pain and trauma of these horrific acts of violence. We know that many gay men and trans women were killed, tortured or assaulted across Sydney, including along the city’s coastline and eastern suburbs. These events have left a sorrowful legacy that continues to be felt today,” ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said.
“This memorial will serve as a monument to the victims and survivors and help heal the trauma these events have caused for their families and loved ones, as well as broader LGBTQIA+ communities and many local residents.”
