Justice Kirby to deliver lecture

Rights Australia presents
The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG
delivering
The inaugural John Marsden Lecture
Wednesday 15 October 2008, commencing at 6.30pm
The Ionic Room, Sydney Masonic Centre
66 Goulburn Street (corner Castlereagh St), Sydney

THE JOHN MARSDEN LECTURE
Under the auspices of Rights Australia, an annual lecture has been established named for John Marsden who was long-time President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, President of the NSW Law Society and champion of law reform for sexual minorities.
Justice Michael Kirby is Australia's longest serving judicial officer and was a friend of John Marsden until his death in 2006.  He will describe the way John Marsden challenged him and everyone else who would listen (as well as some who would not) to accept the realities and to respect the rights to equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other queer citizens. 
But where is equality leading us?  And what do we do about the systemic inequality in most developing countries of the world?  Is Bishop Desmond Tutu right when he says that "Everyone needs to have someone to look down on"?  Or can John Marsden's ideal of civic equality be realised?  These are themes of the inaugural John Marsden Lecture.
Details for the night
6.30pm  Arrival, Drinks
7.00pm  Introduction and welcome, MC Fran Kelly
7.00pm  Introduction to the lecture, Howard Glenn, Rights Australia
7.10pm  Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG
7.50pm  Thanks, Hugh Macken, President, Law Society of NSW
8.00pm  Invitation to remain for drinks and discussion
8.30pm  Function concludes  
The event is free, but an RSVP appreciated, to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it