FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shock Over Bar Owners Homophobic Comments.

Dunedin, New Zealand – May 10, 2012 - UniQ Otago is outraged following the owner/operator of “The Southern Break” bar in Dunedin, Jono Kennedy, posting homophobic comments on his facebook wall.

“Those comments are disgusting and should not be tolerated in our society” UniQ Otago Vice President Justin Boswell said.

“We appreciate that he may have had a bad experience, but that does not excuse him from using homophobic slurs such as 'fucking faggots' or to say that his bars competition is run by 'liquidation letters and aids.'”

Boswell adds that UniQ Otago respects people freedom of expression and right to privacy over statements written on their personal Facebook page, but that now Mr. Kennedy's comments have been brought to UniQ Otago by a concerned member of the public “we are shocked by their content.”

“Running an establishment full of people under the influence of alcohol, they must provide an environment that is safe for all their patrons. We do not believe this is truly possible if the owners are being outwardly homophobic.”

UniQ Otago believes that bar owners in New Zealand have a strong obligation to prevent discrimination, and protect their patrons against such acts.

“Homophobia and queerphobia are still prominent in Aotaeroa, and statements like these contribute to a culture where discrimination against a group of people because of their sexuality is deemed acceptable. This leads to youth feeling uncomfortable with their sexuality and can bring on depression or a lot worse. This is not an attitude New Zealand should allow ,” Boswell concluded.

UniQ Otago is a queer events and support non-profit, working out of Dunedin, New Zealand.

Queer* - is a term used to describe the many variations of sexual attraction and sex/gender identity, including, but not limited to, intersex, transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, asexual, fa'afafine, takatapui, lesbian, bisexual and gay. Although it may not be the preferred term for everyone, it is used to challenge binary representations of sexuality, sex, and gender.

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