Like to wear this number with pride? Click here. | Relationships

Jo Dickison

Born and lived in Manly NSW, most of Jo's childhood was spent surfing on her 6ft “Danny Keogh” custom designed surfboard. She has 2 siblings, one brother (now deceased) and an older twin sister (by 10 mins!).

Jo's family moved around Australia with her Dad’s army postings. After passing her “school certificate” she started work in a real estate agency in Geelong before entering the public service when her family moved to Canberra.

Jo's interests include golf, bush walking and 500cc three-wheel motor scooters.

Both Jo's parents are no longer here but they instilled in her the values of honesty, self respect and respect for others. They continually encouraged Jo to be active and to explore all that was around her. Jo looks back on what she now realises was a happy upbringing.

This natural curiosity led Jo to travel extensively and gave her a sound understanding of the value of life and a strong desire to develop skills, which would allow her to assist others in need.

Jo's volunteer work is her way of contributing to a more peaceful and just world. The old adage “If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well” applies to her. Jo has a tendency to fight for the underdog.

Jo shares her life with 3 companion animals and her close friends tell her she can be incredibly funny and whimsical and is a loyal friend.

Why have you chosen to represent this same-sex law reform campaign?

I was nominated anonymously; however, I believe it may have something to do with running a weekly movie group which won the AIDS Action Council’s Community Services Award in 2009.

What sorts of same-sex discrimination have you or anyone you know experienced?

I continue to be discriminated for being a vegan. The two things the world doesn’t need is more hate and more apathy.

How do you think these reforms will make a difference to your life, or to the lives of those close to you?

As I grew up I couldn’t help notice the way animals were treated. This pushed me to get off my bottom and do something. Since 1985 I became a frontline activist and somewhere in the course of the last twenty five years, I’ve learned that any rights reform movement is a slow process.

I have never expected change to happen overnight. And yet, the reforms necessary for putting an end to most of the suffering and injustice in the world are just as slow.

While time is short there is still hope. Libertarian movements for the rights of human and non-human animals continue to grow. For me, the very existence of such movements are cause for hope and by caring so much for living beings, are we ourselves not proof there is potential to get better?

Why do you think people should wear these 85 law reforms with pride?

Because the people chosen are already working hard for our community and this is in some small way a recognition of their work.

Why do you think this is a huge step forward for Australia?

This question calls to mind an insight to being an effective activist and actually make a difference to the way animals and people are treated is to recognise that perpetrators of violence are driven to behave that way through their own ignorance, anger and fear. This does not mean compromising the change you want from these people. It just means you fight for change without burning out.

Otherwise you could end up beating yourself brainless against the status quo, trying to make people see why it has to change.

People, like Heather McCartney, who fight for what they believe in inspire me to push for improvements in the law.

What do you like about your T-Shirt design?

It’s different and I am hoping people will ask me what it means.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Equality shouldn’t limit itself to people, it embraces all living creatures. That you can still live your life inoffensively, treating others with respect, and raising your kids to do the same.