LUKE ASHBY

Luke Ashby is an openly gay Adelaide born singer/ songwriter who has been performing both solo and with a range of bands for over a decade. His style encompasses classic pop and rock sounds with folk and alt country leanings. He has released several independent EP’s, three of which reached #1 on the SAMIA (South Australia Music Industry Association) local music charts. In 2005, he was awarded 'Most Outstanding Male Solo Performer' at the SAMIA Awards. Luke’s music has been praised by no less than the co-writer of many of Roy Orbison’s biggest hits, Bill Dees (co-writer of ‘Pretty Woman’ & ‘It’s Over’ among others)…

“I’m loving ‘Love Too Late’ (from Luke’s 2004 EP ‘The Late Night Review’), I’ve been listening to it a lot, if you see a chance later on, take it!”

Luke’s most recent work has been for theatre; co-composing the score for the Lampshade Shop’s Production of Ian Purcell’s 'King Of The West End', awarded Best Original Work (Amateur Category) in the Advertiser's 2008 'Oscart' Awards. In early 2010, he performed self-penned live music & sound for the five.point.one production ‘The Share’, written by Daniel Keene & directed by Corey McMahon, which won the award for Best Professional Show - Drama at the 2010 Adelaide Theatre Guide Awards. Luke’s next CD release, ‘Winter’s Work’, a 5-track EP by his current band Luke Ashby & the Damn Burdens, is due for release in late 2010.

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

It is a huge honour to be a representative in the same-sex law reform campaign among this diverse, passionate and talented group of people who continue to play active and positive roles within the community. These reforms are so important because of the recognition of loving, committed relationships and clear recognition of some inequities and discrimination that went before.

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

I feel that in the eyes of the law I was a second-class citizen even though I certainly have not been made to feel so by the vast majority of people in my life. Stereotyped and demeaning jokes and put downs about SSA people and homophobic insults hurled out of car windows have been the worst of my personal experiences of abuse and discrimination, but I’m aware many others have encountered much worse in a range of circumstances. I hope these law reforms will be of benefit to myself and others in the future and lead to some significant, positive changes for people who have encountered difficulties and discrimination to date.

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

Negative attitudes and discrimination are less likely to be perceived to be supported by the word of law. I hope that as the laws catch up with lived reality and lead to greater equity, SSA people will not feel the need or pressure to be ‘discreet’ or hide their relationships when many others do not have to. This need to hide has had terrible consequences for generations of SSA people who have been led to feel shame and to feel ‘less than’.

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

Wearing the reforms with pride helps to make people aware of them, to reflect the importance of greater equity and to highlight previous discrimination around these issues. They have been a long time coming and hard fought and as such their achievement should be celebrated even though there is still some ways to go and further gains to be made.

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

It is a moment of significance in that it both reflects growing acceptance and equity in the wider community in recent years and firmly demands it into the future.

What do you like about your T-Shirt design?

I quite like the colour and I like the fact that something is being ticked off. The stroke and cross-off style parallels the way in which these reforms have been gradually fought for, refined and enshrined in law perhaps.

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