Today marks 50 years since Dr George Ian Ogalvie Duncan drowned in Adelaide’s Torrens River at the hands of police. His murder remains unsolved like many other hate crimes against #LGBTQ people in Australia and around the world. Despite this, the tragic death of Dr Duncan drew legal and political attention to queer rights, gradually leading to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Australia.
This tragic event, its influence, and those murders that have been forgotten, formed the theme of our opera/oratorio “Watershed” for this year’s @adelaidefestival. I’m honoured that two sections from the work will be performed at a memorial event for Dr Duncan with huge thanks to Jesse Budel, Mark Oates, members of #AdelaideChamberSingers conducted by Christie Anderson.
I wish I could be there for this important event. Wishing all my friends in Adelaide the best as we commemorate his death, to give thanks for all those who have fought so hard for the rights we now enjoy, and the rights for which we continue to fight 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (at River Torrens)
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