Western Sydney University academic honoured for LGBTQ community service
Professor Stephen Tomsen with fellow award winner NSW Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge
Western Sydney University sociologist and criminologist, Professor Stephen Tomsen has been recognised for his research and advocacy work regarding the LGBTQ community.
Hosted by the state’s leading LGBTQ health organisation ACON, the Honour Awards acknowledge outstanding LGBTQ community service in NSW.
Professor Tomsen, from the School of Social Sciences was the key homicide and violence research expert among advocates who were bestowed the ACON President’s Award last month, to honour their work in fighting for justice for LGBTQ hate crimes victims.
A pioneering figure in the international development of nightlife ethnographies, queer criminology, and crime and masculinity studies, Professor Tomsen is also well known for his research on violence, gender and sexuality, as well as drinking and drug use.
A social activist for more than 40 years, some highlights of Professor Tomsen’s career include a study which began in 1993 on anti-gay and anti-trans homicides in NSW, that is now often referred to in media and official discussions of this form of crime, as well as an Australian Research Council funded study done in 2003 to 2007 on violence and safety at the Sydney Mardi Gras.
Professor Tomsen also provided expert witness testimony at the historic 2016 third inquest into the 1988 death of American PhD student, Scott Johnson.
Providing research advice on homicides given to ACON in 2015 to 2018, along with an expert report and testimony to the 2018 NSW Legislative Council inquiry into these crimes, he said he was grateful to receive the award.
“Researching and sharing these stories that impact the LGBTQ community are vital in supporting hate crime victims and their loved ones, so I feel privileged to advocate for them to hopefully make a difference,” said Professor Tomsen.
“I am honoured to be included in such a high caliber group of advocates that were awarded the President’s Award and will continue to provide my services to the community, including my ongoing consultancy with the 2022-23 NSW Judicial Inquiry.”
ENDS
12 September 2023
Emily Feszczuk, Media Officer
Photo credit: Supplied
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