CSTS/Equality Now

Times are hard these days, and not just financially. You see someone in trouble, down-and-out maybe, who needs someone to stand for them, some say you’re faced with a choice. Browncoats say, you don’t have a choice.

As Melbournians, we have a long tradition of helping those in need. Just check the track record of things like the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, or the way we dig deep after natural disasters like bushfires or floods.

As Browncoats in Melbourne, we simply have to help, so New Melbourne Browncoats was formed to organise screenings, events and get togethers to raise funds for local and international charities.

Our main event each year is a screening of Joss Whedon’s “Serenity”, to raise funds for Equality Now, a global charity organisation. We man booths at conventions and expos around the country to raise funds for local charities such as the Red Cross.

About Can’t Stop the Serenity:
Conceived in late 2005 by Christopher “TheOneTrueB!x” Frankonis, “Can’t Stop the Serenity” (or “Serenity Now/Equality Now” as it was known in it’s first year) included over 41 charity screenings in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, most held around June 23 (Joss Whedon’s birthday). All to benefit Equality Now, one of writer/director Whedon’s favorite charities. And all organised entirely by volunteer fans. This staggering achievement raised over US$65,000 and began a movement that is growing stronger each year. In 2007, 42 cities in 7 countries raised over US$106,000. And in 2008, this grew to 45 cities and over US$107,000 for Equality Now. 2009 beat all records, with over US$137,000 raised by 50 cities. Over US$500,000 has been raised for Equality Now to date.

About Equality Now:
Equality Now was founded in 1992 to work for the protection and promotion of the human rights of women around the world. Working with national human rights organizations and individual activists, Equality Now documents violence and discrimination against women and mobilizes international action to support their efforts to stop these human rights abuses. Through its Women’s Action Network of concerned groups and individuals around the world, Equality Now distributes information about human rights violations, takes action to protest these violations, and brings public attention to human rights violations against women.

“There are two ways to fight a battle like ours. One is to whisper in the ear of the masses, try subtlely and gradually to change the gender expectations and mythic structures of our culture. That’s me. The other is to step up and confront the thousands of atrocities that are taking place around the world on an immediate, one-by-one basis. That’s a great deal harder, and that’s Equality Now. It’s not about politics; it’s about basic human decency.”
- Joss Whedon

“All of us at Equality Now continue to be amazed by and grateful for the Browncoats’ and Serenity fans’ generous and committed support for our work. Their energy and enthusiasm is inspiring and these screenings are coming at a critical time when we are especially in need of funds! We thank each and every one of them and Happy Birthday to Joss!”
- Amanda Sullivan, Equality Now