My night on the town with Pauline Hanson in 1998
 Twenty-five years ago, I sort of had a night on the town with Pauline Hanson, writes Destiny Rogers. The One Nation leader was in Cairns campaigning for the 1998 federal election. She was already famous for her attacks on Indigenous Australians, Asian immigrants and the LGBTIQ community. She said of Sydney’s Mardi Gras, “I don’t …
Brisbane’s Secret History: 1930s Same-Sex Weddings
Long before civil unions or legalised same-sex marriage became a reality in Queensland, a newspaper reported on Brisbane’s secret history of gay weddings. The Arrow newspaper claimed in 1932 that Brisbane was a magnet for effeminate gays. “The growth of the pervert population of Brisbane, beautiful capital of Queensland, is astounding, and in the last …
A gay old time: ‘stealing’ the word gay
‘A gay old time’ once meant either a light-hearted moment or a lewd adventure, depending on the circumstance. Adults used the word as code, enabling discussion of ‘distasteful’ subjects in the presence of innocents. Old newspaper clippings demonstrate the general public understood both meanings despite the regular bleatings that gays ‘stole’ a beautiful word. Every …
Sins of the father: Qld’s gay philanthropist Dr James Mayne
Dr James Mayne, the most generous philanthropist in Queensland history, nevertheless avoided the limelight, allegedly because of skeletons in the family closet. Gay crime of passion The story of Dr James Mayne begins with a murder — sometimes described as a gay crime of passion — committed long before his birth. In 1848, north-eastern Australia …
Brisbane Pride Festival kicks off as Pride Month celebrations begin
In 2020, life changed in ways we never thought imaginable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However Brisbane Pride took up the challenge to ensure our communities continue to shine during these difficult days. Pride President Bec Johnson (pictured above) and committee members officially launched the 2020 festival and celebrated the start of Brisbane’s Pride Month …
Kids kill kids in La Boite’s 21st century reimagining of ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre Company in partnership with QUT, presents a 21st century re-imagining of Shakespeare’s iconic Romeo and Juliet. The production takes no prisoners in this tale of star-crossed lovers, under the gripping direction of Artistic Director Todd MacDonald. Directed by Todd MacDonald and edited with Lucas Stibbard the re-imagining of the enduring tragedy …
Brunei bows to pressure over death penalty for gay sex
The Sultan of Brunei says the sultanate won’t enforce the death penalty for those convicted of gay sex and adultery following a global backlash against the small South-East Asian nation. Brunei introduced the laws as part of its new Sharia Penal Code Order (SPCO) on April 3. The laws punish sodomy and adultery with death …
Australian-owned company begins Brunei ad campaign
As multi-national finance and travel companies implement boycotts of Brunei-owned businesses, Australia-based retailer Harvey Norman has begun advertising on Brunei radio. Recently, worldwide outrage greeted the Sultan of Brunei’s introduction of whipping, amputation and death by stoning as penalties for various ‘crimes’. Among other actions celebrities, government organisations and multi-national finance and travel companies announced …
F***, fight or fluke: The British Gayme of Thrones
Despite the earnest propaganda of monarchists, divine right has SFA to do with who gets to plonk their entitled arse on a throne. The ascension of a British monarch usually results from one of the three Fs. Some get there by virtue of a F***, many have to Fight for it and others are mere …
If you’re experiencing domestic or family violence, pick up the phone
People experiencing domestic and family violence require support. In Queensland that support is available for all people needing it, including LGBTIQ people. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, the time to act is now. Support and counselling are available, over the phone, online and in person. No one should …
