LGBTIQ people wanted for Queensland domestic and family violence survey
We are looking for people from LGBTIQ communities to take part in a 12-15 minute survey exploring the issue of domestic and family violence in the LGBTIQ+ communities. The survey is conducted by Enhance Research on behalf of the Queensland Government. Your responses will be purely confidential and will be used for research purposes only. …
Political Posting Mumma apologises for ‘sick and twisted’ comments
Conservative activist Marijke Rancie – known on Facebook as the “Political Posting Mumma” – issued an apology to an LGBTIQ advocate who sued her for defamation. Rancie posts material to her Facebook page railing against same-sex marriage, transgender rights and LGBTIQ-inclusive education. In December 2017, Rancie targeted queer youth organisation Minus18 and their event producer …
Australian brewery apologises for posting homophobic beer meme
A brewery in Victoria has apologised for posting a meme slammed by Facebook users as homophobic and offensive. Southern Bay Brewery, in Geelong, Victoria, posted the “beer meme” on Monday night. The post read: “Non-alcoholic beer – you mean gay lemonade?” But within an hour the brewery pulled the post after a backlash on its …
Surgeon charged with rape after allegedly ‘stealthing’ male doctor during sex
A Victorian surgeon charged with raping a fellow doctor after he allegedly “stealthed” him while having sex has been allowed to keep treating patients. The prominent surgeon, whose name has been suppressed, was arrested and charged by Victoria Police last September over the incident in mid-2017. “Stealthing” is the non-consensual removal of a condom during …
Conservative pushback over Uniting Church’s support for same-sex marriage
Conservative factions within the Uniting Church are reportedly still pushing for a reversal of the church’s endorsement of same-sex marriage. Last July, the Uniting Church voted to endorse same-sex marriage and allow individual ministers to choose whether or not to officiate same-sex marriages. The church’s national assembly approved two definitions of marriage, one between a …
OPINION: Why the election result is bad news for weekend workers
Last weekend’s surprise federal election result will have major negative ramifications on weekend workers’ penalty rates, and will leave the future of LGBTIQ employees, teachers and students in faith-based institutions in limbo. Labor’s Bill Shorten had pledged to end lawful discrimination against gay workers, teachers and students in faith-based institutions, including schools. He also promised …
Homophobic harassment still a problem within Victoria Police ranks, report finds
Warning: distressing language Homophobic and transphobic threats and jokes are still tolerated by some in Victoria Police ranks including senior officers, according to a new report released on Friday. The report, by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, found a lack of trust in internal reporting processes and “poor management responses” hindered LGBTIQ …
Sydney Lord Mayor pays tribute to late Mardi Gras 78er Ron Austin
City of Sydney councillors observed a minute’s silence on Monday night to memorialise gay activist and Mardi Gras ‘78er Ron Austin, who passed away a month ago. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore also honoured Austin’s “outstanding” contribution to Mardi Gras and his long history of LGBTIQ activism with the following tribute. I pay tribute to …
Do you have to tell your boss that you’re HIV positive?
One of the biggest fears of people living with HIV is having to disclose their status to their employer, risking possible discrimination. The good news is that in most professions, you are not legally required to tell an employer, or prospective employer, that you are HIV positive with only a few exceptions, the main one …
Why Israel Folau’s social media posts are harmful to his young fans
Israel Folau has let down many of his young fans with his recent social media posts despite knowing the harm anti-gay comments can cause, an academic who has previously worked with the Wallabies star has said. Folau attended a code of conduct hearing on Saturday to determine whether Rugby Australia has grounds to sack him …