National
Ad watchdog gets homophobic complaints about these gay ads
Victorian LGBTIQ+ organisation Thorne Harbour Health has hit out at homophobic complaints against its longest-running gay men’s sexual health campaign. Since 2008, Thorne Harbour’s “The Drama Downunder” campaign has promoted STI testing and gay men’s sexual health and wellbeing. To do so, they use models wearing white briefs to bust stigma around discussing sexual health. …
Dragtastic fundraiser in Brisbane for World’s Greatest Shave
A Brisbane local has signed up for the World’s Greatest Shave, and her drag queen friends are pitching in to help fundraise for the important cause. The long-running annual event by the Leukaemia Foundation raises money to support those diagnosed with blood cancer. More than 50 Australians are diagnosed each day with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma …
Lesbian couple left heartbroken by ‘cruel’ IVF law
A same-sex couple in Victoria, Lissa and Kariah Koehler, have called for a “cruel and heartbreaking” IVF law in their state to be changed. The couple are mums to a three-year-old girl, and say they had “hoped and dreamed” to give her a sibling when the time was right. For the last five years, Lissa …
Qld Satanists say Parliament’s Christian prayer excludes them
The Noosa Temple of Satan have launched a petition taking aim at the Australian Parliament’s “exclusionary” opening Christian prayers, ahead of the Morrison Government introducing the Religious Discrimination Bill. The Sunshine Coast-based Temple of Satan has made national headlines for their activism and commentary around the controversial legislation. The group held a Satanic Black Mass …
Outcry over Melbourne vandal’s sick homophobic, Nazi graffiti
LGBTIQ+ Jewish advocates have condemned a vandal who carved a swastika and a vile anti-gay slur into concrete in Melbourne. Gardiners Trail is a pedestrian footpath that winds along Gardiners Creek through Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Victorian-based LGBTIQ Jewish group Aleph Melbourne reported to council a vandal’s carving of a swastika and the words “Kill Gays” …
Beetrooter tells flasher Katie Hopkins: Pack your bongo!
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce this morning joined calls for quarantine flasher and far-right British media celebrity Katie Hopkins to leave the country. Reminiscing about his role in the Johnny Depp Scottish Terrier saga, the Beetrooter said Hopkins should “Pack your bongo and get out of the country.” Katie Hopkins video at end of …
Perth Theatre Trust backtracks on ACL ‘The Truth of It’ ban
Perth Theatre Trust (PTT) announced today it would allow the Australian Christian Lobby to hire state-owned facilities despite an earlier refusal to hire either the Albany Entertainment Centre or the Perth Concert Hall to the organisation. ACL attempted to book the venues for The Truth of It LIVE show featuring managing director Martyn Iles. However, PTT …
Australian Christian Lobby furious after venues reject their bookings
The Australian Christian Lobby has threatened to sue after they were barred from holding a Western Australian event at a publicly-owned Albany venue. The Perth Theatre Trust, a government agency, operates several publicly-owned theatre venues across the state. Last month, the Trust reportedly barred the ACL from hiring the Albany Entertainment Centre or the Perth …
A different Pride celebration: NAIDOC Week
Fresh from one month of visibility and celebration to another! We are now into NAIDOC Week which celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is celebrated by all Australians. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We especially have some …
Qld police investigating officers’ racist, homophobic comments
The Queensland Police Service is investigating a private Facebook group over reportedly sexist, racist and homophobic posts by its officers. The “Defend the Blue” Facebook group is one of several private groups only open to serving and former Queensland police officers. A senior serving Queensland Police officer set up the group last year. It currently …