National
‘Still much to achieve’: QuAC’s Peter Black on LGBTIQ equality
On the day of the Brisbane Pride Festival Rally and March, the Queensland AIDS Council’s President Peter Black speaks on where we are at and how far we have to go. This morning I had the privilege to talk about the future of the Queensland AIDS Council and the LGBTI Brotherboy and Sistergirl communities of …
UQ academics back transgender students after dean’s comments
Academics at the University of Queensland’s law school have pledged support for transgender and gender diverse students after comments from the head of the school. Professor Patrick Parkinson is dean of UQ’s TC Beirne School of Law. He recently told a religious freedom conference faith schools should be allowed to reject a student’s gender identity …
Gay man bashed in ‘bloodthirsty, homophobic’ Gold Coast attack
A gay man says he won’t return to Queensland after he claims he and his brother were brutally bashed at a Gold Coast shopping centre. The victim, named Joshua, told the Gold Coast Bulletin he was up from Melbourne visiting family when he and his 16-year-old brother were targeted by teenage thugs at Coomera Westfield …
New problem in Morrison government’s religious discrimination bill
The government’s controversial religious discrimination bill may “relegitimise” harmful “conversion therapy” practices, LGBTIQ advocates warn. Attorney-General Christian Porter unveiled the draft religion bill in late August. After a consultation period, the government is expected to introduce it to parliament in October. But a group representing survivors of harmful “conversion” practices say they’re concerned about some …
Transgender people experiencing high rates of sexual violence
Over half of transgender and gender diverse Australians have been victims of sexual violence or coercion, according to a new Kirby Institute report. The 2018 Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey involved 1,613 people and is the largest study of its kind. The report was launched in Perth on Tuesday. The study found …
Happy Pride from Brisbane Pride President Rebecca Johnson
Brisbane Pride President Rebecca Johnson is currently on secondment to the United Nations in Geneva. She sends this message to all on our most important celebration of the year. To all LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy people, our loyal Allies, and also the wider Community. Brisbane Pride Month and Fair Day is about Recognition and Self-Determination …
Greens Senator Janet Rice mourns death of wife Penny Whetton
Dr Penny Whetton, climate scientist and wife of Victorian Greens Senator Janet Rice, has died suddenly at age 61, the Senator announced. Senator Rice wrote in a tribute on Facebook: “My darling beloved Penny passed away suddenly and apparently peacefully at our house in Sisters Beach Tasmania on Wednesday evening 11 September. “The last anyone …
WATCH: Victim exposes Australian ‘gay conversion therapy’
A victim of “gay conversion therapy” has blown the whistle on the dangerous practices in Australian churches. The term “conversion therapy” refers to the discredited practice of changing or suppressing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, using psychological or spiritual means. On Sunday night, Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes program revealed the practice is still …
Teacher sues Christian school for religious discrimination
A teacher has filed a discrimination complaint against a private Christian school, claiming she had to quit after refusing to accept its policy opposing same-sex marriage. Rachel Colvin claims Ballarat Christian College discriminated against her due to her political and religious beliefs, including her support for same-sex marriage. The married mother of three alleges she …
OPINION: Peter Black on the Religious Freedom Bills
Peter Black, President of QuAC discusses the draft Religious Freedoms Bills and their potential impact on our communities. Peter Black is a Senior Lecturer in Law, teaching and researching in internet law, media law and Australian Constitutional law. As a firm advocate of equality and fairness for the LGBTI communities, Peter Black was also Queensland …