NSW
Mardi Gras AGM passes Pride in Protest motion slamming PrEP maker Gilead
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras members have voted to pass a motion from left-wing activist group Pride in Protest challenging PrEP manufacturer Gilead’s sponsorship. The Pride in Protest group made headlines for their controversial Mardi Gras AGM motions to “disinvite” Prime Minister Scott Morrison and ban police floats. While those motions were ultimately defeated …
Gay cops win discrimination case against NSW Police
Four gay police officers have won a discrimination lawsuit against the NSW Police Force after claiming they were unfairly targeted for a drug investigation because of their sexuality. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) ruled Christopher Sheehy, Christian McDonald (pictured above, left), Steven Rapisarda, and Shane Housego were “were presumed to be engaged in …
One Nation’s Mark Latham pays tribute to Margaret Court
The New South Wales parliament has backed a motion from Mark Latham to honour the sporting career of controversial tennis legend Margaret Court. The One Nation NSW leader moved the motion in the state’s Legislative Council on Wednesday, with MPs voting for it. The motion celebrates her achievements, recognises the upcoming 50th anniversary of her …
Call for submissions as NSW historical gay hate crime inquiry reopens
The New South Wales parliamentary inquiry into four decades of gay and transgender hate crimes has reopened and will hear from regional communities next year. The inquiry, the first of its kind in Australia was launched last year. In February, the committee recommended further investigation into suspected anti-gay homicides across the state. In 2020, the …
NSW government urged to introduce pill testing at music festivals
The NSW coroner has said there is “compelling evidence” to support pill testing at music festival because it would encourage “behavioural change” in young people. An inquest investigated the drug-related deaths of six young people aged 18 to 23 at the state’s music festivals over two summers. This included the death of 22-year-old Brisbane man …
Sydney’s gay penguin couple may become dads for the second time
Sydney’s gay penguin power couple Sphen and Magic may – fingers crossed – soon become parents for the second time. Last August, the gentoo penguin duo went viral when aquarium staff announced they were inseparable ahead of breeding season. Aquarium staff gave them a foster egg, which they successfully hatched a year ago. Baby Sphengic …
Man allegedly held hostage by Grindr hookup jumps from moving car
A man was allegedly held against his will and forced to jump from a moving car after a man he met on Grindr became “erratic” and “paranoid”, a court has heard. Steven Matthew Lonesborough allegedly picked up the man from his Wollongong home on October 11. He drove the man to Nowra on New South …
More Australian Anglicans vote to support same-sex marriages
Newcastle’s Anglican diocese has voted in favour of allowing ministers to bless same-sex marriages, defying Sydney Archbishop Glenn Davies on the issue. A majority of the clergy and lay people voted in favour of two bills on the issue at the diocese’s synod – the church’s parliament – on Saturday. One bill permits ministers to …
Sydney Anglicans debate policy discouraging gender transitions
The Sydney Anglican Diocese has urged transgender parishioners “honour and preserve the maleness or femaleness of the body God has given you” in new doctrinal guidelines on gender identity. The diocese debated and adopted a doctrinal statement on gender identity this week at their Synod, the church’s parliament. “The Bible never endorses a divergence between …
Another Anglican Bishop wants to bless same-sex marriages
Newcastle Anglican Bishop Peter Stuart is bringing on a vote on whether to allow official blessings of same-sex marriages in his diocese. A regional Victorian diocese voted to approve the blessings in September. Now the Newcastle Anglican diocese will vote on a similar bid. The Newcastle bill would allow clergy to bless “persons married according …