NSW
Protesters disrupt parliament hearing on Mark Latham’s anti-trans legislation
A group of transgender rights activists have interrupted a New South Wales parliamentary committee hearing to protest Mark Latham’s anti-trans education bill. NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham has caused outrage with his proposed Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill 2020. Advocates warn the bill, if passed, would ban recognition of trans and gender diverse …
NSW MPs given 110k-signature petition against Mark Latham’s anti-trans bill
A petition with more than 110,000 signatures opposing Mark Latham’s anti-transgender education bill has been delivered to a group of NSW Labor and Greens MPs. New South Wales One Nation leader Mark Latham has caused outrage with his Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill 2020. The Upper House MP says his bill seeks to “outlaw …
Lesbian teacher speaks out about sacking from Sydney religious school
A teacher who says she was sacked from a Sydney religious school for her sexuality has opened up about the “devastating” experience. Karen Pack worked at Morling College, a Baptist education institution in Sydney, for two years. However after telling work colleagues about her engagement to longtime partner Bronte Scott last year, Karen says she …
Sydney rally to call for NSW parliament to dump Mark Latham’s anti-trans bill
A Sydney protest rally will oppose Mark Latham’s “cruel and inhumane” proposed legislation banning recognition of transgender students in schools. The One Nation state leader introduced his proposed Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill to the NSW Upper House last August. Advocates warn the bill, if it’s passed, would ban all recognition of trans and …
Fred Nile is quitting NSW politics and wants Lyle Shelton to replace him
Long-standing New South Wales homophobe Reverend Fred Nile will retire from state politics this year, with Lyle Shelton likely to take over leadership of Nile’s Christian Democratic Party. The 86-year-old announced he would retire in November after four decades in politics. He was first elected in 1981 after founding the party. Nile backed Lyle Shelton, …
Trans minister Reverend Jo Inkpin makes history in Uniting Church
Australian church leader Reverend Josephine ‘Jo’ Inkpin has described her joy after becoming the first openly transgender person inducted into a mainstream church. Originally from the UK, Rev Inkpin (pictured) has served within the Anglican Church in Australia for over 20 years. In 2017, she came out as transgender while head of the Anglican Church …
Axe-wielding Sydney lesbian couple arrested after wild alleged crime spree
A Sydney lesbian couple has been arrested for allegedly committing three armed robberies in one night while armed with an axe, a hammer, and knives. Police arrested and charged Eleanor Ashford, 23, and Sarah Canceri, 23, with stealing money and cigarettes from three different gas stations in the Sydney area over a two-hour period last …
Trans advocates call for appeal in Mhelody Bruno manslaughter case
Transgender organisations and advocates have called for a legal review and appeal in the case of Filipina trans woman Mhelody Bruno’s death in New South Wales. The 25-year-old died in September 2019 after Wagga Wagga man Rian Ross Toyer choked her to death during what the court found was a consensual sex act. Warning: distressing …
Man jailed for death of Filipina trans woman Mhelody Bruno
A New South Wales man convicted of the manslaughter of Filipina trans woman Mhelody Bruno has been sentenced to 22 months in jail after initially avoiding prison in a sentencing error. A Wagga Wagga District Court judge initially sentenced Rian Ross Toyer on March 19 for Mhelody Bruno’s manslaughter. Bruno fell unconscious when Toyer choked …
Red Cross Lifeblood clarifies donation rules after gay man on PrEP turned away
Australia’s Red Cross Lifeblood donation service has apologised to a gay man on PrEP who was incorrectly told he could donate while taking the medication. From January 31, men who have sex with men (MSM) and some trans donors are permitted to give blood if they haven’t been sexually active for three months. The new …