NSW
Vanessa Wagner and ACON launch fitness class for older folk
Drag queen Vanessa Wagner and ACON, NSW’s leading LGBTQ health organisation, have launched an accessible online fitness class for older LGBTQ+ people. The hilarious Vanessa joins with Gymnastics NSW fitness guru Sheryl for the workouts. The free online program allows older people to build their own tailored exercise routine at home. In the videos, Sheryl …
Sydney’s Qtopia gay history museum starts to take shape
A draft floor plan for Qtopia Sydney’s Centre for Queer History and Culture has been made public for the first time, giving a glimpse into the unfolding shape of the museum that will showcase the history of the LGBTQIA+ community in Sydney. The unfinalised floor plan was revealed in an information pack for artists wanting …
First films announced for 2024 Mardi Gras Film Festival
Queer Screen has unveiled a sneak peek of the films that will delight and inspire audiences from 15-29 February in Sydney at the 31st Mardi Gras Film Festival, before an online on-demand festival encore, streaming from 1-11 March nationwide. Organisers say the 2023 Mardi Gras Film Festival promises a “kaleidoscope of LGBTIQ+ stories showcasing both …
Marriage equality campaigner Tom Snow ties the knot
Marriage equality campaigner and outgoing Equality Australia chair Tom Snow has married his partner Doug Pengilly in a ceremony on Sydney Harbour. Tom (above, centre) and his partner Doug tied the knot in front of their family and friends on a boat on Wednesday. Tom Snow joined Australia’s campaign to legalise same-sex marriage in 2015. …
World AIDS Day 2023: We’re Still Here
Australia’s longest running HIV charity, the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF), has marked the 35th anniversary of World AIDS Day by reminding the community that longterm survivors of the HIV epidemic are still here and still need our support. World AIDS Day is an international day to commemorate and remember those we have lost to AIDS …
Tim Pocock recalls ‘soul-destroying’ gay conversion therapy
Actor Tim Pocock has opened up about his “soul-destroying” experience of so-called “gay conversion” practices in his twenties. The X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Dance Academy actor recalled undergoing harmful anti-gay hypnotherapy in a new video with Equality Australia, calling for NSW to ban it. “I was first taken to see a psychologist to have my …
NSW government delays gay conversion ban bill
The NSW government has delayed the introduction of legislation to ban harmful LGBTQ conversion practices until at least early next year. NSW Premier Chris Minns had pledged to introduce the draft legislation before the end of the year. But just one sitting week of state parliament remains. The government announced the delay after getting requests …
Standup Comedy is back on Oxford Street
AJ Lamarque’s work as a writer, standup comedian, and presenter acts as a testimony to the undeniable presence of queer excellence in Sydney. WORDS Harry Hadley As the producer of Oxford St’s longest running standup comedy show, Kweens of Comedy, AJ Lamarque has worked to create a space inside Sydney’s queer community which aims to …
Meet Mardi Gras’ new CEO Gil Beckwith
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ new CEO Gil Beckwith presided over Melbourne’s first Midsumma pride march in 1996. She told QNews what it’s like to be back at the helm of one of the world’s premiere queer events nearly three decades later. WORDS Andrew M Potts What do you remember about your first pride …
Gay author invited to Catholic school told not to say gay
Australian young adult author Will Kostakis has shared his response to a Sydney Catholic school that asked him to “skip” the queer stuff during a Book Week talk to students. The author (above), who is gay, recounted the experience – sadly, not a new one for him – on social media and shared his response. …
