NT
Gay Indigenous MP Chansey Paech makes history in NT Parliament
Northern Territory MP Chansey Paech has this week become the country’s first openly gay indigenous speaker of an Australian parliament. Paech (pictured right), the Member for Namatjira, won his seat in the NT Legislative Assembly in the 2016 election. He became the first openly gay First Nations MLA in Australian history. In his maiden speech, …
Religious freedom bill ‘threatens human rights’ in NT
The Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council and Rainbow Territory have joined several other community organisations to reject the Morrison Government’s religious discrimination bill. In a joint statement, the groups warn the bill “threatens Territorians’ human rights and access to non-discriminatory employment, health and social services.” “It could impinge upon the rights of many within …
Northern Territory parliament fully decriminalises sex work
The Northern Territory parliament has passed historic legislation fully decriminalising sex work. NT Attorney-General Natasha Fyles said being a sex worker was a recognised profession in the NT. However, sex workers have had no protection and minimal rights. On Tuesday night, the NT Parliament passed the Sex Industry Bill 2019. The bill creates a decriminalised …
Rainbow Territory petition to scrap discriminatory NT law
LGBTIQ advocacy group Rainbow Territory are calling for the repeal of a law allowing religious schools to discriminate on the basis of sexuality. The NT’s Anti-Discrimination Act states a religious school may discriminate against a staff member at the institution based on religious beliefs and sexuality. The NT Attorney‑General’s department is currently reviewing the territory’s …
Darwin Pride responds to critics of rainbow roundabout
Darwin Pride has responded to criticism of the city’s new “rainbow roundabout” installed for this year’s pride celebrations. The rainbow roundabout is located at the corner of Daly Street and The Esplanade and consists of multi-coloured plants and flowers. The flowers will bloom in the colours of the LGBTIQ rainbow pride flag in time for …
ACL: drag story time will turn kids trans
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) recently lashed out at community drag story times. They claimed the “adult entertainment” events will make cis kids think they are trans. Drag story times are family-friendly events that see drag queens reading to young people in libraries and other public spaces. The events enjoy increasing popularity. Recently, the Northern …
Rainbow Territory calls for urgent NT anti-discrimination reforms
LGBTIQ advocacy group Rainbow Territory has called for the Northern Territory government to urgently progress anti-discrimination law reform after recent allegations of racial segregation in Alice Springs. Last week ABC News reported local hotel Ibis Styles Alice Springs Oasis allegedly instructed employees to direct guests from Aboriginal communities into designated rooms for the same price …
US LGBTI Activist Dies On Hike In Central Australia
Tributes have flowed for a US actor, writer and LGBTI activist who died last week while on a hike in central Australia. Matt Palazzolo, 33, is believed to have suffered heatstroke while climbing Mount Sonder on the popular Larapinta Trail, west of Alice Springs. Local police told the ABC Palazzolo and a companion had become …
NT MP Chansey Paech: I’m young, gay and black – and proud
Australia’s first openly gay indigenous politician Chansey Paech used his maiden speech at the opening of the new Northern Territory parliament to share his pride as the face of diversity in the Top End. Chansey Paech said he entered the chamber “eternally proud of who I am and where I come from”. “I own it …
Alice Springs celebrates diversity with Pride Carnivale 2016
Performers and artists will converge on the Red Centre this week for the Alice Springs Pride Carnivale September 1st-3rd. The festival gets under way on Thursday, the first day of spring, with an art exhibition at Yubu Napa Gallery. “It will be great to see everyone’s creativity on display,” says gallery owner, Ric Farmer. On …