VIC
Attorney-General denies ‘conversion therapy’ risk in religious freedom bill
Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter has hit back at claims by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews that the draft religious discrimination bill could make it harder to outlaw “gay conversion” therapy at a state level. “Conversion therapy” refers to harmful and discredited practices to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, using psychological or …
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 …
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 …
Anglican leader intervenes to delay blessing of gay priests’ marriage
Two gay Anglican priests who married this week won’t have their union officially blessed in a Victorian church following a legal challenge. Priests John Davis and Rob Whalley (pictured above) married in a civil ceremony on Tuesday. Wangaratta Anglican Bishop John Parkes previously announced he planned to bless the couple’s relationship in his regional church. …
Archbishop blasts Anglican priest’s blessing of same-sex marriage
Sydney Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies has said a move to allow Victorian priests to bless same-sex marriages will “fracture the Anglican Church of Australia.” Last weekend, the Wangaratta Anglican diocese in regional Victoria voted in favour of giving churches the option of blessing same-sex married couples. The vote was brought on by retiring priest John …
Victoria’s transgender birth certificate reforms pass
A bill to allow transgender and gender diverse Victorians to change the sex marker on their birth certificate without surgery has passed its final vote. Trans rights advocates cheered the passage of the amendment to the state’s Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act in the state parliament’s upper house on Tuesday night. Victorian Attorney-General Jill …
Victoria Police’s top cop apologises to LGBTIQ community
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has apologised for the force’s “unnecessary and unacceptable harm” to the LGBTIQ community. Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton delivered the formal apology to the community and LGBTIQ police officers on Monday. “I acknowledge that there have been times in our history with the LGBTI community when Victoria Police has fallen …
Win for transgender people in Victoria’s Lower House
A bill to allow transgender and gender diverse Victorians to change the sex marker on their birth certificate without surgery has passed its first vote. Trans rights advocates cheered the passage of the amendment to the state’s Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act in the state parliament’s lower house on Thursday. Equality minister Martin Foley …
Backlash against Anglican same-sex marriage push
A group of Melbourne Anglicans have said a push by a bishop to bless same-sex marriages would strain church unity “to breaking point.” Bishop Parkes of the Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta will put the proposal to his synod at the end of the month. He wants to be allowed permission to bless same-sex couples who …
Lesbian police officer loses AFP discrimination claim
A police officer who was repeatedly denied a transfer to the same city as her female partner has lost her discrimination claim against the Australian Federal Police. Detective Sergeant Kathryn Richens claimed the Australian Federal Police discriminated against her due to her relationship with female officer Senior Constable Emma-Kate McPherson. She had sought more than …