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LGBTIQ opinions and in-depth reads
Coming full circle in faith with Anthony Venn-Brown
Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International (ABBI) founder Anthony Venn-Brown is celebrating the group’s tenth anniversary in November. Anthony Venn-Brown became a born again Christian in 1969. But feeling that his sexuality was in conflict with his call to ministry he entered Australia’s first live-in “ex-gay” program at Moombara and Bundeena Christian Fellowship in 1972. Convinced …
Narelda Jacobs: In Safe Hands
Narelda Jacobs has been at the forefront of Australia’s most significant events in 2023, from the Women’s World Cup to the Voice to Parliament. She sat down with QNews to explain how important the Voice is for the nation and for her personally. To say that 2023 is a big year for Narelda Jacobs is …
A Glossary of Identity and Gender Terms
Sometimes confused by the plethora of identity and gender expressions used these days? The rainbow communities are a glorious and diverse coalition of genders and sexualities. We’ve compiled this glossary of identity and gender terms to help out. As some humans become more open-minded to the diversity of human experience, minorities feel better able to …
Sock Drawer Heroes launch inclusive range of binders
Australia’s leading gender expression company Sock Drawer Heroes was founded after couple Erin Spencer and Bec Cerio found an absence of gender-affirming products available locally. In 2017, Erin came out as trans non-binary but they immediately found significant barriers in accessing gender-affirming products. “In 2017, Erin and I both bought binders,” Bec said. “We both …
My night on the town with Pauline Hanson in 1998
Twenty-five years ago, I sort of had a night on the town with Pauline Hanson, writes Destiny Rogers. The One Nation leader was in Cairns campaigning for the 1998 federal election. She was already famous for her attacks on Indigenous Australians, Asian immigrants and the LGBTIQ community. She said of Sydney’s Mardi Gras, “I don’t …
QNews talks to LGBTQIA+ conversion therapy survivor Glen Worrell
Sarah Davison talks to conversion therapy survivor Glen Worrell about his experience and response to a recent report on the practice. For members of Tasmania’s LGBTQIA+ community, the recent report by the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute on conversion therapy practices was a watershed moment. However, conversion therapy survivor Glen Worrell said the report was a …
LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day: Survivor shares her story
LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day highlights domestic, family and intimate partner violence and abuse in LGBTQIA+ communities. The national campaign recognises the additional struggles facing members of the LGBTQIA+ community when experiencing domestic violence. A recent literature review by Our Watch found that rates of intimate partner violence within lesbian, gay and queer relationships are …
For all the lovers: LGBTIQ+ Valentine’s Day love quotes
For much of history, Valentine’s Day remained off-limits to all but heterosexual lovebirds. Indeed, most societies excluded romantics of diverse genders and orientations from the public celebration of their love. But times have changed in much of the world. So here are some LGBTIQ+ Valentine’s Day love quotes for all the lovers, however, and with …
Domestic and family violence: how to help
If you suspect a friend is experiencing domestic and family violence, you can offer support. While your friend may not immediately act to end their situation, your support may lead them to consider their options. Bringing up the subject of domestic and family violence can prove challenging. Often an abused person struggles with self-worth as …
Trans parents: ‘If a man gives birth, he’s the father’
By Ruth Pearce, University of Leeds The UK’s High Court has ruled that Freddy McConnell, a transgender man who gave birth to his child, does not have the right to be registered as a “father” on his child’s birth certificate. McConnell, who is transgender, has indicated his intention to appeal. At present, people who give …
Domestic and family violence can happen to anyone
Domestic and family violence (DFV) can affect anyone, including people in previously healthy relationships. Senior Constable Ben Bjarnesen received a Churchill Fellowship to conduct research into enhancing the Queensland Police Service (QPS) response to domestic and family violence. He also has personal experience of an unhealthy relationship. Ben shares his own story and offers advice …
No hurry to claim Alan Jones as our own
Alan Jones is, many people believe, a misogynist. Yet the most common word used for him by online detractors is arguably the most misogynist in the English language. Similarly, people usually scathing of homophobia don’t hesitate to call Jones a ‘bitter old queen’. What do we do about a man who brings out the worst …
Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, nor Paul hell
Martyn Iles of the Australian Christian Lobby and Israel Folau like to discuss the Bible. Although neither is a minister of religion, they are two of the most prominent Christians in Australia today. When they discuss the Bible or the teachings of Jesus Christ, they both invariably mention homosexuality. So one might assume a preoccupation …
Pearl of the Outback and fashion beyond the black stump
Pearl of the Outback, our regional correspondent, takes us back to Bullamakanka and a colourful local identity. Mr Humphries is the doyen of women’s fashion out in the never never, beyond the black stump. Avid readers will recall the gent I previously christened Mr Humphries. For the uninitiated, he is a VERY gay blade who …
‘Renewal begins with us’: The way forward under re-elected Coalition government
Rodney Croome is a long-time LGBTI equality advocate. As a strategist in numerous campaigns for equality, Rodney says our community can still make change and meet threats under the re-elected coalition government. I won’t sugar coat the election result: Australia has the most socially and religious conservative government in a generation. Many leading Liberal moderates …
Shayne Wilde: A Living Treasure of Queensland
In this internet age, ticking multiple ‘likes’ on Facebook apparently qualifies as activism. However, not so long ago, community members risked jail and physical violence to achieve the rights we enjoy today. Shayne Wilde was one of them, writes Bill Rutkin. The scope and magnitude of her contribution to homosexual law reform and anti-discrimination legislation …
LGBT Conversion Therapy: ACL wants to ‘pray the gay away’
Australian Christian Lobby Managing Director Martyn Iles claims banning LGBT conversion therapy discriminates against Christians. I read a blog article today. It was by Martyn Iles, Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby. It concerns his interview for a forthcoming 60 Minutes feature on LGBT Conversion Therapy. In the article, he defends the practice of …
‘Isolated and disconnected’: The private struggles faced by LGBTIQ carers
Carers are not highly visible in our communities. Their caring role often restricts their social activities. However, they are out there. My boss cares for a relative. I cared for a friend with a chronic condition who is now deceased and even four years later struggle to address the despair I felt. Fortunately, there is …
F***, fight or fluke: The British Gayme of Thrones
Despite the earnest propaganda of monarchists, divine right has SFA to do with who gets to plonk their entitled arse on a throne. The ascension of a British monarch usually results from one of the three Fs. Some get there by virtue of a F***, many have to Fight for it and others are mere …
Queensland couple Shannon and Justin open up about becoming foster carers
As a couple, Shannon Toner and Justin Smith wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in our society. They became foster carers and have been caring for children in need for nearly three years, writes Destiny Rogers. “More than 9,000 children in Queensland are in need …
Intersex soldiers and cross-dressing women at war
By Olivia Murphy, University of Sydney A documentary from the Smithsonian Institute, examining new DNA and physical anthropology evidence, suggests the famous cavalry officer Casimir Pulaski (1745-1779) might have been a woman, or intersex. Casimir Pulaski is a hero of the struggles for Polish and American independence. He is credited with saving George Washington’s life …
The day I met Queensland’s ‘moral guardian’ Rona Joyner
Friend to Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen and founder of the Society To Outlaw Pornography (STOP) and the Campaign Against Regressive Education (CARE), Rona Joyner was a force to be reckoned with in the Joh era. Although Mrs Rona Joyner held no elected office or government appointment, in a situation peculiar to Queensland, she wielded more power …
