NATIONAL NEWS
Latest LGBTIQ national news from Australia
Flood of support for first LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day
Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate, so this Thursday (May 28) is Australia’s inaugural LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day. The initiative aims shine a light on the high levels of domestic violence within Australian LGBTI relationships but low levels of reporting. Ben Bjarnesen, Queensland Police officer, DVConnect board member, and domestic violence survivor, founded the LGBTI Domestic …
No timeline yet for easing of gay blood donor restrictions
Gay and bisexual men may still face a lengthy wait before long-standing restrictions on them donating blood are eased. Currently, Australia’s Lifeblood donation service refuses gay blood donors who have had sex with men in the past 12 months. However last month, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved Lifeblood’s proposal to lower that deferral period …
ACMA finds Alan Jones breached broadcasting rules (again)
An investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) today found 2GB in breach of broadcasting rules due to inaccurate comments Alan Jones made about climate change. ACMA also breached 2GB over decency rules because of comments by the retiring broadcaster regarding Jacinda Ardern. ACMA received more than 125 complaints about a broadcast by …
Australian medical students take a stand against ‘conversion therapy’
The peak body representing thousands of Australian medical students has backed a ban on harmful so-called “gay conversion therapy”. In 2018, survivors of the “conversion” movement and allies penned the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts (SOGICE) Survivor Statement. It calls on Australia to end the “conversion” movement by not only banning it, but …
Australian ‘healing church’ selling bleach as ‘miracle cure’ fined $150,000
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has fined the Australian branch of a “healing church” more than $150,000 for promoting a solution containing industrial bleach as a cure for coronavirus and other ailments. The Genesis II Church of Health and Healing’s US leader Mark Grenon (pictured) sells chlorine dioxide as so-called Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS). Grenon’s church …
Australia needs stronger laws to sanction human rights abusers abroad
Australia needs stronger laws allowing targeted sanctions against nations abusing the human rights of LGBTIQ people and others, a Senate inquiry has been told. The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) made the call in a submission to the inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Foreign Minister Marise …
Shock jock Alan Jones to retire on 29 May – Bye Felicia
Breaking: Alan Jones to retire. Shock jock Alan Jones announced his retirement from Sydney radio this morning. The controversial broadcaster will finish at 2GB on 29 May. Jones announced his retirement to breakfast show listeners this morning. Comments denigrating women Last year, the 79-year-old signed another two-year contract with 2GB’s owner Nine Radio. However, his …
Most gay Aussies would give blood if they were allowed, study finds
A new study has found a majority of gay and bisexual Australian men would donate blood if allowed, but don’t due to the 12-month abstinence restriction. Currently, men who have had sex with another man in the last twelve months can’t donate blood. Last month, the health regulator approved a reduction of that period to …
New campaign calls for rethink of Australia’s gay blood donor ban
Australian LGBTIQ groups just.equal and PFLAG have launched a new letter-writing campaign calling for Australia to overhaul restrictions on gay blood donors. Currently, men who have had sex with another man in the last twelve months can’t donate blood. The same period also applies for many transgender donors. Last month, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which …
Bill Bowtell on COVIDsafe, the pandemic & Donald Trump
As social media debate rages on the subject of COVIDsafe, QNews asked Adjunct Professor Bill Bowtell, the architect of Australia’s successful response to the AIDS pandemic his thoughts on the app. Privacy protection and transparency Professor Bowtell is an Adjunct Professor at the University of New South Wales. He is a Strategic Health Policy Consultant …
Federal government urged to act on LGBTIQ homelessness
Four LGBTIQ organisations have united to call on the federal government to address high rates of LGBTIQ homelessness in Australia. The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Transgender Victoria, the New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby and Intersex Human Rights Australia have made the submission to the federal inquiry into homelessness. In it, …
Miriam Margolyes’ Australian road trip is coming to ABC
Actor and grey nomad Miriam Margolyes takes a 10,000 kilometre, two-month journey across the country in upcoming ABC series Almost Australian. The Harry Potter actress and her partner, retired Australian academic Heather Sutherland, have been together since 1967. The couple split their time between Australia and the UK. Then in 2013, on Australia Day, Miriam …
Scott Morrison was shocked by ‘yes’ vote, Malcolm Turnbull says
Malcolm Turnbull has recounted his views on Australia’s slow journey towards same-sex marriage in his new memoir, but a former colleague has disputed the account. Turnbull’s memoir, A Bigger Picture, was published on Monday. The former Prime Minister spends a chapter recounting Australia’s long and complex path to the reform, from Prime Minister’s John Howard’s …
Will you trust government on coronavirus tracking app?
As the Australian government develops a coronavirus tracking app, many Australians question whether to trust the government with so much personal data. Those Australians even include former deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Saturday that the government would launch the app in coming weeks. He assured Australians downloading the app …
Australia to ease gay blood donor restrictions, but there’s a problem
The Australian Red Cross blood donation service is a step closer to easing restrictions on gay male donors, but LGBTIQ advocates say the move isn’t enough. Currently, the Lifeblood donation service refuses male donors who have had sex with men in the past 12 months. This effectively bans gay men from donating blood. Now the …
Rodney Croome: act now for improved post-pandemic world
A post-pandemic world could be one in which LGBTIQ people are healthier, more connected and better respected. It could also be the opposite. According to Rodney Croome that depends on the choices we make now. Rodney Croome is a spokesperson for just.equal and Equality Tasmania. Epidemics bring out the best and worst in us. We …
Witness J: people know truth when they look it in the face
Witness J, the former choirboy who accused George Pell of sexually abusing him and another child, today issued a statement following the High Court’s verdict acquitting Pell. His statement offers insight into why so many regarded his testimony as so compelling. Witness J gives probably the most intelligent commentary on the verdict yet seen. Pell’s …
George Pell wins appeal against child abuse convictions
The High Court of Australia this morning quashed George Pell’s convictions for child sexual abuse. Chief Justice Susan Kiefel handed down the decision in Brisbane. The George Pell appeal was against his 2018 conviction in a Victorian Court. That court sentenced the 78-year-old cardinal to a six-year jail term. The charges alleged Pell abused two choir …
Jewish radio station sorry for rabbi’s homophobic coronavirus rant
Melbourne Jewish radio station J-Air has apologised for broadcasting a rabbi’s claims the COVID-19 pandemic is a “designer drug” used by God to remove “immoral” gay people from the earth. Rabbi Mendel Kessin made the claim during an episode of the Israeli radio personality Tamar Yonah’s syndicated radio program, broadcast on J-Air on March 30. …
Allowing gay blood donation would save lives during COVID-19 crisis
Australian LGBTIQ advocates want the federal government to ease restrictions on gay blood donation to boost our supply of safe blood during the coronavirus pandemic. The United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week eased restrictions on gay male donors. It reduced the period male donors who have sex with men must abstain from …
Two more boys make accusations against George Pell
Two more boys have made accusations against George Pell concerning child sexual abuse. Both boys spent part of their childhood in a Catholic orphanage in Ballarat run by the Sisters of Nazareth. They spoke to Sarah Ferguson for the ABC’s groundbreaking three-part documentary series, Revelation. The final episode of Revelation airs tonight. The series exposes …
Pauline Hanson’s social distancing protest is pretty baffling
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has announced she is going to “go and lie down in my paddock” today to clap back at COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. The Queensland senator went on Sky News on Wednesday night to slam “bloody over the top” restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus. She …