NATIONAL NEWS
Latest LGBTIQ national news from Australia
Rally tomorrow for Trans Day of Resistance
Activists will be gathering in a number of cities across Eastern Australia tomorrow to mark Trans Day of Resistance for 2023. Demands include an end to violence against the trans community, the removal of barriers to transitioning, decriminalisation and destigmatisation of sex work, protecting queer kids in educational settings, and an end to religious rights …
Alex Antic’s trans prohibition bill blocked by Senate
Liberal Senator Alex Antic’s Childhood Gender Transition Prohibition Bill 2023 has been blocked by the Senate today. Alex Antic’s private members bill, which had been co-sponsored by One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts, United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet and Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, was stopped from going to an inquiry when it was voted down by …
Tasmania fails to ban conversion practices by end of year
After recommendations from the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute, Premier Jeremy Rockliff committed to banning conversion practices in Tasmania. However, advocates have become frustrated at the lack of progress since. The 2022 TLRI report found the evidence showed “conversion practices are happening in Tasmania, they have caused severe harm to people subjected to them and are …
The Ambassador for Microbes
Microbiologist Chris Greening is an out-and-proud member of Monash University’s LGBTIQA+ Ally Network and the winner of the Frank Fenner Prize of Life Scientist of the Year. WORDS Andrew M Potts Monash University microbiologist Professor Chris Greening has been selected for one of Australia’s most prestigious science awards in the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prizes for …
Activist Rodney Croome pens moving letter to younger self
Tasmanian LGBTQIA+ rights champion Rodney Croome has reflected on his years of activism in a powerful and personal letter to his younger self. ABC Radio Hobart invited the longtime gay rights campaigner to write and read out the personal letter for a regular segment with presenter Ryk Goddard. Tasmania was the last state in Australia …
ABC defends Patricia Karvelas from vile homophobic abuse
ABC star Patricia Karvelas and the public broadcaster’s news director have hit out at “truly shocking” abuse the presenter suffered after speaking about her sexuality in an interview. Last month, Patricia was one of a group of LGBTQIA+ journalists who shared personal stories about their lives and careers with ABC News. Patricia told the ABC …
Secret not! ‘High Profile Man’ named as Bruce Lehrmann
Australia’s worst-kept secret was exposed yesterday when the Queensland Supreme Court refused further non-publication orders regarding two rape charges against Bruce Lehrmann, previously identified only as a ‘high profile man’. The ‘high profile man’ moniker stemmed from publicity surrounding the Brittany Higgins case. The alleged rape of Brittany Higgins In February 2021, Liberal staffer Brittany …
Demand for inquest into death of trans prisoner Marjorie Harwood
The Family of Transgender prisoner Marjorie Harwood is calling for an inquest into her death after her abuse in Tasmania’s Risdon Prison. Marjorie Harwood identified as a woman but authorities placed her with men at the Risdon Prison. First arrested in 2009, Marjorie then alleged she suffered verbal and sexual assaults by other inmates. She …
Matthew Mitcham: “I feel ashamed of myself”
Speaking about his relationships during the latest episode of SAS Australia, Matthew Mitcham described himself as selfish and dishonest and said ‘I feel ashamed of myself.” Scroll down for vid. Matthew is doing well on the arduous reality show set in the Jordanian desert. With half the contestants gone, he remains. Among others, he’s seen …
Watch the heroes of the new Australian Firefighters Calendar
Twenty-five hunky hero firies have stripped off for a good cause for the smoking hot 2024 Australian Firefighters Calendar. Since 1993, the real Australian firefighters have posed for the annual calendars, and the six editions for 2024 have officially launched this week. And no, the men photographed for the calendars every year aren’t models. They’re …
Bill Hayden: former Governor-General was lifelong ally
Former Governor General Bill Hayden died today aged 90. Labor’s federal leader before Bob Hawke, Bill Hayden advocated for gay rights from the early 1970s. Rodney Croome from Just.Equal remembered Bill Hayden today as a brave and dauntless advocate for LGBTIQA+ equality. “Whenever, in the last sixty years, the LGBTIQA+ community needed an ally, Bill …
Antic’s dangerous ban on gender-affirming healthcare
South Australian Liberal Senator Alex Antic has announced plans for a private member’s bill calling for a ban on all gender-affirming medical treatment of transgender youth. Antic’s proposal would mean under 18s would only be allowed to change their gender in “exceptional circumstances.” This includes people who have “long-diagnosed sexual development disorders.” The senator says …
Jimi The Kween releases new suicide awareness single
2020 The Voice alumni Jimi The Kween has teamed up with Y.O.G.A (You’re Only Great Always) – the solo side project of Reuben Styles AKA one half of the ARIA award winning duo Peking Duk – to release a new song to raise money for suicide awareness. Released yesterday to mark World Mental Health Day, …
Wayde Clarke: the #yes23 inclusive pride flag artist
Wayde Clarke, the artist behind the breathtakingly beautiful #yes23 inclusive pride flag, only sold his first artwork in 2018. The proud Wiradjuri/Birpai man says that although always passionate about art, he never thought it would become his career. Now, the queer Aboriginal artist is a proven commercial success. But Wayde Clarke also brings others to …
Voice to Parliament: remember Australia’s HIV-AIDS response
Adjunct Professor Bill Bowtell and Emeritus Professor Bruce Chapman this week urged Australians to heed the example of Australia’s HIV-AIDS response and vote Yes to The Voice to Parliament. Australia’s early HIV/AIDS response is often held up as the best in the world. While other countries procrastinated, Australia moved fast. From the start, the government …
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Welcomes CEO Gil Beckwith
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras board have appointed Interim CEO and Chief Financial Officer Gil Beckwith as the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer. The organisation described Gil’s transitional leadership in her previous roles as exceptional. A Remarkable Career in the Arts and Non-Profit Sector Gil Beckwith brings a wealth of experience to the CEO role. …
A-G’s resignation prompts concerns for Tasmanian Law Reform
The resignation of Attorney-General Elise Archer raises concerns about the future of Tasmanian Law Reform. Current acting Attorney-General Michael Ferguson’s track record does not inspire confidence among LGBTQIA+ Tasmanians. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockcliff requested Elise Archer’s resignation from cabinet on Friday. The request followed allegations of bullying and leaked messages in which she insulted parliamentary …
LGBTQIA+ defence veterans urged to contact Royal Commission
For ADF veteran Yvonne Sillett, sharing her story of the mistreatment she experienced during her service due to her sexuality was a “cathartic” and “overwhelmingly positive” experience. The Royal Commission Into Defence and Veteran Suicide was set up in July 2021. Last year, the lesbian veteran told the Royal Commission serving in the Australian Defence …
Sam Kerr shows off gold ring in photos with partner Kristie
Sam Kerr has showed off a gold ring on her wedding finger in new Instagram photos, all but confirming her engagement to partner Kristie Mewis. Fans flooded the comments with congratulations at the soccer power couple’s “soft engagement launch”. The Matildas captain posted the photo (below), taken in the mirrored wall of the lift, of …
Sam Kerr’s partner Kristie Mewis spotted wearing huge ring
Matildas superstar Sam Kerr’s girlfriend Kristie Mewis has sparked rumours the couple are engaged after appearing on camera with a huge rock on her ring finger. Like her partner Sam, Kristie Mewis is also a pro soccer player. She plays for Gotham FC in New Jersey. The lesbian power couple, who went public with their …
Australian Government warns dating apps over unsolicited nudes
Dating websites and apps that operate in Australia have been warned by the Australian Government. If they do not protect their users from online sexual violence. This includes sending unsolicited nudes. The government will have to pursue legislative solutions to the problem. Research from the Australian Institute of Criminology released in October 2022. Found that …
Neo Nazi plan to infiltrate councils exposed in Busselton
Australian neo nazis are following the American blueprint for taking over local government by stealth. Former Senator Brian Greig has exposed the secret plans of Stephen Wells, a candidate for the council in Busselton, WA. The Busselton council election will occur on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Stephen Wellss describes himself on his nomination form as …
