NATIONAL NEWS
Latest LGBTIQ national news from Australia
Man fined after refusing to apologise for anti-gay flyers
Tasmania’s Supreme Court has fined a man who refused to publicly apologise for distributing anti-gay flyers. James Durston distributed the flyer titled “Homosexuality stats” in the Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay in 2013. The flyers said “homosexuality should not be tolerated” and claimed scripture rejects homosexuality as “utterly abominable”. The anti-gay flyers made false claims …
LGBTIQ groups want ‘affirming’ religious discrimination bill
More than 50 Australian LGBTIQ groups have released a joint statement calling for an “affirming” Religious Discrimination Act. The statement backs “protections from discrimination for people of all faiths, and for people who don’t hold religious beliefs.” But new laws must not sanction new forms of discrimination against others, it adds. “As members of LGBTIQ+ …
Attorney-General makes ‘religious freedom’ LGBT pledge
The government’s religious discrimination laws “aren’t intended” to interfere with state laws protecting LGBT people, Attorney-General Christian Porter says. Porter told the Guardian his bill “is not intended to displace state law nor will it import specific provisions of international law.” The Attorney-General is still working on the bill, and his statement comes after concerns …
Fr Rod Bower’s response to anti-gay heckler
New South Wales Anglican priest Father Rod Bower has been heckled on camera for his contribution to the religion freedom debate. The outspoken priest’s signs are well-known throughout Australia for his uncompromising messages on social issues and politics. Appearing on ABC’s 7.30 program on Wednesday night, Fr Bower was filmed replacing his recent church sign …
Poll reveals little support for Religious Freedoms Bill
A Guardian Essential poll reveals only 38% of Australians support a religious freedoms bill as currently proposed by right wing elements of the federal government. Since the federal election and the Israel Folau controversy, politicians and the Australian Christian Lobby launched petitions for federal action. 64% of people surveyed in the poll agreed with the …
Make voices heard on religious discrimination
Just.equal urges LGBTI groups to make their views known to the Federal Government on proposed religious discrimination and freedom laws. Recently, the Government announced a consultation process involving MPs and religious groups. However, it is not clear if LGBTI groups can participate. Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said, “We have an assurance from the office of …
Call to protect anti-discrimination laws
“Anti-discrimination laws have made Australia an immensely more inclusive and equitable society. We will strongly oppose any attempt to weaken those laws under the cover of ‘religious freedom’.” – Rodney Croome, just.equal Advocates called on Labor, the Greens and Senate cross-bench to oppose any new law that weakens existing protections from discrimination. The call comes …
Albanese: cut LGBTIQ references from Labor policy
Anthony Albanese’s talk of cutting LGBTIQ References from Labor policy shocked and outraged many. He made a strangely off-key remark about the number of inclusions of the term LGBTIQ in his party’s wordy policy platform document. The New Daily reported he voiced his concerns about the length of the document in a party meeting. But …
Prime Minister: Employers should respect beliefs
Prime Minister Scott Morrison last night responded to questions about Israel Folau’s fight against Rugby Australia. He addressed the controversy after questions from ABC 7.30 host Leigh Sales about the proposed religious freedoms bill. Update A new book by political commentator Nikki Savas about the battle that saw Scott Morrison become Prime Minister, says his …
Folau comes to defence of Magda Szubanski
Israel Folau (he who we avoided naming for days now) made headlines for who knows how many days running today. However, today’s headlines come in response to his defence of prominent gay rights activist Magda Szubanski. The former footballer came to her defence in response to a plea from Julia Baird on Twitter. After Julia’s …
Ian Thorpe and boyfriend Ryan Channing split
Ryan Channing confirmed to The Daily Telegraph last night that he and boyfriend Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe recently split. The model described the breakup as friendly. Yes, the rumours are true, we have parted ways. It has all been very amicable. We have stayed friends. Ryan revealed he moved out of the home he shared …
1972 calls – Hey Israel and ACL – come home
A 1972 Letter to the Editor of The Canberra Times reads like Israel and the ACL wrote it yesterday. Despite all the progress in the world on human rights since 1972, some people learned nothing. Referencing a missive from St Paul, this time to the Romans, the correspondent, of course, threatens death to homosexuals. Context …
Commemorating Stonewall Riot 50th Anniversary in Hobart
Equality Tasmania plan a commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City for Hobart Friday evening. The Stonewall Riots saw patrons of the Stonewall gay bar fight back against repeated police raids on the LGBTI venue. Many now recognise the riots as the beginning of the modern LGBTI rights movement. …
Australian LGBTI human rights – we must act now!
The current debate about protecting religious freedom feels uncannily like John Howard’s ban on same-sex marriages in 2004. We have to act now to ensure the outcome is different. LGBTI human rights in Australia are now under the worst threat since 2004. Rodney Croome is a spokesperson for just.equal and Equality Tasmania Looking back through …
Sally Rugg: “judging in lesbian” on Q&A
Executive Director of Change.org Sally Rugg summed up one of her eye-rolls moments on Monday night’s Q&A as “judging in lesbian”. An audience member asked her early about Israel Folau, suggesting he made his comments ‘as an act of kindness or love’. *judging in lesbian* https://t.co/4upvNBndxj — Sally Rugg (@sallyrugg) June 24, 2019 Guardian journalist …
Australian Christian Lobby sets up Folau donation site
Martyn Iles of the Australian Christian Lobby announced last night the ‘lobby’ group would host Israel Folau’s online appeal for funds. Yesterday, GoFundMe took down Folau’s page and refunded all donations made to it. Martyn Iles said he spoke to Folau to let him know of a $100,000 donation from ACL to his cause. He …
Folau’s GoFundMe page shutdown. Now Sashay away
GoFundMe today closed down Israel Folau’s page seeking donations to help fund his legal battle with Rugby Australia. Before the removal of the page, donors pledged more than $760,000. According to the terms and conditions on the website, users may not attempt to raise money “for the legal defence of … intolerance of any kind …
‘Just a Mum’ by Shelley Argent with Leanne Edmistone
Of course, a book about Shelley Argent is going to address the Marriage Equality debate. However, Just a Mum co-authored with Leanne Edmistone documents not only the battle but also what brought Shelley to it. Shelley Argent always wanted a family. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, she dreamed of a loving family of her …
Former footballer pleads for donations
A GoFundMe page set up this week seeks $3,000,000 in donations for former football player, Israel Folau. The former sportsman wants the $3 million to fight Rugby Australia over the termination of his contract. Despite earning millions of dollars in his career, Folau says he needs help to fund his legal battle. Rugby Australia recently …
Homophobic & Sexist Language in sport: Monash research
World-first research by Monash University examines motivations for homophobic and sexist slurs in sport and potential solutions. Researchers presented their findings at the Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society at the Ryerson University in Toronto Canada tonight. Earlier today, Erik Denison, lead researcher of the Sports Inclusion Project gave us an insight into the …
Star Observer not yet sold – outcome expected soon
Late last night QN Magazine published a story announcing the sale of Sydney’s Star Observer LGBTIQ newspaper. The story was premature. QN Magazine took the story from a news site from an established Sydney publisher. The press release stated that, after the purchase of the Star Observer, the publication would move into his offices and …
Gosford Anglican Church on Israel Folau’s tirade
Gosford Anglican priest Father Rod Bower took aim at the most recent Israel Folau tirade in a sign posted outside his church. The popular priest targeted Folau after the now former footballer again attacked gay and transgender people. Father Rod’s signs are well-known throughout Australia for his uncompromising messages on social issues and politics. His …