NSW
Elton John makes massive donation to bushfire relief efforts
Sir Elton John has pledged to donate $1 million to the Australian bushfire relief efforts. The British music icon announced the donation at his concert at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Tuesday. Elton John praised the efforts of Australia’s firefighters, battling catastrophic blazes across the country. “You should all be in awe of the work …
Activist’s gay vilification complaint against Israel Folau to proceed
The NSW Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB) has accepted a vilification complaint from LGBTIQ rights activist Garry Burns against Israel Folau. Burns wrote to the board earlier this month to complain about the former rugby star’s April Instagram post warning hell awaits homosexuals. Burns also took aim at Folau’s comments in a video sermon linking the bushfires …
Sydney to get another rainbow crossing
A local council has voted to create Sydney’s second rainbow crossing, in the inner west suburb of Newtown. Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne said the decision was made at Tuesday’s council meeting. Byrne said councillors had voted to support “our local Labor proposal to create a Rainbow Crossing or Square” in Newtown. He said …
Gay cops win discrimination case against NSW Police
Four gay police officers have won a discrimination lawsuit against the NSW Police Force after claiming they were unfairly targeted for a drug investigation because of their sexuality. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) ruled Christopher Sheehy, Christian McDonald (pictured above, left), Steven Rapisarda, and Shane Housego were “were presumed to be engaged in …
One Nation’s Mark Latham pays tribute to Margaret Court
The New South Wales parliament has backed a motion from Mark Latham to honour the sporting career of controversial tennis legend Margaret Court. The One Nation NSW leader moved the motion in the state’s Legislative Council on Wednesday, with MPs voting for it. The motion celebrates her achievements, recognises the upcoming 50th anniversary of her …
Call for submissions as NSW historical gay hate crime inquiry reopens
The New South Wales parliamentary inquiry into four decades of gay and transgender hate crimes has reopened and will hear from regional communities next year. The inquiry, the first of its kind in Australia was launched last year. In February, the committee recommended further investigation into suspected anti-gay homicides across the state. In 2020, the …
NSW government urged to introduce pill testing at music festivals
The NSW coroner has said there is “compelling evidence” to support pill testing at music festival because it would encourage “behavioural change” in young people. An inquest investigated the drug-related deaths of six young people aged 18 to 23 at the state’s music festivals over two summers. This included the death of 22-year-old Brisbane man …
Parent outraged at Catholic school’s Israel Folau assignment
A parent is outraged at an assignment given to Year 9 students encouraging them to advocate for Israel Folau and express “deep concern” about “attacks” on religious freedom. The letter, signed off by “the Religious Education Year 9 Team”, was recently given to students at St Patrick’s Marist College in New South Wales. 7News published …
What is this year’s most cringeworthy anti-gay comment?
The tenth annual GLORIA awards will return next month to name and shame the year’s most outrageous, ridiculous and ignorant comments about LGBTIQ people. The GLORIAs — the Gay and Lesbian Outrageous, Ridiculous, and Ignorant Awards — culminate in a “boo-off” at a New South Wales parliament event to decide the worst comment of the …
Huge program for Newcastle Pride Festival 2019
Newcastle Pride Festival celebrates sexuality and gender diversity in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Region. The annual festival is an exciting, glamorous and “out n’ proud” series of events that showcases Newcastle is a city of diversity, culture and beauty. Newcastle Pride Festival returns this August 22 – 26. Newcastle promises a warm rainbow …