politics
This lesbian couple is fighting for the right to marry in India
Two lesbian women in India, Kavita Arora and Ankita Khanna, are one of two same-sex couples fighting for same-sex marriage rights in the Delhi High Court. India’s marriage laws – the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), Special Marriage Act (SMA) and Foreign Marriage Act – prohibit same-sex marriages. Arora and Khanna (pictured) have been together for …
Calls for prison reform after death of transgender woman
The death of a transgender woman allegedly raped at a Tasmanian prison in 2018 has sparked a petition calling for better protection of trans inmates. Warning: Distressing content Hobart trans woman Marjorie Harwood was jailed for theft offences in 2017. She was placed in the men’s section of Risdon Prison because her birth certificate listed …
Someone has taken over Pauline Hanson’s URL to troll her
Someone has bought the rights to Senator Pauline Hanson’s namesake web domain paulinehanson.com.au and is redirecting all visitors to the Refugee Council of Australia’s website. The previous owners of the domain apparently forgot to renew their ownership. So at least one quick-thinking internet user snapped it up on Thursday night. In screenshots circulating online, an …
Trump Twitter ban reaction including the deplorable Lady MAGA
The recently imposed Trump Twitter ban prompted much wailing from his followers. As per standard procedure, the loudest and most entitled Americans claimed the mantle of victimhood. One Trumpkin after another took to social media to whine about the silencing of conservative voices. Among them, Lady MAGA, an anti-gay and anti-trans ex-Mormon drag queen from …
Rodney Croome and Brian Greig: LGBTIQ Human Rights in 2021
Rodney Croome and Brian Greig predict LGBTIQ rights battles will heat up in 2021, with big challenges and opportunities ahead. They say it’s time to get more allies on board and focus on local campaigning. Rodney Croome and Brian Greig are long-time Australian LGBTIQ human rights advocates. Both are recipients of the Order of Australia …
Australia should follow UK’s lead and end the ‘gay blood ban’
LGBTIQ advocates have urged Australian blood donation authorities to follow the UK and safely ease restrictions on gay, bi and trans blood donors. This week, the UK announced a major reform of its blood donation policy for men who have sex with men. An expert advisory committee recommended all UK donors be assessed for individual …
Pete Buttigieg to make history with job in Joe Biden’s administration
US President-elect Joe Biden will nominate out former Democratic Presidential contender Pete Buttigieg to transportation secretary in his administration. Buttigieg was the first openly gay presidential candidate to gain traction in the Democratic primaries. The former Indiana mayor and Iraq war veteran eventually won the Iowa Caucus vote. He was the first openly queer person …
Anti-gay Hungarian politician resigns after he’s caught at 20-man orgy
A top conservative politician in Hungary’s anti-LGBTIQ ruling party has resigned after police caught him an alleged drug-fuelled sex party in Belgium. Jozsef Szajer was one of about 20 people, mostly men, busted at the party in the centre of Brussels during lockdown. Belgian media variously characterised the illicit gathering as a “gay orgy”, “sex …
World AIDS Day: Expanded Medicare access to fight HIV in Australia
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced all Australians with HIV will get access to their life-saving antiretroviral medicine, regardless of their Medicare eligibility. Hunt announced the initiative this morning at a virtual parliamentary breakfast to mark World AIDS Day today. “Today, more than 28,000 Australians are living with HIV. It is very pleasing that …
Victorian government unveils legislation to ban ‘conversion therapy’
Survivors of so-called “conversion therapy” have praised the Victorian Government’s proposed legislation to criminalise the harmful practices. The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill would outlaw practices seeking to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity in Victoria. Under the proposed laws, those who subject others to such practices that cause …