religious freedom
Margaret Court—consulate set up for anti-gay African regime
Infamous homophobe Margaret Court is making headlines again today after her church set up a consulate for Burundi — an anti-gay African regime. The Federal Government approved the consulate despite the African Republic of Burundi’s homophobic reputation. Now, you can find the honorary WA office listed on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. …
Student walkout over fired teachers at Seattle school
A student walkout at Kennedy Catholic High School in Seattle today arose from the abrupt departure of two popular teachers. The school claims the ‘highly capable’ teachers ‘voluntarily resigned’. However, the fiancé of one of the teachers said the school ‘specifically’ no longer employed Paul Danforth because of their engagement. However, both Sean Nyberg and …
Brian Greig on Margaret Court: a champion of homophobia
Margaret Court is not the flag bearer of religious freedom that the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) and her supporters would have you believe. She is in fact, a champion of homophobia. Elected to federal parliament in 1998, Brian Greig declared he was gay in his maiden speech. As an LGBTI rights activist in Western Australia …
No rainbow flags allowed at Folau’s debut
Catalans Dragons insisted on no rainbow flags at Israel Folau’s debut match for the team. Club officials forced two fans to remove flags during the match. Folau recently signed a contract with Catalans Dragons, agreeing to make no public comments on homosexuality. Catalans Dragons won the game against Castleford Tigers at Perpignan in France. During …
ACL conversion therapy expert panel: Professor Parkinson
Last week, Wendy Francis from the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) organised a talkfest at Queensland’s Parliament House. Francis promoted her ACL conversion therapy ‘expert panel’ as unpacking ‘gay conversion therapy’. However, the ‘experts’ made scant mention of the advertised topic. In this special series, we look at the claims made on the night. First up …
Australian Christian Lobby’s silence on Israel Folau
The last week brought many surprises. However, nothing equals the Australian Christian Lobby’s silence on Israel Folau’s signing with Catalans Dragons. Martyn Iles appears to have said not a word. In a statement issued by the club following his signing, Folau promised to make no further public statements on his personal beliefs. However, last year, …
Hundreds rally in Brisbane for Kill the Bill protest
Hundreds rallied against the Religious Freedoms legislation in Brisbane’s King George Square earlier today for the Kill the Bill Protest. Protestors firstly heard from community leaders and other speakers in front of Brisbane City Hall. Johnny Valkyrie, rally organiser, said, “The Religious Discrimination Bill jeopardises the human rights of everyone. Those who will be disadvantaged …
Keep drag storytime petition scores resounding win
In the battle of the Brisbane petitions, the ‘Keep drag storytime’ petition convincingly won the day. Both main opposing petitions closed yesterday afternoon. The pro drag storytime petition enjoyed a lead of 1,635 votes over the anti drag storytime petition. During the aftermath of an angry conservative protest against a drag storytime event at a …
Take your hate and shove it – #IStandWithQueens
There’s currently a lot of vilification aimed at drag queens. Religious extremists sense an opportunity to advance their crusade against LGBTIQ people by demonising queens. But I/we… #IStandWithQueens. Drag queens are not perfect. But let’s not allow the delusion of religious extremists to define what’s acceptable. Extremists tell us with feigned humility that “we all …
Anthony Albanese Religious Freedom roundtable
Labor leader Anthony Albanese held a Religious Freedom roundtable with about 25 representatives of national peak bodies in Melbourne today. Four representatives of the LGBTIQ communities attended the roundtable. Anna Brown from Equality Australia and Rodney Croome from Equality Tasmania both attended. Ro Allen, Victoria’s Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality and AFAO’s Heath Paynter also …