sydney
Lesbian romance opens Queer Screen Film Fest 2019
Queer romance films from France, Spain and New Zealand are on the lineup for this year’s Queer Screen Film Fest in Sydney. The lineup features 29 films from twelve countries, focusing on romantic films under the theme ‘Light Your Fire’. “With our theme we are asking the audience to engage their hearts and minds and …
‘In-fighting’ throws Australian LGBTI Awards into doubt
The company behind the annual Australian LGBTI Awards is in liquidation amid a financial dispute between its owners. Twin Media Group was the company that operated the glitzy awards ceremony, first held in 2017. Two directors headed the company, Sydney-based Silke Bader and UK-based Linda Riley. Riley created the original LGBTI Awards in the UK …
Sydney up against two other cities in bid for WorldPride 2023
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is up against two other capital cities in its bid to bring mega-festival WorldPride to Australia. WorldPride is a global LGBTIQ festival put on every two years in different host cities. First held in Rome in 2000, Worldpride has travelled to Jerusalem, London, Toronto and elsewhere in the years …
Sydney councillor called neighbour’s rainbow flag ‘as offensive as ISIS banner’
A former deputy mayor of a Sydney council must pay compensation after vilifying a gay neighbour in a dispute over a rainbow flag. Inner West councillor Julie Passas’ former neighbour, Daniel Camensoli, took the dispute to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The row began on November 15, 2017, just hours after the announcement of …
Rainbow crossing unveiled in southern Sydney suburb for Pride Month
A council has installed a rainbow crossing in the south Sydney suburb of Hurstville to celebrate Pride Month. Georges River Council installed the rainbow crossing in a central location on Forest Road in the suburb. Mayor Kevin Greene said the crossing was to celebrate and show support for the diverse community. “Pride Month is an …
Indigenous elder Uncle Jack Charles wins lifetime achievement award
Indigenous elder Uncle Jack Charles has been honoured with the prestigious Red Ochre Award for lifetime achievement in the arts. The 73-year-old Boon Wurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung man received the honour at the National Indigenous Arts Awards (NIAA) in Sydney on Monday night. Uncle Jack Charles is an actor, musician, gay man and beloved …
Counter-terrorism cops called as homophobic Kerryn Phelps emails ‘escalate’
The NSW Police’s counter-terrorism unit is investigating a string of homophobic, racist, and anti-semitic emails targeting the federal MP for Wentworth, Dr Kerryn Phelps. Dr Phelps made a complaint to NSW Police following the latest abusive email which said “LGBT are no better than pigs or dogs.” She said an email distributed this week which …
LGBTIQ publication Star Observer goes into voluntary administration
Australian LGBTIQ publication Star Observer has announced the company has entered voluntary administration and is up for sale. The publication announced on Thursday the board of directors of the company, Gay & Lesbian Community Publishing Limited, had appointed Trent McMillen from MaC Insolvency as administrator on Friday, May 10. “Cash flow is the lifeblood of …
Sydney Lord Mayor pays tribute to late Mardi Gras 78er Ron Austin
City of Sydney councillors observed a minute’s silence on Monday night to memorialise gay activist and Mardi Gras ‘78er Ron Austin, who passed away a month ago. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore also honoured Austin’s “outstanding” contribution to Mardi Gras and his long history of LGBTIQ activism with the following tribute. I pay tribute to …
Tributes flow for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 78er Ron Austin
Ron Austin, one of the pioneering Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 78ers, has passed away in Sydney at age 90. Austin was among the marchers in the first Mardi Gras parade along Sydney’s Oxford Street in 1978. That group is now known as “The 78ers”. He was an early member of LGBTIQ rights group …