Victoria
Ex-AFL star Dani Laidley sues Victoria Police over ‘malicious’ leaked photos
Former AFL coach Dani Laidley is suing Victoria Police for negligence over the alleged “malicious” leaking of sensitive photos of her in custody that outed her as transgender. Last May, Dani Laidley was arrested for stalking offences outside a woman’s home, to which she later plead guilty. After the arrest, a photo of Laidley’s mugshot …
Neighbours help man paint his rainbow house after homophobic death threats
A gay man living on Phillip Island in Victoria has thanked dozens of locals who helped him defy homophobic trolls and paint his house in rainbow colours. Mykey O’Halloran (pictured), a professional hair artist, moved in to his bungalow on the island in February. However just a month later, a group of neighbours who heard …
Federal government response to Chechnya’s ‘gay purge’ could take months
The Australian Government has said following Australian allies’ lead in holding two men responsible for Chechnya’s “gay purge” could take several months. Over several years, the Russian republic has conducted the so-called “gay purge”, abducting, torturing, and even killing queer people in the region. Last month, the Victorian Pride Lobby launched a Change.org petition calling …
Petition calls for Australian government action on Chechnya’s ‘gay purge’
The Victorian Pride Lobby is petitioning Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne to crack down on two leaders behind Chechnya’s “gay purge”. Since 2017, authorities in the Russian republic have targeted, detained and tortured numerous LGBTQ people. Human rights groups and media have dubbed the horrific violence Chechnya’s “gay purge”. The Victorian Pride Lobby has …
Fifty years ago, lesbian couple Phyllis and Francesca came out on Aussie TV
Phyllis Papps and Francesca Curtis are many things. Researchers. Writers. Ultra-feminists. Partners. They’re also the first lesbian couple to come out on Australian television, fifty years ago. The two women appeared together on ABC current affairs program This Day Tonight in October 1970. Over five decades later, Phyllis and Francesca are still together and live …
Melbourne gay couple’s 1920s romance celebrated, a century on
This year marks 40 years since Victoria decriminalised homosexuality in the state. To mark the occasion, the Australian Queer Archives has released an amazing report listing 100 icons of the state’s LGBTIQ+ history. The report, A History of LGBTIQ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects, covers queer people, places, objects and stories of significance to …
One in three queer Victorians harassed in public in the last 12 months
The Victorian Pride Lobby and multicultural community leaders have welcomed moves to strengthen anti-vilification laws as they warn of an increase in prejudice and hate crime. A Victorian Parliamentary inquiry into anti-vilification laws gave its recommendations to government this week. The inquiry recommends the state government ban on Nazi symbols and Germany’s Third Reich insignia …
Australian lesbian love story ‘My First Summer’ comes to streaming
My First Summer, a new home-grown queer coming-of-age drama, has arrived on Australian streaming service Stan this week. In the film, 16-year-old Claudia has grown up in complete isolation with her unpredictable mother in their remote country home miles from the nearest town. After her mother dies by suicide, grief-stricken Claudia is left to survive …
NSW could be next to outlaw harmful ‘conversion therapy’
A group of New South Wales MPs have said they are working on legislation to ban harmful “conversion therapy”. Last week, the Victorian parliament passed legislation to ban the harmful and debunked practices. The laws make it illegal to try and change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity in Victoria. Now NSW …
Victoria passes ‘life-saving’ legislation to outlaw harmful ‘conversion therapy’
Survivors of so-called “conversion therapy” have applauded the Victorian parliament for passing a “world-leading” bill to outlaw the practices. The new legislation makes it illegal to try and change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity in Victoria. Under the reforms, any person who seriously harms another with the practices could face up …