Victoria
LGBTIQ seniors hit hard by Victorian aged care lockdowns
Victorian LGBTIQ advocates are extremely concerned for the welfare of older LGBTI Victorians in aged care or self-isolation during the state’s COVID-19 lockdown. Numbers of Victorians in aged care with COVID-19 reached 1186 on Tuesday (August 4), with outbreaks in at least 100 facilities. Switchboard Victoria provide peer support to LGBTI people including seniors through …
Fifth AFL Pride Game at the Gabba in Brisbane for the first time
St Kilda Football Club and the Sydney Swans are celebrating the fifth annual AFL Pride Game, which is in Brisbane for the first time this weekend. Earlier this month, the AFL moved teams to Queensland to escape COVID-19. And on Saturday evening, St Kilda and the Swans will play Round 9 at the Gabba. It’s …
Victorian Pride Centre appoints first CEO
The Victorian Pride Centre Board has appointed Justine Dalla Riva as its inaugural CEO. The Pride Centre, located in St Kilda, will be an LGBTIQ community hub. It’s due to open later this year. Board Chair Jude Munro AO said Dalla Riva (pictured above, left) brings “a wealth of community-based experience” to the role. Dalla …
Joel Creasey: ‘Queer performers are struggling right now’
Joel Creasey has called on the general public to show “some rainbow love” to the queer community, particularly struggling entertainers, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The comedian told his Facebook followers he’s “currently locked down in Melbourne and still in bed at 11am”. In a Facebook thread, Joel called on everyone to throw their support behind …
These two ex-nuns fell in love, but had to leave the convent
An Australian former Catholic nun has opened up about meeting her girlfriend in the convent, before homophobic condemnation forced the lesbian couple out of the church. Monica Hingston, who is a second cousin to George Pell, was a nun for 22 years before she fell in love with fellow nun Peg Moran. She told SBS’ …
MasterChef fans are devastated after Khanh Ong eliminated
MasterChef Australia fan favourite Khanh Ong has bid farewell to the show with an emotional send-off after he was eliminated from the competition on Sunday night. The 27-year-old chef was sent home from MasterChef: Back to Win after he failed to wow the judges with his quail dish. The Victorian chef, who is gay, held …
Disgraced Labor MP slammed for homophobic, misogynistic rants
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has sacked state Labor MP Adem Somyurek from cabinet amid corruption allegations and leaked audio of homophobic, misogynistic and racist tirades. In the recordings on 60 Minutes, the party powerbroker described Young Labor members as “little passive aggressive f—ing gay kids” and gay staffers as “real slimy little f—ers”. “We’ll have …
Victim of botched police raid Nik Dimopoulos sues
Nik Dimopoulos, the Victorian man wrongly arrested and seriously injured in a bungled police raid at queer bookstore Hares and Hyenas, has sued for compensation. Last May, the events promoter was asleep in an apartment at the bookstore in Fitzroy when he heard intruders’ voices. Unknown to Dimopoulos, the intruders were Victoria Police’s Critical Incident …
Michael Kirby appointed Patron of Victorian Pride Centre
The Victorian Pride Centre has marked the start of Pride Month by appointed former High Court Judge Michael Kirby its inaugural Patron, as well as a list of LGBTIQ community ambassadors. The Pride Centre, located in St Kilda and due to open in late 2020, will be an LGBTIQ community hub. The Pride Centre will …
Flood of support for first LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day
Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate, so this Thursday (May 28) is Australia’s inaugural LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day. The initiative aims shine a light on the high levels of domestic violence within Australian LGBTI relationships but low levels of reporting. Ben Bjarnesen, Queensland Police officer, DVConnect board member, and domestic violence survivor, founded the LGBTI Domestic …