Victoria
‘Untenable’: Senator Janet Rice responds to Greens transphobia scandal
Greens Senator Janet Rice has said her party’s newly elected Victorian convener’s position is “untenable” unless she distances herself from past comments on transgender people. On Saturday, Linda Gale, a senior industrial officer at the National Tertiary Education Union, won a party vote to fill a casual vacancy as Victorian Greens state convener. However Gale’s …
Victoria’s AIDS Memorial Quilt gets official heritage listing
The Melbourne AIDS Memorial Quilt, which commemorates hundreds of Victorians who died during the AIDS crisis, has received official heritage listing in the state in an Australian first. In total, the Melbourne AIDS Memorial Quilt consists of 27 quilts (one is pictured above). The local project followed the AIDS Memorial Quilt movement in the United …
NSW CHO urges gay and bi men to be alert to monkeypox
New South Wales’ Chief Health Officer has urged gay and bi men to be alert to symptoms of monkeypox after the rare virus emerged in two Australian states. The virus is normally limited to Central or West Africa. It’s a usually mild viral infection which most people recover from in a few weeks, and doesn’t …
Locals celebrate as rural council backflips on rainbow flag ban
West Wimmera Shire Council in regional Victoria has reversed a ban on council flying rainbow flags in its biggest towns after backlash against offensive comments from the mayor. In April, the regional council in the state’s west, voted down a proposal to fly the rainbow flag for IDAHOBIT. The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism …
‘Un-Christian’: Police officer under fire for LGBTIQ comments
A Victoria Police officer’s history of online comments allegedly disparaging the LGBTIQ community has been revealed as he faces internal disciplinary action for a second time. The Age has published veteran police officer Sergeant Bruno Staffieri’s comments, as the force’s internal watchdog investigates the officer, who’s served in the force for 35 years. Last month, …
Mayor links flying rainbow flag to paedophilia in shocking interview
A regional Victorian mayor has been called on to apologise after likening homosexuality to paedophilia in a “deeply offensive” interview after voting against his council flying a rainbow flag. Last week, the West Wimmera Shire council in the state’s west voted down 3-2 a proposal to fly the rainbow flag for IDAHOBIT. The International Day …
Police officer cleared of all charges for taking Dani Laidley photo
An ex-Victoria Police officer who took a photo of former AFL coach Dani Laidley in custody has had all criminal charges against him dismissed. In May 2020, Shane Reid was a senior constable in Victoria Police. He took a mobile phone photo of Laidley inside St Kilda police station as two officers interviewed her following …
Insurance scammer stole $120k to fund his life on ‘gay scene’
A South Australian man who stole $120,000 from insurance company Medibank in Melbourne to fund a “high-end” lifestyle of clubbing and drugs has turned his life around. A Melbourne judge sentenced Dwayne Antojado (pictured) to time served after he pleaded guilty to obtaining property by deception, the Herald Sun reported. The 26-year-old has spent 606 …
Federal Labor makes election pledge on LGBTIQ domestic violence
Federal Labor has pledged additional funding to support LGBTIQ+ people affected by domestic violence if elected to government. The party previously committed to funding 500 new community sector workers across the domestic and family violence sector if elected. On Thursday, Labor has confirmed 15 of those workers will work in LGBTIQ+ community organisations to help …
Newspaper apologises for outing Bendigo trans man 143 years ago
Victorian newspaper the Bendigo Advertiser has apologised for its role in the outing of 19th century Bendigo transgender man Edward de Lacy Evans 143 years ago. The 2022 Bendigo Pride Festival kicks off this week. As part of the celebrations, organisers have unveiled a new community-led mural of “LGBTQIA+ pioneer” Edward de Lacy Evans. “Edward …