A United Nations committee became the first international law body to recognise that criminalising female same-sex sexual activity is a fundamental breach of human rights. The landmark decision means all countries that criminalise women having sex with other women should immediately repeal these laws.

The religious discrimination bill is due to be debated in parliament this week. This has been a long time coming – Prime Minister Scott Morrison first promised a religious discrimination bill before the last federal election, more than three years ago.

In large part, the delay stems from vast disagreement – both inside parliament and in the community – about what the bill should contain. There is broad agreement a person should not be discriminated against on the basis of their faith or lack of faith. However, the extent to which religion should be a licence to discriminate against others remains enormously contentious.

They have outlasted Elon Musk and Grimes, and even Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, as this week - Sphen and Magic - the famous same-sex penguin couple from SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium are celebrating their third anniversary! The two Gentoo Penguins became the symbol of the Australian gay rights movement back in 2018 when their romance and role as devoted, adoptive dads became headlines around the world.

Same-sex sexual behaviour may seem to present a Darwinian paradox. It provides no obvious reproductive or survival benefit, and yet same-sex sexual behaviour is fairly common — around 2-10% of individuals in diverse human societies — and is clearly influenced by genes.

Loneliness is an awful emotion to experience. The thoughts, feelings and beliefs we have about loneliness makes us feel like a failed human. Even reading an article in a magazine about loneliness can have us wrestling with some uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.

If that’s you: thank you for starting to read this article. I’m proud of you. Simply reading this has taken some courage. Even if you’re ‘lonely curious’, I want to say hi and thank you for reading these words.

For some queer people, lockdown and time at home has meant time away from communities and friends that recognise and support their gender and sexual identities. Trying to keep safe in a world marked by risk and uncertainty.

When subcultures get co-opted by capital and become a moneymaking bonanza.

When coronavirus restrictions threatened the famous American White Party, an annual circuit party held in Palm Springs, California, the organizer, Jeffrey Sanger, decided to move the festivities to Jalisco, Mexico. Gay partygoers from around the world descended on the small coastal state for the New Year’s Eve bash. Stars from Ru Paul’s Drag race made appearances, and even some doctors and nurses, fresh off their first COVID-19 vaccine doses, got in on the action.

LGBTQ+ people impacted by sexual, domestic and family violence (SDFV) from across Australia will now have access to relevant, culturally appropriate and state-specific information and resources with the national rollout of the digital support hub, Say It Out Loud.

Produced by ACON, Australia’s largest sexuality and gender diverse health organisation, Say It Out Loud is an online platform on sexual, domestic and family violence designed specifically for LGBTQ+ people. First launched as a NSW specific site in 2017, the resource received funding from the Department of Social Services in 2019 to be expanded nationwide. 

Media Release: Meridian | A Gender Agenda

La Trobe University research released today found 57.2% of more than 6,000 surveyed lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people were experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress, while 41.9% reported thoughts about suicide over the past 12 months. Mental health in the LGBTIQ community is in crisis, and the La Trobe research makes it clear that action and investment in LGBTIQ mental health and suicide prevention is sorely needed.

Free Qwire Concert  and Picnic in the Park
Saturday 28 November 2020.
Glebe Park, 12noon–2.00 pm

“Canberra Qwire, Proudly LGBTIQ+, is very happy to be able to sing for the public this year”, said the Convenor, Anne-Marie Delahunt.  “It's been a hard year but we stay strong and we continue to support each other in this time of difficulty.”

‘Qwire in the Park’ is a free concert in a relaxing picnic setting out in Glebe Park, which has hosted many of Canberra’s cultural activities celebrating the beauty of diversity that enriches our society.