NSW
Attacks on Oxford – Oxford Street has long been a colourful stretch of bitumen in Sydney and for many years was renowned as the gay centre of NSW. But the area is becoming increasingly dangerous of late, with a significant increase in reported thefts and physical assaults. During August three separate people were violently attacked in one weekend, all of them requiring hospitalisation. LGBT lobby groups are urging people to be vigilant and report any crime that occurs in the area. They have been joined by Sydney’s Lord Mayor in calling for an increased police presence along the strip.
Sydney Diocese – Meanwhile, the Sydney Diocese led by Archbishop Peter Jensen continues to be an international focal point for international resistance to any acceptance of same-sex unions and gay or female bishops by the Church. The diocese has threatened to boycott next year’s Lambeth Conference, an event that occurs once every ten years and is open to bishops worldwide. The threat is seen as a way to put pressure on the more progressive Episcopalian branches of the church and signals the ongoing risk of a church split.
TASMANIA
Differing Versions – Tasmania’s Director of Public Prosecutions has defended its prosecution of the man who murdered high profile lesbian Kamehn Schrader in Canberra last year. Keith Jamie Lynch-Whitton, who was sentenced to a maximum of 18 years in prison for the crime, told the court that he strangled Ms Schrader in a rage after she ridiculed his sexual performance. Ms Shrader’s friends and family have expressed their dismay that the prosecution accepted Lynch-Whitton’s version of events. They stated it was impossible that things transpired in such a way given Ms Shrader’s personality and that the defamatory picture painted in the court only added to their grief at her passing.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Red Cross Dress – ‘Cross Dress for Red Cross’ is the catch cry for the latest fundraising effort by the WA Red Cross. Returning for its second year, the event will be held on Friday, September 7th and will see participants don gender-bending attire to raise money to fight poverty and homelessness across the states as well provide emergency disaster responses. To register to be involved visit www.redcross.org.au/crossdress.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Gene Gender Bender – Researchers at the University of Adelaide have accidentally discovered that adding extra copies of a gene (Sox3) normally present during brain development can switch off female genes and switch on male ones in mice. As a result they have been creating mice that physically look and behave male, but are genetically female. Edwina Sutton, who is leading the research, believes that the discovery of the gene’s affects could lead to greater understanding of how brain development affects sexual development. It is then hoped that this new knowledge will help lead to greater understanding of what causes a range of intersex conditions.
VICTORIA
Victoria Uncut – Meanwhile, Victoria has joined NSW, WA and Tasmania in blocking the practice of circumcision at public hospitals for non-medical reasons. This is seen as a curious move by some, including Dr Alex Wodak, director, Alcohol and Drug Service of Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital. In an article on crikey.com he queried the move because it comes at a time when evidence is emerging that circumcision can reduce the risk of HIV transmission from heterosexual intercourse as well as the risk of other sexually transmitted infections and some cancers.
NATIONAL
Cabinet Stall – The Federal Howard Government continues to stall on the recommendations from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to remove discrimination in law currently faced by same-sex couples and families. Following heated discussion, Federal Cabinet failed to reach a decision on whether to make the required legislative changes and instead made the unusual move of leaving the decision solely up to the Prime Minister. Several high profile Liberal politicians supported making reforms, whilst other conservative party members cited ‘cost’ and competing political priorities as the reason for their opposition to the reform package. No timetable for the PM’s decision has been announced.
Rallying Oz – At the same time, hundreds of gays and lesbians rallied across Australia to denounce the Government’s inaction and protest the marriage ban enacted three years ago. Some rallies were attended by prominent Greens and ALP politicians, and all featured demands for same-sex relationship recognition.
PFLAG Ads – National lobby group PFLAG has got behind the call to end discrimination with a new advertisement ‘from heterosexuals’ in support of reform. The ad calls on the leaders of the major parties to end discrimination and features the names of the family and friends who helped pay for the ad’s publication. To see the ad, or to contribute to further print runs, visit www.pflagbrisbane.org.au.
National Health – a group of organisations from around Australia that work in the areas of GLBT health and HIV/AIDS have formed a new National GLBT Health Alliance to advocate on relevant health issues and the need for research and programs. The Alliance includes ACON (NSW), the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities, the Victorian AIDS Council, the South Australian AIDS Council, the Western Australia AIDS Council and the Northern Territory AIDS Council as well as the only organisation in the country that is specifically funded to provide services and programs in relation to gay and lesbian health issues, Gay & Lesbian Health Victoria.
POLITICS
Latest Party – A new progressive political party Hear Our Voice has been launched by NSW Senate Candidate Toni McLennan. The party has been created to assist more women into politics and contribute to a government that is more community focused. The new party’s platform calls for the immediate end to all discrimination against LGBT Australians, including removal of the Marriage Ban and allowing same-sex adoption. The new party needs 500 members from around Australia in order to be officially registered as a party at the upcoming election. Visit www.tonimclennan.com for more information.
