Army anti-gay hate man charged

 

A 32-year-old former soldier who created an anti-gay Facebook page and aimed to ‘out’ and harass gays serving in the Australian Defence Force has been identified and charged.

More than 80 serving officers were outed on a Facebook page last year, which described gay men as “bum bandits” and proclaimed: “It is your right to know who is biting the pillow.”

Anti-gay YouTube videos were also created as part of the campaign, which included graphic and violent emails.

There was some concern that the Defence Force was ‘sweeping the matter under the carpet’, as months had gone by where investigations appeared to have stalled.

Read this article here http://www.samesame.com.au/news/local/6754/Army-anti-gay-hate-man-charged.htm

Vile Fred Nile rides again

 

On his first week back in the NSW Parliament, long-time homophobe Christian Democrat Fred Nile has tried to take a stand against adoption by same-sex couples.

Legislation which gave same-sex couples in New South Wales the right to apply to adopt children passed with a slim majority last September, and is now a law which Nile (pictured) is keen to roll back.

He requested yesterday “that leave be given to bring in a bill for an Act to amend the Adoption Act 2000 to repeal the amendments made by the Adoption Amendment (Same Sex Couples) Act 2010 that enable couples of the same sex to adopt children.”

He also sought to outlaw prostitution and raise the drinking age to 21, among other staunchly conservative reforms.

Read this article here http://www.samesame.com.au/news/local/6756/Vile-Fred-Nile-rides-again.htm

Protection report ‘just the start’

 

An Australian Human Rights Commission report into the need for federal legislation protecting people from discrimination on the grounds of sexuality and sex or gender identity has been welcomed by the Australian Coalition for Equality (ACE) and the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL).

“After 15 years of waiting, and with bi-partisan support now available, there’s never been a better time for the federal government to finally take action on this issue,” ACE spokesman Corey Irlam said, referring to a Senate inquiry held 15 years ago into the need for federal protections against discrimination on the grounds of sexuality and sex or gender identity.

NSW GLRL co-convenor Rathana Chea said his organisation was concerned the AHRC report had not examined the issue of exemptions and exceptions in Australia’s anti-discrimination laws.

“No exemptions should be available to organisations that are publicly funded or provide government services to the community,” Chea said.

Read this article at http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/australia-news/new-south-wales-news/2011/05/05/protection-report-just-the-start/51175

Push for federal protection

 

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has found broad support for the introduction of federal laws to protect people from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and sex and gender identity.

Ahead of releasing its Addressing Sexual Orientation and Sex and/or Gender Identity Discrimination consultation report, AHRC president and Human Rights Commissioner Catherine Branson said the consultation undertaken last year had heard compelling evidence for the need for such laws.

“The Commission’s consultation revealed numerous and distressing stories of how people’s lives had been impacted and damaged by discrimination, violence or bullying on the basis of their sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity,” Branson said.

“We also heard lots of different views on how human rights protections for this group of people could be strengthened, but by far the most frequently suggested solution was the inclusion of protections in federal laws.”

Branson said federal protection would provide legal remedies to GLBTI people who had been discriminated against because of their identity, while delivering social improvements in a range of areas.

Read this article at http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2011/05/04/push-for-federal-protection/51080

Argent ‘Expects Better’ from PM

PFLAG Australia national spokeswoman Shelley Argent has launched an online campaign to encourage gays and lesbians and their family members and friends to make YouTube videos challenging their politicians over same-sex marriage.

The face of professionally made television campaigns in favour of GLBT equality in the past, this time Argent has created an amateur style YouTube video with a web cam to launch the campaign to show that anyone can speak out about why they expect better from politicians on marriage equality

Taking inspiration from the international ‘It Gets Better’ campaign tackling feelings of hopelessness among GLBT youth, Argent has taken the concept in a slightly different direction by inviting marriage equality supporters to talk directly to their leaders, politicians and political parties through YouTube and tell them its time to end the discrimination against same sex couples in Australia today.

Read this article at Argent expects better from PM

British PM wants gay kiss ban

Reports this morning suggest British Prime Minister David Cameron wants to restrict same-sex kisses on television to late-night adult viewing hours.

UK tabloid The Sun reports that the Conservative leader supports a ban on same-sex kisses during the “pre-watershed” viewing hours before 9pm. An independent review may recommend the restriction.

Read this article at Brtisih PM wants Gay kiss ban via staronline.com.au

Insight's 'Gay At School' episode airs Tonight 3rd May

Last month SBS started looking for input from the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex community about their school experiences, for an upcoming episode of Insight. That ‘Being gay at school’ episode screens this week.

Tune in for some must see television as SBS Current Affairs forum Insight this Tuesday 3rd May examines the issues and realities of being gay at school.

Is there too much pressure on young people to come out before they are ready to? How do schools cope most appropriately with requests by students to bring their same sex partner to formals? What is the rural reality for gay students? Statistics show that queer youth are in much more in danger of taking their own lives than their straight counterparts, and that rampant bullying plays a huge part in that. What can parents, students and schools do to combat that? Insight is set to delve into those issues and more.

Read the rest of this article at Insight's 'Gay At School' via samesame.com.au