Author Archive

World Briefs - December

ASIA - Human rights advocates have expressed grave concerns over a push for legislation in Indonesian Papua that would require people with HIV to be micro-chipped. The move appears designed to enable authorities to track the people’s movements and to prevent them from having sex. It is feared that the legislation, if introduced, will force those living with HIV underground and away from services that have been proven to help in the fight against the spread of the epidemic. (more…)

World News In Brief - November

United States
In a historic victory, Barack Obama has been elected as the President of the United States of America. As the country’s first black President, Obama’s acceptance speech signalled that America was on the cusp of change and that it could only be achieved by recognising the diversity inherent in the USA – which includes gay Americans. ‘If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dreams of our founders are alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,’ he said ‘It is the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled, Americans who send a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states - we are and always will be the United States of America.’
Meanwhile in California, 85% of the ballots counted in regards to Proposition 8 show that 51.7% of those have voted ‘yes’ to Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment which effectively will place a ban on gay and lesbian marriage across the state. (more…)

Kennett Wades into Footy Discrimination Blue

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett has created a furore with his support for a local football club’s decision to sack a trainer after his bisexuality was revealed.

A former soldier, and veteran trainer for 22 years, Ken Campagnolo launched a discrimination claim against the AFL and its chief executive Andrew Demetriou following his sacking from the Bonnie Doon Football Club.

Kennett was quoted in the Herald Sun on July 27th as defending the club’s decision, stating: (more…)

Justice Michael Kirby

Justice Michael Douglas Kirby’s achievements are impressive. The High Court Justice and articulate and outspoken gay advocate has been awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia, a Laureate of the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education, the Prix Yves Pelicier of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health and has been named amongst Australia’s ‘Ten Most Creative Minds’, ‘Top Ten Public Intellectuals’ and ‘Hundred Most Influential Australians Ever.’ When Justice Kirby speaks, people listen. This month, we were fortunate enough to have him speak to OUTinPerth. (more…)

May World News Briefs

Cut in Kenya – A recent Kenyan study showing a 60 per cent reduction in HIV infections among circumcised men has a Government taskforce to encourage the practice. Early responses to the campaign are promising, though circumcision in Kenya has historically led to violent intertribal clashes.

Brazil, Loud and Proud – At the World’s largest gay pride parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, an estimated 3 million people turned out. (more…)

May National News Briefs

Calls for Comment – ACON has called for public comment on its comprehensive draft strategy for addressing the distinct health needs of the NSW lesbian community. Developed after extensive state-wide consultation, the strategy seeks to improve the effectiveness of ACON’s service provision and set out a clear plan for mainstream health services. (more…)

People of the 2020 Summit

The recent 2020 Summit that gathered leaders from a wide variety of areas in Canberra to discuss future reforms in Australia has been described alternatively as revolutionary and inspiring and as a blatant media and political stunt. Some delegates came away raving about the opportunity to participate and the outcomes that emerged, whilst others claimed that participation was limited and the priorities carefully stage managed. Endeavoring to get an insider’s take on the Summit, Aram Hosie spoke to two of the delegates – Shelly Argent OAM, the national spokesperson for PFLAG, and Brett Solomon, the Executive Director of online activist organization GetUp!. (more…)

Egypt’s Crackdown Condemned

More than 117 international health and human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned Egypt for arresting and prosecuting people living with HIV.

The crackdown began in October 2007, when a man stopped by police during an argument disclosed his HIV-positive status. He was arrested and interrogated, the first of at least 12 men to have been targeted in the widening ‘campaign.’ All have faced the charge of ‘habitual practice of debauchery,’ which in Egyptian law includes consensual sexual activity between men. On April 9, a further five men were convicted and handed three-year sentences. (more…)

April World News In Brief

Singapore ‘Too Normal’ - MediaCorp TV has been fined £5000 by Regulatory authorities for ‘promoting a gay lifestyle’ in an episode of a popular renovation series that featured a gay couple and their adoptive son.

Gay Blood OK - The Red Cross in Thailand has reworked its donor screening process to focus on high risk behaviours rather than sexual orientation following an outcry from gay and human rights advocacy groups. It had originally considered adopting a policy that blanket banned men who have sex with men from donating. (more…)

The Porn Industry: ‘Back’ Against a Wall

In the UK last month, concerns about the the safety of the bareback porn industry were raised when four out of eight men who participated in a week-long bareback shoot subsequently contracted HIV. Adding to the distress of the men, the production company released the footage of the incidents in which they became infected, and it was only after a BBC investigation into the unsafe practices in the industry that the DVDs were withdrawn from sale. (more…)