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Three years ago the Queer Office of the National Union of Students (NUS) introduced the Genderf*#k concept from the United Kingdom and United States. Thanks to Kitty Hawkins and Shane Cucow, the current NUS West Queer Officers, Genderf*#k Day was celebrated in Perth this year on May 18. (more…)

Since its inception in 1991, students from around the nation have travelled each year to various universities to stage the conference Queer Collaborations (QC). This year the Tasmania University Union in Hobart will play host to the 17th annual LGBTIQ conference under the theme ‘Alphabet Soup: The A-Z of Queer Diversity in the 21st Century’. OUTinPerth recently spoke with Brad Harvey, the 2007 QC Convenor. (more…)

According to a new survey undertaken by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) cannabis is regarded as socially unacceptable by a third of young people. The majority of the 1500 young people who participated in the survey labelled the illegal drug dangerous. The results found that half the people under 30 had friends who used cannabis; with a third of those agreeing it was uncool. Many also believed cannabis was related to schizophrenia and depression. Paul Dillion from the NDARC linked the changing attitudes with the education campaigns about the drug. He told the ABC, “We’re not focussing on the long-term health effects or even necessarily the psychological effects, we’re looking more at the social impacts, the way that it will effect your relationship, how it will affect your financial situation - these are the things young people can really relate to’. (more…)

The National Union of Students (NUS) is Australia’s peak body that represents the interests and concerns of approximately 600,000 students in higher education. With a Federal election looming some time this year, NUS has been gearing up to mobilise tertiary students under the theme “Demand A Better Future’.

Hayley Conway is the newly appointed NUS Female Queer Officer. She explained to OUTinPerth that the central concepts in this theme were education, climate change and rights at work. “In essence, we are demanding a better future than what the Coalition Government has offered students over the last 11 years; they have attacked universal student unionism, they have created WorkChoices and they have consistently underfunded women’s services around the country. Climate change and clean energy, students’ rights at work and quality and accessible education, amongst others, are critical issues for all major parties to address during this election,’ she said. Ms Conway emphasised the fact that NUS has made clear demands to all political parties. (more…)

Again this week the Federal Government has vetoed formal recogniton of gay and lesbian relationships in the ACT. The ACT government introduced a Civil Partnership bill to replace the Civil Unions bill that was disallowed by the Federal government.

The Federal government has opposed the new legislation on the grounds that the legislation would undermine the institution of marriage.

A sponsorship deal signed between Mardi Gras and Gaydar has meant rivals such as Pink Sofa will not be allowed to participate in Sydney’s upcoming fairday or the parade down Oxford Street for the first time.

Gaydar has sponsored the event for a three-year period to the value of $1.5 million. Chair of New Mardi Gras, Marcus Bourget, told the Sydney Star Observer, “As gaydar.com.au has the presentation rights to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, it precludes us from allowing competing websites to have that presence.” (more…)

It is believed that an amendment to the Family Law Act listed on the Government’s circular to MPs about proposed legislation for Parliament’s 2007 autumn session, would stop recognition for foreign children adoptions made by same-sex couples.

Democrat Senator representing Queensland, Guy Bartlett, has stated on his personal website that he was concerned that the coalition government was ready to engage in ‘wedge politics’ leading into the up-coming election this year. Mr Bartlett and gay rights activists fear that the Bill will reduce the stability of gay-parented families in terms of reduced legal and social recognition. The Family Council of Victoria, which believes that all children should have a mother and a father, welcomed the proposed amendment by the government.

Health Minister Tony Abbott has unveiled a new HIV prevention campaign specifically targeting gay men through adverts in mainstream media to the tune of $10 million. It’s the Federal government’s response to tackling a rise in HIV infections across the nation. Long gone are the days of grim reaper-styled scare tactic campaigns. “It’s about getting the necessary information to people who need it the most,” Mr Abbott said. “What we need is responsible behaviour.” (more…)

The Australian Family Association (AFA) has attacked Melbourne Council for proposing a relationship register for its gay and lesbian constituents. The plan would allow same-sex couples the right to publicly recognise their partnerships with the option of town hall ceremonies.

Angela Conway, a spokeswoman for the AFA, described the gay union proposal as â¿¿annoying⿝. She told Melbourneâ¿¿s Herald Sun, â¿¿Councils need to provide an appropriate level of facilities and resources for families and children.â¿¿ Convenor for the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group, Gerard Brody, welcomed the proposal, naming Melbourne Council as â¿¿progressiveâ¿¿. Mr Brody encouraged all local governments to introduce such a register as a major step towards same-sex marriage in this country. (more…)

Closets are for clothes, not for people. But for many “coming out” is a journey, even a life long process. More often than not, it’s the experiences of homophobia, lack of support and understanding that make “coming out” a roller-coaster ride for many young same-sex attracted people. (more…)