Local

GLCS AGM - GLCS are looking to amend a clause in their constitution which at current limits a board term for any member to just three years. An SGM will be held in the near future for GLCS members to vote on an amendment which would see members hold a position indefinitely. If this constitution change is passed, Mark Woodman has been nominated to see through another term as Chair. GLCS are still looking for two more ordinary member representatives on the GLCS board. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Sandra Norman (admin@glcs.org.au) to register their interest. (more…)

In May, Gay and Lesbian Community Services (GLCS) ran a condensed version of their Opening Closets diversity training program on diverse sexuality and gender for two squads of WA Police cadets as part of a four-day diversity training for recruits. Both the WA Police and GLCS have called the training an important, if small, first step towards addressing homophobia within the police force. (more…)

The 11th annual STYLEAID occurred on Friday, July 18 and early estimates from the organisers put the amount raised for the WA AIDS Council (WAAC) at over $130,000. The final figure will be released in the coming weeks.

According to STYLEAID organiser Mark Reid, ‘this event raises more funds for us [WAAC] than any other that we put on and it assists to fund projects that we do not get money for from other sources. The ability to respond to the HIV epidemic this way ensures we can meet challenges head on and quickly.’ (more…)

One of only two sex-on-premise male saunas in Perth, Beaufort 565 has been an important point of contact for men who have sex with men for over 30 years. However, on June 30th, the sauna closed its doors and ceased trading.

Beaufort 565 Owner Vic Francis said the decision to close came about after he received a letter in early June from the Town of Vincent requiring him to update the premises to meet building requirements. (more…)

The Freedom Centre, a WA AIDS Council (WAAC) affiliated support resource for youth of diverse sexuality and gender (DSG), has redecorated its centre, launched a new look website (www.freedom.org.au) and started Outspace – a new session for queer youth – this month.

According to The Freedom Centre Coordinator Dani Wright, the improvements to the centre have been made to put forward the centre’s best face for WAAC’s upcoming fundraiser STYLEAID. The proceeds from STYLEAID’s photography exhibition and auction all go towards funding The Freedom Centre and are expected to cover over half the centre’s annual budget. (more…)

The 20th annual Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) Conference will be held from September 17-20 at the Perth Convention Centre. The Australasian Sexual Health Conference will take place prior to the ASHM Conference from September 15-17. At the ASHM Conference, national and international HIV/AIDS experts, including representatives from Asia, Africa, Europe and America, will discuss the latest breakthroughs and challenges in HIV/AIDS research. Two of Perth’s foremost researchers Professor Martyn French and Professor Simon Mallal will also speak at the conference. (more…)

Pride WA has chosen the theme for its 2008 Festival: reINvention. The organisation hopes this theme will encourage the imagination and creativity of its participants, particularly of the annual Pride Parade, which has lost its glitz and glamour in recent years.

Andrew Baietta, Co-President of the organisation, says “Pride WA this year has had to rethink its strategies across all platforms – the way we manage our finances, the way we connect with and therefore represent Western Australia’s GLBT community and the ways in which we can build a sustainable future for the organisation as we head into Pride WA’s 20th anniversary celebrations in 2009. (more…)

In an OUTinPerth special report, journalist Scott-Patrick Mitchell examines how the rise in homelessness has affected queer street youth in Western Australia.

The economic mining boom has created more than just wealth – it has led to a whole new underclass, as the poor and low-income are forced out of their rentals and on to the streets. With rental prices and the general cost of living continuing to soar, the rate of homelessness in Western Australia is increasing dramatically. (more…)

The first official meeting of the Pride Committee since their election at the recent AGM has seen the election of new male and female Co-Presidents.

Sharlene Dixon, an existing committee member who joined in July 2007, has been elected female Co-President.

Andrew Baietta, who was elected onto the committee at the recent AGM, has been elected male Co-President. (more…)

After announcing that over 100 laws that discriminate against same-sex couples would be reformed, the Labor government has called on states to institute same-sex relationship registries, similar to those in place in Tasmiania and Victoria. These registries would give same-sex couples the option of registering their relationship with the government for an added level of legal recognition. (more…)