National

The Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Bill, based on the recommendations of the Victorian Law Reform Commission, cleared the first hurdle toward becoming law in early October, passing the state’s lower house 48 votes to 36.

The bill boosts parenting rights for gay partners and parents of surrogate children. (more…)

A federal Bill designed to give GLBTI parents greater access to the Family Law Court looks set to be passed, as the Senate prepares to debate two other historic pieces of equality legislation.

Changes to the Family Law Act soon to be given a final vote by the Senate will allow heterosexual and same-sex couples access to the Family Law Courts on matters of property and maintenance, and will recognise children of co-mothers and co-fathers born to same-sex partners through IVF and surrogacy in federal law. (more…)

Gay Mayor for Melbourne?
Melbourne may have its first-ever gay mayor after Melbourne’s openly gay Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer nominated for the job. Singer was key to the establishment for the city’s relationships register open to same-sex couples. Other queer candidates for Deputy Mayor include Greens member Kathleen Maltzahn and Tim Wilson.

Wanted: GLBTI foster carers
Gay men and lesbians in Victoria are being urged to become foster parents to help with a critical shortfall. A recent report commissioned by the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare has encouraged foster care groups to appeal to the GLBTI community. ‘Your personal circumstances are not the issue; the real issue is: do you have capacity to care for a child?’ said the centre’s president, Kevin Zibell. (more…)

A new gay and lesbian newspaper, Southern Star, has opened in Melbourne after Sydney Star Observer (SSO) moved in to fill the gap created by the closure of independent GLBTIQ newspaper, Bnews. The new weekly publication’s first edition hit the streets on October 9 under the editorship of SSO publishing editor, Scott Abrahams. (more…)

As the final submissions are scheduled for the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal hearing to challenge the ban on gay men donating blood to the Australian Red Cross, the organisation is advertising a Perth fundraising event with a cross-dressing theme.

A newspaper ad for the Cross Dress for Red Cross event, to be held in Perth on September 5, shows a photo of a young boy, and the boy as a man in woman’s clothing along with the words ‘His parents would be so proud’. A second ad features a woman dressed as Elvis with the tagline: ‘Do something different to make a difference’. (more…)

SEN. PRATT’S FIRST SPEECH CALLS FOR GAY AND TRANS RIGHTS - Australian Marriage Equality have welcomed the first speech in the Senate, on the 27th of August, by new WA Senator, Louise Pratt. In her speech Senator Pratt said:

‘I look forward to a time when we have removed at a federal level all discrimination on the grounds of gender identity and sexuality. A time when my partner isn’t denied a passport because his gender’s not recognised under our laws, when my friends’ children all enjoy the same rights and protections under Commonwealth law, regardless of whether their parents are straight or gay, and a time when my gay and lesbian friends who wish to be legally married can be’. (more…)

On June 28, Anwar Ibrahim was accused of committing sodomy by a 23-year-old former assistant, Saiful Bukhari Azian. Anwar is one of two likely candidates to become Malaysia’s next Prime Minister when current Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi steps down in 2010. Anwar has denied the charges as politically motivated and is suing Saiful for defamation.

Sodomy is a crime under Code 377 of the Malaysian Penal Code and anyone found guilty of committing ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature’ can face up to 20 years in prison and whipping. (more…)

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…)

Images: Rod Spark, courtesy of Sydney Star Observer

Hundreds gathered at Taylor Square in Sydney to protest anti-gay, anti-condom teachings of the Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, July 19, leading to an hour-long clash between NoToPope activists and World Youth Day pilgrims as the two marches crossed at Moore Park. (more…)

No Vote for Tassie – Tasmania will not hold a conscience vote on the same-sex marriage bills introduced by the Greens after the ruling Labor Party said that the constitutionality of state marriage’s needs to be determined by the courts. A spokeswoman for the Greens Shadow Attorney-General Nick McKim told Sydney Star Observer, ‘We gave a commitment to see this through, and we’ll continue to introduce this legislation until same-sex marriages are legal.’ (more…)