We’re into the home stretch of our look back over the news stories of 2015.
In October new research dispelled the myth the LGBTI people with dementia begin to believe they are straight while feeling the effects of the illness.
Out for Australia launched in Western Australia. The non-profit group runs several programs including a mentoring program, supported by law firm Baker and McKenzie, which matches students and professionals in one-on-one mentorships. The organisation also hosts quarterly networking events that bring together students and professionals alongside a Women’s leadership program and an Ambassadors program.
Catholic priest Monsignore Krzysztof Charamsa was removed from service of the Vatican after he publicly came out as gay in a statement. Later the priest gave an interview to the BBC accusing the church of violent homophobia.
The Victorian government announced it would bring in legislation to allow same sex couples the right to adopt. Couples in Western Australia have been able to adopt for over a decade.
More nations and territories moved to bring in marriage equality, the Isle of Mann announced it would bring about change. The Chief Minister of the British dependency also revealed that he was gay.
In an exclusive one on one, The Greens leader Richard Di Natale discussed his thoughts on how politics can improve and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s lack of leadership on marriage equality. The Greens Adam Bandt echoed his sentiments a few days later.
The Greens new spokesman on LGBTIQ issues quickly got to work, South Australian senator Robert Simms joined the parliament as a mid-term replacement but was firing off his beliefs with confidence very quickly. In October he called on the government to recognise overseas same sex marriages. When the senator delivered his maiden speech, given a shout out to queer youth, the video went viral.
The WA AIDS Council marked 30 years of service to the community.
Liberal Senator Eric Abetz highlighted that the media are not kind to conservative politicians, the Tasmanian MP noted that journalists often refer to him as being from the “religious right” but never refer to the “godless left”. In a later interview the senator said journalists should just report the news and not commentate.
The Archbishop of Sydney raised concerns about marriage equality warning it could lead to religious freedoms being curtailed and clergy being jailed.
There were rumblings that some Liberal MP’s were pressuring the Prime Minister to rethink this idea of a plebiscite on marriage equality now that the cost was known. A few days later the PM took to the floor during question time to defend his choice. The Greens said the PM needed to stop being beholden to the dinosaurs in his party.
A new poll showed that since it was announced that a plebiscite would cost $158million support for the idea had fallen.
Warren Enstch, who introduced one of the marriage bills before parliament, suggested the legislation could be passed ahead of the vote. Marriage Equality advocates thought the idea had merit. Senator Eric Abetz labeled the idea an “ambush”.
Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells warned the government may lose seats in a federal election if they show support for marriage equality.
Shocking news came from the UK where a 40 year old man was arrested in conjunction with the murder of three young men. Police are still investigating if the alleged serial killer had any other victims.
It was revealed that since marriage equality was passed in Britain 15,000 couples had wed.
Liberal senator Matt Canavan questioned if it was appropriate for SBS to publicly support marriage equality noting it was undermining a law that was supported by the government. Senator Canavan questioned if the broadcaster would be able to provide balanced news coverage on the issue.
There was pandemonium around Western Australia’s parliament house as new right win political party the Australian Liberty Alliance was launched by far-right Duth politician Geert Widlers.
Feminist icon Germaine Greer told a BBC program that she didn’t consider trans women to be women. The author’s foul mouthed tirade made news headlines. Meanwhile conservative author Bill Muehlenberg declared he was transitioning to become a milkshake.
Senator Eric Abetz was criticised for dropping a racial slur during a radio interview. The senator isswed a press release schooling journalists that the word he used was completely acceptable, although the editors of Dictionaries, language experts and African Americans most likely disagreed.
It was revealed that a WA school had suggested to a gay parent that he should relocate his child to another school after his daughter mentioned his sexuality in class. The move was condemned by some politicians but Education Minister Peter Collier said the school was acting within its rights.
