Gender Dysphoria Centre Closes Pending Investigation -The Gender Dysphoria Clinic at Victoria’s Monash Medical Centre has been temporarily closed amid claims it has been misdiagnosing patients and encouraging them to have gender reassignment surgery without adequate psychological assessment. The Sunday Age claims that at least eight patients believe they have been misdiagnosed and three former patients have recently taken legal action against Monash and the clinic’s doctors. The co-founder of the clinic and psychiatrist, Dr Trudy Kennedy, has been stood-down as director of the clinic and is under investigation by Victoria’s medical board. She says she has been singled out unfairly. ‘I have been hung out to dry. They just want to blame it all on me. I have not made one single decision here, they are all team decisions,’ Dr Kennedy said. The clinic is set to return to full operation after an internal review process.
Todd Proposes– Openly gay performer Todd McKenny has asked his Dancing With the Stars and radio co-host, Sonia Kruger to have his baby. McKenny already has a daughter (born in 2007) with another female friend, but told The Australian Women’s Weekly that he is desparate for another and that Kruger would be the perfect candidate. ‘I don’t want to pressure her, but I am serious,’ he told the magazine. McKenny and Kruger have been friends for 26 years, having met in Perth at the age of 17.
Legal Guide for HIV Transmission -Australia’s newest High Court Judge, the Hon. Justice Virginia Bell, last month helped launch a new guide for legal practitioners regarding the criminal prosecution of HIV transmission in NSW. The guide was produced by NSW’s HIV/AIDS Legal Centre (HALC) in conjunction with DLA Phillips Fox and addresses the response of the law to persons who intentionally pass on HIV to others. HALC principal solicitor, Iain Brady says that there has been a recent increase in the number of criminal prosecutions relating to HIV transmission and exposure in Australia and such cases are often met with fear and outrage from an uninformed public. ‘Overwhelmingly, the community response comes in the form of calls for unmitigated, punitive justice. However, the law must be implemented in a such a way that supports public health initiatives and which has the ultimate aim of preventing the spread of HIV,’ he said.
Morrissey Saved by Partner -Fashion designer, Peter Morrissey is recovering in hospital after suffering a minor brain aneurism. Morrissey merits his partner for acting quickly after he started experiencing excruciating headaches and nausea. ‘I would not be here if it was not for my beautiful partner Sean; he acted fast and saved my life,’ he told The Australian. Morrissey is in a stable condition and doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
Footy Finally Plays Ball -After the AFL’s announcement that their vilification policy will now include sexual orientation, ACT Sport and Recreation Minister, Andrew Barr has called on the NRL to follow suit. The call comes after activist Garry Burns lodged a complaint with the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board against Channel Nine’s The Footy Show over a homophobic comedy skit. The Footy Show have since apologised for any offence the skit may have caused and invited gay rugby team, the Sydney Convicts to appear on the programme.
***
