Questions were raised about local charity It Get’s Better Australia after OUTinPerth highlighted that they had failed to declare income to the Australian Not for Profit and Charity Commission.
CEO, founder, and self-declared humanitarian, Jamison Parker argued that the funds raised via merchandise sales were not an official fundraising program.
The suicide prevention charity also downgraded their major fundraising event due to poor ticket sales as major sponsor BT reviewed their ongoing support.
Recently convicted murder Mark Taylor announced that he would be appealing his 21 year sentence, arguing it was too harsh.
In politics, Christine Milne, the leader of The Greens announced her retirement, passing the torch to new leader Richard D. Natale.
Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen announced he’s reconsidered his position on marriage equality and was now a supporter. Later in the month Wayne Swan and Tony Burke also announced their support.
In the lead up to Labor’s national conference was their was an internal push in the party to make MP’s have a binding vote on the issue of marriage equality, forcing them to support the party’s pro-marriage equality policy. Leader Bill Shorten said he disagreed with the proposal.
The Catholic Church launched their ‘Don’t Mess With Marriage’ booklet and concern was raised that it may contravene some states anti-discrimination laws. By the end of the year the church and Tasmanian Green’s candidate Martine Delaney were locked in a conciliation process.
The biggest marriage equality story of the year was when Ireland decided via popular vote to allow marriage equality.The vote saw a huge turnout and lead to some asking if Australia should have a popular vote, something that then PM Tony Abbott was quick to dismiss as unnecessary.
The Australian Christian Lobby also argued that Australia should not follow Ireland’s lead.
Member for Perth, Alannah MacTiernan argued that it was time for Australia to act on marriage equality.
The Prime Minister said the government wouldn’t consider the issue of marriage equality until their was legislation before the parliament.
Later in the month the Labor leader declared his intention to bring forward legislation for marriage equality. The Greens also announced marriage equality legislation.
Conservative Liberal Cory Bernardi called for front benchers who support marriage equality to resign as they as they are not supporting the government’s policy.
In the UK a new gender neutral pronoun option was introduced for driver’s licenses.
Kenyan LGBTIQ groups had a legal victory when they won a court case that declared it was legal for them to formally oprganise despite gay and lesbian relationships being illegal.
Things were tougher in Iraq, where spiky hair styles were banned as they may lead to homosexuality.
In Vienna, the city showed it’s support for LGBT couples by installing same sex crosswalks ahead of the Eurovision competion.
WA researchers made a notable breakthrough in HIV research. WA’s annual candlelight vigil for people affected by HIV/AIDS was marred by heavy rain, but everyone persevered.
The 25th annual International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia saw a range of activities taking place in Perth., including a march through the streets.
Price Waterhouse Coopers was nameds Australia’s best employer for LGBTIQ people.
