SAFE STREETS (VIC): After a recent spate of homophobic attacks the Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is relocating to the new Oxford Street Safe Place. ACON CEO Stevie Clayton says reports of homophobic violence have doubled in the last two months. Twenty two reports alone were made in the last six weeks compared to 30 over the previous five months. However, it is likely the real rate is far higher since only 13 percent of cases are ever reported.
CONDOMS IN JAIL (VIC): Victorian jails may soon be provided with condoms after studies have found that over half of the male prison population has hepatitis C. The NSW Government began providing condoms after they successfully sued in 1996 by a prisoner who had been infected with HIV.
WHY, INDEED (TAS): InDeed is a new Tasmanian organisation set to educate same-sex couples about the benefits of taking out a Deed of Relationship. At current, Tasmania is the only state which formally recognises same-sex relationships. The deed offers immediate access to relationship rights in state law as well as symbolic recognition from the government. InDeed are lobbying Federal Government to recognise such deeds.
WHAT’S MINE IS MINE (NAT): Lesbian, gay and de facto couples who are separating could soon gain access to Family Court when dividing their assets. Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hull said that these proposed changes had gained Commonwealth and State support. At current, lesbian, gay and de facto couples resolve property disputes through the state court systems, which is a time consuming and costly process.
THAT’S OUR KYLIE (VIC): DNA Magazine has accused the UK’s The Sun of blatantly plagiarising an article in which Kylie Minogue is said to have offered advice to Britney Spears. The Sun article has, according to DNA, lifted entire quotes from an exclusive interview DNA conducted with Minogue in the most recent issue of Australia’s most widely read magazine for gay men.
MARDI GRAS RUMOUR #756 (NSW): The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Olivia Newton John may be the closing act at Mardi Gras this year. The dawn show will see Newton John shuck her good girl image alongside dozens of bare-chested dancing boys. Rumours have it she may also star in a TV version of Sordid Lies, in which she played gum chewing lesbian ex-con Bitsy-Mae Harling.
SUMMA BOSS BASH (VIC): Melbourne’s Bnews has reported that Midsumma Festival arts convenor Tim Bateson was arrested and locked up after an incident with a taxi driver. According to Bateson the incident ensued after a taxi driver tried to eject Bateson and a male friend from his cab. When the driver started using abusive anit-gay language, Bateson grabbed the taxi driver’s ID so he could write down his details. When police arrived, they arrested Bateson for stealing the ID.
