Coming Out Stories Sought
A Melbourne independent producer is calling out for coming out tales from gay, lesbian and bisexual folk for an online video series. Kylie Eddy launched the ‘Coming Out is Hard To Do’ series and said she was excited to hear the contrasting tales of this often harrowing experience. Eddy is looking for funny, quirky or inspirational tales to transform into an educational reference for people dealing with this sometimes tumultuous process. ‘I love coming out stories. I can’t wait to hear all the different ways and places that people have come out so we can celebrate our stories together,’ Eddy said. Check out www.comingoutishardtodo.com for more details.
Super Mum is Super Aussie
PFLAG spokesperson Shelley Argent was nominated for Australian of the Year 2011 for her resilient stance against homophobia and campaigning against inequality for gay people. The Queensland mother of a gay son was humbled by the news of her nominations and said she very much appreciated the people who took the time to nominate her. ‘What I do is the tip of the iceberg and if it makes a difference then that’s the most important thing,’ she said.
Kookaburra not Gay
A Victorian primary school has been accused of excessive political correctness after the principal banned the word gay from the Australian folk song ‘Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree’. Lepage Primary School Principal Garry Martin said the changes were made since ‘gay’ had a different meaning now. ‘Political correctness is very much to the fore in schools — what’s appropriate and what isn’t — and sometimes we rightly or wrongly err on the side of caution,’ he told the Herald Sun. Martin said he may have been hypersensitive while Victorian Gay and Lesbian advocacy group Also Foundation spokesperson Crusader Hillis said the ban was absurd.
Marriages Upheld in Tassie
Tasmania is the first Australian state or territory to recognise gay marriages, allowing the full recognition of interstate and overseas unions. The Tasmanian Parliament passed the legislation with an overwhelming success of 21 votes in favour to three. Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson Rodney Croome said the legislation would bring important benefits to couples travelling in, or relocating to Tasmania. ‘A couple in an existing union relocating to Tasmania can also rest assured their relationship will be respected with the need for a long and costly re-registration process,’ Croome said.
Vale Mandy Rollins
Popular Sydney DJ Mandy Rollins is believed to have taken her own life on Saturday, September 4. NSW Police said Rollins went missing that night, losing contact from 7.30pm onwards, Sydney Star Observer reported. The authorities conducted numerous searches of the Gap at Watson’s Bay, Sydney. The following day police found her phone, wallet, watch and cap at the Gap but have been unable to locate a body. Sydney’s LGBT community held a tribute on September 17 for Rollins with money raised donated to a suicide prevention group.
Benn Dorrington
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