Our journey through the news stories of 2018 continues with everything that went down in May when there was great anticipation about when we’d get to see the results of the Ruddock Review, there was a shock resignation from parliament, Cher announced she was coming to Perth, and the musical Mamma Mia was in town.
Politics
Member for Perth Tim Hammond resigned from parliament triggering a by-election, there were rumours that Louise Pratt would switch to the lower house, she quickly ruled it out. John Howard said if pubic schools did not allow parents to pull their kids out of classes they didn’t like they should not get funding. Former Labor senator Joe Bullock joined the Liberal party, Cory Bernardi asked for an official count on genders, Barnaby Joyce started eleven weeks paid leave, JOyce was then criticised for selling his story for cash, the Department of Home Affairs warned of an influx of fake gay refugees, In NSW Fred Nile put forward a bill that would allow people to discriminate against LGBTI people, PFLAG urged the government to release the Ruddock Review after it was suggested that it might be weeks until it was shared, Peter Dutton said he hoped it would bring more laws to protect religious freedom, Lyle Shelton announced he was running for the senate for the Australian Conservatives, Senator Barry O’ Sullivan has some questions about transgender people going to the “loo-loo”, Victoria ended forced divorce for transgender people, Queensland MP Jarrod Bjeijie was enraged that someone asked him his gender pronouns,
In the News
Cate McGregor changed her mind about Safe Schools, Israel Folau said he was standing by his comments suggesting gay people would go to hell, a Melbourne man appeared in court after he tried to blackmail a Grindr hookup, Political Posting Mumma – Marijke Rancie – was elected to a position in the Liberal party. A school in the USA was accused of forcing gay kids to read the bible. A poll found that most Australians were against LGBT teachers and students being discriminated against, Margaret Court won the 2018 GLORIA, Police in Israel said a Pride parade could only proceed if it had a two metre fence around it, EY was named Australia’s most inclusive employer, The WA AIDS Council had to close temporarily due to storm damage to its West Perth office, the Australian Christian Lobby highlighted a man with history of long vilifying gay people had joined its organisation, the Pope reportedly told a gay man that God made him the way he is.
Celebrity
Cher announced she was coming to Perth to perform, Janelle Monae‘s new album was very queer indeed, Barbie Q was excited about Connections Roll Call show, Superman actress Margot Kidder died aged 69, we chatted to Missy Higgins, Kylie turned fifty, Jordan Bruno was crowned Mr Gay World, despite some setbacks Cynthia Nixon forged on with her campaign to become the next Governor of New York, Troye Sivan said he did not want to be seen as a gay icon, Madonna, who is a gay icon, shared a new song she performed at the Met Gala, Reggie Lucas – who produced Madonna’s debut album passed away.
Culture
Troye Sivan released a tune that he insisted was about flowers,  Keisuke Tonkotsu King opened at the newly renovated Melbourne Hotel and we wondered if it was worth queuing for an hour for ramen? Elska magazine published an edition featuring the gay men of Perth, drag star Scarlet Adams set her sights on being Miss Burlesque 2018, Barbie Q was excited about Connections Roll Call show, Shadow arts minister Tony Krsticevic called for more protections from Fringe World artists in the wake of the collapse of events company Jump Climb as legal action was launched against the company, Home and Away got a gay character, Lionizer released a new tune,  The Good Fight was renewed, Guns n Roses releases a special edition of the legendary Appetite for Destruction album – but thankfully removed the most homophobic song. We got our first look at A Very British Scandal, Ian Grandage was announced as the new Artistic Director of the Perth Festival, we chatted to actor Sam Hooper about his role in Mamma Mia – the Musical. Black Swan State Theatre Company got ready to stage Taylor Mac’s play Hir and delivered Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. Ireland shaped up as the favourite for Eurovision, but our own Jessica Mauboy looked good too, China got dumped out of the live broadcast for censoring same-sex content during the semi-final, Netta from Israel was the winner, Styleaid’s photography exhibition was launched, we got into the music of Anjimile, it was announced TV show Transparent would end with its fifth season. New queer party Tramp Stamp arrived (and then was never seen again), Neighbours filmed their first same-sex wedding, Roseanne was cancelled.
Find out what went down in April
