Who’s been on Grindr lately? (stock image via Depositphotos) A new study of gay and bisexual Australian men found the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a dramatic reduction in casual sexual behavior. How dramatic? Researchers at the Kirby Institute surveyed 940 gay and bi men about casual sex practices and found the number of sexual contacts dropped 84 percent in the month of April. Other than monogamous relationships, all types of sexual intimacy saw a steep decline in the number of hookups. Additionally, 95 percent acknowledged they understood the risk of hooking up and/or having group sex represented an increased risk of contracting the coronavirus. Dr. Mohamed A. Hammoud, the lead author of the study, told QNews decades of coping with the HIV epidemic has taught gay and bisexual men how to be adaptive in the face of health threats. “Our community has a long history of creating innovative strategies to reduce risk,” explained Hammoud. “[We’re] seeing this continue with this new health challenge.” Hammoud added, “The results from our study show that an overwhelming majority of gay and bisexual men have adapted their behavior and are adhering to physical distancing guidelines.” There is an upside to the drop in hooking up. The decline in casual sex will likely result in “a reduction in new HIV and STI diagnoses in the short term,” according to Associate Professor Garrett Prestage, one of the co-authors of the study. “Trends in these diagnoses are likely to fluctuate significantly in response to changes in physical distancing restrictions,” said Prestage. The new study was published in the medical journal JAIDS on Friday. (Source: QNews)
Fabricio Da Silva Claudino (Instagram) An OnlyFans performer has agreed to plead guilty to recording consensual sex with his ex-boyfriend and then uploading the four-minute clip to his account without consent. Fabricio Da Silva Claudino, a former flight attendant for Emirates, reportedly filmed the episode without the boyfriend’s knowledge last year in July at their home in Marrickville, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. ABC News in Australia reports that Claudino indicated he will plead guilty to 11 counts of recording and distributing without consent several explicit images and a video clip. “The victim is clearly unaware of this activity being recorded and can be depicted in the recording as face down throughout,” read the police report entered into evidence. “At one point the defendant positions the mobile phone towards a mirror where his face is depicted … at no stage, did the victim consent to the defendant taking this recording.” Prior to posting the video, Claudino shared photos with the Australian boyfriend on the beach in Brazil with the caption, “Video coming up soon – stay tuned.” The 31-year-old amateur porn performer also shared graphic images of the victim naked in promoting his OnlyFans account to his social media accounts. He reportedly had 30,000 Instagram followers and over 100,000 Twitter followers at the time. Fabricio Da Silva Claudino (via Instagram) According to ABC News, the men met in Brazil, fell in love, and continued their relationship in Sydney. But the romance came to an end within five months. Claudino chose to remain in Australia after the affair and supported himself by modeling for life art classes as well as uploading content to his OnlyFans account. The Australian boyfriend told ABC News in February he discovered the videos while Claudino was visiting a friend in Melbourne. Apparently, distinctive body tattoos made it evident it was him. “I felt sick to the stomach when I recognized my body and then my face,” said the ex-boyfriend. “I didn’t know what to think, I couldn’t believe it.” Australian Federal Police arrested Claudino at Sydney airport when he returned from Melbourne after being contacted by the ex calling the privacy breach ‘revenge porn.’ Additionally, Claudino pleaded guilty on Tuesday to 15 counts of obscene and indecent exposure between September 2019 and February 2020. He had filmed himself exposing his penis while standing on the balcony of his apartment in full view of a Sydney high school and public park. He’s been held in Silverwater prison for the last five months having previously pleaded not guilty to the revenge porn charges. Claudino is due to be sentenced in court next month. (source: ABC.net.au)
A veterinary drug in use since the 1970s might offer a glimmer of hope in treating the coronavirus. From The Weather Channel:
A head lice drug has successfully killed the novel coronavirus within 48 hours in a laboratory setting, as per researchers in Australia.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia, has found the head lice drug Ivermectin could potentially be used—after further research and human trials — as a possible treatment for the COVID-19 disease.
To test how it performs against the novel coronavirus, the researchers infected some cells with the COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2 virus, and then exposed them to Ivermectin. Subsequently, they found that just a single dose of Ivermectin had successfully killed the virus in a petri dish.
There was a significant reduction in the virus in just 24 hours, and complete annihilation in less than 48 hours, which is indicative of the drug’s potent antiviral activity.
It goes without saying that, until human trials have been properly performed, it’s important not to consume, hoard, or prescribe this drug.
L-R Olivia Newton-John, Adam Lambert, kd lang Tens of thousands of Australians filled the ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Sunday for the Fire Fight Australia concert to celebrate national spirit and coming together after the recent brushfires. The ten-hour event was a fundraiser for organizations providing rescue, relief, recovery and rehabilitation assistance to areas ravaged by the brutal brushfires. The line-up included 5 Seconds of Summer, Olivia Newton-John, John Farnham, Michael Buble, Alice Cooper, Amy Shark, Tina Arena, Baker Boy, Conrad Sewell, Daryl Braithwaite, Delta Goodrem, Illy, Grinspoon, Guy Sebastian and Queen with Adam Lambert. According to reports, the event raised just over $9 million. For those interested, you can still donate by clicking here. Check out some of the highlights including k.d. lang’s haunting “Hallelujah;” a spectacular, take-no-prisoners performance of “We Are The Champions” by Adam Lambert and Queen; Australian music royalty Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham on “Two Strong Hearts;” and Australia’s unofficial national anthem, “You’re The Voice” closing out the event with Farnham being joined on stage by Queen’s Brian May and Mitch Tambo.
Wilson Gavin arguing with drag queen Diamond Good-Rim A conservative gay student who led a protest against a Drag Queen Story Hour this weekend was found dead of apparent suicide early Monday morning. The death of Wilson Gavin, 21, came one day after he faced intense backlash on social media when video clips that went viral showing he and 15-20 fellow students from the University of Queensland Liberal National Club storming into the Brisbane Square Library. Note: The Liberal National Party in Australia is a center-right party. The group began chanting “drag queens are not for kids” as Gavin was recorded arguing with drag queen Diamond Good-Rim. The Daily Mailreports the students were protesting against children “being indoctrinated with radical gender theories.” Organizers of the event, Rainbow Families Queensland (RFQ) said, “They entered the event chanting and scared the children. Some parents got them outside the room where they continued to chant loudly.” Hours later, Gavin was found dead at Chelmer Railway Station, reports The Star Observer. Emergency medical technicians say he died from critical injuries but have provided no further details. This wasn’t Gavin’s first time to protest LGBTQ issues. In 2017, he helped lead the “Our Voice. Our Vote.” group that opposed legalizing same-sex marriage. Wilson Gavin on Sky News in 2018 (screen capture)
During an interview with ABC Radio’s Patricia Karvelas, Gavin said, “Marriage has always been an institution between a man and a woman.”
Arguing that schools would “teach students about LGBTQ people” and churches would be forced to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies, he expressed concerns about what he called “the negative ramifications that can come directly from same-sex marriage.”
Sally Rugg, an LGBTQ activist who campaigned for marriage equality in Australia, tweeted, “Wilson Gavin was gay. I don’t know why he campaigned against SSM. I don’t know why he was so angry at a drag queen. I don’t know why he took his life. But I wish he was still here so he could have found us all. We would love him and forgive him. We do love and forgive him.”
Wilson Gavin was gay.
I don't know why he campaigned against SSM. I don't know why he was so angry at a drag queen. I don't know why he took his life.
But I wish he was still here so he could have found us all. We would love him and forgive him. We do love him and forgive him.
If you or someone you know are thinking about suicide and need someone to talk to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, you can call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue Australia on 1300 22 4636.
My husband Michael and I are devastated by the apocalyptic bushfires spreading across Australia for months now. And they show no signs of slowing down. According to reports, about 12.35 million acres have burned, destroying more than 1,400 homes and killing at least 23 people. It is estimated that more than half a billion wild animals have died in the fires. Entire towns have evacuated to the shores and volunteer firefighters have left their families and careers behind to fight the flames around the clock. If you feel inclined to help, it seems the leading organization to donate to is the Australian Red Cross. Australia’s Red Cross Disaster relief and recovery fund helps support evacuation centers and recovery programs for the affected communities. Additionally, the NSW Rural Fire Service has a donation page to support the firefighting efforts in New South Wales.
Another difficult day for communities around NSW. At midnight, with the threat still not over, there are 7 fires at Emergency Warning and 11 at Watch & Act. A state-wide total fire ban remains in place for Sunday, 5 Jan. #nswrfs#nswfirespic.twitter.com/jopBiTrHZT
The middle of the day at Main Beach, Merimbula. Streaks of black ash brought in with the tide stretchs along the beach. The oval behind is full of evacuees, all some have is their car and a tent #AustraliaBurning#AustraliaOnFirepic.twitter.com/JKKqgx8sOo
Thoughts and prayers with everyone in Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺
A desperate koala suffering through the soaring temperatures in South Australia approached a group of cyclists to drink from a water bottle. pic.twitter.com/48aIYntQgd
L-R Khaled and Mahmoud Khayat (images via Twitter) Brothers Khaled (52) and Mahmoud (34) Khayat were sentenced to lengthy prison sentences after planning to hide a bomb in their unsuspecting gay brother’s luggage on an international flight. The brothers schemed to blow up an Etihad Airways flight from Sydney, Australia, to Abu Dhabi in July 2017. According to the Newcastle Herald, they built a gas bomb in one of the men’s garage using plans transmitted with an encrypted app by their older brother, Tarek, who is a senior member of ISIS. They then hid the bomb inside a meat grinder which was placed in the luggage of their brother Amer, pretending it was a gift for family members. The court was told during the trial the attack was intended to support groups fighting the Syrian regime. “Neither offender was particularly close to Amer, although each said he loved him as a brother and spoke to him when he saw him,” said Justice Christine Adamson on Tuesday. “They disapproved of him because he drank, went clubbing, gambled and was gay which they regarded as bringing shame on the family.” The plan was foiled when a Sydney Airport attendant noticed Amer’s luggage was overweight. Khaled removed the bomb for fear of being discovered. The two brothers were found guilty in the NSW Supreme Court earlier this year of conspiring to prepare or plan a terrorist act. Adamson noted that, had the scheme gone as planned, “no one in the aircraft carrying the bomb and no one exposed to the poisonous gas would have survived.” ”The scale of the intended impact adds significantly to the gravity of the offence,” she added. Adamson sentenced Khaled to 40 years in prison and Mahmoud to 36 years with non-parole periods of 30 and 27 years respectively. The two men maintain they are innocent and plan to appeal their cases. Meanwhile, Amer spent two years in a Lebanese prison before being found not guilty of involvement in the plot by a military court in September. Tarek was found guilty in a Lebanese court and sentenced to hard labor for life for his participation in the plot. Last week, Amer said that despite his ordeal he still loves his brothers because they are his “blood.” (source: Newcastle Herald)
Pop superstar Elton John shocked his audience on Sunday when he stopped mid-song to go on a curse-laden rant at two security guards “Hey, you two security guards with the girl. F— off. Bring her back here immediately,” he said. “Come on you c—s. Morons, you both are, morons. You don’t treat girls like that. Leave her alone, you turds.” After hearing some gasps from the audience for using the c-word, Elton John apologized. “I apologize for the ‘c-word,’ I just hate people being assaulted, especially women by security guards. I have a pet hate of security guards anyway.”
Speaking to the Australian morning show Sunrise, journalist Peter Ford came to the defense of the security guards and added some behind-the-scenes info:
“A patron was in an area where she was not ticketed to be. The security guards, acting on the instructions of Elton John’s own team, tried to get her out. Elton caught it out of the corner of his eye and decided, I think, to play to the crowd by going on this rant.
“These were two people doing their job. Imagine how demeaned they would have felt at being abused by Elton John on the stage and then to have thousands of people in the crowd cheer him on. I think it was an appalling thing to do. If he’s got an issue he should be taking it up with his team, and today he should offer some sort of apology to the guards.”
Rugby player Israel Folau, whose contract was terminated in May for multiple homophobic social media posts, appears to be set to return to the game. CNN reports that the Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) announced Folau had been cleared to play for the Tonga national team at the upcoming Oceania Cup next month. In a press release, TNRL said both Folau and his 24-year-old brother, John, who already represents Tonga, “have registered to play league through the TNRL and are eligible to play in international rugby league fixtures.” Folau added, “I don’t want to bring any of my personal matters into this and I am grateful that the RLIF have endorsed my availability. What I will do now is focus on playing great rugby league and do my talking on the field.” However, the Oceania Cup is run by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) which would have to approve the decision. RLIF has publicly stated they have “not been formally asked to consider the matter.”
Peter Beattie says Israel Folau playing for Tonga has not been discussed.
“The RLIF has made no decision in relation to any registration request for Israel Folau. I can assure you that this has never been discussed or mentioned around the board table.”
Folau was one of Australia’s highest-paid athletes before being sacked for social media posts that declared homosexuals are destined for Hell. Just one of the posts that still remains on his Instagram:
After being accused of breaching the player’s code of conduct, the 30-year-old was dismissed from the Wallabies by Rugby Australia. He’s currently locked in a legal battle with Rugby Australia as he has filed suit seeking AUS$10 million ($7 million US). Folau maintains he was unfairly fired for “practicing his religion.” He attempted to raise AUS$3 million from fans through a crowdfunding campaign, but GoFundMe terminated the campaign saying they do not “tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion.” The Australian Christian Lobby, an extreme religious group, stepped in to help Folau raise over $2 million to fund his legal battles. (source: CNN)
Israel Folau pictured center (image via Wikimedia)
Homophobic Australian rugby player Israel Folau has filed a $10 million lawsuit to the Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia alleging he was sacked for his Christian beliefs.
Not only is the former Wallabies player demanding his job back, but 30-year-old also wants $10 million in compensation.
The Guardianreports Folau issued a statement regarding the lawsuit which read, in part, “No Australian of any faith should be fired for practicing their religion.”
But Rugby Australia maintains that it was Folau’s breach of the players’ code of conduct via his anti-LGBTQ social media posts that caused his dismissal, not “practicing his religion.”
The code of conduct requires players to “treat everyone equally, fairly and with dignity regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious background, age or disability.”
This is what Folau characterizes as “practicing” his religion:
A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT
“Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport,” said Rugby Australia at the time. “We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.”
In June, Folau launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to pay for his anticipated legal fees. But GoFundMe canceled that effort saying, “While we welcome GoFundMes engaging in diverse civil debate, we do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion.”
But the Australian Christian Lobby, an extreme religious group, jumped in and helped Folau raise over $2 million for his legal battles to come.
It’s worth noting that Folau is a millionaire several times over. According to TheAustralian.com, he owns 8 homes worth over $5 million and a $500k Lamborghini.
So, why does he need fans to pay his legal bills?
In April of 2018, Folau said he has “no phobia towards anyone” but would not recant his social media antics. At the time he told rugby officials he would “walk away from his contract” if he comments hurt his sport.
Dr. Mohamed A. Hammoud, the lead author of the study, told QNews decades of coping with the HIV epidemic has taught gay and bisexual men how to be adaptive in the face of health threats. “Our community has a long history of creating innovative strategies to reduce risk,” explained Hammoud. “[We’re] seeing this continue with this new health challenge.” Hammoud added, “The results from our study show that an overwhelming majority of gay and bisexual men have adapted their behavior and are adhering to physical distancing guidelines.” There is an upside to the drop in hooking up. The decline in casual sex will likely result in “a reduction in new HIV and STI diagnoses in the short term,” according to Associate Professor Garrett Prestage, one of the co-authors of the study. “Trends in these diagnoses are likely to fluctuate significantly in response to changes in physical distancing restrictions,” said Prestage. The new study was published in the medical journal JAIDS on Friday. (Source: QNews)
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