Tag: Australia

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Extremist-Right Christian Group Launches New Crowd-Funding Campaign For Homophobic Rugby Player

Enter the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), a Christian extremist political lobbying group, who have now set up a new fundraiser on its website with the same goal of $3 million on Folau’s behalf, kicking in the first $100,000 themselves.
Homophobic rugby player Israel Folau

Yesterday, I reported on homophobic Australian rugby player Israel Folau, whose hateful, anti-LGBTQ social media posts resulted in his being stripped of his multi-million dollar contract with Rugby Australia.

Looking to sue the sports organization, Folau launched a crowd-funding campaign via GoFundMe hoping to raise AUS$3 million.

But GoFundMe shut down the campaign citing terms of service violations and writing in a statement that, “We do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion.”

Enter the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), a Christian extremist political lobbying group, who have now set up a new fundraiser on its website with the same goal of $3 million on Folau’s behalf, kicking in the first $100,000 themselves.

Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:30 KJV _______________
A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT

As of this writing, ACL has banked over $1.5 million in just a day.

“There is an outpouring of support for Israel Folau from the Australian community, who see Israel’s case as their case,” said ACL managing director, Martyn Iles. “They feel the pinch of political correctness, and the erosion of their basic freedoms.”

“Folau’s supporters will only be emboldened in their commitment by what has happened,” adds Iles. “They were concerned about their freedoms, and GoFundMe has yet again reminded them that their concerns are real.”

“Israel’s case is our case if we want to live free and embrace our beliefs without fear of being marginalized or discriminated against.”

According to ACL, the new funds will be deposited in a trust for Folau to use only for legal expenses.

As I previously reported, TheAustralian.com says the 30-year-old rugby player is nowhere near the poor house as he owns seven homes located in and around Sydney reported to be worth over $5 million, and drives a $500,000 Lamborghini.

Why does he need his fans to pay his legal fees?
#suckers

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“No Dough For You” – Crowdfunding Campaign For Homophobic Rugby Player Shut Down

Israel Folau (cropped image via Flickr/DavidMalloy – CC License)

Crowdfunding company GoFundMe has said, “No dough for you!” to sacked homophobic rugby star Israel Folau.

Over the weekend, GoFundMe shut down the crowdfunding campaign launched by Folau to pay for his legal defense citing violations in their terms of service.

“As a company, we are absolutely committed to the fight for equality for LGBTIQ+ people and fostering an environment of inclusivity,” said GoFundMe spokesperson Nicola Britton in a statement. “While we welcome GoFundMes engaging in diverse civil debate, we do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion.”

Britton noted that GoFundMe would be refunding all donations made to Folau’s campaign.

The campaign had raised AUS$700,000 before being terminated.

The former full-back had set a goal of AUS$3 million as he prepares to sue Rugby Australia for stripping him of his four-year contract reported to be worth AUS$5 million.

The action was a result of homophobic social media posts. Folau is a fundamentalist Christian, and on April 10 he posted a graphic on his Instagram telling homosexuals (among other people) “Hell Awaits You.”

Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:30 KJV _______________
A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT

After his contract was terminated, he challenged the decision and asked for a ‘code of conduct’ panel to decide.

“Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation,” said Rugby Australia at the time.

“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,” the statement continued. “We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.”

The Sydney Morning Herald reports the former rugby star has filed a complaint with Australia’s Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia and Waratahs Rugby Pty Ltd. saying “his employment was unlawfully terminated because of his religion.”

He is reportedly looking for AUS$10 million in damages.

Rugby Australia responded saying, “He was bound by a code of conduct for all professional player in Australia that spells out clear guidelines and obligations regarding player behavior, including respectful use of social media.”

After the crowdfunding campaign was shut down, Folau’s former teammate Drew Mitchell tweeted, “YOU are in fight that YOU chose to be in after YOU broke the terms of YOUR contract, the kids below are in a fight they NEVER wanted to be in & yet YOU think YOU deserve donations more than they do???!!”

Mitchell added, “It’s not longer about religion, it’s about YOU and YOUR greed.”

According to TheAustralian.com, Folau owns 8 homes worth over $5 million.

He also apparently owns a $500k Lamborghini. So, why can’t he pay his own legal bills.

Mitchell may be right on that point – “greed.”

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Australia: Man Receives HIV Diagnosis While Using PrEP ‘On Demand’

Steven Spencer, who lives in Sydney, told the Sydney Morning Herald he received the diagnosis in December.

“I was in complete, as were my doctors,” said the 27-year-old.

With an estimated half a million people currently taking PrEP (aka Truvada) to prevent HIV infection, Spencer is believed to be the 7th person in the world to be diagnosed as HIV+ while taking the medication.

Taking PrEP “on demand” is a dosing strategy aimed at taking the medication only at specific times before and after sex.

Dr. Darren Russell, of the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine – which helped develop Australia’s clinical guidelines for PrEP – told the Morning Herald, “Taking PrEP only around the time of sexual events allows for fewer tablets to be taken overall, resulting in less exposure to medication, potentially fewer side-effects, and lower costs.”

Medical experts in Australia stressed to the media that people shouldn’t doubt the drug’s effectiveness in light of Mr. Spencer’s diagnosis.

Andrew Grulich, program head of HIV Epidemiology and Prevention at the University of NSW’s Kirby Institute, underscored the point that PrEP had been a “game-changer for HIV prevention in Australia” since it was made available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (which provides subsidized prescription drugs) in April 2018.

“Individuals should remain confident of PrEP’s effectiveness,” he added.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control say daily PrEP reduces the getting HIV by more than 90%.

According to Grulich, most of the cases where patients acquired HIV while using PrEP involved a virus that is resistant to the anti-viral medication.

Steven Spencer of Sydney, Australia

Immediately after his diagnosis, Spencer was put on HIV medications, and within six weeks was declared to have an ‘undetectable viral load’ meaning he couldn’t transmit the virus to anyone.

And Spencer still believes in the PrEP protocol.

“What happened to me doesn’t change the fact that PrEP is still the most powerful HIV preventative we have ever had,” said Spencer.

“It is protecting hundreds of thousands of people from HIV in an empowering way, alongside effective treatment for people living with HIV,” he added.

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News Round-Up: March 7, 2019

Is it weird that I think InstaHunk Ignacio Pérez Rey (above) rocks these board shorts even better than a Speedo?

Some news items you might have missed:

• Is it weird that I think InstaHunk Ignacio Pérez Rey (above) rocks these board shorts even better than a Speedo?

• A federal judge in Maryland has lifted his order against President Trump’s transgender military ban, bringing the administration one step closer toward enforcing the hideous policy.

• Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on passage of the Equality Act, which will be introduced in the House next week: “I’m very pleased because we have a great deal of outside support for it, which I hope will help us pass it in the Senate. We most certainly will pass it overwhelmingly in the House.”

• A recently-released biography of Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood fame, says that the children’s television icon was bisexual?

• The U.S. Senate voted this week to confirm 36-year-old Allison Jones Rushing to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, handing the 36-year-old judge a lifetime seat on one of the nation’s top courts. Not only is she now the youngest and least experienced member of the judiciary, she spent a decade working with one of the most virulently anti-gay groups in America.

• Homocon and provocateur Milo Yiannopolous has been banned from entering Australia. #Good

• Bi actress/singer/model Paris Jackson says she doesn’t believe the claims in the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland that her father, Michael Jackson, was a child sex abuser.

• And I close with this fabulously ‘groovy’ clip from the Carol Burnett Show in 1967 with the incomparable, 4-time Tony Award winner, Gwen Verdon.

And that awesome dancer who starts out with the silver horn is my dear friend, Lee Roy Reams 🙂

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Victoria To Become First Australian State To Ban ‘Conversion Therapy’

David Andrews, the Premier of Victoria, announced today that his state will be the first in Australia to introduce a ban on so-called ‘conversion therapy.’

Today, Cath and I will attend another Midsumma Pride March together.

We’ll march alongside thousands of other Victorians, united in the belief that everyone should be able to celebrate who they are with pride.

But for far too long and for far too many Victorians, an evil practice has instead peddled in shame and stigma.

These activities – commonly referred to as ‘gay conversion therapy’ – claim to be able to change someone’s sexuality or gender identity.

What they really are is a most personal form of torture, a cruel practice that perpetuates the idea that LGBTI people are in some way broken.

Some survivors, seeking genuine professional support, have instead found themselves on the other end of this bigoted quackery.

Others have sought it out, forced to believe that they somehow need to be ‘cured’.

But it’s not LGBTI people who need to change. It’s our laws.

That’s why, in an Australian first, we will introduce new legislation to ensure so-called ‘conversion therapy’ is against the law – once and for all.

We’ll drag these practices from the dark ages and into the brightest of lights.

We’ll put an end to the suffering and help survivors to heal.

And we’ll send the clearest message of all:

Here in Victoria, not only are you good enough – you’re worth celebrating.

As I’ve reported many times, major health care organizations like the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association and the America Academy of Pediatrics have denounced the harmful practice of conversion therapy, which treats being gay as a mental illness.

Study after study shows ‘ex-gay therapy’ can lead to anxiety, depression, and in some cases, suicide.

Bravo, Victoria, bravo!

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News Round-Up: January 24, 2019

Ryan Worley (photo: Vinnie Cassidy)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Las Vegas based photographer Vinnie Cassidy captures a gorgeous sunset moment (above) with Chippendales’ hottie, Ryan Worley.

• Australia’s postal survey on marriage equality in 2017 led to increased levels of anxiety and depression among LGBTs, according to a new study.

• The Supreme Court of Japan has ruled unanimously to uphold a law which forces transgender people to get sterilized before they can legally change their gender.

• An openly gay congressman who is a political opponent of anti-LGBT Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is leaving his job and the country amid death threats.

• In a ‘Hold my Dom Pérignon’ moment, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross (who is a billionaire) says he doesn’t understand why federal workers not getting paid during the Trump shutdown don’t just ‘take out loans’ to feed their families. #clueless

• The Trump Administration has waived anti-discrimination requirements for a federally-funded child welfare agency in South Carolina opening the door for discrimination of LGBTQ and non-Christian people who may be seeking to foster or adopt.

• Citing the recent article in The Atlantic regarding allegations of sexual abuse against director Bryan Singer, GLAAD has made the decision to remove Bohemian Rhapsody from contention for a GLAAD Media Award in the ‘Outstanding Film – Wide Release’ category this year.

• Dido has shared a gorgeous live rendition of her new single “Give You Up,” from her first album in five years, Still On My Mind, out March 8th.

Dido describes the track as “a good break up song, where you’ve been hurt but feel strong.”

“It’s that point in a relationship where you are pulling yourself out of the gutter and deciding that it’s their loss,” she adds. “Which I can totally relate to.”

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Australian Wedding Magazine Closes Up Shop After Discriminating Against Same-Sex Weddings

White Magazine, an Australian wedding magazine, has shuttered after facing backlash for not including same-sex couples in the publication.

Founders Luke and Carla Burrell announced in a blog post that White Magazine would be shutting down after 12 years due to pressures after the legalization of same-sex marriage in Australia at the beginning of the year.

Celebrating love and relationships – rather than selling products – has always been White’s message.

Last year the Australian law was changed to allow same-sex couples to marry. Since then we have been asked repeatedly why our magazine had not yet featured all couples.

Like many people, we have had to reflect on our beliefs, not to judge ourselves or others, but to intentionally make space for new conversations. It’s a long and continuing journey, it’s not black and white, there are so many grey areas that need to be explored. Our greatest mandate is to love and the biggest question we’ve continued to ask ourselves throughout it is, how do we best love?

Interestingly, the Burrell’s version of ‘best love’ was to not allow same-sex weddings to be presented in their publication.

After writing that they have “no desire but to love,” the Burrells say they had hoped to have “space to work through our thoughts and feelings.”

But they claim a “campaign” was launched against them and they’ve lost sponsors due to their one-sided position on the issue.

“We hope that one day soon our society can learn to accept people’s differences and different points of view and love each other no matter what,” they write in closing. “That’s where real positive change begins.”

The irony here for me, as an LGBTQ advocate, is the Burrells continue to pretend they didn’t ‘take a side’ when clearly they did. They didn’t learn to accept gay and lesbian couples’ differences.

Instead, they chose to ignore those same-sex couples who celebrated their happiest days.

And regarding losing sponsors, this would seem to me to be the free market at work.

In the end, statements of “How do we best love?” and “We’re not about sides, we’re about love, patience and kindness,” ring false for people running an admittedly secular publication who ultimately chose discrimination over equality.

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Out Music: Philip La Rosa “Drowning”

Out indie artist Philip LaRosa debuts his new single and music video, “Drowning.”

The music video, dedicated to those affected by depression and anxiety, is being released in advance of World Mental Health Day observed around the globe tomorrow, October 10.

The poignant video utilizes striking imagery of being emotionally “underwater” – struggling to stay afloat, in a sea of emotions that on the surface, may not look that deep to others.

LGBTQ people know well how difficulty with self-acceptance and facing social stigma creates heavy mental and emotional pressures on a day-to-day level.

The Australian singer/songwriter says the new track was inspired by his closest friend’s personal struggle with depression and anxiety.

“The song came together after they shared some personal memoirs with me,” says La Rosa. “The idea was to write a song about some of those feelings and emotions to help shine a light on mental health.”

After sharing the track with director Charmaine Murray, she came up with a visual concept that metaphorically represents “the constant up and down battle of depression and anxiety and the strength required to continually pull yourself up out of the deep end, and the ability to stay above water and keep your head as high as you can.”

Personal demons are no stranger to La Rosa who was bullied in school to the point that he not only dropped out but stopped performing entirely.

“I wish I had handled things differently,” shares the indie artist. “I wish I approached the bullies and had an open discussion about what they were going through. Maybe they were being bullied too?”

Instead, La Rosa focused on building his own digital design business at the age of 18.

But new friends – “amazing people who helped me stay positive” – led La Rosa back to his true passion.

Now 25-years-old, he says, “I used everything I had been through to help shape my music and myself.”

“I think the one thing ‘grownup Philip’ has taken away from it all is the people,” explains the Perth-based singer. “Surround yourself with positive people, any form of negativity (even if it’s not directed at you) will have a negative impact on your wellbeing.”

La Rosa acknowledges that credo has become a motivating factor in the music he creates, saying, “If I’m putting something out that the world can see and hear, I want it to have a positive impact, even if only affects one person.”

In 2016, LaRosa released his passionate anthem “Pride,” which encourages folks to be proud of who they are despite social pressures and stigma that affect LGBTQ folks on a daily basis.

“Whether in school, at work or in the community, so many people are judgmental of everyone and who they are – gender, sexuality, fashion, political views, religious beliefs… you name it,” says LaRosa. “I just wanted to write something that people could scream from rooftops.”

“Fight for who you are,” he emphasizes. “Be proud of who you are. Love who you are, and of course, love everyone along the way.”

Hit the play button above to watch La Rosa’s new music video, “Drowning,” and for more info about Philip La Rosa and his music head over to his official website here.

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Australia: HIV+ Man Receives 4.5 Years In Prison For Knowingly Infecting Boyfriend

An Australian man has pleaded guilty to infecting his former boyfriend with HIV.
Martin Peter Jaksic (image via Facebook)

An Australian man has pleaded guilty to infecting his former boyfriend with HIV.

Martin Peter Jaksic was diagnosed as HIV positive in 2010. But he never shared that news with the man he would soon meet and go on to date for six years even though he was fully aware of the risks.

In a Sydney courtroom on Wednesday, Jaksic pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily hard to his former boyfriend.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the 31-year-old told the court in a letter than he had been in denial after receiving his own diagnosis and admitted that what he had done to the victim was “cowardly and unthinkable.”

Judge Peter Zahra showed no sympathy for Jaksic saying, “The offender’s conduct was a gross betrayal of trust and a contemptible and callous disregard for the victim’s life.”

“At all times (he) would have been aware of the grave risk of the victim suffering serious illness which had the potential to be life-threatening,” the judge added. “The continuing effect of the harm caused to the victim is incalculable.”

The former boyfriend shared in his victim impact statement that due to his infection he now faces “internal wounds and emotional struggles” that will never heal.

The ex-boyfriend told the court that when he entered into what he believed to be a “close and loving” monogamous relationship more than 6 years ago, Jaksic did not share his HIV status.

Even though the couple had unprotected sex during their relationship, Jaksic never suggested using condoms or any other protection.

The victim added that after trusting Jaksic during their six year relationship, he nows sees him as someone who behaved “dishonestly, callously and ruthlessly.”

Jaksic was arrested at the airport in January 2016 attempting to flee Sydney.

He received the maximum sentence of four years and six months in prison.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 24 states in the U.S. have laws which specifically require persons who are aware that they have HIV to disclose their status to sexual partners.

Penalties vary from state to state with some treating the transmission of HIV as a felony and others as a misdemeanor.

There has been a movement, however, in recent years to repeal these HIV-specific laws due to the success of antiretroviral therapy which can bring viral levels down to undetectable.

In that the CDC’s current medical policy is that “undetectable=untransmittable,” many feel those who are HIV+ but undetectable shouldn’t be prosecuted in the same manner as they once were at the height of the epidemic.

The REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act was introduced in Congress in 2011. The legislation would call for a review of all federal and state laws involving the criminal prosecution of people for HIV-related offenses.

(h/t Sydney Morning Herald)

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Australia’s Jordan Bruno Named Mr. Gay World 2018

Australian chef and author Jordan Bruno named Mr. Gay World 2018
Jordan Bruno, Mr. Gay World 2018
(photo: Fred LeMarche)

Australian author and chef Jordan Bruno has been crowned Mr. Gay World 2018.

This marks the first time an Aussie has taken the coveted title since the competition began ten years ago.

According to the official website, the aim of the global contest is to “inspire and empower gay men to come together in a public performance that would show the world that being gay encompasses a broad spectrum.”

Over an intense four days, contestants compete in several categories including a sports challenge, a photo shoot competition, a runway fashion show and a swim suit competition.

Bruno won six out of 12 competition categories including personal interview, social responsibility, best in formal wear, online vote, photogenic and face of 2018.

“I was overwhelmed and it’s really an honor. For Australia, it gives us visibility and recognition, but it also gives us permission to help the world now. With the title behind me, I’m able to shine a light on different LGBTI issues across the world,” said Bruno.

The handsome 26-year-old says he wants to use his title to help bring the LGBTQ community together by addressing issues like femme shaming, body issues, lesbian discrimination at pride events and more.

New Zealand’s Ricky Devine-White and India’s Samarpan Maiti won second and third place respectively.

Bruno says he became close to his competitors over the course of the contest telling Attitude Magazine, “The fact [is] that you are in a competition and you’re also like a family at the same time, which is quite interesting because you are competing against each other but also each other’s best friend as well.”

“I’ll keep in touch with all of these guys, they are now part of the family when we travel to their countries,” he added.

Check out more pics of the woofy Mr. Jordan Bruno below.