Been There Done That

14 Dec 2017

Changing attitudes – breaking down barriers of ignorance

Activism, Community, Gay, History, Icons, Lesbian, Politics, Pop Culture, Space, Visibility, Youth

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Changing attitudes – breaking down barriers of ignorance

While we celebrate the arrival of Marriage Equality, we should not overlook the statistics of the postal ballot – showing a seismic shift in the attitude of the general public for matters of respect for our gay-and-allied communities. As well as big-business appearing to be in touch with current attitudes, it seems that the parents of our current youth have recognised what we always believed – that we deserve equality (in lots of areas) and the parents and extended families have supported the YES vote in the postal ballot. Further, it is great that the younger voters have been involved in the political process in a tangible way.

From our Gay Birthday Book, we have selected local proudly-gay pop singer Anthony Callea and Sydney-based gay medical practitioner and politician Dr Karen Phelps – who rose to be President of the AMA Australian Medical Association, and has been decorated for her services to medicine with awards including a Centenary Medal and an Order of Australia. Another notable birthday belongs to Arthur C Clarke the gay British/Sri Lankan novelist, inventor, science fiction writer and futurist who wrote novels earning him the title “Prophet of the Space Age”, especially for his 1968 science fiction novel “2001 – a Space Odyssey” developed with Stanley Kubrick for the film of the same name.

We have fun as Gordon tries to convince us that the TV science fiction series ‘Dr Who’ is worthy of our attention, while Phil has an alternative opinion.

Around this time in 1859, Charles Darwin printed the controversial ‘Origin of the Species’, which recorded a widely-held scientific theory of genetic development in the natural world. One of his fellow scientists, Alfred Wallace, separately developed this theory and together they came to the same conclusions, but Darwin received the credit. Wallace also recorded the line of bio-geographic demarcation of species separating our Australian sub-continent from Asia.

Listen to these stories and some merriment – presented by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

First broadcast on 12 December 2017