Been There Done That

19 Jul 2018

Celebrations around the world …

Anniversary, Disasters, Diversity, Environment, Gay, History, Pop Culture, Science

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We remark on the changing nature of our gay world – the good, the bad and the fun aspects.

Locally, we note the Uniting Church of Australia will now allow ministers to marry same-gender couples in their churches, and they will also allow those ministers to opt out if they are not in favour. Sounds like a well-balanced response to the current scene.
Sadly, we have to report that in the province of Aceh in Indonesia, Islamic Sharia law is being fiercely enacted – recently a gay couple were flogged 80 times each in front of a vocal crowd of 1,000.
And in Israel, LGBTI couples are excluded from amended surrogacy bill amendments, requiring gay couples to remain childless.
Happily, the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon attended Pride Glasgow march, wearing a rainbow t-shirt with the words ‘Choose Love’, leading the march through the streets.

Are you alarmed? No, but Melbourne’s CBD is! Recently, a test was conducted on the streets of our CBD, for public mass-communication purposes, in the event of emergencies, just like our existing building emergency and warning alarms in city office buildings. This adds to the suite of other surveillance cameras and shop-owners CCTV installations.
Phil reminds us that in other countries, public authorities have to warn their populations in the event of earthquakes, floods, storm or even Tsunamis.
Modern technology is now keeping an eye on ‘everything’ for us. Individual privacy is the one casualty, in the name of public benefit.

Gordon tells of his teenage heart-throb Tab Hunter who died recently at 86 yo. Tab was a product of and captive to the Hollywood scene where gay sexuality was kept hidden. Yet, he survived that cruel environment.

We talk about The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever – an event held at locations around the world where participants recreate the music video for musician Kate Bush’s 1978 song Wuthering Heights, and even in Melbourne guys and girls in red dresses lined up to mimic Kate Bush.

We also comment on the Northern Hemisphere’s month-long Pride Season, with public marches, events and parties making the most of their summer season.

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

Show #813 – First broadcast on 17 July 2018