Been There Done That

13 Sep 2018

Dummy spits … let’s get serious!

Anniversary, Community, Diversity, Gay, History, Politics

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This week, we consider the recent behaviour of some public figures who have behaved badly and damaged their own reputations.

Gordon chats with Tristan Meecham – the events producer of ‘All the Queens Men’ – about the forthcoming formal “The Coming Back Out Ball”, to be held on 25 Oct 2018 in the Melbourne Town Hall for GLBTI elders and allies.

It is with hindsight that the importance of historic events is recognised:
* We comment upon the tragic Great Fire of London in September 1666 which rendered 100,000 residents homeless and destroyed dozens of significant public buildings. However, the fire did cleanse the city of rats which carried the Great Plague – a killer disease of that era.
* In London in September 1854, another epidemic was halted by the simple action of removing the handle to the pump which the public used to draw contaminated water, thereby spreading the dreadful disease cholera. One positive consequence was the realisation of the link and a process of managing this and many other diseases.
* At this time we also reflect upon the tragic events in New York on 11/9/2001 from the coordinated terrorist attacks on major buildings, with huge loss of life and destruction – truly a world-changing event, brought into starker realisation by the real-time live TV broadcasts from the scene. We also comment on Mark Bingham – the gay sportsman and victim of these events of 11 Sept 2001, and remind ourselves of his life and selfless actions in the face of the terrorists.

We report on the recent repeal of ancient British laws in India which outlawed gay sexual behaviour and affected 78 million GLBTI people. This is but the first step in obtaining equality.

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

Show #821 – First broadcast on 11 September 2018