Been There Done That

25 Jan 2019

Midsumma time … and the livin’ is breezy!

Community, Gay, History, Icons, Pop Culture, Visibility

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Midsumma time … and the livin’ is breezy!

We attended our community’s ‘midsumma Carnival Day’ on Sunday 20 January 2019 at Alexandra Gardens – All happy and gay – what a great day.

In this week’s program, we refer to the ongoing example of Peter Tatchell – Melbourne born, now living in England, where he continues to OutRage and advocate for our community. We track his life’s timeline & achievements, and applaud his motivation for our equality and rights.

From international sources, we learn that both Israel and New York State have banned gay conversion therapy in recognition of its futility and its anti-GLBTQ discrimination. Meanwhile Canada has announced a new $1 one dollar coin to be issued in recognition of the 50^th year anniversary of the decriminalisation of gay sexual activities in Canada. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau instigated that legislation and his son the current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced this celebratory coin.

We chat about David Bowie (born 8/01/1947, d. 10/01/2016), who led a very different life to the rest of us, but left a wonderful legacy, with his music, an original and singular voice in rock & roll music for nearly 50 years; a fashion icon and androgynous glam-rocker, a new-wave hit-maker and techno enthusiast. These were some of the many guises of this singer/actor.

Another Brit singer with a birthday at this time is Will Young (b 20/01/1979) who achieved fame and fortune by not being outrageous or OTT.

In world events, we recall January 1967 – the Outer Space Treaty and the fiery explosion of Apollo 1 Space rocket; then in January 1986 the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded with the loss of seven lives. On the recent news of China landing on the dark side of the moon, we wonder if they have suffered the same sorts of disasters in their quest to get into space. In quieter days (in 1841) China gave Britain the island which grew into Hong Kong; then in 1997 sovereignty reverted to China, being the first of many claims in China’s expansion into a world power.

Meanwhile, we grumble about the forthcoming Australia Day celebration, and remind ourselves that it was only on 21/01/1827 that the entire Australian continent was claimed as British territory. Only the East Coast of the continent was claimed and named as New South Wales at the events of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, and the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip. How appropriate is the 26^th January? Is there some merit in the moves to ‘change the date’?

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

Show #840 – First broadcast on 22 January 2019