In our anniversaries, we are reminded about the Partnerships Bill passed in Victoria on 14 March 2008, whereby couples could register their relationships and enjoy some rights and respect for their relationship. This was a forerunner but not quite a substitute for equal rights and same-sex marriage.        On 11 Feb 1969, Michael Kirby (later to be High Court judge) met his life partner Johan van Vloten and on the 50^th anniversary of that event, the two were married under the recently passed marriage-equality legislation.

We also talk about the realisation that biodiversity is dwindling in nature, and that the insect populations are disappearing at a dangerously fast rate. We suggest that we humans are overusing insecticides and creating mono-cultures in crops and vegetation. Other casualties as a result of clear fell forestry are birdlife and forest animals – including Leadbeater’s Possum, our Victorian fauna emblem since 2^nd March 1971.

From the international press, we learn that a Malaysian politician has pronounced that there are no gay people in Malaysia, much to the amusement but consternation of the gay community, who are now proudly declaring their existence. When Malaysian students leave their country for higher education courses, many find a new freedom away from prying eyes and they discover their latent sexuality. Meanwhile, attendees at an Arab States Conference were made aware of the acceptance in many other countries of gay citizens as part of the Human Rights charter of the United Nations.

Finally, Gordon boasts of his forthcoming sea cruise.

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

Show #847                  First broadcast on 12 March 2019   

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We note the anniversaries of cyclone Tracy, which devastated Darwin in 1975, and the three weeks of extensive and catastrophic bushfires in New South Wales in 2001, and wonder if history is just repeating?

Phil reminds us that it is less than 30 years since primitive intra-networks evolved into the World Wide Web with the development of the http commonality protocols which made multiple PC inter-connectivity possible.

We keep changing our Prime Ministers (or losing them). In 1967, PM Harold Holt went swimming at treacherous Cheviot Beach Portsea, and he never returned and was presumed drowned. And in 1975, after the collapse of the Labor Party and Prime Ministership of Gough Whitlam, the alternative government of Liberal Malcolm Fraser was sworn in with a 55-seat majority – leading to a long period of political stewardship by the Liberal-LNP Coalition. The current political circumstances indicates the forthcoming federal election may end in another flip-swap.

From the Anniversaries Book, we recognize the birthday of Simon Helberg (not gay) – star of ‘Big Bang Theory’ and faux-gay-bro to the character Raj. In real life, Simon is an accomplished pianist musician and starred in the recent film about operatic Florence Foster Jenkins. Another past-celebrity whose birthday we acknowledge is gay (Sir) Noel Coward – English aesthete, playwright, composer, director, actor and singer; and we note the passing of gay (Sir) Nigel Hawthorne – best known for his role in the BBC political comedy series ‘Yes Minister’.

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

Show #835 – First broadcast on 18 December 2018  

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From the international press, we learn of the sequel story and film to the highly successful film ‘Call me by your Name’ and the desire of the original actors to continue in their roles as same-sex lovers. Political pressures in Italy are restricting would-be GLBTQ refugees trying to enter Italy, if they are fleeing anti-gay countries. Meanwhile in Thailand, a marriage equality bill could make history (if it is implemented), by legalising same-sex marriage in a separate law rather than expanding the existing definition of marriage. Such a law could be subject to a change in status in the future.

We applaud the voters who ensured that Kerryn Phelps gained a valuable Independent seat in the recent 2018 by-election for Wentworth in Sydney, succeeding where the Liberal candidate failed. We reflect upon Kerryn’s political career, as well as her role in the medical profession, and as a prominent mover in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.

From the Anniversaries Book, we celebrate Anthony Callea’s birthday. At this time in 1859, Charles Darwin published ‘Origin of the Species’ – a controversial theory of natural genetics and evolution. Sir David Attenborough has taught the modern student about the world with the benefit of modern science and technology, and locally our own Harry Butler (died in 2015) did much the same from the Australian perspective and with the assistance of the indigenous communities.

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

Show #834 – First broadcast on 11 December 2018 

The post Soon it will be Easter … appeared first on Been There Done That.

More importantly, we note that Mathew Shepard’s ashes are to be interred in Washington’s National Cathedral, some 20 years after his death. His place in modern society is being respected and honoured, despite being a graphic example of human behaviour of homophobia and hatred.

Our near-neighbours Malaysia have reviewed their colonial laws and decided to repeal the barbaric death penalty, and we compare this to the recent action by India to repeal the colonial law which criminalised gay sex.

The anniversary at this time of the political reunion of West and East Germany is recalled, and we note that the public are still readjusting their expectations of their society. Locally, we consider the turmoil of our own political parties as they juggle and jostle in throes of self-destruction. Where will it end up, we ask?

It was 45 years ago that the Sydney Opera House was opened by The Queen, and now we have a visit by Prince Harry and his newly pregnant wife. We wonder if the royals are acceptable alternatives compared to some international leaders, despots, demagogues, tyrants or dictators? We are distracted by the recent actions to commercialise the sails of the Opera House for the purposes of promotion of gambling, and we wonder if we in Melbourne are too genteel by comparison.

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

Show #826 – First broadcast on 16 October 2018

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We mention three members of our community who lead very interesting lives – being born as one gender then realising the appropriateness of transitioning to their gender of choice. We talk about tennis star Renee Richards, Olympic star Caitlin Jenner and Chelsea Manning who was involved with the public release of US Government documents.

We are reminded that some serious injustices have been committed against our first peoples. We detail the circumstances of the Coniston Massacres – a 2-month revenge rampage by white forces in 1928 against the aboriginal population, resulting in over 100 innocent deaths.
In 1966, the 7-year long protest by indigenous employees at the Wave Hill cattle station against wage and living conditions, resulted in the handing back of land to the local peoples, as enacted symbolically by PM Whitlam and an elder of the Gurindji peoples (see photo).

And at this time in August, we also reflect upon the death of Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

The terror of Mount Vesuvius’ violent eruption in the year 79, is relived each 24 August in Italy. The poisonous gasses which rolled down the slopes of the mountain engulfed the town of Pompeii and the innocent people who were caught unawares, to be buried in the volcanic ash.

Luckily, our mood is lightened by the wonderful spring blooms of  Australia’s National Wattle Day celebrations.

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

Show #819 – First broadcast on 28 August 2018

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We chat about the modern recurrence of slavery in our society – unpaid and unjust enslavement in the 21^st Century, and here in Australia.

The recent volcanic activity around the rim of the Pacific Ocean highlights the fragility of the surface of Earth, the power and terror of volcanoes, their eruptions, ash, lava and earthquakes, which lead to uncontrolled effects upon our weather patterns, land masses and populations.

Fences are used to protect property, separate animals from people or keep people separated from each other. We talk about the longest fence in the world (1930), which divided Australia from North to South, to keep the scourge of feral rabbits from invading Western Australia. This same fence traversed indigenous country and split communities. Wrapped into this story is the tale of three juvenile girls, plucked from their northern homes to be trained as ‘domestic staff’, and retold in ‘Rabbit-Proof Fence’ – a must-see film. They escaped from their servitude and walked over 2400 km along the fence, back to their homes.

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

Show #818 – First broadcast on 21 August 2018

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It is just 200 years since the first anti-cruelty to animals Bill was passed in the British Parliament. Since then, we have become more aware of the plight of the way we humans treat animals – as beasts of burden, as exhibits in zoo, creatures for sport, or as food.

On the World scene, we report about Singapore’s Gay Celebrations during the Month of August, as they find a place in the restrictive scene in Singapore; At this year’s AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, Prince Harry highlighted the need to eliminate the stigma from HIV/AIDS; The situation of a long-term lesbian couple being banned from joining a US seniors village is also discussed.

On the 69^th anniversary of the creation of the Snowy Mountains Authority in 1949, we wonder whether the original scheme would meet current environmental impact scrutiny, and how Snowy II, as promoted by the current government, will be possible with climate change, droughts and the possible lack of water resources for an expansion of the Hydro scheme.

Did you know that some of QANTAS’s its earlier aircraft were assembled from a ‘box of bits’, rather than being built in a factory, fully tested and airworthy?

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

Show #816 – First broadcast on 7 August 2018

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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

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Phil talks us through the dramatic series of events occurring in Hawaii as a consequence of the current volcanic activity (locally referred to as ‘Pele’ – Volcano Goddess), and his personal experiences in San Francisco’s tremors.

We celebrate the growth of a gay radio station in Nepal as they seek more presenters and content, while the nearby mysterious country of Myanmar celebrates their gay choir successfully performing in public, in an act of education and familiarisation for their general population.

We compare and contrast when New Zealand became a British colony – with the Waitangi Treaty registering inter alia the status, responsibilities and role of the Maori populations; and meanwhile in Australia, sadly we have reached nationhood without achieving such a treaty to acknowledge and respect our indigenous peoples.

We report on the social scene with gay clubs closing in Vancouver & a new club opening in London, San Francisco declaring the Gay & Leather cultural district and a cute tale about the gay scene in Melbourne from the past, told by Jan Hillier (gay icon & local promoter, of Pokey’s fame) recorded at JOY before her death on 12/5/2001.

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

Show #802- First broadcast on 8 May 2018

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We note that some major catastrophes are made by natural causes; others by human error, as we discuss the great fire of 1906 which devastated San Francisco, and the nuclear explosion at Chernobyl in 1986 which will haunt the world for eons to come.

In gay news, we report on the Men-on-Men art show – part of Southern Hibernation in Melbourne in June; the birthday of gay artist Keith Haring (died 16/02/1990); and the gay-idols Barbra Streisand and Leslie Gore – 2 singers with anniversaries around this time.  We also report that Indonesia is getting tough on queer comics entering the country, while Thailand is introducing same-sex civil partnership – a positive step towards marriage equality.

From the US, we report that Armistead Maupin’s famous literary series “Tales of the City” is to be given a TV revival with a fresh cast and additional material, and is slated for release on cable TV.

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

Show #801- First broadcast on 1 May 2018

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