In this show, Gordon tells us of his royal travels and having a man-servant. We envy the life-style he enjoyed while away at sea and we welcome him back to reality.

In honouring some ‘gay-sters’ from the past, we talk of Doris Day born 3/04/1924 and still alive and kickin’. She was often portrayed in film in the squeaky-clean image of ‘an ideal wife to-be’ but noting that she played a rootin’ tootin’ not-so maidenly woman of the Wild West in the film Calamity Jane – much to the delight of some gay women. She was also teamed with Rock Hudson which helped him hide his preferred identity (gay).

The Dane Hans Christian Anderson (born 2/04/1805) wrote some twisted fairy stories, often revealing his own tortured life as a closeted gay man.

Also having a birthday around this time was Rudolph Nureyev – Russian Ballet star – born 17/03/1938, who shone with vigour and masculinity in ballet, but succumbed to HIV/AIDS on 6/01/1993.   Both he and Rock Hudson humanised the face of AIDS in America, both reluctantly coming out of the closet in doing so.
Liza Minelli born 12/3/1946 (daughter of Judy Garland) was at one time married to Australian Peter ‘boy from Oz’ Allen. Liza created the illusion that Peter was possibly not gay (?). He too died from AIDS.

Teenage Ryan White (USA) received HIV-tainted blood in a transfusion for his haemophilia and he died on 6/04/1990. His innocence as a straight boy, was no barrier to being hounded out of town and ostracised by his community. He was an example of the hysteria around HIV at that time.

In our anniversaries, we mention the birthday of Marlon Brando (b 3/04/1924) – USA film-star and director. Brando was a charismatic actor, baby-faced but with a mature presence – a sex-symbol for both women and men.
From international sources, we are reminded that ‘poppers’ once had a medicinal use in the management of angina pains – and film-star comedian Lucille Ball is said to have been a user.
In a lighter vein, we note that on 6/04/1644, the English Parliament ordered the removal of all Maypoles as part of the Reformation and ‘banned anything happy’. Maypoles were part of spring-time pagan traditions in Europe, being sexually explicit and therefore not to be celebrated.

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

Show #850                  First broadcast on 2 April 2019   

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Chris tells of two great films from the recent Melbourne Queer Film Festival, which included some scenes of the early days of modern closeted gay societies in Hollywood and in New York, when everything was listed as illegal but people continued enjoying their sexuality. There are also horrifying scenes of the 1980s AIDS epidemic, which shocked the world.

In our anniversaries, we mention the birthdays of Elton John born on 25/03/1947 – UK singer musician and part of the popular music scene since 1960 and AIDS activist, and the forthcoming film called Rocketman which covers his early years when he was “broken and damaged”.
We also celebrate the birthday of Diana Ross born on 26/3/1944 – a musical legend of the modern era, starting with the group The Supremes and moving on to a long solo career.
With our tongues firmly planted in our cheek, we celebrate the birth on 21/03/2233 of James T Kirk, who will become Captain of the Starship Enterprise in the Star Trek adventure.

Will shares his intimate knowledge of  modern commercial aircraft and he tells us about how various parts and systems function – those bits that we use but don’t know how or why; think of oxygen masks, aircraft slides and baggage handling, etc.

From international sources, we learn of the suggestion in early March 2019 that HIV-Negative men can take the modern protective AIDS medicine PrEP (Truvada) for safe and casual sexual activities, but by the end of the month we learn of a circumstance in Sydney, which may indicate that this plan has some short-comings.

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

Show #849                  First broadcast on 26 March 2019   

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In our anniversaries, we feature items about John Inman best known for his portrayal of Mr Humphries in the BBC TV comedy “Are you being Served?”.  Born on 28 June 1935, he died on 8 March 2007.
UK comedian Matt Lucas was born on 5 March 1974, and is best remembered for the irreverent TV series “Little Britain”.
Someone less well-known is Angela Morely who was born on 10/3/1924 as Wally Stott and became a famous and popular musician, composer and orchestra conductor for the BBC, before transitioning in 1972, continuing her musical profession with musical compositions for Hollywood block-busters. She died 14 January 2009 and is honored in a plaque.

We also talk about the forthcoming Melbourne Queer Film Festival which includes an expose on the radical and provocative still-photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, who died on 7 March 1989, being born 4 November 1946, seen here with Patti Smith.

From the international press, we learn that equality comes with small steps – this time, we are told that a US airline has replaced their limited gender option when making a travel booking, with an extra field to allow travellers to opt out of the binary description. Also in the US, it is some 50 years since the Stonewall Riots in New York, when the local gay community rose up against the police force’s unjust practices. Since then many gay voices have rallied to drive political agendas to seek equality for our communities, as there is much more to be obtained – irrespective of what has already been achieved.

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

Show #846 – First broadcast on 5 March 2019   

The post Our Rainbow World … appeared first on Been There Done That.

From international sources, we learn what happened when a lesbian waitress in US was denied a tip for being gay and how she calmly obtained justice; and in Disney TV a gay character turns around a homophobic situation with wise words.  The President of the US (POTUS) professes ignorance of his administration’s proposal to launch a global campaign to decriminalise homosexuality.   And a researcher at the University of Montreal, Canada has concluded that gay dads make great fathers.

In our anniversaries, we feature items about UK soul singer Dusty Springfield (died 2/03/1999) who suffered with her sexuality; Lou Reed (Walk on the Wild Side), US rock musician (who was born 2/03/1942 and died 27/10/2013) – who endured reparative ECT treatment for his depression and latent homosexuality. We also talk about US film screen legend Elizabeth Taylor (born 27/02/1932) who befriended many gay film stars and was a great support to fellow film star Rock Hudson in his final years, living with HIV AIDS. This lead to her philanthropy for AIDS Research. Also having a birthday at this time is gay Matthew Mitcham Australian Olympic diver (born 2/03/1988).

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

Show #845 – First broadcast on 26 February 2019   

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In view of the recent report that Grindr intends to conduct a 5-year survey of users’ attitudes and preferences of body imaging in current advertising and social media, we note that even the classical artists and sculptors showed many body types in their works, and our modern eyes identify our modern preferences – and these types can also be seen on the Mardi Gras Parades. We wonder if they are healthy examples of body types, creating unreal expectations or body shaming in the younger generations.

From international sources, we learn about the increase in rates of crimes against the LGBTIQ communities in Washington DC, since the advent of President Trump and his winding-back of laws intended to protect gay citizens. Fortunately, other state laws are being enacted to ban gay conversion therapy in more US states. In the UK, it is reported that a gay author slammed Amazon for stocking a book promoting gay conversion therapy – raising the concept of what is free-speech?

In our anniversaries, we feature items about local character actor Barry Humphries (born 27/2/1034), gay US author, poet and critic Felice Picano (born 22/2/1944), and we note that passing on 22/2/1987 of gay US painter, printmaker, photographer Andy Warhol – who opened our eyes with his modern expressions of art.

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

Show #844 – First broadcast on 19 February 2019   

The post Eye Candy on the screen and on the streets … appeared first on Been There Done That.

We refer to the anniversaries of Ellen DeGeneres US TV talk-show host, and her wife, Portia de Rossi, Melbourne gay pop-music icon Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum, US Olympic HIV+ diver Greg Luganis and popstar Justin Timblerlake – all having birthdays around this time.

From international sources, we learn of President Trump’s edict to block transgendered people from serving in the US military – effectively sacking 13,700 trans people from the military.  Meanwhile, in 2010, Australia repealed a ban on transgendered people serving and this action implemented anti-discrimination legislation applying to all Australians.

We also learn that in Germany, a new museum has opened celebrating queer history in video games.

In February 2004, Facebook was founded, and we comment on the revolution it has brought to social communications – both good and bad. Sadly, the opportunity to source and sell statistics from the global Facebook database was a temptation unable to be resisted,by those in control of the data. We notice that China is intending to keep tabs on all its population, by manipulation and application of the data collected about all their citizens.

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

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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   

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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 

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We comment upon our forthcoming local State elections and reflect that through the same-sex marriage debate, the politicians may have become more aware of our existence and ability to vote.

We note the passing of Stan Lee, creator of comic book fantasy stories and characters, which have stimulated off-shoot movies and social networks, and we discuss reality versus fantasy.

We recount the story how on 25 November 1789, Bennelong the aboriginal, was captured by the English explorers, in the region now known as Sydney, and was used as an intermediary between the two cultures. A proper respectful memorial is now proposed.

The Melbourne Olympics were opened on 22 November 1956 – the first Games in Australia.

From the international press we report of a decision by the Malaysian Censor to cut 24 minutes from the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody; Denmark cuts millions in aid to Tanzania over homophobic comments and actions against gay people; On 3 Sept 2018 the King of the African country of Swaziland announced that the country would henceforth be called eSwatini, but meanwhile the king holds firm to his anti-gay stance, despite some signs of acceptance by the police and general public; the director of the film Love Simon is proposing to make a biopic of the life and loves of (gay) Hollywood film star Rock Hudson; and the Harvey Fierstein play Torch Song Trilogy, describing the struggle for gay identity and rights, is to be updated by including references to the current political situation in 2018 USA.

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

Show #831 – First broadcast on 20 November 2018

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We bid a sad farewell to Yvonne Gardner – a stalwart of the Melbourne gay community, for her support of the abandoned members of our community during the earliest days of the AIDS /HIV crisis.
We remember the passing of film-star Rock Hudson (died 2/10/1985) who faded from our movie screens then suddenly reappeared on TV, struck down with HIV. While some of us knew or guessed about his ‘other’ life, many members of the general community were shocked that he was gay.

Also remembered at this time are US bi folk singer of the ’70s Janis Joplin (died 4/10/1970), and gay English comedian Graham Chapman of Monty Python fame (died 4/10/1989).

From around the world, we refer to press reports of the changing civil rights of our GLBTIQ communities, with positive changes in India, listing of intersex as a gender option in Colorado, and the foiling of US Congress anti-GLBTQ adoption amendments which would have struck out government financial benefits. Laws re-criminalising advances in legislations are lurking in Trinidad & Tobago, Texas and Singapore.

On 5/10/1989, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, but we question the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Aung San Suu Kyi in 1991, with the disturbing situation in Burma/Myanmar.

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

Show #824 – First broadcast on 2 October 2018

The post Wins … and losses appeared first on Been There Done That.