More unpleasant behaviour can be seen in Canberra and we wonder how Australia is being managed with the politicians also ‘on strike’. In contrast, the Parisian citizenry have demonstrated their concerns with their political situation in typically passionate French way – not very pretty.

From the international press, our gay cousins in Taiwan failed to be acknowledged in a recent plebiscite for their gay rights but they can rest easy that an earlier decision of their parliament to permit same-sex marriage will still eventuate. Press reports identify substantial reductions in HIV infections in countries where PrEP and other medicines are readily available. Chile has signed a landmark Bill into law regarding gender identity on official records, but a town in a fundamentalist area of Indonesian proposes a bylaw about punishing ‘immoral acts with the same sex’.

Meanwhile, the Pope seems to have been captured by the Vatican extreme right, and his earlier liberal views are changing. .

The Otis Redding song ‘Sittin’ on the dock of the Bay’ reminds Phil of his time in California, and also about the murders of Mayor Moscone and gay activist Harvey Milk in the liberated world of San Francisco.

From the Anniversaries Book, we relate the background of the life and legacy of Alfred Nobel – the benefactor of the Nobel Prizes. Around this time we remember Walt Disney – the re-interpreter of fairy tales in the new world of animation and colour movies. And we re-tell the story of the original Saint Nicholas.

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

Show #833 – First broadcast on 4 December 2018 

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From our Gay Birthday Book, we have selected local proudly-gay pop singer Anthony Callea and Sydney-based gay medical practitioner and politician Dr Karen Phelps – who rose to be President of the AMA Australian Medical Association, and has been decorated for her services to medicine with awards including a Centenary Medal and an Order of Australia. Another notable birthday belongs to Arthur C Clarke the gay British/Sri Lankan novelist, inventor, science fiction writer and futurist who wrote novels earning him the title “Prophet of the Space Age”, especially for his 1968 science fiction novel “2001 – a Space Odyssey” developed with Stanley Kubrick for the film of the same name.

We have fun as Gordon tries to convince us that the TV science fiction series ‘Dr Who’ is worthy of our attention, while Phil has an alternative opinion.

Around this time in 1859, Charles Darwin printed the controversial ‘Origin of the Species’, which recorded a widely-held scientific theory of genetic development in the natural world. One of his fellow scientists, Alfred Wallace, separately developed this theory and together they came to the same conclusions, but Darwin received the credit. Wallace also recorded the line of bio-geographic demarcation of species separating our Australian sub-continent from Asia.

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

First broadcast on 12 December 2017

Picture: Marriage equality vote passes the House of Representatives chamber, Parliament House, Canberra. Picture Kym Smith
Picture: Poster advertising film “2001 – A Space Odyssey”

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We celebrate the birthdays of 2 kiwi lesbian entertainers called The Topp Twins.  We also celebrate the birthdays and brilliant storytelling of 2 gay US authors – Alan Ball ‘HBO – Six Feet Under’ and Armistead Maupin ‘Tales of the City’.

Magnus Hirschfeld may have been forgotten but we discuss his ground-breaking concepts of gender, which lead to our present consideration of the gender spectrum and a non-binary world.

We spend some moments on the Eurovision Song Contest – the gayest series of musical acts? And we remember local icons/dykons Joan Nestle, Dianne Otto and Jan Hillier.

15  May is the Anniversary of the start of the Flying Doctor medical service in 1928 and of Jessica Watson sailing into Sydney Harbour in 2010 at the end of her around the world journey becoming the youngest person to sail non-stop and un-assisted.

Plus some trivia and mirth …..

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We remember the birthdays at this time of singers Dusty Springfield with her pitch perfect ability and fabulous voice, and of Samantha Fox, pin-up girl songstress and actress.

Tristan tells us about his recent cruise to New Zealand on a large cruise ship with 2,600 other passengers. We remember that it was about this time in 1912 that the Titanic set sail and then sunk after hitting an ice-berg. We compare these with the life about the barque–The Endeavour – the vessel Captain James Cook sailed in on his voyages of discovery.

We consider the forthcoming expensive plebiscite and the disruptive attitudes of a vocal minority in the Federal Government and the harm which would come to vulnerable youth. We note the stupidity currently happening in the US with state laws which trample on basic human dignity and human rights.

Plus some Simpson’s references and other trivia and mirth ….

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We review the significance and validation of Sydney’s Mardi Gras, the politics involved, and the Safe Schools & Marriage Equality controversies.

For a complete change of pace we link Douglas Adams and the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Ray Tomlinson and emails, the first Mac computers, and the concept of a world-wide-web.

After all this serious stuff, there is the usual trivia, mirth & Simpsons reference,,,

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As usual we remember birthdays of gay notables. Plus other trivia and mirth…

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Max Niggl from Living Positive Victoria Positive Speakers Bureau talks about the huge difference between living with HIV now, and the medications available, as opposed to the 1980s and 90s. He also talks about the importance of being responsible for your own sexual health. Max organised World AIDS Day (Tues, December 1) for Victoria and encourages people to come to the free launch at the Doherty Institute–792 Elizabeth St (opposite Royal Women’s Hospital).

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We have JOY’s founder, John Oliver Member No 1, with us and we recall the origins and purpose of JOY. We also share some interesting sound-bites from past broadcasts on JOY over our 21 years on air.

We honour our volunteers and our benefactors and allies. Plus some trivia and mirth.

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Phil talks about the earthquake in San Francisco and we discuss the status of same-sex marriage in the US. Plus some trivia and mirth.

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