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   

The post Show Number 850 … give us a break ! appeared first on Been There Done That.

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   

The post I heard it on the grapevine … appeared first on Been There Done That.

At this sad time, we offer our sympathies and concern for those innocents in the recent dramatic events in Christchurch NZ. We can’t help noticing the increasing frequency of natural and man-made events where there are a great losses of lives, and we hope that this is not the ‘new normal’ for our world.

In our anniversaries, we mention the birthday of gay Jim Parsons on 24/3/1973 – the star of the TV Show Big Bang Theory, where he plays a socially-inept nerdish character sharing lives with others members of his TV social circle. In his private life, Parsons is proudly married to his male partner.

Gay writer Arthur C Clarke was born on 16/12/1917 and died on 19/03/2008.  He was a science-fiction writer and futurist; and the author of 2001: a Space Odyssey. Many of his predictions in the film have since come to pass – like iPads, geo-sync satellites, home computers, Skype, email and even smart watches. Fantasy comes to life.

Will entertains us with tales from air-side – he works as an aircraft engineer with a major airline and we learn about the recent dramas with Boeing’s new B737 MAX 8 aircraft which have some handling issues (!).

Will also treats us to little-known aspects of what happens out of sight before every flight, why we mustn’t use our smart phones in flight, and how the flight recorder ‘black boxes’ work and survive in a crash.                  Will also debunks various theories about the missing B777 / MH 9M-MRO / MH370 – see picture. Disappeared but crash site never found.

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

Show #848                  First broadcast on 19 March 2019   

The post What is reality … ? appeared first on Been There Done That.

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   

The post Somethings take time … appeared first on Been There Done That.

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   

The post All that glitters … appeared first on Been There Done That.

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.

On the anniversary of the apology to the Stolen Generations by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd 10 years ago, we refer to the actions in 1846 of Tasmanian aborigines displaced onto Flinders Island, petitioning Queen Victoria about their mistreatment, and to the recent Uluru Statement from the Heart which continues the fight for respect and political recognition.

At our recent Pride March, our Premier announced that Victoria was to ban gay conversion therapy. As expected there was some opposition from the fundamentalist-right of politics, and we relate the recent story from New York of an action to sue the NY City for banning gay conversion therapy, on the basis that is restricted the right of free speech. Meanwhile in Tasmania, they celebrate support of gay students in a Catholic school. Valentine’s Day get a mention, too.

We also learn that in UK, a football club will wear a Pride sports kit for an anti-homophobia game.

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

Show #843 – First broadcast on 12 February 2019   

The post Still out loud and prod appeared first on Been There Done That.

Gordon interviews Stephen Nicolazzo – Director of the play Merciless Gods, a staging of some stories of queer immigrant experiences by author Christos Tsiolkas, to be presented at the Arts Centre Melbourne.

From the Anniversaries Book, we’ve selected Don Dunstan (died 6/02/1999)  – the 1970s gay Premier of South Australia who broke down  conservative state laws and allowed the wider gay community of the time some relief and advancement of society.   We compare this with the way our current state politicians acknowledge and support our existence and are quite motivated to eliminate discrimination in our laws. At this year’s Pride March, the Premier of Victoria, Dan Andrews, announced the intention to ban all forms of ‘gay conversion’ therapy

From international sources, we report that Manchester’s LGBT Centre has received funds to rebuild their home; while in Barcelona homophobic vandals have desecrated their newly opened LGBT centre; a retired US Army General says that President Trump’s transgender ban is ‘a mistake’; and in California the local gay community and supporters have funded a performance space and practice studios for the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.

We also feature the life stories of three icons – Canadian Mark Tewksbury, Olympic swimmer and gay activist; Australian singer, performer-showman Peter ‘boy from OZ’ Allen, and US movie-star and gay icon James Dean.

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

Show #842 – First broadcast on 5 February 2019   

The post Pride – letting the world know that we’re here… 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.

The post Public Holidays … let’s do away with them? appeared first on Been There Done That.

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   

The post Midsumma time … and the livin’ is breezy! appeared first on Been There Done That.

In this week’s program, we refer to the birthday 8/01/1941 of gay Graham Chapman – ‘Brian” from Monty Python’s Life of Brian; of Blues vocalist Janis Joplin 17/01/1943 who died tragically at the age of 27 years of drug overdose, as did many of her contemporaries – the ‘27’; and also of Ita Buttrose, our Australian publisher of women’s magazines, who educated the mothers and wives of Australia of the AIDS crisis during the 1980s, and remains an advocate for our community.

From international sources, we learn that Manchester Pride (UK) is proposing to use an 8-stripe Rainbow Flag in their Pride Celebrations, to acknowledge and respect their GLBTQ multi-racial community, and they are armed with the knowledge that most of their BAME (Black, Asian & minority ethnic) members suffer racial discrimination. Recently, schools in UK were required to follow the Equality Act’s proposed guidelines to mention homosexuality, same-sex relationships, sexual orientation and gender issues when covering the general topic of sex education. However, some faith schools (Ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools for instance) have indicated that they don’t wish to teach anything about sex, including LGBT education of their pupils, and are prepared to leave the UK instead. From the US, we learn that the new Speaker Nancy Pelosi vows to ban anti-GLBTQ discrimination.

While Australians understand that when we refer to various days with the pre-nom of ‘Black’, we are talking about bushfires. Phil tells us how this label is used in the US – and why the aping of the US Black Friday shopping day is stoopid and illogical for us Aussies … and its importation to Australia and incorrect use here should cease – in the same sense as the misappropriation of their Thanksgiving (turkey day) into our culture.

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

Show #839 – First broadcast on 15 January 2019   

The post Summertime … and the livin’ is easy? appeared first on Been There Done That.

From international news sources we learn:
Germany has formally recognised that there are more than two genders, and is now providing a third descriptor ‘Other’ for those who don’t conform to the binary;
Meanwhile, gay father-singer Ricky Martin has a new husband and a new-born daughter Lucia;
In Canada, a Catholic priest says that Satan designed the rainbow flag!
In Malaysia, a gay male couple are dragged from their car and assaulted in a homophobic attack;
French scientists have announced a potential treatment to destroy hidden HIV cells; &
In the US, gay Ellen DeGeneres is named as the most-admired person.

At this time of the year, we safely observe the rich-men as they tempt Nature sailing from Sydney to Hobart in a yacht race which has seen more than it’s fair share of fatalities over the years, since the race was first held in 1945.

Also at this time of the year, we recall that in 1901 Australia is proclaimed a Commonwealth on 1^st January – a day fit to be our National Day?

On 3 January 1888, the paper drinking straw is patented, and having been displaced by the plastic replacement, is now back in favour as a benign and ecological appropriate option.

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

Show #838 – First broadcast on 8 January 2019   

The post Let’s get soaking wet … on our Yacht. appeared first on Been There Done That.

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  

The post Let’s get soaking wet … appeared first on Been There Done That.

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 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 

The post Out of the mouths of babes … appeared first on Been There Done That.

As we again come to December, we reflect upon two major interlocked events in the gay history of Melbourne – the unwanted arrival of AIDS in Australia in 1982 and the horror which it wrought, and the raising of a gay community radio station on 1 Dec 1993 to provide a voice for our community and to be a safe space in which to confirm our sexuality, in the face of the agony of the AIDS scourge.

We remember the fallen friends on World AIDS Day 1 December, and  we examine the progress of management of the disease and the miracles of modern medicines which now offer safety and a normal life for many. From the press, we can tell of the reductions of rates of infection by AIDS locally in Western Australia and also in UK, with the advent of PrEP medication, and even Prince Harry is promoting regular testing.

We recall the early days of JOY – rather than the biological family where homophobia, ignorance and discrimination was common, we had JOY– our logical family; our own gay radio station. JOY provides the opportunity and tools to reach with a world-wide voice, to champion our rights and hopes. And thanks to our gay pioneers, volunteers, supporters, allies and staff, JOY has blossomed and matured over the past 25 years.

Our recent local State elections cause us to gasp, as the results roll in. In many ways, the peasants are revolting – in a democratic way.

From the Anniversaries Book, we celebrate the birthdays of Bette Midler and Britney Spears, and note the passing of Mathew Shepard – victim of hate crime – now safe in the National Cathedral, Washington. USA.

From the international press we report of a decision by San Marino for passing civil union legislation, as the first step to full equality, and we commiserate with our gay cousins in Taiwan, who failed to be acknowledged in a recent plebiscite for their gay rights.

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

Show #832 – First broadcast on 27 November 2018

The post Important Anniversaries … World AIDS Day & JOY – our gay radio station appeared first on Been There Done That.

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

The post Reality and fantasy … appeared first on Been There Done That.

We reflect upon the first anniversary of the successful YES Vote for our marriage rights and note that it was a tough and sometimes divisive period, but that we are most encouraged by the massive support achieved in the postal ballot and the goodwill expressed by our allies in the general community.

Locally, Michael Kirby says he will now wed his long-time partner on 11 Feb 2019, on the 50^th anniversary of their first meeting. In the US actor Michael C Hall, star of Dexter and Six Foot Under, says he is ‘not all the way hetero’.

From the international press we report of a decision by the Polish President Duda who says he would support a ban on gay propaganda, copying the 2013 move by Vladimir Putin in his crackdown on gays in Russia. Meanwhile, gay-rights are being abandoned in Tanzania as we learn that the public are telling the police where gays live, that some have been arrested and jailed, and many other gays have gone into hiding, in what seems to be the beginning of a terror campaign.

Gay icons having anniversaries at this time are Australian playwright and author Tim Conigrave, best known for his work ‘Holding the Man’; US actor Jodie Foster for her work in films like ‘Silence of the Lambs’; and the Russian Peter Tchaikovsky – composer of classical music for ballet and large orchestras – who died on 6 Nov 1883.

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

Show #830 – First broadcast on 13 November 2018

The post Battles won and lost … appeared first on Been There Done That.

Our gay icons having birthdays at this time are Senator Penny Wong – a fiercely combative representative of our community in the Federal Parliament, and well-respected for her role in the gay-marriage debates; and Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress k.d.lang. – another no-nonsense member of the gay community, who champions gay-rights causes.

From the international press we tell of a Pride Parade in Taiwan where nearly 140,000 marched in support of gay rights and same-sex marriage, topics which will be foremost in next year’s local elections and associated referenda. The Kenya High Court has announced that it will make a ruling next 22 Feb 2019 on legalising homosexuality after being pressured by the example of India doing the same earlier this year. Both countries were using British Colonial laws which gay-rights groups want overthrown. Elsewhere in the world, gay-rights are being abandoned with changes proposed by extreme-right-wing governments in Ukraine, Brazil and Tanzania.

We consider the positive effect of the recent Invictus Games for maimed warriors which reminded us all of the horrors of recent wars and the need to respect all the returnees. This has been an opportunity for the current generations to reflect and consider their own good fortune, in blissful ignorance of the echoes of earlier wars which faded as those generations died. Next week will see the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice of World War I – “the war to end all wars” on 11 Nov 2018 and Red poppies for Remembrance.

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

Show #829 – First broadcast on 6 November 2018

The post Horses and soldiers get muddy boots … appeared first on Been There Done That.

From our Anniversaries Book, we review the work and life of Gore Vidal – influential gay US social and political commentator, author, playwright, and essayist – born 3/10/1925, and died at 86 years on 31/7/2012.

Other anniversaries include the first broadcast of ABC TV in November 1956, and the desertification of the Asian Aral Sea – drained of its water for irrigation, and declared in 1990 as the worst ecological disaster.
Another sign of impending ecological damage is the expected loss of the world’s largest living organism – a huge underground root system which sends up thousands of clone Aspen trees, but which is unable to sustain itself as the new shoots are being eaten by feral grazing deer and other animals. Natural balance has been disturbed to the point of collapse.

From the international press we tell of a report that Chelsea Manning has undergone elective medical procedures to confirm her selected gender.
This contrasts with US Presidential proposals to re-define gender as birth-gender, ignoring the circumstances that trans and intersex people find themselves – often later in life – when gender-confusion is recognised. This can be distressful when the assigned sex and gender do not match the person’s gender identity or there are variations in sexual characteristics which do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies.

We also report on a UK proposal to alter the circumstances in which HIV positive gay men can seek parenthood.

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

Show #828 – First broadcast on 30 October 2018

The post The good … and the not-so-good appeared first on Been There Done That.

At this time, we re-tell the wonderful story of gay Labor politician Neal Blewitt who, as Federal Health Minister in the late 1980s, enlisted his political counterpart from the Opposition to jointly and successfully address the AIDS crisis and adopt strategies of containing and managing the disease – a model envied by other countries.

From the international press we tell of a survey of over 9,000 Catholics in 9 countries who want the church hierarchy to adopt a more positive stance towards the LGBTQ community. And from Canada we learn that thousands of Canadians have signed petitions in support of the banning of ‘gay conversion therapy’. From the US , we hear that at least 19 men, arrested in a police sting operation on a ‘Pleasure Emporium’, escaped conviction when the judge agreed that they were not in a public place and the activity was with consenting adults, throwing out the police charges. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, an arbitrary limit to the number of gender-reassignment operations allowed, has been lifted.

We celebrate the birthdays of Melbourne-born Helen “I am Woman – hear me roar” Reddy, and also of Glenn Milstead – better known for his movie alter-ego ‘Divine’.

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

The post Politics … the good and the better 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

The post Be kind to all the animals … and to humans. appeared first on Been There Done That.

We compare the way two gay icons lived their lives by being discrete and non-controversial. The two icons both with birthdays this month are Ian Thorpe – our recent gold-medal winning Olympic swimming sensation. The other is the pop singer Cliff Richards – for over 50 years he has presented a clean image, only blemished by a recent unsubstantiated attack on his ‘niceness’.

At this time, we remember the horrific hate crime committed in 1998 on Mathew Shepard – killed at the age of 22 years for ‘being gay’. And we also remember that at this time in October 1944, when 800 innocent gypsy children were murdered in the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz.
In contrast, Switzerland has just outlawed expressions of homophobia and transphobia, including terms of imprisonment for breaches of this new law. We trust that the world is becoming more considerate and enlightened.

We chat about the innocent creatures in our Melbourne city zoo, and express our gratitude for the efforts in preserving species and respecting the dignity and living conditions of captive animals in open zoos.

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

Show #825 – First broadcast on 9 October 2018

The post Be nice, work hard and keep your head down. appeared first on Been There Done That.

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.

While Israel secured Eurovision 2019 with Netta’s winning act in May 2018, it has taken until now for Tel Aviv to be announced as the city to host the next contest. We reflect upon the influence of orthodox religion in Israel and the inability for the 2019 event to be held in Jerusalem.

We report on the introduction into Jewish schools in Britain of a guide support of GLBT+ students. The resource known as “The Wellbeing of LGBT+ Pupils: A Guide for Orthodox Jewish Schools”, encourages Orthodox Jews to use language responsibly, prevent bullying and support students when they come out, as well as educating both teachers and parents on LGBTQ issues.

The lines on maps don’t necessarily represent precise zones of social or political communities. We reflect upon how the Britain used Australia as its testing ground for nuclear weapons & France did much the same with its territories in the Pacific; China is occupying areas and exerting influence in areas not normally considered as part of mainland China; and even Australia pressures its old ‘colonial’ territory Papua New Guinea.

On the anniversary of the establishment on 29/9/1829 of London’s Metropolitan Police, we discuss how we currently regard policing forces – sometimes in how we give them nicknames.  We boast how the local experience of having our own GLLOs (Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers), and the inclusion of the police and other Emergency Service personnel in our Pride Marches, and the police’s own positive inclusion of gay members, has changed social attitudes in Victoria.

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

Show #823 – First broadcast on 25 September 2018

The post Breaking down fences … or building them appeared first on Been There Done That.

We reflect upon the work and life of Don Dunstan, born 21/9/1926. He was the Labor Premier of South Australia for 2 terms and he drove legislative reforms to sweep away outdated concepts. Most importantly he obtained the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1975  – the first state in Australia to do so. He was a civil libertarian and humanist, and influential in strengthening democracy, helping Indigenous people get more self-determination, pushing multiculturalism forward and addressing the powers of the police force in his state. He spent the last decade of his life in a gay relationship.

Are you aware of the recent revelation that one of the Queen’s cousins is about to enter into a same-sex marriage? How modern is this? We contrast this situation with a much earlier royal, King Edward II, who was removed from office and tortured to death in 1327 for his active homosexuality.

Animals are quite often used in tests where safety for humans has not been established – consider the role of real guinea-pigs. We recall the first hot-air balloon and Sputnik 5 when innocent animals left Earth and were sent on adventures. There is no need to be reminded that man is the greatest eliminator of other species on Earth. The extinction of koalas in NSW by 2050 is predicted.

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

Show #822 – First broadcast on 18 September 2018

The post Australia where … what’s in an Anthem? appeared first on Been There Done That.

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

The post Dummy spits … let’s get serious! appeared first on Been There Done That.

Chris reminisces about his previous travels to Germany, and more specifically the colourful fun-fair “Oktoberfest”, now held in September (!). He tells the back story of the public celebration of King Ludwig I’s wedding to Princess Therese in October 1810, and the regular re-celebration thereof (except for years of war). His grandson King Ludwig II was born 25 August 1845 was interested in other directions (some gay) and his legacy was a series of extravagant and flamboyant castles and palaces, which earned him the name of  the ‘Mad Swan King’ or ‘Fairy Tale King’.

From our Anniversaries book, we select two members of our community who lead very interesting lives. We talk about the gay UK/US author Christopher Isherwood who lived through the social changes from the 1930s to the 70s, reminding ourselves that the film ‘Cabaret’ is based upon a character from his play & later film “I am a Camera”, recollections of his life in Berlin.
We also chat about Stephen Fry – gay UK actor, comedian, presenter and author – he was ‘always gay’, but he had some other demons in his life.

Locally we remind ourselves that the Australian flag, as we see it today, was first flown on 3^rd September 1901. Sadly, our coinage comes and goes – 1c and 2c coins began disappearing on 21 August 1990, leaving the 5c coin as our smallest denomination. We ask how much longer it may remain in use, given our modern use of digital wallets.

We celebrate the birthday of magical Freddy Mercury on 5 Sept 1946, and recall his musical legacy to us.

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

Show #820 – First broadcast on 4 September 2018

The post Life as we know it … not always as we like it appeared first on Been There Done That.

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

The post Political chaos – is this the new normal? … appeared first on Been There Done That.

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

The post MIFF, Personal Liberties, volcanoes and fences … appeared first on Been There Done That.

Even religions change their tune – and hopefully we are among the beneficiaries of their enlightenment. We will see what eventuates, as we discuss the change of attitude in the Catholic Church surrounding the death penalty in the light of a renewed evaluation of the sanctity of life, hoping that similar re-assessments may result in modernisation of the attitudes to same-sex marriage and the role of women in the church.

Medicine has similarly moved from folk-remedies to a professional modern scientific process with wonderful results in microbiology & we focus on the leaders in virology, vaccination and the first use of penicillin in Australia. We depend upon these modern medicines to keep restore our wellness, but we shouldn’t get hooked on antibiotics – watch out! ‘superbugs’ are on the way.

We recognise the anniversary of the Yirkalla Bark Petitions – the Land Rights claim by traditional owners, in the lead up to the 1967 Referendum and recognition of land rights.

We note the birthday celebrations on 16 August of Dennis Altman, Australian academic, author and gay-rights campaigner, and Madonna – US pop star and fashion setter, who seems to have been entertaining us for quite a few years.

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

Show #817 – First broadcast on 14 August 2018

The post Politics, Religion and Medicine … from a queer perspective appeared first on Been There Done That.

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

The post Talking and listening … appeared first on Been There Done That.

Ignorance was also a factor with the realisation that there were plenty of gay people in the world, and we are grateful for authors like James Baldwin and Randy Shilts for their spirited explanation of the circumstance in which they found themselves, as they came out and coped with the society around them at that time, in the mid-to late 1900s, and the unfolding of the AIDS crisis. We note the ever-changing media landscape, with newspapers closing and being replaced with irresponsible social media.

We take a moment to sympathise with our northern hemisphere friends – who find themselves at the mercy of Mother Nature with disastrous bush fires, heatwaves and loss of life.  Is this the new normal, we ask? Is climate change really happening?

Opening the Anniversary Book, we have a chance to reflect upon some icons of our times, including gay Danish author Hans Christian Anderson, died 4/8/1875, a reclusive odd fellow best known for his fairy stories; and UK pop singer Geri Halliwell Spice Girl, born 6/8/1972; and Australian pop singer Vanessa Amorosi, born 8/8/1981.

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

Show #815 – First broadcast on 31 July 2018

The post Mother Nature … appeared first on Been There Done That.

We honour the birthday on 28 July 1902 of Albert Namatjira – a famous and prolific indigenous painter in a colourfully & distinctively Australian but European style. Since his death there has seen some squabbling over inheritance of property rights, and it is pleasing to report the resolution in favour of his natural inheritors. Another icon having a birthday around this time is Yvonne Goolagong-Cawley – the Australian Tennis player & winner of many major competitions.

In a spacey-way, we are reminded about the first moon landing (anniversary 20 July 1969) & Phil relates some of the history, comparing it to the most current state of modern technology. We play part of a very camp little song “American Flag” (write to us for more details).

Opening the Anniversary Book, we have a chance to reflect upon some icons of our times, including gay Australian Rugby sportsman Ian Roberts, gay UK film director and winner of Oscars, Academy, BAFTA and Golden Globe Awards John Schlesinger CBE; and  gay UK blues singer John ‘Long John’ Baldry (who provided the ‘John’ in Elton John’s stage name). Listen for the back story.

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

Show #814 – First broadcast on 24 July 2018

The post Stories from around the World … appeared first on Been There Done That.

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

The post Celebrations around the world … appeared first on Been There Done That.

It concerns us that the resolution of the 1950 invasion of South Korea by North Korean forces at about this time, still remains to be finalised, and we note the ever-present belligerent attitudes.

From our Gay Anniversaries book, we celebrate Jimmy Somerville and Alicia Bridges – both having birthdays at this time; Jimmy for his unique musical style and Alicia for great disco memories.

Another huge cultural celebration occurs on the 14^th of July with the anniversary in France of the successful storming of the Paris Bastille by the revolting peasants, and the overthrow of the Royal Rule, leading to the three ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity of the Republic.

The contributions of Alison Thorne and Keith Harbour (dec) to the development of Victorian AIDS Council are recognised and honoured at the 35^th Anniversary celebration, as it is renamed Thorne Harbour Health.

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

Show #812 – First broadcast on 10 July 2018

The post Cultural Celebrations … appeared first on Been There Done That.

We discuss the forthcoming celebrations for NAIDOC Week 8 -15 July 2018, with the theme ‘Because of her, we can’, and the focus upon the contribution of indigenous women.

We connect the concurrent activities of Lieutenant James Cook and his initial exploration of the east coast of Australia, the Queensland settlement of 1770, and the substitution of Botany Bay as the destination for Britain’s convicts following the separation and independence of the developing colonial settlements of the North American continent after 1776.

We recognise the contribution of David Hockney, OM, CH, RA, born 9/7/1937 – a gay English painter, draftsman, print-maker, stage designer and photographer. He is an important contributor to the pop art movement of the 1960s, and considered to be one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century (see pic).

We also recognise the life and work of (George) Percy Grainger (8 July 1882 to 20 February 1961) – an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist, who had a long and innovative career and played a prominent role in the revival of interest in British folk music in the early years of the 20th century. Much of his work was experimental and unusual, and he is remembered also for the Museum of Music and Granger Museum located within the University of Melbourne. He had a well-documented sex life that was so violent that he came to fear it might kill him.

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

Show #811 – First broadcast on 3 July 2018

The post Time mellows our view of the world … appeared first on Been There Done That.

Politicians have a tough job, pleasing no-one and having to fight for respect. Australia’s first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard gave as good as she got. We reflect upon another lady who stands tall but says not a word – the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour. If only she could speak…?

At this time, we note that Alfred C Kinsey confirmed that we all are interested in matters of sex, and he conducted experiments and extensive surveys of willing participants to document the range and intensity of our sexual activities. Much earlier, Marquis De Sade did much the same and kink was documented. However, from history we know that nothing is ‘new’ – others have already tried it, even if they haven’t told the world!

From international press sources, we quote that the World Health Organisation says that Transgender identity is not a mental illness; the Vatican uses “GLBT’ for the first time and invites pro-gay priest to Conference; and a British insurance company says people who are ‘HIV+ with undetectable viral count’ don’t need to list them as pre-existing illnesses if on PreP and taking the medication as required, to receive insurance.

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

Show #810 – First broadcast on 26 June 2018

The post Halfway through the year already … WTF appeared first on Been There Done That.

In this podcast we chat about World Blood Donor Week and the critical role it plays in our everyday lives.

From our Anniversary Book we feature three gay guys of varying notoriety, from different eras and areas of expertise:

* George Michael – UK pop star whose light burnt brightly but cast strange shadows, who died in his sleep at an early age, having ‘burnt out’;

* Alan Turing – a much respected scientist who understood the complex workings of the war-time coding machine, and developed the earliest computing devices now commonly used in our digital era, before his cruel elimination by poisonous ‘cures’ for his gayness; and

*King Ludwig II, the reluctant ruler of Bavaria, artist, musician and architect, who created a swag of fanciful but delightfully flamboyant castles and palaces (see picture), before his mysterious death at only 42 years old, at the hands of his own people.

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

Show #808 – First broadcast on 19 June 2018

The post The Good Guys … in a gay way. appeared first on Been There Done That.

In our little Tech-Talk, we examine the early opportunities for women at the leading edge of space adventures, and we hope that Australia will soon regain an effective but exclusive part of future space activities.

With the annual events in the Northern Hemisphere celebrating Gay Pride, we honor gay icon Judy Garland (born 10/6/1922; d 22/6/1969) as we examine her life story, hear her famous song from the film “The Wizard of Oz” and trace her path into our gay history at the Stonewall Riots in New York.

We also have a quick chat about Peter Allen “The Boy from Oz” (d 18/06/1992) and listen to one of his famed music tracks.

In noting that the RSPCA organisation began in England on 16/6/1824, we chat about our local flora, fauna and small creatures, and how science is helping us to perpetuate our wonderful natural diversity and rescuing some animals like the Tasmanian Devil, as well as focusing upon the domestic livestock which has bred uncontrolled in the Outback and mountains.

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

Show #807 – First broadcast on 12 June 2018

The post Excercising our rights … caring about others appeared first on Been There Done That.

We hear about the early days of JOY – John’s earlier experience in the 1980s in local Community Radio stations as a presenter, salesperson and various managerial positions, including negotiating with the powers-that-be in radio central – The Australian Broadcasting Authority.

Our regular team of Chris, Gordon & Phil chat with John and are fascinated by the tales he tells about raising JOY from nothing to what it is today.

There are bits of audio from early days of JOY, and some special music tracks, too.

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

Show #806 – First broadcast on 5 June 2018

The post Radiothon 2018 – Out Loud and Proud for 25 Years appeared first on Been There Done That.

We also praise our fellow volunteer – the humble honey bee, as we celebrate World Bee Day. He is a tireless worker from sun-up to sun-down and we enjoy the benefits of his labours.

The National Sorry Day commemoration occurs on 26 May each year, and we don’t look proudly on our feeble efforts over the centuries to acknowledge and give due respect to the original inhabitants of this great land. We keep building new parliament houses, but they never have enough space for all those various ‘elephants in the room’ which have to be addressed.

Tristan Meecham (All the Queens Men) comes in for a quick chat about Rainbow Reviews where the Arts Centre Melbourne will generously offer free seats to LGBTI elders at performances and theatre shows. After each event will be an opportunity to discuss and reflect upon the performance and the social experience, and podcasts will be created as a record of the event and for those who weren’t able to attend.

We learn that Malta (see picture) is the most gay-friendly country in Europe, and that in SE Asia, oppressed GLBTI folk are deciding to show solidarity in the simple expression of a hug. And we discuss the role of hugging and touch – essential feelings in our lives – in the sporting arena and the changing attitude of masculine expression of feelings.

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

Show #804 – First broadcast on 22 May 2018

The post Give a little … Change a lot appeared first on Been There Done That.

We enlist the assistance of Phil and TV’s Myth Busters to unravel the cause of the disaster some 80 years ago, when the airship Hindenburg caught fire and crashed when landing 6/05/1937.

We note the roles of TV authors, producers and actors in the normalisation of gay characters and story-lines in ‘soapies’, as we celebrate the birthday of gay writer, director and producer Alan Bell (of “6 Feet Under” fame) for his strong voice for the GLBT community.

A gay icon from the sporting arena was Mark Bingham (born 22/5/1970), who on ‘9/11’ died in his failed attempt to thwart the crash of a hijacked passenger aircraft, initially aimed at the Pentagon, and after whom the international gay Rugby competition ‘Bingham Cup‘ is named.

On the eve of IDAHOBIT 17/5/2018, we remember that it was on that day 25 years ago in 1992 that the (UN) World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the list of Diseases, and thereby declared war on ignorance and homophobia. IDAHOBIT shows the extent now of intentions to identify the other sections of our rainbow community which still are also pilloried and denigrated. We decry the stand being taken by Australian professional rugby union footballer Israel Folau and his religious message.

Birthdays are celebrated at this time for luminaries in our extended family – Miriam Margolyes (gay English/Australian – character actor on stage, TV & screen – Prof Sprout in Harry Potter films, and Aunt Prudence in Miss Fisher TV and her one-woman show “Dickens’ Women” in which she played 23 characters from Dickens’ novels; – and for gender-identity-buster Marlene Dietrich, German and US movie and stage star from the 1930s; and Cher (Bono / Sarkisian) the everlasting US singer and actress, icon for many gay performers, and mother of trans Chas Bono.

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

Show #803 – First broadcast on 15 May 2018

The post Anniversaries … appeared first on Been There Done That.

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

The post Consequences, consequences …. appeared first on Been There Done That.

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

The post Are we witnessing history in the making  …? appeared first on Been There Done That.

We are being urged to take collective action during World Immunisation Week to ensure we are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, and we recall the death in 20 April 1862 of Louis Pasteur, the creator of vaccines for diseases like diphtheria, rabies, tuberculosis – which are ever present in our modern world.

An horrific event occurred in beautiful and quiet Port Arthur in Tasmania on 28 April 1996, when a deranged gunman massacred innocent men, women and children at the Broad Arrow cafe. This event prompted the federal government to call for the tightening of gun-ownership laws in a national gun amnesty, which saw over 700,000 firearms handed in for destruction. This action is often cited as a positive example of addressing the gun menace.

On 30 April 1999, a nail-bomb was exploded in a gay pub in Soho, London in which 3 patrons were killed and about 70 injured.  The bomb was planted in an attempt to stir up ethnic and homophobic tensions. The bomber was caught and sentenced to 6 life sentences; an example for other trouble-makers.

We also remember the events and loss of our young innocent troops at Gallipoli in 1915 – examples of bravery and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds.

In a lighter vein, we relate the examples of humans’ taming of the world with the construction of the Suez Canal and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

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

Show #800- First broadcast on 24 April 2018

The post Setting examples for us all … appeared first on Been There Done That.

We salute our icon Elton John – for his artistry over such a wonderful career, and for his support of the AIDS community and research for a cure, and his example and support for same-sex marriage & family. We look forward to the US “Grammy Salute to Elton – I’m Still standing” being rebroadcast on local TV, fresh from the US.

With Earth Day occurring annually on 22 April, we follow this year’s theme “End plastic pollution”, and give the example of a young Cairns citizen who has convinced local enterprises to cease using plastic drinking straws. Great as this is (and part of a worldwide movement to cease the use of plastic straws), the rest of the huge pollution problem remains for us to solve.

In other world news, we learn with interest that PreP medication is soon to be available in a weekly dosage, rather than the existing daily dose, and we learn with amazement that UK doesn’t have a non-binary box in their passports for trans people to indicate their gender status.

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

Show #799- First broadcast on 17 April 2018

The post Are we winning and loosing …. ? appeared first on Been There Done That.

Some of us had an easy time allowing our sexuality to bloom, like Nigel Hawthorn (UK star of TV and stage) who managed to quietly live his gay partnered life with none of the public condemnation known by other gays; but then there are some like gay Kenneth Williams (UK star of film and radio) who was tormented by his inner demons of unsatisfied sexuality.

A recent SBS TV presentation talked about the ‘madness’ of English King George (portrayed on stage by Nigel Hawthorn in Alan Bennett’s play of the same subject), and recounted the positives and negatives in his reign and the signs that the king may have been experiencing mental anguish that today we would know how to treat and manage – no real madness involved.

In International matters, we talk about the persecution currently occurring to gay Chechens, and in the US they are hopeful that the end of HIV as an uncontrolled epidemic is possible, with the advent of PreP medication.

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

Show #798- First broadcast on 10 April 2018

The post Living a life with confidence appeared first on Been There Done That.

The modern-era Olympic games returned in 1896 after a 1500 year absence, having been banned by religious zealots, (and the fear of naked flesh?), while the not-so-innocent Maypole celebrations were allowed to continue, except in England where Parliament banned them!

Our recent Queer Film Festival featured a coming-out film, Love, Simon.  Some critics have called this film one of the more important LGBTI film ever. Although it is now on general release here in Australia, we learn it is banned for Singaporeans under 21 years of age – a very sad state of affairs, especially as public education seems necessary.

Anniversaries around this time include the birthday of Graham Norton – the popular yet irreverent gay TV talk-show host. On a more serious note, it was in early April 1990 that teenage haemophiliac Ryan White died from receiving HIV-tainted blood.

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

Show #797- First broadcast on 3 April 2018

The post Another Easter – but where are the Bilbies? appeared first on Been There Done That.

We note the election of the first openly lesbian politician to the parliament of Tasmania – an important and proud moment. We also note that gay San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk is to be honoured with the naming of an airport terminal in recognition and respect for his role in that city’s gay history. We contrast this with the opposite circumstances our Australian cricket team has recently heaped upon themselves.

The end of summer brings us the annual international car race lakeside at Albert Park, the end of Summer time and the fun of April Fool’s Day, and more importantly this year the addition of PreP anti-HIV medication to the list of pharmaceuticals whose cost are subsidised by our government.

In France, homosexuality was decriminalised in 1791 and the Napoleonic Code became French civil law in 21/3/1804, carrying forward the belief that private acts by private individuals were not a matter for state intervention. It influenced later French colonies too, in contrast to English Law and the legacy still held in British colonies.

Anniversaries around this time include Stephen Sondheim (gay US composer and lyricist of stage shows), Marlon Brando (US movie star and philanderer on both sides of the fence, according to reports), Lady GaGA (US singer, performer and gay icon), and (Sir) Dirk Bogarde (UK gay movie star, best known for his portrayal of a gay victim), and the first version of Monopoly, known as The Landlord’s Game, where properties were ‘rented’ not bought and sold.

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

Show #796 – First broadcast on 27 March 2018

The post The End of Summer – and the end of cricket …. for a while ? appeared first on Been There Done That.

Locally, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival is off to a great start with another wonderful selection of films from around the world, with stories relevant to our community.

We discuss two amazing thinkers; men of science – who share the date 14 March: Albert Einstein was born on this day in 1879; and Stephen Hawking died on this day in 2018. Both contributed greatly to our understanding of the workings of the cosmos. In the fantasy world of cinema we have the fictional characters of Capt James T Kirk (who will be born on 21/3/2233!) and Mr Spock – the Vulcan (played by Leonard Nimoy – born 26/3/1931).

Taking a world-view of our weather, we are reminded of World Meteorological Day which was first celebrated on 23/3/1950, in recognition of sharing observational data & resources, in striving to understand the science of weather and weather-predictions. Now we have satellites and web-cams giving real-time views, and modern, fast number-crunching high-speed ‘brainiac’ computers which give us those wonderful weather-maps and interpretations, that we see at the end of every TV newscast.

We note that Prince William of Britain has adopted the task of seeking the righting of wrongs when 200 hundred years ago the English colonies were saddled with anti-GLBTIQ laws, which are still on the colonial books, but removed from current British law.

Anniversaries around this time include Rosie O’Donnell, Andrea Goldsmith & Dorothy Parker, Elton John, Noel Coward and Hubert Givenchy.

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

Show #795 – First broadcast on 20 March 2018

The post The World Stage – people, events and music appeared first on Been There Done That.

Gay icons sometimes are shared with the general population – especially when they are the calibre of Rudolph Nureyev, the athletic Russian ballet dancer, born on 17 Mar 1938 but died too soon on 6 Jan 1993 of complications from HIV/AIDS. The Arts are all the richer for the contributions of our gay icons.

Another shared gay icon was born one year later on 18 Mar 1939 – Hon Michael Kirby, a retired Justice of the High Court of Australia and proudly gay with his partner. He is a shining example for our baby-queers to emulate.

In Australian history, on 2 Mar 1986, Queen Elizabeth II gave Royal Assent to the Australia Act – her signature relinquishing British interference in Australian government. By proclamation, the Australian Act came into force simultaneously with a similar act passed by the British Parliament.

March is a busy month for world events – the Ides of March, 15 March, when in year 44, Julius Caesar, a great military strategist and politician, was assassinated by his friend Marcus Brutus in move to overthrow Caesar and save the Roman Republic. Politics was tough in those days.
Also in March, the world-wide Irish diaspora celebrate St Patrick’s Day on 17 March.
And locally, at the anniversary of International Women’s Day, we recognise the role of free-style swimmers Fanny Durack (died 20 Mar 1956) and Mina Wylie who both won medals for Australia in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Sweden, being the first women to represent Australia in any sport at the Olympic Games.

We remember the introduction 10 years ago on 14 Mar 2008 of the Victorian Relationships Bill – an early attempt to secure equality for same-sex couples, and setting the scene for the drive for proper same-sex marriage equality, which was finally achieved in 2017.

We note the intention of our GLBTIQ compatriots in Britain to set up their own gay Museum, to ensure their history and achievements are documented and celebrated for all times.

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

Show #794 – First broadcast on 13 March 2018

The post Looking backwards – showing the path ahead … appeared first on Been There Done That.

We witnessed with pride the transformation of our diverse gay community celebrating our progress in social acceptance and equality in the 40^th Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade – a very good trouble-free time was had by all, in perfect viewing conditions. We are thankful that we had colour TV (first TV broadcasts in colour were back in 1 March 1975) for seeing all the glorious costumes in this parade.

We also thank Sydney’s gay Peter Travis for his wonderful design of the Speedo (or Sluggo) skimpy swimming costume – better known generically now as budgie-smugglers. Peter was born 22 Feb 1927 and lived to a great age of 89 years, dying in 2016.

Robert Mapplethorpe – US controversial gay B&W photographer (who died 9 March 1989) – used some models who would have overflowed Speedos!

On 13 Feb 2018 high-fashion British company Burberry revealed their new fabric featuring the gay rainbow – designed by gay Christopher Bailey – see illustration.

QANTAS’s gay CEO Alan Joyce is named as Patron for Pride in Diversity – the workplace diversity program for employers and employees.

On 12 March 2018 we celebrate Labour Day with a public Holiday for the 1856 advancement of working conditions, leading to the 8-hour working day, which then allowed 8-hour recreation and 8-hour rest. Melbourne has the Moomba parade – celebrating our diverse community of workers and the fight for workers’ rights, although it seems that in the modern digital age, the formula has become somewhat distorted.

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

Show #793 – First broadcast on 6 March 2018

The post Seeing ourselves at Sydney’s Mardi Gras Parade 2018 appeared first on Been There Done That.

We commemorate the life of gay icon singer Dusty Springfield who died 2 Mar 1999, after a life of 59 years of entertaining her fans but having a dramatic life facing the demons of her sexuality, the church, drink and eventually cancer.

We look at the lives of Chas Bono (born 4/3/1969) who transitioned from her birth gender as Chastity to the chosen gender as Chas, and a newly transgendered married Anglican priest in NSW – and discuss the changes necessary to public opinion, major organisations and attitudes in a mainly heteronormative society.

We celebrate the birthday on 5/3/1974 of British actor & comedian Matt Lucas – of “Little Britain” TV fame – and especially his character Andy Pipkin who is always portrayed as being wheelchair bound (but who then appears able-bodied when no one is looking). We note that some dementia patients are using the current aid of ‘silent disco’ headphones to receive aural stimulation which in turn can often produce muscle stimulation like speech, physical activity and general improvement in mood.

On the eve of 2018 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, we reflect upon their 40 year history shown in the ABC TV production “Riot” which shone a spotlight on Australia’s 1970s Gay & Lesbian Rights Movement and the passionate individuals who, facing ever-present adversity, conceived a celebration of diversity in what is now a key moment in LGBTQI history. Also seen recently was the British production of the 1950s situation – represented in the TV film “Against the Law”. The fight for equality has long and distant roots.

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

Show #792 – First broadcast on 27 February 2018

The post New Beginnings ….. appeared first on Been There Done That.

Did you know that Facebook is only 14 years old? It has grown from a simple concept into a useful tool in connecting our communities; but is it too big and intrusive? What is its future with the next generation?

Feb 18, 1564, was recorded the death of the gay Italian painter, sculptor, poet, engineer, and architect – known just by his given forename Michelangelo. He was born on 6 March 1475 and died at the ripe old age of nearly 89. Was this due to his environment, genes, diet or lust for life? We reflect upon his energetic and productive life in a society of rustic under-processed foods and wonder if the simple life is better?

Continuing with this idea of eating simply, we are reminded of the birth of John Kellogg – the inventor of the modern corn flake – an accidental creation.  He and his brother favoured a vegetarian life-style as part of their religious practices and their simple food products are still around today – in Australia under the Sanitarium brand; in great contrast to sugar-laden junk foods.

The first wedding in Australia was performed in the colony of New South Wales on Feb 10, 1788. In comparison, it has taken nearly 230 years before weddings for same-sex couples were made possible.

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

Show #791 – First broadcast on 20 February 2018

The post Making a Spectacle of yourself, Melbourne? appeared first on Been There Done That.

Elon Musk may be the latest Rocket Man, but nearly 200 years ago, Frenchman Jules Verne, a fellow with a powerful imagination, wrote of fanciful technology which has since all come to be reality.

We look forward to some recent technological advances in lighting display at White Night Melbourne 17/18th February 2018 as city buildings are transformed by colour.

There are out gay Winter Olympians in Korea – including some from Australia – much to the chagrin of the host nation.

We celebrate birthdays of Graham Kennedy Australian TV and Radio gay star born 15/2/1934; Barry Humphries – Australian character actor and social commentator – born 17/2/1934, as well as Patricia Routledge – gay UK concert singer and character actor (including Hyacinth Bouquet), born 17/2/1929.

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

Show #790 – First broadcast on 13 February 2018

The post Valentine’s Day, Rocket Men, Technology, Winter Olympics –– and more appeared first on Been There Done That.

We recall International Holocaust Memorial Day (Jan 27) and pause to remember that, as well as the horrors of the concentration camps and furnaces, many gay people were swept away as part of the purge. Hopefully humankind will remember these events and learnt from them.

We hope to learn from our own shortcomings in the management of natural Australian forests and the summer bushfires, and possibly take notice of how our First Peoples use fire to advantage in their as custody of country.

With the heaps of so-called recyclable waste piling up, we are recognising that instead of sending our mixed waste to China, we will soon have to locally sort our rubbish and convert it into new products or energy sources, or completely change our habits with current packaging eg plastic micro-bead glitter can be replaced by natural the mineral mica – if we really need to have glitter at all.

With the new session of Federal Parliament opening this month in Canberra, we see ceremonies inherited from previous generations and from infrequently used pageantry of British royalty – ie Coronations.

We wish birthday greetings to Peter Allen Australian showman (10/2/1944 – 18/6/1992), James Dean US Emo actor (8/2/1931 – 30/9/1955), and Robbie Williams UK pop star (13/2/1961).

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

Show #789 – First broadcast on 6 February 2018

The post Making history or repeating history … is nothing new anymore? appeared first on Been There Done That.

We recognise the ever-expanding ‘trans’ community as Gender Dysphoria (or gender non-conformity) loses its mystery and becomes another part of the wide spectrum of gender identity. We give examples of 3 people who have successfully transitioned to their chosen identity – Di from Violet Town, Victoria; Dana International (Sharon Cohen born 2/2/1972) – Israel’s Eurovision winning entry; and Angela Moreley – UK, (died 14/1/2009 – born 10/3/1924 as Wally Stott), who maintained her award winning career of musical composition for TV & films and as an orchestral conductor.

We note that as well as the usual Australia Day March in the city which included groups of our new citizens proudly representing their ethnicity, a protest march occurred presenting the objections of some first peoples to the symbolism of the Day. Of more interest was a large contingent of the general population who marched in their support. This demonstration of ‘consciousness-raising’ seems to show increased confidence and willingness since the Same-Sex Marriage debate, for the general citizenry to show and be counted.  Politicians – take note of the people!

We discuss technological advances likely to replicate in a smart-phone app of the functionality of our Myki travel card, but note the unwanted GPS tracking of wearers of ‘fitness performance’ devices.

In this era of plentiful supply and 24-hour supermarkets, there was a not-so-distant time in Australia’s past during wartime when food was scarce and availability was rationed by a scheme whereby residents could only purchase a small amount of meat, flour or butter (for example) per week in exchange for an entitlement voucher issued to eligible residents. Such a concept is difficult to imagine these days, but what will happen to food supplies in the future with climate change and population pressures?

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

First broadcast on 30 January 2018

The post Pride March 2018, Trans Pride, Australia Day March commentary and Big Brother watching ………. appeared first on Been There Done That.

We recognise the first use of insulin in Canada in January 1922 and wonder about the scientific zeal expended to make this critical development of modern medicine.
We ponder about the adventures of our First Peoples, in the 500 years before the first contacts with Europeans, when they interacted with seafaring Makassan peoples from Sulawesi (near Borneo), who had ventured to our northern tropical waters for fishing. These feats of discovery and contact are recorded in indigenous cave paintings, family blood lines, folklore and song and in remnants of Asian words embedded in aboriginal languages.

We learn that our discarded and surplus clothing and fashion items are no longer needed by third world for wearing or recycling – these items have no residual value because newly produced clothing is available cheaply, as the standard of living in these countries improves.

Air pollution from industrial output can be obvious but we don’t have regard for the pollution from our plastic world which ends up in the sea. We report on an octopus in Manly which has a passion for plastic drinking straws.

We celebrate birthdays of Australian gay activist Peter Tatchell now based in UK, Ellen Degeneres US actor & TV host (married to Australian Portia de Rossi), and HIV+ Olympic diver Greg Louganis.

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

First broadcast on 23 January 2018

The post Everything that’s new is actually old …. appeared first on Been There Done That.

In today’s show, we honour Ita Buttrose – a wonderful ally for our community; a great mouth-piece who, at the height of the 80’s AIDS crisis, was able with passion to respectfully and calmly ease the fears and mystery of AIDS to her extensive and wide female audience and readers.

Birthday gay–guys around this time include UK pop-singer Gary Barlow (of Take That fame), and Will Young also UK pop singer, and GB-born gay actor and film star Cary Grant – handsome and debonair.

In technology, we chat about the advancement of alternative sources of power for our daily drive – from the first solar-car race in Australia in 1983, to current hybrid and battery electric cars. What will the future hold?

We note the 15^th anniversary of JOY going to air with our full-time broadcast licence 15/01/2002.

And finally, we acknowledge the inspirational poetry of Dorothy McKellar (b 21/1/1827) whose works include the iconic “My Country” … “I love a sunburnt country….”.

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

First broadcast on 16 January 2018

The post Midsumma Carnival Day appeared first on Been There Done That.

We encourage you to attend midsumma Carnival Day next Sunday 14 January and share in the fun of the ’most fabulous queer-day-out’, in the friendly and safe space, Alexandra Gardens.

Award-winning Australian gay Orry-Kelly – born 31/12/1987, died 27/2/1964 – dressed most of the stars during the glamour years of Hollywood cinema. See main photo of Jack Lemon & Tony Curtis dressed as ‘female flappers’ in the retro film “Some like it Hot”.
We tell of the life of gay US cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead (16/12/2901-15/11/1978) who, all her other works, examined the social behaviours of South Seas Islanders and presented some controversial conclusions in her book ‘Coming of Age in Samoa’ (see photo).
We relate about the life and works of living US author, Edmund White (born 13/1/1940), novelist, memoirist and essayist on literary and social topics, including ‘The Joys of Gay Sex’.

Paul Herman Müller (born 12/1/1899) discovered that DDT was a potent insecticide. We now have to live with the residue of this deadly chemical, which was used to control natural ‘pests’, increase agricultural productivity, and worse – led to birth defects in humans. Be grateful that there are stronger testing regimes for most recent chemicals, sprays and other products.

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

First broadcast on 9 January 2018

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We remind ourselves that one of the most powerful men in the US of his time – J. Edgar Hoover, born 1/1/1895, rose to be boss of the FBI. He managed to get the dirt on so many of society ‘in the pursuit of criminals’, whilst being a gay man and being ‘above the Law’. We wonder if his anger and hatred came from his sexual repression. He died on 2/5/1972, and his faithful male companion lies buried next to him.

Someone who was ‘just a naught boy’ was UK actor, comic and member of the famous Monty Python team – Graham Chapman born 8/1/1941, died 4/10/1989 (see illustration.)  An openly gay man, he contributed greatly to the Python sense of situation comedy, on stage, TV and film.

In general anniversaries, and closer to home, the surf lifesaving reel was invented on 3/1/1907 and first used to rescue a young Charles Kingsford-Smith, who survived the surf to become a famous Australian aviator.
We are reminded that Louis Braille – inventor of the raised dot writing system for the blind – was born 4/1/1809.  Phil tells us that modern-day computing character encoding schemes like ASCII use a similar concept for character generation and recognition, being born from Braille, Morse and other codes.
A simpler product development around 1/1/1888 was the drinking straw, made from spirally-coiled waxed paper.

On 28/12/1836, the Australian State of South Australia was proclaimed at the Old Gum Tree Glenelg (see illustration)  – celebrating the creation of the colony of free settlers. On 21/12/1894, South Australia went on to be the first Australian state and one of the first governments in the world to grant women the right to vote.

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

First broadcast on 2 January 2018

The post Another year – where did the last one go? appeared first on Been There Done That.

We could avoid the festivities and get away to some remote location?
Our work-mate Anne is doing just that – voyaging to Antarctica, to visit the driest continent on earth and view the penguins and seals in their natural environment. We have a chat with her before she leaves as she shares the excitement of the adventure.

We are reminded about gay Bob Brown, who has his birthday on 27 December (born 1944); the Greens politician (retired) and his fight for the Tasmanian environmental wilderness. Also sharing a birthday on 27 December (but 1822), was Frenchman Louis Pasteur, biologist and chemist, who devised a theory of ‘germs’, which led him to propose the concept of purification of germ-laden matter by using a technique he called ‘Pasteurisation’ and vaccination for humans.

We are also reminded about the Tsunami which devastated the Indonesian province of Aceh in 2004 with massive loss of life and property.

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

First broadcast on 26 December 2017

The post Boxing Day = Recovery Day; now just the left-overs …… appeared first on Been There Done That.

As we count down to Christmas in our exhausted condition, we consider those outstanding jobs which must be done – presents, food, drink, a tree and carols; all in the name of tradition and love.

Despite the Season, life continues and in history we remember the anniversaries of people and events at this time – like LGBT singers Ricky Martin  &  Sia Furler and ex-Greens Bob Brown.
Legacies still relevant today were contributed by French biologist and chemist Louis Pasteur (born on 27 December 1895) and masterful wordsmith Charles Dickens who first published his famous story “Christmas Carol” on 19 December 1843.
Gay notables (Sir) Noel Coward born 16 December 1899 and (Sir) Nigel Hawthorn died 26 December 1822 – were both masters of the spoken word.
We also remember Cyclone Tracy which devastated Darwin on Christmas Day 1974; the disastrous fire in London’s underground railway in 1987, and early attempts at powered-flight in heavier-than-air contraptions in the early 1900s.

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

First broadcast 19 December 2017

The post The eggnog strikes again …… appeared first on Been There Done That.

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”

The post Changing attitudes – breaking down barriers of ignorance appeared first on Been There Done That.

Our final story of nature vs man covers the 1993 repairs made in space to the orbiting Hubble Telescope so that it could examine the heavens in great detail. Since then, earth-based technology has allowed scientists to delve deeper into the past when viewing far-distant galaxies. Closer to home, the uncontrolled bush-fires around Canberra in 2003 resulted in the Mt Stromlo Observatory and Telescope being destroyed, but fortunately it was returned to service within a year.

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

First broadcast on 5 December 2017

The post Making a better world ? ….. nature and democracy at work in different ways appeared first on Been There Done That.

We celebrate the birthday of Bette Midler (born 1/12/1945), US singer and gay-ally, who got her break into show business by appearing in the Continental Baths for a gay audience; & Margaret Cho, US comedian / actor, birthday (born 5/12/1968); and Britney Spears (born 2/12/1981) – the oldest teenage in the business!

In world history at this time, we remember the homophobic death of Mathew Shepard (born 1/12/1976), and the consequential elimination of the gay provocation defence in US law. We also are reminded of the life of Harvey Milk (died 27/11/1978) who was a gay activist and impetus for the US Gay Liberation movement, publisher and public official in San Francisco, who with Mayor Moscone, was assassinated by a deranged assailant. Pierre Seel (died 25/11/2005) was a survivor of Nazi concentration camps for Jews and gays, who lived to tell his story of persecution.

This week we shine the spotlight on the annual celebration of our own community radio station JOY, which first went to air 24 years ago on 1 Dec 1993.

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

First went to air on 28 Nov 2017

The post Can’t you hear me? – I’m telling you something important! appeared first on Been There Done That.

We remember Freddy Mercury (died 24/11/1999) and his place as an icon of his generation and the gay communities, as a musical genius with his public presence and a private life. His loss was compared to that of Michael Jackson. Both gone before they faded.

We comment upon imperialism in the late 2^nd millennium wherein countries – usually older European empires or kingdoms – extended their power by acquisition of territories (by planting a flag and ignoring the original inhabitants) and often the exploitation of these territories by colonialism, clothed in the concept of ‘Born to Rule’ and ‘Might is Right’.  We note the return of the remains of Mungo Man to his ancestral lands and the cultural significance of this act.

Having taken over this land mass of Australia in ‘our’ name, we had to face the tyranny of distance and the difficulties of servicing the scattered populations. Religious missions provided bush hospitals and hostels, and later flying medical service, under the masterful guidance of Rev John Flynn. Learn more ….

Topics like these and some humour every week with Chris, Gordon and Phil.

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The eccentric and musical Kransky Sisters make a very welcome personal return visit to the JOY studios and cheer us with details of their forthcoming Christmas Concert – “A Very Kransky Christmas’, as well as a sensuous rendition of ‘Santa Claus is Coming’.

The current scandals of Hollywood are nothing new – it seems that gossip and intrigue have followed the film industry from its early days. We learn more about Rock Hudson (born 17/11/1925 – who died from AIDS complications on 2/10/1985) and his close friend and fellow-gay-actor George Nader who stayed with him to the end. Pier Passolini (died 2/11/1975) was a controversial figure who was at the centre of post-war intellectual life as a visionary artist, a defiant homosexual and producer of scandalous plays and films like “Salo” (1975).

Another lesser scandal in Hollywood is the current in-fighting with the Original Village People and the various ‘replica’ Village People troupes who live on the reputation of the original team – all the time singing the jaunty camp songs written by the gay Jacques Morali (died 7/11/1991).

Topics like these and some humour every week with Chris, Gordon and Phil.

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Both Australia’s poet Henry Lawson and Russia’s musical master Peter Tchaikovsky, are now thought to have lived secret lives wherein their true sexuality was clothed in mystery, as social pressures confined them to the ‘closet’. We check out the back stories.

Meanwhile the Irish playwright Oscar Wilde (who lived concurrently with Lawson and Tchaikovsky) had his sexuality dragged through the courts in a very public scandal, and ended in gaol.

Birthdays celebrated this week include Sam Sparro Australian gay pop singer (born 8/11/1982), and Megan Mullaly (born 12/11/1958) – the dizzy Karen Walker from the gay-themed TV sitcom ‘Will & Grace’.

We get serious and reflect upon the forthcoming Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Topics like these and some humour every week with Chris, Gordon and Phil.

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We despair at our politicians who choose to ignore the deliberations of our indigenous Australians and thereby deny them a collective indigenous voice through a representative council to advise our parliamentarians. Nevertheless, we celebrate the anniversary of the 1985 decision to ‘return’ ‘ownership’ of Uluru to the local Aboriginal ‘owners’.

We note the British intention (in the 1917 Balfour Declaration) to support establishment a Jewish State within Palestine (a British-mandated territory 1920 – 1948), which was itself carved out of Ottoman Southern Syria after World War 1. It could be argued that a series of wrong decisions were made in those circumstances and has led to dissatisfaction ever since.

Also at this time is the centenary of the 4^th Australian Light Horse Cavalry – remembered as the last great cavalry charge on 31 Oct 1917 at Beersheba, leading to a successful battle against Turkish Ottoman troops. Beersheba is now incorporated into Israel.

We talk about the life-story of Pete Burns, who, like Michael Jackson, searched for physical beauty with the use of plastic surgery, and this theme leads to Robert Mapplethorpe and his graphic photos of physically beautiful men; and this in turn takes us to the influence porn exerts on the expectations both gay and straight men and how they regard body image.

Sleep is also required for inner beauty and mental re-creation. How are we doing, we ask ourselves?

These topics and some humor every week with Chris, Gordon and Phil.

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In this episode, we celebrate the lives and words of film-maker Ang Lee and Australian Tim Conigrove – author of the very moving story of love, diversity and adversity – “Holding the Man”. Sir Cliff Richards has a birthday at this time too and whilst not making hits on the music charts, it seems that the British press, police and BBC have been trying recently to smear his reputation.

We chat about the opinion poll being run by the Bureau of Statistics to gauge Australia’s attitude towards changing the laws for same-sex marriage – or as we call it Marriage Equality. We note that our local councils are waving the flag for us and even the general public are being quite assertive in expressing their positive support for changes.

These topics and some humour every week with Chris, Gordon and Phil.

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Less well known, but just as worthy of our interest is Ludwig II King of Bavaria (born 25/8/1845) , sometimes referred to as the “mad swan king” – wildly eccentric in his gay ways, even OTT , including his penchant for creating ornate castles and palaces.
But even more importantly, we remember Karl-Heinrich Ulrich born 28/8/1825 – first-known out-of-the-closet Gay Activist of the modern era, and we speak with academic Dr Douglas Pretsell (PhD Cambridge) about this fascinating person. Sunday 27/8/2017 commemorates the 150-year-anniversary of his public and empassioned defence of man-love and aim of equality to the Congress of German Jurists in Munich.

Tristan Meecham joins us to promote both the Dance Club for GLBTI Elders and Friends – Sunday 10 Sept 2-5pm, Fitzroy Town Hall and the formal Coming Back Out Ball – Dinner, Dancing & Drinks – on Saturday 7 Oct at the Melbourne Town Hall 6pm. For more info, contact Tristan at  > tristan@allthequeensmen.net < or go to comingbackoutball.com

We make rumbles about the myths surrounding the ‘story’ of Australia Day – an invention since 1935, and as a national day of commemoration only since 1994.  We chat about ‘the rabbit-proof fence’ – both the 110 year old fence and the more modern film of stolen aboriginal children.

These stories and more ….

First broadcast 22 August 2017.

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We discuss two chroniclers of gay history from the 1970s – the AIDS Era; the politics and the reality.
Randy Shilts (photo) of the San Francisco Chronicle documented the stories of the time and created a public awareness that even the US President Ronald Reagan eventually could not deny.
Locally, we have our own internationally renowned recorder of the story – Professor Dennis Altman. His first book in 1971 was ‘Homosexual: Oppression and Liberation’.

At this time, we refer to the lives of Renee Richards – ophthalmologist and tennis player – and Chelsea Manning – US soldier, prisoner and Wiki-Leaker; both of whom courageously transitioned to the gender of their choice.

These and many more stories …

First Broadcast on 15 August 2017

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Often we hear the call for indigenous recognition in the Australian Constitution and ask ‘Is it just a 21^st Century concept’. Sadly, we must answer No – It is a concept which has been around for nearly 2 centuries and it never seems to get support from our politicians or advancement towards implementation. The Yirrkala bark petitions of 1963 are historic Australian documents that were the first traditional documents prepared by Indigenous Australians that were recognised by the Australian Parliament and they sought recognition of Indigenous people in Australian law. But earlier in 1834, a fledgling South Australia devised a ‘founding charter’ which recognised and respected the local inhabitants of that new state. Up until Federation in 1901, all South Australians were recognised by law. How long must it take for the Commonwealth to act, is a question seemingly without an answer?

In 1994, the Victorian gay community grew some balls and responded with a legal challenge to the powers of Victoria Police following a raid on the gay “Tasty” nightclub, in which 463 patrons were assaulted and stripped searched. This ‘Stonewall’ moment was a generational change and the turning point in public attitudes and development of healthy and respectful relationships. Substantial financial damages were paid to individuals from our community who had been assaulted, culminating eventually in 2014 with a public apology being given by Victoria Police. Relationships are now on a firm and secure respectful basis.

We celebrate our own community, with advance notice of a GLBTI Coming Back Out Dance social event.

These and many more items …

First broadcast on 8/8/2017.

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Other legacies left for us to manage are the huge loss of Australian troops 100 years ago in WWI at Passchendaele, and the atomic fall-out from the 1950s atomic bomb testings in the ‘emptiness’ of outback Australia.

We consider the role of trans-folk in armed forces and how hate speech can be very toxic.

On a slightly lighter note, we are reminded about Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy stories with their elements of horror as part of the moral.

These stories and much more …                           First broadcast 1/8/2017

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At this time of the AFL Pride Match in Sydney, we talk about the example of another Sydney son, Ian Roberts, who is an out & proud public rugby sportsman.

Did you know that actor Helen Mirren (born Illyena Lydia Vasilievna Mironoff) has a Russian grandparent who had been stranded in UK at the time of the 1918 Russian Revolution?

At this time in 1985, Hollywood movie hunk, Rock Hudson, revealed that he was HIV positive – and in doing so, put a public face to the disease. He was amongst the first few who turned the tide of shame and horror, into compassion and support. Sadly, it has taken 30 years to tame the virus, even though smallpox was eliminated in 1978 and in 1885  began his career of immunisation of other world viruses.

These stories and much more    ………                               First broadcast 25/7/2017

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Credits: Picture – Rosetta Stone by Namlhots ‘Touching Rosetta’; Apollo_11_1998 Wikimedia Commons; Music track – ‘There’s an American Flag on the Moon tonight’ – Bobby Dimple & the Lunar Ladies Chorus.

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The aboriginal flag was first raised in Adelaide in July 1971 and now the local community have re-marked the place with an indigenous Meeting Place in the same location.
Explorer Matthew Flinders used the name Terra Australis on maps he drew; that name has morphed into ‘Australia’.
The French celebrate their popular 1789 uprising on Bastille Day and we notice the positive change in 2017 politics with their new President.
Words didn’t come easy, so Shakespeare invented more – and we still use them to this day. He may have presented his plays at the Globe Theatre, but we can experience the same feelings at a new touring pop-up flat-pack theatre.
But imagine if you were deaf and blind – how would you communicate?
These and many more topics are covered in this podcast.

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Credits – Message Stick Etnografiska museet – Stockholm, and NAIDOC 2017 – Poster by Dezigna

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Music includes the Happy Clappers’ , Luther VanDross, Pandora and Gerri Halliwell.

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Also this week, Gordon & Chris join Phil to chat about winter solstice, singers that are out, loud and proud, the Queens birthday honors list and the queers who have been acknowledged for their work.

Love the boys? Be sure to subscribe to the Been There Done That podcast on iTunes.

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We touch on the Paris Accord, solar energy and what to do with old computers.

Being happy little Vegemites, we celebrate its introduction 90 years ago. And we are reminded that Blood Donor Week is celebrated at this time in Australia. Also celebrated now is Men’s Health Week – we chat about mens’ junk; and on a different plane, we talk about space junk.
Sadly, we remember the Pulse Gay Nightclub massacre, in Orlando Florida last year and its horrendous loss of young lives to a crazed gunman, and wonder how anyone can have so much hate and lack of humanity to commit such a crime. We chide some locals who aren’t temperate in their mouthings.

On his 56^th birthday, we say cheers for the times & life of gay singer, songwriter, fashion designer, and photographer Boy George – still going strong after a tempestuous public life from 1979 to the present.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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In a musical theme, we talk about the song ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’, its origins and its role now in gay subculture, its symbol of dreams and wishes; and the place of the singer Judy Garland.

We chat about Markus Feehily – out loud and proud – but hidden within the boy-band Westlife. Musician and lyricist Cole Porter was well known as being actively gay – but that didn’t seem to affect his public reputation as a prolific writer of popular songs in the 1930-60s in the US.

And we are reminded about Bonnie Tyler – a pop singer from Wales in the 1970-90s; best recognised by for her husky voice.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We talk about the Leather Pride flag, its origins and its role in gay subculture.

We chat about some out & loud gay notables who have anniversaries at this time, including Melbourne TV’s  Graham Kennedy, US playwright Harvey Fierstein (of Torch Song Trilogy, Kinky Boots and La Cage aux Folles fame) and Alan Hollinghurst UK author & poet.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We talk about the forthcoming ‘Sorry Day’ celebrations, the slow rise of recognition and acceptance of our original inhabitants and the moves for Constitutional recognition of indigenous history. We note how other countries have successfully managed this process – sometimes with formal treaties.

We discuss some iconic buildings in our political progress, and the destruction of our environment from introduced species. Birthday greetings to Kylie Minogue who is 49yo on 28 May 2017.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We chat about the forthcoming International Day Against Homophobia, Bi-, Intersex-, and Trans-phobias (IDAHOBIT), the emergence of general awareness of their places in our world and the struggles they face, and the bullying faced by the young & powerless – not only in the school environment.

We discuss some heroes of our international community who have anniversaries around this time, as well as some prominent local Australian heroes who show us the way.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We are reminded of some lesbian women in our community – Jan Hillier,The Topp Twins and Alison Goldfrapp – all who have anniversaries around this time.

We discuss the lives of gay writers Armistead Maupin and Alan Ball, of the gay Russian classical composer Peter Tchaikovsky and the modern approaches to gender dysphoria and the positive ways in which some modern families are able to assist their offspring to resolve their gender confusion. Magnus Hirschfeld – famous sexologist –is also added to the conversation.

Finally, we discuss a young Melbournian transgender man, Nevo Zisin, who told his story in The Age Weekend Magazine recently and who wrote a memoir at 19 years old called Finding Nevo.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We remember the sacrifices of our armed forces who fought for us in the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea and the great loss of life in the defence of Australia. We also reflect upon a recent local traumatic event – the massacre at Pt Arthur and the legacy which now offers support.

We also remember Keith Haring, an influential gay US artist and activist who set up an AIDS foundation before he died of the disease in 1990, aged 31.

We chat about PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – the mental damage done during war and natural catastrophes & the problems of returning to a normal life.  We note that Prince Harry has just told of his reluctance to address his trauma from the death of his mother some 20 years ago; the parallels with PTSD; & now his involvement in the Invictus sports games for disabled warriors.

We also remember that around this time in 1999, a gay pub in London was the site of a terrorist bombing, with deaths and the subsequent identification of the bomber within hours of the event.

And on a happier note, we chat about the life of gay Australian singer Darren Hayes.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We talk about the circumstances of the Gallipoli Battle, the ways war was conducted then, and how modern methods differ so markedly. We talk about how modern Australian defence forces now recognise diversity in the ranks, and how some soldiers of past years were bold enough to express their sexuality while at war.

We chat about PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – the psychological damage done during war and the problems of returning to civilian life.

We reflect that Prince Harry has just told of his reluctance to address his trauma from the death of his mother some 20 years ago; the parallels with PTSD; & now his involvement in the Invictus sports games for disabled warriors.

We also remember that around this time in 1999, a gay pub in London was the site of a terrorist bombing, with deaths and the subsequent identification of the bomber within hours of the event.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We remember the regal spirit and tremendous breadth of mind in the 67 years of incredibly creative energy of Leonardo da Vinci – and we touch upon the comfort he found in the company of men.

We also celebrate the successful on-going career of UK singer Andy Bell – still on the music charts since 1985 with his band Erasure and proudly out as a gay & HIV-positive role-model.

Anniversaries around this time include movie star and singer Barbra Streisand and UK pop-singer Dusty Springfield, both of whom inspired a generation of drag-queens. Louis Pasteur also gets a mention for his discovery of the role of good & bad bacteria in milk.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We remember Gilbert Baker, US gay activist, for his creation of the gay symbol we now proudly display – the Rainbow Flag with 6 colours – saying so much but not in words.

We talk with Rosemary Macindoe about her novella “The Toorak Jackpot” – a story with sweet surprises and life observations, about Bert who graduates from Prahran into Toorak. We reflect upon copyright laws, the advent of books and the use of the spoken word, especially as used by the recently deceased John Clarke in his weekly satirical take of Australian politics.

Anniversaries around this time include Magda Szubanski, Kenny Everett, Graham Norton and Samantha Fox. Barry Manilow gets a mention as well for confirming his gay credentials – at last!

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We compare the current favourable portrayal of most gay characters on TV and the seemingly slow uptake in mainstream cinema releases, and then talk about 2 serious film stars who challenged the industry.

We reflect upon the unfavourable treatment in the US of the 1990s of haemophiliac Ryan White who contracted HIV from a blood transfusion. We also talk about Janis Ian – and her short career as a pop singer, but a more successful life as a writer of science-fiction and as a proud lesbian.

We end by talking about the sad events of the first-recorded event of deaths-by-misadventure, due to events linked to OCD hoarding.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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With voices from the past, we include a grab from a rare interview with Jan Hillier Melbourne Gay Icon (now deceased) in the year 2000. Bill Jeffrey – one of our original crew but also now deceased – interviews the mysterious Kransky Sisters in 2009 & they sing for us too; he also chats with Dickens’ devotee actress Miriam Margolyes in 2012. Then we talk with Adrian as he embarks upon the adventure with his partner Ralph of becoming Gay Dads to twins.

We remind ourselves of Hans Christian Anderson born 2/4/1805 – the fairy-story author of modern fairy tales (with a sting in the tale/tail). We also remark upon the very new decision of Germany to issue pardons and financial recompense to those gays who were prosecuted under a pre-war Nazi law which was still active in their laws but only recently superceded.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We recognise a wonderfully talented local couple – Andrea Goldsmith, acclaimed Australian writer and novelist and her Australian poet-partner Dorothy Porter, both of whom have birthdays at this time.

We celebrate the anniversaries of a series of brilliant gay word-smiths and interpreters of the written word – Gay Jim Parsons as “Sheldon Cooper” from “Big Bang Theory”, UK songwriter, singer, musician and philanthropist Elton John (with Bernie Taupin’s lyrics), bisexual US musician Lady Gaga, gay US classic poet Walt Whitman, and gay UK actor/musician Sir Noel Coward.

We finish our feast of words with tales of the gay antics of English King James (famous for the King James Bible).

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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Having birthday anniversaries around this time are Stephen Gately, member of the Irish boy-band ‘Boyzone’, who died prematurely at age 33 of a congenital heart defect; and Russian-born ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev who died aged 55 of complications from HIV/AIDS. We also acknowledge the wonderful work of Hon. Michael Kirby and his drive for human rights, including gay rights.

We remind ourselves of the life and works of controversial US photographer Robert Mapplethorpe – another loss to HIV/AIDS – who lived in the amazing blossoming of gay awareness in the US in the 1970s/80s but remained shy and retiring, leaving his erotic photography as a bold witness of his life.
Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We remember the contributions from Edmund White and Patricia Highsmith in writing about gay experiences, and we recall the role of the influential Ita Buttrose (AO OBE) in explaining the AIDS crisis in the 1980s to the readers of her women’s magazines.

We speak with Tim Peppard of Australian Marriage Equality and their hope to have long-term partners join them at this year’s Pride March. For more info please email Tim at > timpeppard@australianmarriageequality.org <

Phil gives us the history of computer viruses and we talk about talented singers, first seen in boy-bands or on TV show like ‘Idol’.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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In remembering the birthday of the man who discovered the dangers of DDT, and we chat about the danger of similar new discoveries, & the need for extensive testing of new compounds on animals before being used by humans.  But we note that even when disease-cures are discovered, the use of modern remedies is often limited by costs & our national health schemes – mostly free in Australia, but not in the US.

We honour the life and works of gay Long John Baldry, popular UK blues singer/musician/guitarist in the 60s, mentor in musical matters to Rod Stewart and Elton John (whom he also assisted with his ‘coming-out’ process.

We discuss petroleum, its source and modern uses, the rise of the motor-car & pollution from both cars and the burning of coal, and the transition to renewable resources.

In closing, we promote the forthcoming Midsumma Carnival Day.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ..

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Among gay identities having anniversaries at this time are J.Edgar Hoover of FBI fame, Sir Nigel Hawthorne the fine actor in BBC TV’s’ Yes Minister’ and Christopher Isherwood – novelist/Cabaret story theme, and singer/actress Marlene Dietrich.

This week we acknowledge the birthdays of Louis Pasteur and his treatment of milk to eliminate the ‘nasties’ – a practice we call ‘pasteurisation’.

Another French man of fame at this time is Louis Braille and his system of raised dots for reading by touch. Our final French remembrance at this time is the 2014 bombing of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine.

Our final saga is about the humble drinking straw.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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