Thursday 28th May is the first LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day, and Rach and Dean spoke to LGBTI Domestic Violence advocate Ben Bjarnesen about why he advocated for this day, and why we need not stick our heads in the clouds when it comes to violence in our communities.

If you are unsure what to do and don’t know who to talk to, you can reach out to Switchboard Victoria or QLife Australia who are always here to help.

The post We need to shine a light on LGBTI Domestic Violence with Ben Bjarnesen appeared first on Mad Wednesdays.

If you feel that your anxiety in social settings is causing you a lot of stress or impacting your ability to live the life you want to, why not speak to a psychologist.

They are trained to treat anxiety and there’s a lot of effective treatments for social anxiety that can help loosen it’s grip on you and help you live the live you want to.

We all deserve to feel comfortable within our own shoes.

The post Councillors Corner : Showing your pride your own way appeared first on Mad Wednesdays.

IGLA is the world’s foremost international organisation solely devoted to developing and promoting gay and lesbian swimming, water polo, diving, and synchronised swimming. Each year IGLA sanctions an international aquatics sports championships in a different international city, with one in every four years coinciding with the Gay Games – this year it is Melbourne.

IGLA’s mission is to promote participation in aquatic sports among lesbians, gay men and friends of our community, and to ensure maintenance of the highest standards for aquatic competitions for all Gay Games and IGLA Championships.

You can find a full program of events (in and out of the pool) via the Melbourne 2020 website.

The post Dive into Melbourne 2020 with Tom Luchsinger appeared first on Mad Wednesdays.

Up to 3 million Australians are living with depression or anxiety. This free public event gives them the chance to see five different leaders across the LGBTIQA+ community talk about their thoughts on queer mental health and how they try to live happier and more fulfilling lives. This is an event for anyone who has/is suffering from mental health issues, those close to them or anyone interested in finding out more. Please feel free to join us in this safe space for an evening of great company and conversation

Panellets:
Laird Leatherman Jay Fox,
Entertainer/Journalist Dean Arcuri,
Entertainer Dolly Diamond,
Greens Senator Janet Rice,
and LGBTIQA+ educator Melissa Griffiths,
Hosted and interviewed by Morgan FitzGerald.

Hares & Hyeanas Wednesday 19th Feb at 7pm – click here for more details

Please rsvp to rsvp@hares-hyenas.com.au to ensure entry, or call Hares & Hyenas on (03) 9495 6589 if you would like to reserve your place by telephone or if you have any specific access requirements.
Hares & Hyenas is a fully accessible venue, with an accessible toilet and access to all public spaces at the venue.

The post LGBTIQA+ Mental Health – how can live more fulfilling lives? appeared first on Mad Wednesdays.

The competition searches for an Aussie who best represent and supports their community. It finds, builds, and develops future leaders within the LGBTI community in Australia and around the world.

Mr. Gay Pride Australia will host its final in Hay at the Rainbow on the Plains Festival, where it will select the official Australian representative for Mr. Gay World.

Click here to register yourself or someone else for Mr Gay Pride Australia 2020.

The post Registrations open for Mr Gay Pride Australia 2020 appeared first on Mad Wednesdays.

Dean Arcuri speaks to a gay asylum seeker stuck in detention.

Arriving in Australia with valid tourist visas, gay Saudi Arabian journalist Sultan and Nassar* were asked if they intended to seek asylum by a clerk at customs. They thought it would be best to be honest and upfront about their intentions, and that they would be seeking asylum to flee from persecution because of their sexuality.

But standing at the airport at customs, the entrance to a new life was stolen from them. They were handcuffed, put into a van and taken to a detention centre where they’ve remained under guard for over two months.

Sultan shares with Dean what this has been like as he waits for the day the couple will be set free. Then two days later, Nassar was freed and Sultan remains in detention due to a clerical error. He should be free and with his partner by now, instead he is waiting and hoping that this will change before the end of the year.

This is just one asylum seekers story, there are many more whose stories we are not hearing.

This is our Australia!

*Sultan and Nassar’s names have been changed to protect their identities

The post Standing on the inside looking out – Gay Saudi journalist seeking asylum speaks from detention appeared first on Mad Wednesdays.

Tomboy recognises that connecting our community has many elements and this workshop for queer (LGBTIQ) women and non-binary folk intends to help participants understand that boundaries and consent are intertwined. Empowering you to practice the skills you learn about boundaries and consent into all aspects of your life.

Specific examples of places you need boundaries and consent are EVERYWHERE. But some of the areas you might want to apply them to, could be love, sex, relationships, poly / non monogamous dynamics, the workplace, family, kink, social play and then some!

The workshop takes place on 30th November, it goes for 3 hours and the venue in Brunswick is fully wheelchair accessible.

Click here to find out more details.

The post Empowering boundaries – Tomboy Workshop appeared first on Mad Wednesdays.

With people coming from all around the world to compete, it’s going to be fantastic.

A fundraiser is on the way on Friday 29th November, in a night of fun and games with bingo, games, drag show, speedos and more.

Tickets and details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melbourne2020-igla-drag-bingo-fundraiser-tickets-79941991649

The post Are you ready for Melbourne 2020? appeared first on Mad Wednesdays.

‘We connect people all across Victoria back into, or for the first time into their LGBTIQA+ communities.’

CEO of Switchboard Victoria Joe Ball returned to MAD Wednesday discussing the Out & About LGBTIQA+ Visitors Scheme which had its funding cut in December.

However this visit was cause for celebration with this weeks announcement that the federal government is refunding the program. And will provide $122,500 so that the Out and About LGBTIQA+ Visitors Scheme can continue to bring community to people, and help reduce ageism through intergenerational friendships.

‘We need for people in our community to have these conversations with older LGBTIQA+ people & we need help to find those who would benefit from a regular friendly visitor.’

Coordinator of Out & About, Ada Castle also joined Robbie & Dean to discuss the program, and put the call out for people to sign up and apply to be visited by volunteers.

‘You can be surrounded by people, but if they aren’t people who affirm your gender & sexuality or affirm who you are, you can still feel deeply lonely – and that is what Out & About is all about.’

Do you know someone who would like to be visited by friendly LGBTI volunteers?

Are you or do you know people living at home or in aged care and would like a visitor as part of the national Community Visitors Scheme?

Regular visits can occur every week or fortnight, either at home or another location; and can include having a chat over coffee or tea, watching a film, attending a community event, participating in a hobby, game or any other enjoyable social activity.

Click here for more details.

The post ‘Thank you, you were our champions’- Switchboards Out & About LGBTIQA+ Visitors Scheme Refunded appeared first on Mad Wednesdays.

In this frank interview, we hear about what its like living with a disability and not feeling included in queer spaces, as people disregard you and you have to work twice as hard to be seen just like everyone else.

Thomas Banks’ Quest for Love screens as part of the Documentary Shorts in the Melbourne Queer Film Festival.

We want to thank Thomas for taking the time to come and join us on MAD Wednesdays, and for his patients with us in creating an interview for all to hear.

The post Thomas Banks talks disability, sex & his award winning Quest for Love appeared first on Mad Wednesdays.