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Saturday Magazine

3 Mar 2014

Who’s looking out for LGBTI asylum seekers?

News & Politics, Podcast, Society & Culture

Who’s looking out for LGBTI asylum seekers?

Asylum Seekers are fleeing violence (low-res)Asylum seekers make their way to Australia because their homelands are dangerous war-zones, right? Well, the truth is that there are many people across the globe willing to put their lives at risk to come here for a whole variety of reasons. And living in a war-zone isn’t always the case.

As Amnesty International’s NSW Branch President Senthorun Raj describes in this edition of Saturday Magazine, some people seek asylum here simply because they identify as LGBTI. That’s because countries all over the world prohibit and persecute homosexuality. But as was indicated on last week’s Dateline program on SBS, the Australian government seems worryingly unconcerned on the matter.

Also on this edition of the show, Melbourne’s White Night shone its way to a roaring success at the weekend, with around 500,000 people making their way to the CBD to marvel at the bright lights and carnival atmosphere.

In just its second year, the even has already surpassed all expectations to quickly become one of the state’s most successful attractions. Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has indicated that next year’s White Night may need to begin on Friday to accommodate the interest.

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor (and Premier Napthine’s former boss) Robert Doyle joins hosts Ben Rylan and Macca as they discuss not only the bright side of the city, but also the darker undercurrent of long-term homelessness.

After January’s murder of homeless man Wayne “Mousey” Perry, Melburnians have been forced to face the very real problem of homeless people in the city. And as this edition of Saturday Magazine reveals, it’s never as simple as many believe.

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