You may have been hearing a lot lately about transgender people in the US, after political and legal battles over which bathroom transgender people are allowed to use. Here in Brisbane, transgender people gathered for the first ever Trans Fair Day on Sunday, and I was on the scene.
The 2016 Mardi Gras saw tensions rise between the ‘No Pride in Detention’ float, which is advocating for the abolition of detention, especially for queer refugees, and the rainbow ALP float. No Pride in Detention organiser Evan says they were nearly removed from the parade after false accusations of harassment. In a statement, Mardi Gras CEO Michele Bauer said NSW Police had reported an “unacceptable level of harassment” from the No Pride members. She went on to say the decision to remove the No Pride in Detention float from its original position was “the best course of action to ensure both parties were able to march and spread their individual messages to the world while maintaining safety for all marchers.” A member of the float recorded Mardi Gras’ interaction with float organisers, which can be viewed here
The Return of Kings is another of the high-profile groups for male pick-up artists we’ve heard about in the last couple of years, which is planning meet ups of its Australian members all throughout this week. Melbourne University’s Dr Lauren Rosewarne spoke with us about the group, the views they hold, and their interaction with Australia.
Scientists from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission have the week announced the discovery of liquid water flowing on the surface of the planet Mars. Astrophysicist Dr Katie Mack from the University of Melbourne says the discovery will help pave the way for eventual manned missions to the red planet.
– New help for Toowoomba disability services
– New anti-blindness drug approved in Australia
– Adolescent HIV rates doubled in a decade: WHO
– AMA accuses Scott Morrison of child abuse
– ACOSS opposes lifting the pension age
– Robot seals to calm agitated dementia patients
– Link found between gene and Alzheimer’s risk
– Accusations leveled against Heal for Life foundation Continue reading 4zzz Headlines (Pt. 18)
– Go card loopholes wiped out
– Koala killing woodchipper company rebuked
– Stroke sufferers going without basic care
– PM Abbott declares end to Afghan War
– First global skin cancer conference held in Brisbane
– Global warming brings irrukandji to Queensland waters Continue reading 4zzz Headlines (Pt. 14)
I collaborated with fellow reporter Bec Waterhouse to cover the annual ‘Reclaim the Night’ in Brisbane. You may have noticed the protestors if you were in the city last night, as they marched the streets near Queen Street Mall, demanding safety for women, or when they continued their rally at Queens Park. As well as sounding out the crowd, I spoke to Shannon McCallum, one of the organisers of the event, to find out a little more about it.
– Heavy smog descends on Chinese city
– Launch of Asbestos Awareness Month
– Burst pipes bust bus system
– Russian suicide bomber kills five, injures 32
– Dr Karl hits Brisbane for tourism awards
– Calls for BBC to be privatised increase Continue reading 4zzz Headlines (Pt. 13)