Yes – Show number 850 – a good reason to have a bit of a break – for four months at least. In the meantime checkout our back catalogue of podcasts.

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.

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.

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   

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We welcome Will to the program for his second show while Gordon is away on the high seas.

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”.

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   

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While Gordon is on the high seas, we welcome Will to the program for 2 shows, and he will share his knowledge with us.

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   

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In this week’s show, we talk about our Labour Day holiday which has morphed into Moomba. The origins of the 8-hour working day are being forgotten in the modern world of low wages, poor working security and conditions, and the attitude ‘the fittest survives’. Meanwhile Moomba has become a multicultural festival providing a wonderful festive occasion for all our citizens.

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 50th 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 2nd 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   

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In this week’s show, we chat about the Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras telecast and what pleased us (as viewers) – and note that the parade was enthusiastically received by the crowds lining the streets. There was so much colour, movement, joy and pride; it really is coming-out in a wonderful safe and welcoming event.

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.

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.

In this week’s show, we discuss how Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is planning to become ‘carbon neutral’ with the reduction of rubbish after the parade, and elimination of glitter (gasp) and balloons.  We are pleased to know that the 41st parade will still proceed at dusk, probably with plenty of political guests – in this year of state and federal elections.

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   

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In this week’s show, we discuss in broad terms the wonderful program listing of the forthcoming Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and applaud the range of films to be shown and the reflection of positive changes in public acceptance. We also note the queer graphic novel (web comic) Heartstopper for the Young Adult, who would appreciate this form of story presentation with its affirming messaging. It is a love story set in a British all-boys grammar school.

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   

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In this week’s show, we honour gay icons who have birthdays around this time, and who have entertained us and widened our horizons of what it means to be gay.  We salute the late Graham Kennedy – a Australian TV legend who entered our Melbourne living rooms and flaunted humour (often gay or risqué) to our parents and us; And whoever would have thought that (Dame) Patricia Routledge – who played Hyacinth Bucket (Bookay) – was actually a member of our larger gay family; We also gratefully acknowledge our own Robert Dessaix – now a famous writer and journalist.

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   

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Once again, Pride March revealed the breadth and depth of our wide community to the general public in a wonderful display of colour and movement, held in fierce morning sunshine in Melbourne, with a gentle breeze off the Bay. Earlier we had thought that smoke from bushfires may drift over us. With this latest burst of hot weather, we are reminded of the 10-year anniversary of massive fires in nearby forests and the great loss of lives.

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   

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In this week’s show, we wonder whether we Australians look forward to a public holiday but tend to ignore the reasons behind the non-work day. There is now greater interest in the celebration known as Australia Day, as well as much debate about the appropriateness of the date and also the reasons or circumstances surrounding the public holiday.

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.

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