In this program, we briefly cover some current events including the retirement of the Duke of Edinburgh at 95yo & Prince Harry’s forthcoming visit to Australia; the recent AOC controversy; the return some 121 years ago of the original Olympic Games (redux) and Australia’ sporting colours, National Anthem and wattle flowers.

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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In this program, we talk about the musical life of lesbian Leslie Gore, and Phil reminds us about the dysfunctional TV family “The Simpsons” on the 30th anniversary of their show.

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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In this ANZAC Day program, we remember the sacrifices of our armed forces who have fought for us.

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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In this show, we gloat upon the long-weekend just past when we celebrated ‘chocolate-rabbit-eggs’ days (?), and we discuss the life stories of two notable gay men.

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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In this show, we discuss life stories, gay symbolism, and wordsmiths.

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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In this show, we enjoy the end of daylight saving time, the extra hour of sleep, the change of seasons and the change of smoke alarm batteries…

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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In this show, we reprise some signature broadcast segments in the programme’s 17 years of broadcasting history, as we celebrate with our 750th show.

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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In this show, we talk about the weather… as it’s World Meteorological Day on 23rd March.

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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We chat about our National Capital Canberra, and its genesis, we comment about our recent public holiday Moomba for the Labour Day Weekend and we salute St Patrick – the patron saint of Ireland.

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.

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We recall the safe and friendly fun of 2017 Midsumma Carnival Day and the liberation we can now enjoy, and we recall the bad old days when we had to hide.

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 > [email protected] <

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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