We begin this episode reporting on the moving ceremony when Mathew Shepard’s ashes were interred in the US National Cathedral – in a final act of respect, providing a safe place for his life to be remembered. The gay former-Bishop Gene Robinson officiated.

From our Anniversaries Book, we review the work and life of Gore Vidal – influential gay US social and political commentator, author, playwright, and essayist – born 3/10/1925, and died at 86 years on 31/7/2012.

Other anniversaries include the first broadcast of ABC TV in November 1956, and the desertification of the Asian Aral Sea – drained of its water for irrigation, and declared in 1990 as the worst ecological disaster.

From the international press we tell of a report that Chelsea Manning has undergone elective medical procedures to confirm her selected gender.

We also report on a UK proposal to alter the circumstances in which HIV positive gay men can seek parenthood.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment (where appropriate) by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #828 – First broadcast on 30 October 2018

The post The good … and the not-so-good appeared first on Been There Done That.

We start this episode of Been There Done That chatting about postal votes determining the final result in the weekend’s Wentworth by-election, before reminding ourselves of an event in history which turned a poor purchase into superb bargain – namely the purchase by the US of Alaska from the Russians (not the actual traditional owners) for a pittance around this date in 1867, only to discover gold in the Klondike later on. A far better deal occurred in 1985 when the ownership of Uluru was returned to the traditional owners at no cost.

At this time, we re-tell the wonderful story of gay Labor politician Neal Blewitt who, as Federal Health Minister in the late 1980s, enlisted his political counterpart from the Opposition to jointly and successfully address the AIDS crisis and adopt strategies of containing and managing the disease – a model envied by other countries.

From the international press we tell of a survey of over 9,000 Catholics in 9 countries who want the church hierarchy to adopt a more positive stance towards the LGBTQ community. And from Canada we learn that thousands of Canadians have signed petitions in support of the banning of ‘gay conversion therapy’. From the US , we hear that at least 19 men, arrested in a police sting operation on a ‘Pleasure Emporium’, escaped conviction when the judge agreed that they were not in a public place and the activity was with consenting adults, throwing out the police charges. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, an arbitrary limit to the number of gender-reassignment operations allowed, has been lifted.

We celebrate the birthdays of Melbourne-born Helen “I am Woman – hear me roar” Reddy, and also of Glenn Milstead – better known for his movie alter-ego ‘Divine’.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment (where appropriate) by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

The post Politics … the good and the better appeared first on Been There Done That.

We report on the behaviour of two male penguins in a Sydney aquarium. They are reported to be ‘inseparable’ and ‘who show great excitement caring for their egg’. Is Nature telling us something?

More importantly, we note that Mathew Shepard’s ashes are to be interred in Washington’s National Cathedral, some 20 years after his death. His place in modern society is being respected and honoured, despite being a graphic example of human behaviour of homophobia and hatred.

Our near-neighbours Malaysia have reviewed their colonial laws and decided to repeal the barbaric death penalty, and we compare this to the recent action by India to repeal the colonial law which criminalised gay sex.

The anniversary at this time of the political reunion of West and East Germany is recalled, and we note that the public are still readjusting their expectations of their society. Locally, we consider the turmoil of our own political parties as they juggle and jostle in throes of self-destruction. Where will it end up, we ask?

It was 45 years ago that the Sydney Opera House was opened by The Queen, and now we have a visit by Prince Harry and his newly pregnant wife. We wonder if the royals are acceptable alternatives compared to some international leaders, despots, demagogues, tyrants or dictators? We are distracted by the recent actions to commercialise the sails of the Opera House for the purposes of promotion of gambling, and we wonder if we in Melbourne are too genteel by comparison.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment (where appropriate) by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #826 – First broadcast on 16 October 2018

The post Be kind to all the animals … and to humans. appeared first on Been There Done That.

This week, Gordon tells of his recent viewing of a family-friendly comedy movie – “Crazy Rich Asians” and how it presents the usual family crisis when preparing for a wedding, but with cultural differences from the Singaporean Chinese family. From recent press reports, we learn that many rich Singaporeans are in favour of GLBTIQ equality and rights, and are contributing their money to support the activists.

We compare the way two gay icons lived their lives by being discrete and non-controversial. The two icons both with birthdays this month are Ian Thorpe – our recent gold-medal winning Olympic swimming sensation. The other is the pop singer Cliff Richards – for over 50 years he has presented a clean image, only blemished by a recent unsubstantiated attack on his ‘niceness’.

At this time, we remember the horrific hate crime committed in 1998 on Mathew Shepard – killed at the age of 22 years for ‘being gay’. And we also remember that at this time in October 1944, when 800 innocent gypsy children were murdered in the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz.

We chat about the innocent creatures in our Melbourne city zoo, and express our gratitude for the efforts in preserving species and respecting the dignity and living conditions of captive animals in open zoos.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment (where appropriate) by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #825 – First broadcast on 9 October 2018

The post Be nice, work hard and keep your head down. appeared first on Been There Done That.

This week, we’re still buzzing after the footy finals. It is such a Melbourne vibe, and even if you don’t follow the game through the year, the finals are stand-alone excitement – much better than the Melbourne Cup horse-racing. But now we realise that summer is just around the corner with the usual harbingers of Daylight Saving changes and hay fever sneezes.

We bid a sad farewell to Yvonne Gardner – a stalwart of the Melbourne gay community, for her support of the abandoned members of our community during the earliest days of the AIDS /HIV crisis.

Also remembered at this time are US bi folk singer of the ’70s Janis Joplin (died 4/10/1970), and gay English comedian Graham Chapman of Monty Python fame (died 4/10/1989).

From around the world, we refer to press reports of the changing civil rights of our GLBTIQ communities, with positive changes in India, listing of intersex as a gender option in Colorado, and the foiling of US Congress anti-GLBTQ adoption amendments which would have struck out government financial benefits. Laws re-criminalising advances in legislations are lurking in Trinidad & Tobago, Texas and Singapore.

On 5/10/1989, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, but we question the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Aung San Suu Kyi in 1991, with the disturbing situation in Burma/Myanmar.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment (where appropriate) by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #824 – First broadcast on 2 October 2018

The post Wins … and losses appeared first on Been There Done That.

This week, we comment on the recently released figures on reported HIV cases in Australia, and interpret them in part to reflect upon the way the informed gay community has accessed new medications, but we fear that the figures may also reflect the situations in the poorly informed straight community, when some stray into ‘our’ area for casual sex but miss out on the health messaging; and sadly we fear that the rural and indigenous communities, who are poorly supported in many ways, drop through safety net until much later in the cycle of the development of HIV.

While Israel secured Eurovision 2019 with Netta’s winning act in May 2018, it has taken until now for Tel Aviv to be announced as the city to host the next contest. We reflect upon the influence of orthodox religion in Israel and the inability for the 2019 event to be held in Jerusalem.

We report on the introduction into Jewish schools in Britain of a guide support of GLBT+ students. The resource known as “The Wellbeing of LGBT+ Pupils: A Guide for Orthodox Jewish Schools”, encourages Orthodox Jews to use language responsibly, prevent bullying and support students when they come out, as well as educating both teachers and parents on LGBTQ issues.

The lines on maps don’t necessarily represent precise zones of social or political communities. We reflect upon how the Britain used Australia as its testing ground for nuclear weapons & France did much the same with its territories in the Pacific; China is occupying areas and exerting influence in areas not normally considered as part of mainland China; and even Australia pressures its old ‘colonial’ territory Papua New Guinea.

On the anniversary of the establishment on 29/9/1829 of London’s Metropolitan Police, we discuss how we currently regard policing forces – sometimes in how we give them nicknames.  We boast how the local experience of having our own GLLOs (Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers), and the inclusion of the police and other Emergency Service personnel in our Pride Marches, and the police’s own positive inclusion of gay members, has changed social attitudes in Victoria.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment (where appropriate) by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #823 – First broadcast on 25 September 2018

The post Breaking down fences … or building them appeared first on Been There Done That.

This week, as we prepare for our various football finals, we remark upon the apparent unsuitability of our current National Anthem penned in 1878. We consider the many alternatives which are being promoted. In response to our modern view of our multicultural Australian society, the use of one of them may be more suitable.

We reflect upon the work and life of Don Dunstan, born 21/9/1926. He was the Labor Premier of South Australia for 2 terms and he drove legislative reforms to sweep away outdated concepts. Most importantly he obtained the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1975  – the first state in Australia to do so. He was a civil libertarian and humanist, and influential in strengthening democracy, helping Indigenous people get more self-determination, pushing multiculturalism forward and addressing the powers of the police force in his state. He spent the last decade of his life in a gay relationship.

Are you aware of the recent revelation that one of the Queen’s cousins is about to enter into a same-sex marriage? How modern is this? We contrast this situation with a much earlier royal, King Edward II, who was removed from office and tortured to death in 1327 for his active homosexuality.

Animals are quite often used in tests where safety for humans has not been established – consider the role of real guinea-pigs. We recall the first hot-air balloon and Sputnik 5 when innocent animals left Earth and were sent on adventures. There is no need to be reminded that man is the greatest eliminator of other species on Earth. The extinction of koalas in NSW by 2050 is predicted.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment (where appropriate) by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #822 – First broadcast on 18 September 2018

The post Australia where … what’s in an Anthem? appeared first on Been There Done That.

This week, we consider the recent behaviour of some public figures who have behaved badly and damaged their own reputations.

Gordon chats with Tristan Meecham – the events producer of ‘All the Queens Men’ – about the forthcoming formal “The Coming Back Out Ball”, to be held on 25 Oct 2018 in the Melbourne Town Hall for GLBTI elders and allies.

It is with hindsight that the importance of historic events is recognised:

We report on the recent repeal of ancient British laws in India which outlawed gay sexual behaviour and affected 78 million GLBTI people. This is but the first step in obtaining equality.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment (where appropriate) by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #821 – First broadcast on 11 September 2018

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This week, we’re chatting about our politicians who still believe that it is possible to “pray away the gay”! We refer to the current movie “The Miseducation of Cameron Post”, shown at the recent 2018 MIFF.

Chris reminisces about his previous travels to Germany, and more specifically the colourful fun-fair “Oktoberfest”, now held in September (!). He tells the back story of the public celebration of King Ludwig I’s wedding to Princess Therese in October 1810, and the regular re-celebration thereof (except for years of war). His grandson King Ludwig II was born 25 August 1845 was interested in other directions (some gay) and his legacy was a series of extravagant and flamboyant castles and palaces, which earned him the name of  the ‘Mad Swan King’ or ‘Fairy Tale King’.

From our Anniversaries book, we select two members of our community who lead very interesting lives. We talk about the gay UK/US author Christopher Isherwood who lived through the social changes from the 1930s to the 70s, reminding ourselves that the film ‘Cabaret’ is based upon a character from his play & later film “I am a Camera”, recollections of his life in Berlin.

Locally we remind ourselves that the Australian flag, as we see it today, was first flown on 3rd September 1901. Sadly, our coinage comes and goes – 1c and 2c coins began disappearing on 21 August 1990, leaving the 5c coin as our smallest denomination. We ask how much longer it may remain in use, given our modern use of digital wallets.

We celebrate the birthday of magical Freddy Mercury on 5 Sept 1946, and recall his musical legacy to us.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #820 – First broadcast on 4 September 2018

The post Life as we know it … not always as we like it appeared first on Been There Done That.

Well – we weren’t expecting that melt-down in Canberra. And ‘they’ wonder why they lose credibility and relevance with the general voters.

We mention three members of our community who lead very interesting lives – being born as one gender then realising the appropriateness of transitioning to their gender of choice. We talk about tennis star Renee Richards, Olympic star Caitlin Jenner and Chelsea Manning who was involved with the public release of US Government documents.

We are reminded that some serious injustices have been committed against our first peoples. We detail the circumstances of the Coniston Massacres – a 2-month revenge rampage by white forces in 1928 against the aboriginal population, resulting in over 100 innocent deaths.

And at this time in August, we also reflect upon the death of Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

The terror of Mount Vesuvius’ violent eruption in the year 79, is relived each 24 August in Italy. The poisonous gasses which rolled down the slopes of the mountain engulfed the town of Pompeii and the innocent people who were caught unawares, to be buried in the volcanic ash.

Luckily, our mood is lightened by the wonderful spring blooms of  Australia’s National Wattle Day celebrations.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #819 – First broadcast on 28 August 2018

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