“HIV is still here; and it’s on the move”

December 1, 2016 – World AIDS Day – Official Community Launch.

Hear the proceedings in full that took place at the AMREP Theatre, adjacent to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, featuring:

(in order of appearance)

Richard Keane. President Living Positive Victoria

Hon Jill Hennessy. Minister for Health

Associate Professor Edwina Wright (key note address)

And Positive Speakers Gareth and Heather.

The post World AIDS Day 2016 Community Launch appeared first on JOY Community Highlights.

Dano and Mason interview Melissa Tandy, Global Chair of the ANZ Pride Network about the Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20.

The post ANZ Pride Network Support Transgender Awareness Week appeared first on JOY Community Highlights.

On October 13th, one of our longest running presenters on JOY 94.9, Gordon Wilson turns 80 years of age. Gordon has given so much to JOY over the past 9 years (he will celebrate 10 years on January the 1st, 2017) and just as much or more to so many other LGBTIQ community groups across Melbourne including Vintage Men & VAC.

This audio was lifted from Gordon’s regular weekly program (The Wednesday Morning Show) and includes some heart-warming messages by some of his JOY colleagues.

Again, we thank you Gordon for the love, positivity and inspiration you bring to the JOY family and we hope you enjoy this milestone.

The post Happy 80th Gordon! appeared first on JOY Community Highlights.

JOY 94.9 Presenter Dean Beck is interviewed by VCA High School student Ava Grimshaw-Hall

Ava Grimshaw-Hall is a country girl who moved to Melbourne this year to study at the Victorian College of the Arts High School. One of Ava’s assignments was to conduct an interview with someone who works in the media to gain insight into the media industry and experience a media organisation in operation first hand.

Join Ava as she talks to JOY 94.9 Broadcast and Producer, Dean Beck who has been delivering three diverse radio programs each week, for over seven years.  Discover how Australia’s only LGBTI radio station operates as Dean takes Ava on a tour of the station.  Then the tables turn on JOY 94.9’s most experienced interviewer when he becomes the guest and Ava asks the questions.

The post On assignment – Ava Grimshaw-Hall with Dean Beck appeared first on JOY Community Highlights.

The 31st of August is International Overdose Awareness Day which aims to raise awareness of drug overdose, and reduce the stigma associated with overdose deaths. It acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends of those who have died or been permanently injured as a result of overdose.

Today families of people lost to overdose, alcohol and other drug organisations and Members of Parliament came together at Parliament House to mark International Overdose Awareness Day.

In Victoria last year, there were 217 overdose deaths from illicit drugs and many more fr

The Victorian Government invests more than $17 million each year in a range of initiatives to reduce the harm associated with drug use, including fatal overdoses.

Dean Beck went along to the events and caught up with the State Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley who announced the Government will invest in a peer-led networks trial in six locations across Melbourne. Peer workers will draw on their local knowledge and experience of drug use to identify those at risk of overdosing and provide peer support to people who may not to utilise mainstream supports.

The Government earlier this year announced the introduction of real-time prescription monitoring – a key recommendation of many coronial inquests. The real-time prescription monitoring system will be backed by a $30 million investment to help medical clinics, pharmacies and hospitals to identify prescription drug seekers earlier and before their addiction escalates into serious harm.

Dean also spoke with Fiona Patten MLC who was hands-on when needle exchanges began over 30 years ago and he caught up with Finn, the founder of International Overdose Awareness Day.

The post Hide and Seek EXTRA: International Overdose Awareness Day appeared first on JOY Community Highlights.

Inspirational Trans activist, 16yo Elwood College Student, Georgie Stone

It’s the 26th of August and its Wear It With Purple Day – a day to support LGBTIQ youth and their allies.

JOY 94.9’s Dean Beck went along to Elwood College to witness grass-roots community advocacy and activism at its best.

16-year-old Trans advocate and Elwood College student Georgie Stone initiated and facilitated the event.  Georgie and her family featured on Australian Story recently to discuss her very personal story of growing up as a young trans girl.

The assembled students and onlookers watched a screening of the About A Girl (ABC, Australian Story Aug 2016), then Georgie conducted a panel conversation featuring Victoria’s Minister for Mental Health and Equality, Martin Foley, Victoria’s Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality, Ro Allen and Georgie’s mum, a change-maker and founder of Transcend, Rebekah Robertson.

From Left: Martin Foley MP, Commissioner Ro Allen, Georgie Stone and Georgie from YACvic

At the conclusion of the panel conversation, Dean Beck caught up with Minister Foley who announced that the Andrew’s Labor Government will continue it’s commitment to the HEY Grants, delivering a new offering of $1M to support LGBTI Youth and their mental health outcomes.

The post Foley’s HEY Stack Hits $1M Purple Patch appeared first on JOY Community Highlights.

Every August tens of thousands of people gather in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to create a temporary city, dedicated to community, art, self reliance and self expression. Join Stephanie on this special Burning Man radio presentation and spend a week in Black Rock city exploring the metropolis and some of its citizens. For more information on Burning Man click here. To hear additional work from Stephanie, be sure to check out the Stand Up Straight podcast feed and catch the program each Thursday night at 7pm live on JOY 94.9. Your voice, your radio station.

The post Burning Man Special Event appeared first on JOY Community Highlights.

From left: Meredith, Joel, Sophie, Elizabeth, Lewis and Dean.

EXCLUSIVE:

Recorded live at Hares & Hyenas on Wednesday 22nd June 2016.  Emcee – Dean Beck.

Panel featuring:

The post Inner-North Candidate Q&A – 2016 Election appeared first on JOY Community Highlights.

Asiel Yair Adan Sanchez grew up in Mexico and is a medical student in Melbourne, Australia. Asiel shared this message with Melbourne’s Orlando Vigil on Thursday 16 June 16 2016.

The post Victoria’s Show of Solidarity for Orlando: Asiel Yair Adan Sanchez appeared first on JOY Community Highlights.

Chad and John share their touching address and thoughts on recent events in Orlando. This week, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities experienced a horrific atrocity on

The post Victoria’s Show of Solidarity for Orlando: VAC President Chad Hughes & John Mainwaring appeared first on JOY Community Highlights.