Our gay Olympics champ Matthew Mitcham has not disappeared from view – he’s part of the new enterprises which have arisen since the Marriage Equality bill was passed into law. Listen to find out what he’s up to now.

We commemorate the life of gay icon singer Dusty Springfield who died 2 Mar 1999, after a life of 59 years of entertaining her fans but having a dramatic life facing the demons of her sexuality, the church, drink and eventually cancer.

We look at the lives of Chas Bono (born 4/3/1969) who transitioned from her birth gender as Chastity to the chosen gender as Chas, and a newly transgendered married Anglican priest in NSW – and discuss the changes necessary to public opinion, major organisations and attitudes in a mainly heteronormative society.

We celebrate the birthday on 5/3/1974 of British actor & comedian Matt Lucas – of “Little Britain” TV fame – and especially his character Andy Pipkin who is always portrayed as being wheelchair bound (but who then appears able-bodied when no one is looking). We note that some dementia patients are using the current aid of ‘silent disco’ headphones to receive aural stimulation which in turn can often produce muscle stimulation like speech, physical activity and general improvement in mood.

On the eve of 2018 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, we reflect upon their 40 year history shown in the ABC TV production “Riot” which shone a spotlight on Australia’s 1970s Gay & Lesbian Rights Movement and the passionate individuals who, facing ever-present adversity, conceived a celebration of diversity in what is now a key moment in LGBTQI history. Also seen recently was the British production of the 1950s situation – represented in the TV film “Against the Law”. The fight for equality has long and distant roots.

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

Show #792 – First broadcast on 27 February 2018

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