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.

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