Stand Up Straight

Michelle Sheppard

What was to be a ‘no holds barred’ program with Trans*position’s Michelle Sheppard, telling us that was nothing off limits and permission to ask the tough questions about the trans community, changed swiftly as we learnt of the horrid event that Michelle experienced just one hour prior to coming on air. Stand Up Straight was to host a raw conversation on the inappropriate behaviour that this amazing woman experienced. A little shaken; her strength, power and resilience still shone threw.

Sometimes there is no safe place for a trans person, even just having dinner.

The post A tale of two Michelles appeared first on Stand Up Straight.

Photo by Betty Sujecki

If you’re good to mama… Photo by Betty Sujecki

Ian, Clayton, Michelle, Stephanie, Mark and Ann-Louise, plus cake. Photo by Betty Sujecki

Happy Birthday to Stand Up Straight.

To help celebrate the event, Michelle was joined in studio by former Stand Up Straight guests and co-hosts Ian, Clayton, Stephanie, Mark and Ann-Louise. The festivities were joined on the phone by her husband Steven and son Nelson.

Listen in for some reminiscing, some semi-serious chatter and quite a lot of giggles.

The post Welcome to the terrible (or wonderful) 2s. appeared first on Stand Up Straight.

Clayton, Stephanie and Andrea. Photo by Betty Sujecki

In this episode, Stephanie Longmuir and Clayton Wimshurst had the delight of filling in for Michelle for a chat with Andrea.

Opening with an audio version of the Buzzfeed video ‘What Is It Like To Be Intersex?’ the trio discussed Andrea’s story, including finding out that she was an intersex individual at age 30.

For more information on intersex please visit the OII Australia and ISNA websites.

The post Being Intersex: Andrea’s Story appeared first on Stand Up Straight.

Stephanie, Dean, Josh, Penny, Clayton and Ian, a recent taste of radio graduate. Photo by Betty Sujecki.

With Michelle on leave, Stand Up Straight hosting duties for this Radiothon special were taken oven by Dean Arcuri, Stephanie, Josh and Clayton. The foursome were joined by Penny for a discussion on a range of topics such as racism, homophobia, inspiration from the future generation and, of course, JOY!

Michelle phoned in to wish everyone well and share a letter of support from her mother, who also happens to be the grandmother of a gay man.

The post While the cat’s away… appeared first on Stand Up Straight.

In the first of a series of four shows. focusing on long term relationships within the LGBTI community, Michelle and co-host Stephanie welcomed Eric and Athol. The couple met in 1978, a time when:

The couple chatted about their experience, joys and challenges that come from being together for so long.

The post Eric and Athol: Established 1978 appeared first on Stand Up Straight.

India, Vita, Meaghan and Michelle.

Sunday the 17th of May marks IDAHOBIT day (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia). This important day on the GLBTI calender is recognised around the world to help meet the challenges of the bigotry faced by same sex attracted and gender diverse people.

In this episode of Stand Up Straight, Michelle chats to India, Meaghan and Vita about the efforts of Banyule City Council to celebrate this day.

The post IDAHOBIT and the Banyule City Council appeared first on Stand Up Straight.

Steph, Suzi, Clayton, Michelle and Madeleine

Did you attend your school dance or formal? Were you allowed to have anyone as your partner? How would you feel if you were advised that the person you loved was not welcome?

In this episode, Michelle and her co-host Clayton talk to film maker Suzi Taylor. Her film,’Love in Full Colour’, had its world premiere at this years Melbourne Queer Film Festival. The film explores the experience of 12 youth as they prepared to be a part of the Same Sex Formal, run by Minus 18.

Michelle and Clayton also chatted to Steph and Madeleine, two of the stars of the film. They shared their experiences of being part of project.

Suzi is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to get the film finalised and help it reach a wider audience. The campaign finishes on 25 May 2015.

The post ‘Love In Full Colour’ Kickstarter appeared first on Stand Up Straight.

Dean, Michelle, Josh and Clayton

In this episode of SUS, Michelle was nervous as she headed into unfamiliar territory.

She was joined in the studio by Melbourne queer community entertainer Dean Arcuri; Clayton Wimshurst, SUS’s podcaster and sex health peer support volunteer with 12 years experience and SUS’s regular panelist and JOY’s tech wiz, Josh Pearson.

Michelle discussed  sex on premises venues with the boys. Why some venues are men only? What are the sexual health issues that go along with such venues? Why do gay men need male only venues?

With lots of humour, a spicy topic and lots of listener interaction, this podcast is a particularly good listen.

If you require any information on sexual health please head over to the VAC website.

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Michael and Michelle

March 26 was all about Eurovision on Stand Up Straight. What is the appeal of the international phenomenon? What is it that makes people go mad for it? What don’t we understand about Eurovision? How on Earth did Australia suddenly become a part of Europe?

Michelle was joined in the studio by Michael, host of Babble Pop and Backseat S&M, JOY’s very own Eurovision guru.

The post Stand Up Straight’s Diva does Eurovision with Babble Pop’s Michael. appeared first on Stand Up Straight.

Daniel and Michelle. Photo by Betty Sujecki

On Sunday 14 March, the very first AFL Pride Game was held between the Fremantle Dockers and Sydney Swans. The AFL’s aim was to promote diversity and inclusion no matter who you are, where you are from or who you love and we can all love football. Did you know about it? Did anyone know about it? Is this lack of mainstream media coverage a new form of homophobia.

Michelle was joined in the studio by Daniel Witthaus, a man who has traveled the country chatting to people as a means to challenge homophobia. It was a delight to listen to Daniel provide our listeners with an update on the state of play around homophobia.

The post The Challenge of Challenging Homophobia with Daniel Witthaus appeared first on Stand Up Straight.