The Informer

Writer and activist Redfern Jon Barrett speaks with Nicholas Kameniar-Sandery. They talk about bigotry within the LGBTIQA+ community and why we should stand up for everyone across the spectrum.

The 2020 Midsumma Festival programme has been launched with an impressive 194 events. Nicholas Hynes reports from the event.

Wednesday’s Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil at Fitzroy Town Hall presented a number of people sharing their stories, through storytelling, spoken word, songs, or words of encouragement.

Here are some of the people who shared at the event. It includes Achala Green, Between Mirrors (Nicholas Grey & Nichole Zhong), Cyntia Sobraty, Lay the Mystic, Teddy Darling and many others.

This story discusses sensitive topics including substance abuse and suicide. If you want to access help, please contact QLife on 1800 184 527. Lifeline 13 11 14 and the Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

 

Cervical screening rates for the LBTIQA+ community are far lower than the rest of the population. Many people avoid the test because of embarrassment or fear. To improve screening rates, Cancer Council Victoria and Thorne Harbour Health have come together to promote awareness in the community.

We also talk about the differences between the old pap test and the current, less-invasive method.

Last week the Royal Commission into the Aged Care system released its interim report. The title says it all: “A Shocking Tale of Neglect”.  We talk through some of the issues with Toby Halligan, including his experiences working in aged care.

We also speak to Andrea Waling, a research fellow from La Trobe university about the kinds of barriers that our community faces.

Recently it’s been made known that far right groups have been targeting online spaces in their efforts to radicalise people to far right causes, many of which directly threaten the public and private safety of people from the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Mario Puekker is research fellow at Victorian University, his work focuses on political activism and the far right. 

Toby Halligan spoke to him and began by asking Mario about the risk far right groups to pose to the LGBTIQA+ community.  

Teddy Darling (he/they) is a trans masc and nonbinary arts advocate. Teddy is a producer of events and theatre for queer and trans communities.

We spoke to Teddy about the upcoming Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil, what inspires Teddy and their upcoming work. Teddy was just announced as a recipient of an ANZ Bank / Mardi Gras Grant, and will be using the funding to a Trans Pride Market and festival day on 28 March 2020.

It’s been a very dry year – and a couple of dry years – here in Australia. The bushfire season has extended by up to three months in some areas, planned burns have been cancelled, and parts of the country are out of potable water.

This is a big thing, and to unpack what’s going on, we speak to:

* Jonathan Pollock, a climatologist at the Bureau of Meteorology

* Prof. David Bowman, from the University of Tasmania

* Greg Mullins, formerly with Fire & Rescue NSW

 

A report in last week’s Saturday Paper reveals that the National Disability Insurance Agency has failed to act in a number of cases, with more than 500 children going to state care, rather than with their families. This week, we spoke with Mary Sayers, CEO of Children and Young People with a Disability Australia about the situation

Hawaiian Royal Princess, Abigail Kawananakoa is facing questions whether the 93-year old is in a fit to manage her estate. Informer Assistant Producer Arion Potts spoke with Chad Blair from Honolulu Civil Beat about the case. We find out how it sits within greater Hawai’ian culture.