The Informer

‘Be mindful of us girls, because you don’t know how hard we’ve had it.’

That was what we were told after speaking with sistagirl  Elytta_Adelaide Manton also known as Lismores Lilly. As a child, she was raped and in order to remain a part of the system she kept quiet, so that she could remain living amongst the other girls instead of with the boys.

Miranda Sparks spoke to Lismore’s Lilly about her work with sistagirls in prison, as she shared what it’s like being an indigenous transgender woman.

The testimony is confronting to hear, and a part of a distressing conversation; but it’s one that needs to be shared, and an important one to listen to. But listener discretion is advised, this is a very moving yet heavy and raw conversation with Elytta_Adelaide Manton also known as Lismores Lilly.

But, it is important that we hear it.

The voices and experiences of the transgender population can often be silenced, disregarded or ignored. That cannot and should not happen.

But when you add another level of marginalisation, that of indigenous people, we need to listen, instead of assuming their experience is the same as the non-indigenous trans community.

In 2006, Lismore’s Lilly was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo chemo therapy and breast scrapings, and now she is raising funds so that she can have breast reconstruction. So that when she looks in a mirror, she can do so without the need to wear implants.

Here is a link to her Go-Fund me page on The Informers social media : https://au.gofundme.com/help-lismores-lilly

This segment aired on The Informer on JOY 94,9 on 12th July 2018 & was hosted by Tom Morgan.

Today was the first day of the LGBTI Women’s Health Conference in Melbourne thanks to Thorne Harbour Health and ACON.

Happening during NAIDOC week, the theme of ‘because of her, we can’ was a huge part of the narrative of the opening of the day.

Now, Dean Arcuri reflects on what that means and the importance of indigenous and torres straight islander inclusion in the conference with Kirrily Hayward and Karen Price.

This segment aired on The Informer on JOY 94,9 on 12th July 2018 & was hosted by Tom Morgan.

In this special podcast of The Informer, Robert shares with us his experience of Gay Conversion Therapy.

It is important for us to listen to the experiences of survivors of this so called therapy, since marriage equality, gay conversion therapy and transgender issues have continued to move forward in Australian media, and we need to do more than just agree, we need to listen, advocate and support.

If you would like to sign a petition to outlaw gay conversion therapy, simply click here.

 

 

 

In this special podcast edition of The Informer, Chris shares his experience of gay conversion therapy.

It is important for us to listen to the experiences of survivors of this so called therapy, since marriage equality, gay conversion therapy and transgender issues have continued to move forward in Australian media, and we need to do more than just agree, we need to listen, advocate and support.

If you would like to sign Chris’ petition to outlaw gay conversion therapy in Australia, click here.

 

 

In this special podcast of The Informer, Dean , Tom & Liv sit down with Senator Janet rice and discuss Conversion Therapy in Australia.

Senator Janet Rice is no stranger to advocating for the rights of our communitie sin parliament, and recently, she spoke of Gay Conversion Therapy.

Sharing Chris’s Story, she called on on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to show leadership and ensure that the harmful practices of gay conversion therapy is stamped out.

Now, hear her full speech in parliament, as well as an interview she had with us discussing sharing peoples stories.

If you would like to sign Chris’ petition mentioned in the interview, click here.

We all agree that gay conversion therapy is wrong, and the practice of this harmful therapy should be stamped out. But you might be wondering what you can do?

Chris, who has shared his experiences of Gay Conversion Therapy on the show tonight, has started a petition, calling for the so-called therapy to be outlawed across the nation.

Click here to sign the petition – https://www.change.org/p/praying-the-gay-away-nearly-killed-me-outlaw-conversion-therapy

This segment of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 & was hosted by Dean Arcuri.

 

Gay Conversion Therapy causes depression, anxiety, self-loathing and in some instances, drives individuals to self-harm.

A few weeks ago Senator Janet Rice shared Chris’s story of experiencing gay conversion therapy and the damage that that caused in Parliament, calling on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to show leadership and ensure that the harmful practices of gay conversion therapy are stamped out.

Last week Thomas Morgan and I sat down with Senator Rice to discuss how parliamentarians can legislate a practice that, in Australia, is happening within religious organisations around the country.

This segment of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 & was hosted by Dean Arcuri.

Gay Conversion Therapy still happens in Australia.

Currently the Victorian Government has launched an inquiry into this so called ‘therapy’ with hopes to bring an end to the practice.

Queensland’s health minister has health minister has said he is seeking to determine if more powers can be given to Queensland’s health ombudsman, in a bid to crackdown on the therapy.

And WA’s Health Minister has restated his opposition to gay cure therapies saying people who come across professionals promoting counselling therapies should report them.

But what does gay conversion therapy actually mean, it isn’t as overt as you might think.

Now, on the Informer, we will hear from Chris and Robert, as they share their past experience trying to rid themselves of their homosexuality through this so-called therapy.

If you come across any or hear about any organisations or individuals practicing in conversion therapy, I encourage you to notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency at AHPRA.gov.au or you can call them on 1300 419 495.

 

In this episode of The Informer, we are look at the harmful practice gay conversion therapy.

That audio you just heard was of Greens Senator Janet Rice sharing the story of Chris in parliament.

Tonight Chris, as well as Robert will share their experience of Gay Conversion Therapy with us all, as well as a further conversation with Senator Janet Rice, as we explore what gay conversion therapy actually is and what we can do to not only regulate this so-called therapy, but stop it causing further harm to LGBT Australians around the nation.

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 and was hosted by Dean Arcuri.

 

Rainbow Families QLD is re-launching after several years in hiatus, and it’s going to be FABULOUS!

LGBTQIAP families from all over Queensland will be converging to re-launch Rainbow Families QLD. Regional groups across the state will also be celebrating on the 22nd of July, with community picnics planned in areas from Cairns through to Mackay and the Fraser Coast.

Rainbow Families Qld represents LGBTQIAP families in Queensland regarding advocacy, legislation reform, and educational resources. The organisation also runs social events, an annual camping trip, and fertility information sessions for the LGBTQIAP community, and helps coordinate monthly get-togethers in both Brisbane and across regional Queensland.

Dean Arcuri spoke to the convener of Rainbow Families Queensland, Holly Zwaif to find out all about it.

The Rainbow Families Queensland re-launch is on July 22nd will have something for kids of all ages. From crafts stations, to drag story time and even a singalong cushion corner.

Rainbow Families QLD are in the process of establishing two weekly playgroups in Brisbane, one northside and one southside, as well as a playgroup on the Sunshine Coast, in conjunction with Accessible Playgroups Qld. There are also plans to start groups on the Gold Coast, Ipswich, and Toowoomba in the near future.

You can find out more about their launch event at the East Brisbane Bowls Club on July 22nd as well as reaching out to them by heading to their facebook group, Rainbow Families Queensland Community, or find more details at Rainbow Families Queensland on Facebook:

http://www.rainbowfamiliesqld.org https://www.facebook.com/groups/588556338178494/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/Rainbow-Families-Queensland-283222031719411/?ref=br_rs

This segment aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 10th July 2018 & was hosted by Dean Arcuri.