On this episode of The Informer we head to Western Australia, as we explore the state of the current law that allows for HIV+ people to be charged with recklessly causing grievously bodily harm by transmitting HIV to another individual. With two HIV+ people being convicted this year with the offence, what does this mean for the HIV+ community, and how can we make changes to the law to protect all people from unwarranted persecution.

Also, we speak to Councillor Rohan Leppert, who has put his hat into the ring for the running of the lord mayor of Melbourne, could he be Melbourne’s first openly gay Lord Mayor?

Correction : The court case mentioned where Martin Jaksic pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm is in NSW. Currently there is another court case in WA where a HIV+ man has been charged.

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 & was hosted by SJ & Tom.

 

In the past few weeks we have talked a lot about the U = U campaign, which has launched here in Australia reminding us all that an undetectable viral load in a HIV positive person means that they cannot transmit the virus to another individual. It’s a simple, yet game changing concept. But there is a different conversation going on when it comes story of HIV on our shores right now. Specifically in Western Australia, where two individuals have been charged with recklessly causing grievously bodily harm by transmitting HIV to another individual. Dean Arcuri discusses this with David Kernohan, the CEO of the WA Aids Council.

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 14th March 2018

 

Correction : The court case mentioned where Martin Jaksic pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm is in NSW. Currently there is another court case in WA where a HIV+ man has been charged.

 

The conviction of one & charging of another HIV+ individual in Western Australia with recklessly causing grievously bodily harm by transmitting HIV to another individual has left many in the HIV+ communities concerned, what  does this mean for them, their past and the way in which people perceive them?

Dean Arcuri continues his conversation with CEO of the WA Aids Council.

 

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 14th March 2018

 

A bi-election in Melbourne is being held for the position of Lord Mayor of Melbourne after the resignation of Robert Doyle. Councillor Rohan Leppert, who chairs the Arts, Culture and Heritage Portfolio for the city of Melbourne has thrown his hat in the ring for the title and joins us tonight on The Informer.

Could Rohan Leppert become the first openly gay Mayor of Melbourne?

Dean Arcuri speaks to him to find out.

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 14th March 2018

 

 

On this episode of The Informer we hear from Joel Wilson, a trans man who spoke out last month in a Fairfax news article about his experience transitioning as a part of the Australian Defence Force back in 2013.

Joel shares his experience in and out of the Force and shares how he has used that experience to be a positive force for change and support for the transmen of Canberra.

We also hear from a spokesperson at the Australian Defence Force in reference to inclusivity for not only the trans community but all LGBTIQA+ individuals serving, or looking to serve.

Plus, after a whirlwind speaking tour around Australia, we speak to Bruce Ritchman, the founder of the global undetectable untrasmittable campaign about why we need a campaign like this not only in Australia, but around the world, and discover how it is changing all our attitudes towards people living with HIV.

This episode of The Informer on JOY 94.9 was hosted by Ruby Susan.

At the beginning of February, Fairfax reported that two former Australian Defence Force Academy cadets claimed discrimination over their transgender status.

Joel Wilson was one of those former cadets.

Despite there being policies in place to prevent bullying and abuse of transgender cadets, this was not Joel’s experience as they transitioned.

Dean Arcuri speaks to Joel about what occurred, as well as the Aurstralian Defence Force to find out what policies and procedures are in place to protect members of the trans communities who are serving in the Defence Force.

This segment of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 13th March 2018

Dean Arcuri continues his conversation with Joel Wilson, after he

spoke out last month in a Fairfax news article about his experience transitioning as a part of the Australian Defence Force back in 2013.

This segment of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 13th March 2018

You may have heard that U=U…but do you know what that means?

Undetectable = Untransmittable is the game-changing notion that helps people living with HIV and people at risk of contracting HIV understand that there is zero risk of contracting HIV when someone has an undetectable viral load.

Last week the founder of the U=U movement, Bruce Richman toured Australia as part of launch of The Institute of Many and Dynamix International’s national U=U campaign.

Richamn is one of the world’s most influential HIV advocates, and Ian Muchamore spoke to him after his Melbourne event and discussed the importance and reality of U = U.

This segment of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 13th March 2018.

This episode aired on International Womens Day and this years theme is ‘Leave no women behind’.

The focus of tonight’s show is issues & stories about for women from our diverse communities as we look at women living with HIV, what it’s like being a woman in spaces we presume are for men who have sex with men and when should we start talking to young LTBIQ women about the cost of fertility, because when your socially infertile, it can be pretty expensive.

Be sure to take a moment today to think about & acknowledge the women we are surround by who work to make all our lives better & also those who aren’t afforded the same privileges you may be.

This episode of The Informer was hosted by Ruby Susan on JOY 94.9

The reality is that many LTBIQ women face social infertility, because making a family comes at a literal financial cost. With women already on the lower financial bracket in the work place, the cost of starting a family for women in our communities can be a big surprise.

So when do we start talking to young LTBIQ women about preparing for a career and the costs of starting a family?

Dean Arcuri investigates, as he spoke to lesbian mother Fiona Newton about what it was like planning to be a mother when you are accessing fertility treatments.

This segment aired on The Informer on the 8th March 2018