The Informer

From arrest to acceptance, Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras grew out of a terrible night in our history. A planned street “festival” calling for an end to discrimination against homosexuals in employment and housing, and and end to police harassment and the repeal of all anti-homosexual laws saw 2,000 people step out from the Oxford Street bars and clubs responded to the call “Out of the bars and into the streets!”. Although the organisers had obtained permission, this was revoked, and the parade was broken up by the police.

Ian Muchamore recounts that night 40 years ago, with audio from 78ers Ken, Diane, Michael and Robin.

This segment aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 1st March 2018.

Over 4 decades, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has become a beacon in Australian culture, evolving from a protest that turned violent into a vibrant celebration of LGBTIQA+ pride.

As we head towards the culmination of the festival with the Mardi Gras Parade this Saturday, we take tonight’s show to reflect on pride and protest in its various forms, as we look at the history and speak to the people who have helped to channel the spirit of Sydney’s Mardi Gras Pride amongst our communities.

So, sit back and join us in this special one hour episode of The Informer as we recount the past, celebrate with Dykes on Bikes Sydney, discuss how much further we have to go with the First Nations Float people, look after ourselves and each other with ACON, we forget about Cher because it’s all about FRANKIE this Mardi Gras Party and discuss body shaming and prep for the parade.

This episode of The Informer was hosted by Dan Roberts on JOY 94.9.

U=U stands for Undetectable = Untransmissable. It refers to people who are living with HIV and are in treatment for that diagnosis. The treatment is taking the levels of the virus down to such a low level in their body that the disease is therefore untransmissable to any sexual partners. A new campaign is breaking ground in Australia, pioneered by community group, The Institute of Many. Dean Arcuri sat down with Nic Holas to talk all things U=U.

On tonight’s show we look at the ground breaking new campaign that puts a human face on the new reality of HIV prevention, we touch base with the creative team of a new short documentary as part ABCs Love Bites which explores gender and Identity by literally and figuratively going against the grain, And, finally we speak to footballer and equality advocate Jason Ball about a new initiative to take Pride Cups to over 150 AFL Football Clubs across the Country.

Do things get better with age?

When we put out a call asking for people who were part of relationships outside the norm of our LGBTIQ Communities, to no one’s surprise, we received a lot of responses from gay men who were in open relationships. And, statistically, the reality is fellas, that you are the norm, not the exception to the rule.

But it made us realize, we need more visibility for other types of relationships in our communities.

In this episode we look at age, is it a barrier, or, like a mature cheese, worth every bite?

Thanks to Brandt and Ash for sharing their relationships with us tonight on the show.

This aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 27th February 2018.

The Australian Leather Man competition was held on the weekend in Sydney, with competitors from all around the nation vying for the national

title so that they can represent Australia at International Mr Leather in Chicago later in the year. Dean Arcuri headed to Sydney and spoke to the competitors about what the title meant to them and why they were competing.

Congratulations this yeas ALM winner James Davidson, Runner up Jersey and fellow competitors Scott Lovegrove and Fisty McFisterson .

This aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 27th February 2018

A few weeks ago, City of Sydney Liberal councillor Christine Forster wrote to the premier with a BID to relax Sydney’s controversial lockout laws for this year’s Mardi Gras festival.

Starting in 2014, the lockout laws were introduced by the Government of New South Wales with the objective to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence. The legislation requires 1.30am lockouts and 3am last drinks at bars, pubs and clubs in the Sydney CBD entertainment precinct.

On Friday, Christine Forsters Bid for the lockout laws to be relaxed during the Mardi Gras Parade weekend were approved.

From Sydney, Dean Arcuri spoke to Christine Forster, as well as members of the community, about whether the lock out laws helped or hindered the culture and community, and if this could be the start of a change to Sydney’s nightlife.

The City of Sydney has put together a nightlife and creative sector panel to address the challenges and opportunities facing Sydney’s night-time economy.

This aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 27th February 2018.

With the news that Sydney’s lockout laws will be lapsed on the night of the Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, tonight we sit down with Christine Forster, who petitioned for the special circumstances to the laws and find out if this could be the start of a change to Sydney’s night scene.

Exploring relationships in our communities outside of the norm we look at the age gap between men who have sex with men, does it create a great divide or make things all the more better?

And we head to this year’s Australian Leatherman competition and speak to this year’s competitors, as they talk to us about their communities, looking past the layers of dead cow, to a passionate community that is raring to shine.

This episode of The Informer was hosted by Dylan Joel and aired on JOY 94.9

Based on real people and real events, Riot aired on the ABC last night. A powerful and moving telemovie reflecting an important chapter in Australia’s LGBTIQ history. It explores the origins of the activism that led to Australia’s most famous street parade, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.

Last night, social media had many in our communities sharing how watching this telemovie not only taught them about our history that wasn’t too long ago, but reminded them that we still have a way to go.

From the perspective of Lance Gowland a devoted activist fighting for his beliefs while juggling family, work and relationships, Riot showed how even with the system against them and ever-present adversity, including police brutality, legislative persecution, social shunning, job dismissal and general violence, Gowland and his fellow activists decide to come out fighting in their celebration of diversity.

Ti Butler spoke to Greg Waters, the writer of RIOT and asked what it was like telling a piece of Australian history in this way.

RIOT is available to watch on ABC Iview.

This aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 26th February 2018.

On this episode of The Informer, we speak to the writer of RIOT which aired on the ABC last night, shining a spotlight on Australia’s 1970s Gay Rights Movement and the passionate individuals who were unwavering in their fight for decriminalisation, recognition and equality leading to our first Mardi Gras Parade which turned into protest 40 years ago.

With a new youth pride network being formed in Perth, we find out how this creating a strong voice for the advocacy of young people by young people, give LGBTQIA+ young people the opportunity to come together to shape a better Western Australia.

Victorian men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs are being urged to get a free hepatitis A vaccination following a death last week in Victoria, where more people have become infected over the last two months.

This episode of The Informer was hosted by Lara Dickinson and aired on JOY 94.9.