The Informer

On this episode of The Informer we speak to Selamat Datang GLBTIQ,  an Indonesian Community Group based in Sydney, that was formed initially to March in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, about what life is like for LGBTI people in Indonesia.

We head to Hay, halfway between Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and find out about their inaugural Hay Mardi Gras. A small idea that has grown into a weekend long celebration of our inclusive regional community.

And we continue to explore relationships in our communities as we talk gay men and monogamy; why is it something that everyone assumes they don’t do?

This episode was hosted by Daniel Roberts and aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9.

It looks like drag is the new black, with the gender bending performance art style finding a new life thanks to Rupauls Drag Race. But has it helped to elevate the craft, or just refine people’s expectations?

On the weekend Dean Arcuri went to Tasmania for the Dragnation Grand Final, Australia’s national drag competition, which, for the very first time, had a drag king as a finalist.

He caught up with Rocco D’Amore to find out what it was like being a king amongst a sea of queens, and how Drag Kings never go out of style, no matter what the tv tells you.

This segment aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 20th February 2018.

 

A new support group for LGBTIQ people in the Redlands on Brisbane’s bayside is meeting for the first time this week, as BELONG builds a supportive queer network.

We spoke to the organiser of Belong Samuel Walker, who is also the coordinator of Bayside Initiatives group, a peer operated mental health service that saw a need for LGBTIQ support in the Redlands after asking a simple question.

If you’d like to get involved, get in touch with Sam via email at [email protected] or call (07) 3390 1116 or 0499 747 000.

This segment aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 20th February 2018

The sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea is on the rise. And so is community concern about growing antibiotic resistance to its treatment.

But ARE STIs becoming untreatable superbugs? Is PrEp responsible for the rise in gonorrhoea? What do we and our doctors need to know.

Ian Muchamore Investigates how concerned we need to be with Professor John Turnidge their senior medical advisor about what they found and I also spoke to Anthony AJ Smith from the M Clinic sexual health service in Perth and Dr Eric Chow, a doctor at Melbourne Sexual Health Service.

This aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 20th February 2018

On this episode of The Informer, we investigate whether STI’s are becoming untreatable superbugs, after mainstream media reported a tsunami of bacteria on our doorstep as the gonorreas super-superbug has tripled in 6 months.

How concerned should we actually be?

We head to Redlands in Brisbane’s Bayside to find out about a new support group for LGBTIQ people that is having its first meeting this Thursday 22nd February.

And we head to Tasmania on the weekend for the grand final of Dragnation, Australia’s national drag competition, that had drag king Rocco D’Amore become the first king to make it to the final and represent his state. We find out what it was like battling it out amongst a sea of drag queens.

This episode of The Informer was hosted by Ruby Susan on JOY 94,9

At 10pm on the 24th of June 1978, the first Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras took place. Nothing like it is today, the first march was met with police violence that became a catalyst for change.

It was actually the opposition that the march was met with when it first began, both from outsiders and within our own communities, that help to shape it into the iconic beacon of pride we see today as one of Australia’s most loved events.

But as we look at 40 years of Mardi Gras, what does moving from protest to pride actually mean. Dean Arcuri sat down with Ken, Diane, Michael and Robin from the 78ers and asked just that, as they reflect on that first march and how far we have come today.

This interview originally aired on 19 February 2018 on JOY 94.9.

JOY is combining forces with SBS radio again this year during the final weekend of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to share the passion and pride of Sydney around the nation, and the world.

Celebrating 40 years over 4 days, JOYs airwaves will be filled with specially curated programing to mark the 40th anniversary as give live commentary of the historic parade as it is happening.

The parade commentary team consists of the first out-and-proud winner of Big Brother Australia, Benjamin Norris; cabaret performer and executive producer of JOY’s nightly current affairs show The informer Dean Arcuri; and the hosts of Australia’s only lesbian drive radio show, Dano and Mason as they cross to the street team throughout the parade, the Melbourne comedy duo the Tag Team.

Dean Arcuri spoke to JOYs Program Director Chris Tait at Fair Day about the broadcast and how JOY is helping to share our communities pride and passion, with the world.

This interview originally aired on 19 February 2018 on JOY 94.9.

The Bear Tree is an iconic part of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day, where you can get out of the sun, and know that if you are feeling body conscious or don’t want to take your top of off, that there is an inclusive corner of Fair Day for anyone to come and be themselves.

Dean Arcuri spoke to Ian from the Harbour City Bears about the legend of the Bear Tree, and how the Sydney Bear Community are working to create a more inclusive space for everyone.

If you would like to know more about Bear Essentials, bringing the best of Sydney’s local Bear Culture throughout the Mardi Gras Festival then head to Harbour City Bears.

This interview originally aired in 19 February 2018 on JOY 94.9.

What does Mardi Gras mean to you? For some it will always be a place of protest, for others, it is a space of celebration. Is the parade too corporate, or have we lost our activist edge?

Dean Arcuri went to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair and after 40 years of pride and protest, he decided to explore what Mardi Gras means in 2018 to the community that celebrate it.

This interview originally aired on JOY 94.9 on 19th February 2018.

On this episode of The Informer we head to Sydney as they kick off the anniversary of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for 2018, celebrating their 40th anniversary.

What the 2-week festival is now to the NSW LGBTIQ communities and to Australia is something very different to what it was back in 1978, with the festival moving from protest, to pride.

This year Mardi Gras theme is 40 years of evolution and the informer was at Mardi Gras family friendly community day yesterday, Fair Day in Victoria Park, to speak to the communities about what Mardi Gras means to them.

We  speak to some of the 78ers as we look back on how a celebration that turned into protest marked an era of change for celebrating pride in Australia.

We head to the Bear Tree and find out about NSW inclusive bear community, truly creating a diverse environment for everyone, and we will find out what JOY has in store for their special Mardi Gras broadcast as we celebrate 40 years over 4 days.

 

This episode was hosted by Lara Dickinson on JOY 94.9 on 19th February 2018.