The Informer

On this episode of The Informer, we get in touch with our inner circle as we discuss a ground breaking new health campaign targeting all LGBTIQ people with a cervix in NSW – The Inner Circle.

We also touch on the importance of health programs creating a completely inclusive approach to communication and clinical practise, so that all members of the LGBTIQ communities can get access to the health and support that they need.

Plus we head to Western Australia and speak to two regional cities that are celebrating their first pride events, proving you don’t need a big parade to show your pride.

This episode of The Informer was hosted by Ruby Susan & aired on JOY 94.9 on 6th February 2018.

On tonight’s show we find out on Friday whether Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, will be subsidized on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, so we spoke to some men who have started taking one pill a day which prevents HIV Infection.

We head to the Team Melbourne Sports Festival to find out why it is that people are picking inclusive sporting teams to be a part of. Is this a better way to focus on their mental health as well as their physical health?

And we hear from Christine Forster and Virginia Flitcroft about love and coming out later in life. They tied the knot last Friday, in what was the first high-profile same-sex wedding since marriage equality law was passed in Australian Parliament.

This podcast is the whole show which originally aired on Monday 5th Feb 2018.

Eighty Five Percent of athletes have witnessed or experienced homophobic, transphobic or biphobic abuse.

In 2014, the ‘Out in the Fields’ survey painted a shocking picture of a hostile national sporting environment, with almost half of gay and lesbian respondents reporting they had been the direct target of verbal threats, bullying, violence or exclusion from sport.

Yet in the last 5 years we have seen inclusive sporting teams rise up around the country to create strong, equal and inclusive environments for everyone to be able to play sport and be a part of a team.

On the weekend, the Informers Dean Arcuri went to the Team Melbourne Sports Festival as part of Midsumma, to speak to the different sporting groups and players and found out what makes inclusive teams so special for so many in our communities.

Originally aired on Monday 5th Feb 2018

On Friday, in what was the first high-profile same-sex wedding since marriage equality law was passed in Australian Parliament, Christine Forster and Virginia Flitcroft legalised their union in a cocktail party-style wedding in the centre of Sydney, overlooking the harbour and Botanical Gardens.

They had been together for ten years, finding each other later in life when they were both still married with children. Their relationship thrust them into the public spot light, and with Christine’s brother, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s objections to same sex marriage, the two became advocates for equal rights.

Now on The Informer, we will replay part of an interview Benjamin Norris had with Christine and Virgina on Word for Word last year. Where they talked about their families, coming out, marriage equality and loving one another.

Benjamin Norris from Word for Word speaks with Christine Forster and Virginia Flintcroft.

Christine and Virginia’s Wedding will feature on Australian Story tonight on the ABC.

Originally aired on Monday 5th Feb 2018

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, is a drug which, if taken daily, can prevent HIV infection. More than 27,000 Australians are living with HIV and PrEP is a potential game-changer in combating the disease.

Marketed under the brand name ‘Truvada’ by Gilead, PrEP is available in Australia. However, the price can be prohibitive.

 

Last year the government knocked back a request to have it subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and we will find out on Friday whether or not a new request to have PrEP subsidised will move forward.

 

Thanks to the PrEP X trial and through importing PrEP many Australians have been able to access the drug and take control of their sexual health as well as play a part in stopping the spread of HIV.

 

The Informers Dean Arcuri wanted to find out why Australians were accessing PrEP and spoke to some PrEP users about what using PrEP has meant for them. He speaks to Jacob, Jayden and Mark in this report.

Originally aired on Monday 5th Feb 2018

On tonight’s show we head to South Australia as we get an update on their Safe Schools Initiative and find out how young LGBTIQ people are being protected in the state.

We speak to Open Doors Youth Services in Brisbane, who almost closed their doors last year due to lack of funding, and find out how they are creating a safe space for homeless LGBTIQ youth.

And we hit the streets for Midsumma Pride March and find out what Pride means to our communities and our allies in our past marriage equality Australia.

Originally Aired on JOY 94.9 on 29th January 2018

It’s not long before the school year starts again, and after a year of Safe Schools being used as a hot potato of blame against our communities, we have been wondering what that means for young LGBTIQ students in schools.

We are starting the new school term by getting back to basics as we find out exactly where Safe Schools sits on the playing field around the nation.

Starting with South Australia, Dean Arcuri speaks to Anne-marie Hayes, Executive Director of State wide services and child development.

We speak to Open Doors Youth Services in Brisbane, who almost closed their doors last year due to lack of funding, and find out how they are creating a safe space for homeless LGBTIQ youth.

Midsumma Pride March took place of Sunday in sweltering heat, and JOY was there Out Loud and Proud, in addition to our live broadcast and facebook feed we dived into the march head first.

As Dean Arcuri and Ian Muchamore asked those marching with Pride what Pride March meant to them and why it is important to stand tall.

 

As part of a cross program and cross cultural collaboration, The Informer and Urban Dreaming created a podcast on January 26th,  where Davey Thompson and Matt Colman discussed January 26th, and what it means to them.