Laurence Barber, Author at Star Observer

Same-sex police couple lose discrimination claim against AFP over denied transfer requests

Laurence Barber — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 08:42:23 +0000

The couple claimed that despite the repeated transfer requests they were told their case is not the same as that of a heterosexual couple.

The post Same-sex police couple lose discrimination claim against AFP over denied transfer requests appeared first on Star Observer.

Romance reigns in 2019 Queer Screen Film Festival full program announcement

Laurence Barber — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 07:04:46 +0000

Pedro Almodóvar's latest masterpiece Pain & Glory, Virginia Woolf's lesbian affair in Vita & Virginia, and time-jumping erotic romance End of the Century all feature in the full line-up.

The post Romance reigns in 2019 Queer Screen Film Festival full program announcement appeared first on Star Observer.

Mark Latham launches anti-transgender propaganda push to parent groups at 500 NSW schools

Laurence Barber — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 05:34:49 +0000

The pack, which was funded and compiled by anti-trans lobby group Binary Australia, encourages parents to quiz schools over which bathrooms trans students use and warns against "indoctrination programs" that use "politically correct 'code' words like 'anti-bullying'".

The post Mark Latham launches anti-transgender propaganda push to parent groups at 500 NSW schools appeared first on Star Observer.

Australian duo Collarbones tease new album with “borderline filthy” single Deep

Laurence Barber — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 08:39:51 +0000

The single's throbbing club-ready vibe heralds a bold progression in the acclaimed band's sound ahead of their new album Futurity, which is out on September 6.

The post Australian duo Collarbones tease new album with “borderline filthy” single Deep appeared first on Star Observer.

Sydney councillor who compared rainbow flag to ‘flag of ISIS’ following Yes vote cops fine

Laurence Barber — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:49:15 +0000

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal upheld that Cr Julie Passas had engaged in "unlawful homosexual vilification" after she abused a neighbour who put up a rainbow flag to celebrate the Yes vote.

The post Sydney councillor who compared rainbow flag to ‘flag of ISIS’ following Yes vote cops fine appeared first on Star Observer.

US politician says trans people, same-sex marriage, drag queens to blame for mass shootings

Laurence Barber — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 07:26:15 +0000

State Rep. Candice Keller said blame for mass shootings, like the one that occurred in Dayton, Ohio not far from her district, "belongs" with LGBTQI people due to the "breakdown of the traditional American family".

The post US politician says trans people, same-sex marriage, drag queens to blame for mass shootings appeared first on Star Observer.

Israel Folau begins court action against Rugby Australia over ‘unfair dismissal’ claim

Laurence Barber — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 06:55:01 +0000

It comes as reports emerge that the rugby star's cousin, Josiah Folau, left his position at St. Gregory's College in Campbelltown after describing the Catholic Church as "the synagogue of Satan".

The post Israel Folau begins court action against Rugby Australia over ‘unfair dismissal’ claim appeared first on Star Observer.

Angus & Robertson apologise as retailers draw fire for selling pro-conversion therapy books

Laurence Barber — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 10:01:26 +0000

A number of booksellers and publishers including Angus & Robertson, Dymocks, QBD, and Penguin Random House continue to list titles promoting conversion therapy on their websites.

The post Angus & Robertson apologise as retailers draw fire for selling pro-conversion therapy books appeared first on Star Observer.

‘Power in the darkness’: LGBTQI media is struggling to survive. Can it be saved?

Laurence Barber — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 08:52:20 +0000

"The media conglomerates will survive without you. Maybe not forever, but they have the resources to adapt ... Without you, however, we will not survive."

The post ‘Power in the darkness’: LGBTQI media is struggling to survive. Can it be saved? appeared first on Star Observer.

Out tennis couple Alison Van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen share kiss after WTA match

Laurence Barber — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 09:11:50 +0000

It was the couple's first professional singles match against each other, with sports outlets dubbing it a 'love match' and fans calling the moment "so freaking cute".

The post Out tennis couple Alison Van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen share kiss after WTA match appeared first on Star Observer.

Only one week left to nominate LGBTI heroes for the 2019 GLOBE Community Awards

Laurence Barber — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 08:37:48 +0000

The GLOBE Community Awards return this year for the sixth year, recognising significant individual and organisational achievement benefiting Victoria's LGBTI community.

The post Only one week left to nominate LGBTI heroes for the 2019 GLOBE Community Awards appeared first on Star Observer.

Smouldering teaser films announced for Queer Screen Film Festival 2019

Laurence Barber — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 07:33:25 +0000

The festival will return for its seventh edition this September, opening with the gorgeous, award-winning period romance 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire'.

The post Smouldering teaser films announced for Queer Screen Film Festival 2019 appeared first on Star Observer.

New advocacy project launched to combat domestic violence in the LGBTIQ community

Laurence Barber — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 08:35:36 +0000

The project is seeking voices of LGBTIQ people with lived experience of domestic and family violence willing to share their stories and advocate for awareness of the issue.

The post New advocacy project launched to combat domestic violence in the LGBTIQ community appeared first on Star Observer.

ACON opens nominations for 2019 Honour Awards celebrating community heroes

Laurence Barber — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 07:44:57 +0000

"As a community, it’s important that we celebrate those whose names don’t make the headlines, as well as our more high-profile achievers."

The post ACON opens nominations for 2019 Honour Awards celebrating community heroes appeared first on Star Observer.

New Sydney dance party ‘Worship’ to celebrate diversity of queer art and artists

Laurence Barber — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:52:54 +0000

"I think there’s a gap in Sydney for parties that bring us together not just to connect but to reflect on our differences and celebrate the strength that comes from those differences."

The post New Sydney dance party ‘Worship’ to celebrate diversity of queer art and artists appeared first on Star Observer.

Taiwan Film Festival to showcase LGBTQI cinema in wake of same-sex marriage verdict

Laurence Barber — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 08:11:45 +0000

From July 25 to July 28, film lovers in Sydney will have a rare chance to experience some of Taiwan's best LGBTQI filmmaking in cinemas at the Taiwan Film Festival.

The post Taiwan Film Festival to showcase LGBTQI cinema in wake of same-sex marriage verdict appeared first on Star Observer.

Tasmanian man James Durston fined $2000 for refusing to apologise for homophobic flyers

Laurence Barber — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 06:47:50 +0000

Robert Williams, who lodged the initial complaint over the flyers, said he was "surprised that Mr Durston doesn’t seem to understand that Tasmania's laws protect everyone equally, including people of faith, and that what he did was both wrong and illegal regardless of how often he invokes God."

The post Tasmanian man James Durston fined $2000 for refusing to apologise for homophobic flyers appeared first on Star Observer.

LGBTQI institution The Pollys Club to celebrate 55th birthday with ‘Drag-a-ganza’ this Saturday

Laurence Barber — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 05:57:34 +0000

The Pollys Club, one of Australia's longest-running LGBTQI social nights, will celebrate its 55th birthday with a fabulous 'Drag-a-ganza' dance this Saturday July 20.

The post LGBTQI institution The Pollys Club to celebrate 55th birthday with ‘Drag-a-ganza’ this Saturday appeared first on Star Observer.

Throwback: in 2014, the Star Observer celebrated its 35th anniversary – with Israel Folau

Laurence Barber — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 06:15:45 +0000

With our 40th anniversary relaunch issue about to come out, we look back at the edition that marked our 35th anniversary...which featured Israel Folau on the cover.

The post Throwback: in 2014, the Star Observer celebrated its 35th anniversary – with Israel Folau appeared first on Star Observer.

Trans and gender diverse Victorians to rally for birth certificate changes in Melbourne

Laurence Barber — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 06:45:16 +0000

"Just as it was well past time for marriage equality in 2017, so too is it well past time for appropriate primary identity documents for trans and gender diverse people in 2019."

The post Trans and gender diverse Victorians to rally for birth certificate changes in Melbourne appeared first on Star Observer.