About The Same Same 25 The Same Same 25 is an annual celebration of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians. They are publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. For the past two years, the announcement of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians has attracted widespread national media attention and focused on the achievements and influence of a varied and inspirational group of people. View the Same Same 25 for 2008 here. View the Same Same 25 for 2007 here. About Same Same
The Judges - The Same Same 25 judges are drawn from a wide cross-section of the community, representing a broad field of influence and experience in their chosen professions. Andrew Creagh (Editor, DNA Magazine), Cec Busby (Editor, LOTL Magazine), Rachel Cook (Editor, Cherrie Magazine), Christian Taylor (Editor, SameSame.com.au), David Wilkins (ACON), Kevin Golding (Business Analyst), Peter Walton (Publisher, Evolution), Libby Clark (Co-founder, Sound Alliance), Tim Duggan (Co-founder, SameSame.com.au)
The Process - The Same Same 25 is publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. Anyone in Australia can nominate someone for the Same Same 25.

Michael Costello

Aboriginal health worker

Michael Costello has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and related fields for over 15 years, with the past 11 years dedicated to HIV/AIDS. Part of Michael's involvement in HIV/AIDS health promotion has been his position as Senior Policy and Programs Officer/HIV Consultant for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS Project at the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO).

“I feel very privileged and humbled to be nominated,” says Costello. “I believe role models are important as we all have our own battles to fight in life, if there is someone you can look up to or learn from, then that might just make your own battle that little bit easier.”

When asked about his own role models, Costello says that he’s been influenced by many Aboriginal and gay and lesbian people. “People who have fought for freedom and people that have given me my freedom to make my own life choices. I've been influenced by Neville Bonner, Australia's first ever Aboriginal politician; Charles Perkins; Professor Marcia Langton and the 78ers.”

Michael's work is engaged in national leadership and coordination of HIV/AIDS education and prevention, health promotion, policy development and implementation, capacity building and community development. A vocal member of Australia's gay community, Michael is consistently contributing to publications and reports on the health and wellbeing of LGBTI indigenous Australians.

Michael says he also maintains a strong commitment to self determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through his work. Since 2005, through his position at AFAO, Michael has worked extensively to establish a self determined and governed national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that is exclusively dedicated to HIV/AIDS.

Michael has also worked internationally, establishing global links and networks that contribute to the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander national response. Michael has recently been appointed as the Indigenous Australian representative to an international Indigenous working group, which will work to establish the first ever International Indigenous HIV/AIDS Secretariat.