Dark times for Queensland

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chadstjames

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Sun 20th May, 2012 in Features

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Queensland’s new LNP government is attacking the state’s LGBTI communities, first with attempts to repeal Civil Unions, and this morning’s announcement that it is completely cutting off funding to the state’s only gay men’s health organisation. Same Same’s Brisbane editor Chad St. James reports.

A dark shadow of oppression is now hanging over our communities, something that is beginning to be reminiscent of the darkest days under former Queensland Premier Sir Joh.

In just the last few weeks Campbell Newman and the LNP are moving closer in their quest to repeal civil unions. Certificates approving new Civil Celebrants are now being delayed with no explanation or a straight answer regarding the fates of over the 400 couples who have registered their civil union. Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie is expected to make an announcement on the fate of civil unions in coming days.

Jessica Payne from Equal Love recently said on a proposed event to protest the LNP: “This is an attack on us all! A government with basically no accountability removing a legal right, with only homophobia as a justification is really a shape of things to come. Who will be next? Will it be the LGBTI health services? Will it be our rights to protest?”

Unfortunately, some of Jessica’s worst fears are coming true, as we wake this morning to the news that the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC) will be stripped of its funding by the new Queensland Government, with the Minister for Health Lawrence Springborg delivering the bad news in a blunt press release: “When it comes to health, unlike Labor, I refuse to throw good money after bad and I refuse to turn a blind eye to what are obviously ineffective campaigns at reducing HIV diagnosis rates.

“This clearly indicates that the campaigns and strategies, and the way those campaigns and strategies have been provided, is in need of urgent review and redirection.”

Springborg says he’ll immediately re-direct over $2.5 million in government grants that had previously been channelled through Queensland Association for Healthier Communities to conduct AIDS/HIV awareness and prevention strategies.

“Instead of this funding being administered by QAHC, which has published its intention to move the core of its activity away from AIDS/HIV to more general, political issues, it will be moved into the control of an expert panel a Ministerial Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS.”

Many now fear this sudden cut to QAHC spells an end to health promotion work with gay men, LGBT awareness training, drug and alcohol services and the imminent loss of 26 staff positions.

QAHC president Mark Morlein is today calling on the community for help. “We need your support now more than ever,” he reacts. ”This is matter of survival fo our organisation and the future of the LGBT community in Queensland. Any action in support of us that you can make would be appreciated. But you must act quickly.”

Healthy Communities began as the Queensland AIDS Council in 1984, and helps to prevent the spread of HIV and STIs by supporting the health of gay men and the wider LGBT community. QAHC has won international accolades last year with its rip&roll campaign (shown below), even after its posters were briefly removed from bus shelters following protests by The Australian Christian Lobby.

With our community facing a blatant attack by the new Queensland Government against not only our rights but our own LGBT organisations, many are wondering how they can help.

Here’s what you can do. Equal Love is holding an emergency rally on the 30th of May to not only protest the government’s threat to repeal civil unions, but the homophobic discrimination being faced by the LGBT community with the new Queensland Government. Full details of the event are on Facebook here.

A Save Healthy Communities event has also been posted on Facebook here, and a Change.org petition asking the government to stop cuts to funding for critical HIV work in the LGBT community is here.

People who have been supported by QAHC are also invited to share their stories online about how the organisation has helped you. Post pictures and video, and use the Twitter hashtag #SaveQAHC.

You can also contact the Health Minister Lawrence Springborg (tel: 3234 1191 email: health@ministerial.qld.gov.au ) and Premier Campbell Newman (tel: 3224 4500 email: thepremier@premiers.qld.gov.au ) and your local MP, asking for QAHC’s funding to be reinstated.

But most importantly, encourage your friends, family, colleagues and community members to take action. Now is not the time to stand idly by as this new government continues with their proposed actions.

Lily Tomlin once said: “I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.”

Will you be somebody?

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TheOldie

TheOldie said on the 20th May, 2012

Hugs to QLD.

I thought Newman was OK with gay marriage ? hope he's not going to turn out to be a religious troll.

coast_boy_21 said on the 20th May, 2012

Family first seems more gay friendly than the LNP.

coast_boy_21 said on the 20th May, 2012

Interesting how Liberal supporters are very quiet.

MrAsh said on the 20th May, 2012

I don't think negative conclusions should automatically be made about the QLD NLP being totally homophobic.

State recognised civil unions are tokenistic nonsense considering that the marriage act is legislated by the federal parliament and for any real benefit and meaningful legal recognition of same sex relationships the federal act needs to be changed.

As for the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities if it's anything like ACON (AIDS Council of NSW) it's probably not that effective and in need of a good overhaul and review.

Yet unlike ACON or the other state government supported AIDS/HIV councils/organisations in Australia. QAHC only supports GLTIQ communities, which I think is ridiculous and does nothing to advance inclusion and acceptance of GLBTIQ people in society and just treats GLBTIQ people as 'special needs'. The other AIDS councils can embrace all sexualities and still have great quality and effective GLBTIQ programs, so why can't QAHC?

Marko

Marko said on the 20th May, 2012

I'm wondering why anyone would be surprised by this?

badtrany

badtrany said on the 20th May, 2012

time to migrate south!

crazzymikey

crazzymikey said on the 20th May, 2012

trina2004

trina2004 said on the 20th May, 2012

I think its a little alarmist to assume that shutting down QAHC is necessarily a sign of repression to come. It's pretty normal for a new government to shut down old programs that cost a lot and are ineffective.

I'm interested to see where this civil unions problem goes though because a;though I think civil unions are today's equivalent of having a White and Coloured drinking fountain, they are still better than being told you've gotta drink directly out of the river.

I don't think you could argue that the LNP would repeal civil unions for good reasons though- they are consistent in their anti-homosexual stance.

one aus man said on the 20th May, 2012

coast_boy_21 said on the 20th May, 2012

I think its a little alarmist to assume that shutting down QAHC is necessarily a sign of repression to come. It's pretty normal for a new government to shut down old programs that cost a lot and are ineffective.

I'm interested to see where this civil unions problem goes though because a;though I think civil unions are today's equivalent of having a White and Coloured drinking fountain, they are still better than being told you've gotta drink directly out of the river.

I don't think you could argue that the LNP would repeal civil unions for good reasons though- they are consistent in their anti-homosexual stance.

Well it would be different if it was not the only GLBT health organization in QLD, in fact many people believe that the 2.5 million was not enough funds to be effective. 2.5 million might sound a lot but the population of QLD is estimated at 4,599,362 and counting.

ammonite

ammonite said on the 21st May, 2012

@Chad, (I hope you don't mind if I offer some criticism?)

Am I right in assuming this is meant to be a news article and not an opinion piece? because it reads like news except for (the end and) that first line;
In my opinion that sentence is sensationalist and frankly a bit ridiculous.

P.S. look what you did to google :p ;)
http://www.samesame.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2990&stc=1&d=1337523518

@Oldie

Newman is in favor of gay marriage and has publicly said so many times.

repealing the civil unions act was one of the LNP's election promises under the proviso that it was legally possible and didn't hurt anyone who had already received one.

@ everyone

Has anyone here been a client of the QAHC or had much interaction with them?

MrAsh said on the 21st May, 2012

@Ammonite I haven't had any dealings with QAHC yet from looking at their website it's clear that the organisations purpose is solely focused on GLTBIQ communities and not about assisting and educating the whole QLD community on HIV/AIDS, sexuality and sexual health related issues.

If you compare QAHC to an organisation like the Western Australian AIDS Council (WAAC) you'll find that QAHC has a very limited agenda and I can see why they have been targeted for funding cuts and withdrawl.

AIDS/HIV, sexuality and sexual health issues don't just affect GLBTIQ communities, they affect everyone and those services should be provided for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.

speedy

speedy said on the 21st May, 2012

Its Started already now its time to fight for our rights even harder then before

lordpats said on the 21st May, 2012

Frankly MrAsh, for once in your life grow a spine.

LGBT Health Councils are the single most important bodies to the welfare of gay people.

The gay community fought hard in the eighties to get support for them, and they directly protect
lives in our community.

All AIDS Councils predominately focus on the welfare of gay men- we are the highest risk group.
They do not just deal with the disease itself, they take a holistic approach that aims to
improve the health of all LGBT people, and thereby reduce the spread of the disease
while simultaneously assisting to improve our quality of life. Sometimes, this requires the organisations
involvement in political activity and confronting advertising.

LGBT Queenslanders contribute exponentially more to the tax system than the 2.5 million required
to have a LGBT health service that follows internationally recognised best practice.
It's ours, it protects our health, and some of us will defend it from the rednecks who
would rather victimise, pathologise, and stigmatise- or prefer to see dead- lgbt positive people.

MrAsh said on the 21st May, 2012

Frankly MrAsh, for once in your life grow a spine.

LGBT Health Councils are the single most important bodies to the welfare of gay people.

The gay community fought hard in the eighties to get support for them, and they directly protect
lives in our community.

All AIDS Councils predominately focus on the welfare of gay men- we are the highest risk group.
They do not just deal with the disease itself, they take a holistic approach that aims to
improve the health of all LGBT people, and thereby reduce the spread of the disease
while simultaneously assisting to improve our quality of life. Sometimes, this requires the organisations
involvement in political activity and confronting advertising.

LGBT Queenslanders contribute exponentially more to the tax system than the 2.5 million required
to have a LGBT health service that follows internationally recognised best practice.
It's ours, it protects our health, and some of us will defend it from the rednecks who
would rather victimise, pathologise, and stigmatise- or prefer to see dead- lgbt positive people.

Lord Patsy, I am aware that a holistic approach to HIV/AIDS is essential for the care of those affected by the virus and also assists in prevention. I am also aware that gay men are one of the highest risk groups for infection. Yet the example I have given above (WAAC) has excellent programs for GLBTIQ people, in particular gay men, as well as heterosexuals. So why can't QLD have an inclusive 'holistic' service as well? It would more than likely receive more govt. funding and financial support from the general community.

Also those folk you describe as 'rednecks' will certainly have gay/bi/questioning men (and women) amongst them and many probably are engaging in barebacking and other high risk sexual and drug related activities. Don't let a cowboy hat and a presence on the front pew of the protestant church on Sunday morning fool you. People get up to devlish things they would other wise deny and these folk need access to education and sexual health services as well and these are the kind who would not even think of idenitfying themselves as part of the GLBTIQ spectrum. So an inclusive and non-sexuality specific sexual health organisation is essential.

Irene

Irene said on the 21st May, 2012

If it duplicates existing services, it probably is a candidate for the chop. ie: if those services are provided in the general community health service.

Irene

Irene said on the 21st May, 2012

Springborg says he’ll immediately re-direct over $2.5 million in government grants that had previously been channelled through Queensland Association for Healthier Communities to conduct AIDS/HIV awareness and prevention strategies.

“Instead of this funding being administered by QAHC, which has published its intention to move the core of its activity away from AIDS/HIV to more general, political issues, it will be moved into the control of an expert panel a Ministerial Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS.”
If this is true, that money has been diverted away from AIDS awareness & prevention and into things like same sex marriage campaigns, then it's fair enough, if that was the intent of the original funding. The $2.5 mill is still going to be used where originally intended.

IRDSyd said on the 21st May, 2012

Just a couple of comments responding to some of the trolling in this thread...

1. QuAHC was funded to only work with GLBTIQ communities. There are other organisations that receive funding for other groups. (This is not the case in WA where 50% of new infection are in heterosexuals - mostly miners acquiring HIV on overseas trips)

2. It was a condition of their funding that they do advocacy and work on broader glbtiq health issues. This was actually requested by the Qld Dept of Health many years ago as a single focus on HIV was becoming less effective and there was a belief that it was more effective to put HIV education in a broader context.

3. I'm sure QuAHC expected policy to change and what they were funded for to change - but they were never approached - instead their funding was cut off by announcement in the Murdoch press on a Sunday with no negotiation.

4. The great fear of a conservative approach to HIV is that they will reintroduce compulsory partner notification and involve the law in transmission cases which will drive gay men away from testing. Conservative governments did these things in the 1990s which drove up seroconversion rates. In modern HIV prevention where HIV is no longer a death sentence what is needed is easier access to testing and rapid testing and appropriate access to technologies like PeP and PrEP. The source of many new infections is people who themselves were recently infected and don't know they have become HIV-positive. What's important is more testing of those most at risk - not less. To achieve this we need to change the fear around HIV - sadly conservative governments typically act to increase it.

mark_

mark_ said on the 21st May, 2012

I wish we had some facts in this discussion.

(I do remember Sydney's Acon people proclaiming a few years ago that they would no longer be dealing with unpleasant things like yucky diseases and in the future they would be MOVING FORWARD to deal with the wellbeing and happiness of middle-class burgeois Sydney gay men)

Irene

Irene said on the 21st May, 2012

It's a little rude imo, in your first post to the forum to accuse people of 'trolling' merely because you disagree with them.

MrAsh said on the 21st May, 2012

MrAsh said on the 21st May, 2012

I wish we had some facts in this discussion.

(I do remember Sydney's Acon people proclaiming a few years ago that they would no longer be dealing with unpleasant things like yucky diseases and in the future they would be MOVING FORWARD to deal with the wellbeing and happiness of middle-class burgeois Sydney gay men)

That's what I remember as well. I'd like to see the annual report of this QAHC and see how much is spent on entertainment.

coast_boy_21 said on the 21st May, 2012

QAHC was unique in it's services, there is no other service in QLD that provides the same service as what QAHC did for us gays. We gays in QLD don't have nearly as many services that are currently available to gays in the likes of NSW or Victoria.

Frostydog007

Frostydog007 said on the 21st May, 2012

Memories of Jo era are flooding back - I leave my state for a short few years and look what happens!

coast_boy_21 said on the 21st May, 2012

Notice how lots of gays and lesbians who are defending the LNP, but don't actually live in Queensland, hence are not affected by the LNP. It's like if the NSW govt axed GLBT services and us Queenslanders sided with the NSW government. Very ironic.

ammonite

ammonite said on the 22nd May, 2012

^What about the larger group of people who are criticising them yet don't live here either?

ammonite

ammonite said on the 22nd May, 2012

I think I've worked it out:

Lawrence Springborg delivering the bad news in a blunt press release: “When it comes to health, unlike Labor, I refuse to throw good money after bad and I refuse to turn a blind eye to what are obviously ineffective campaigns at reducing HIV diagnosis rates.

“This clearly indicates that the campaigns and strategies, and the way those campaigns and strategies have been provided, is in need of urgent review and redirection.”

Springborg says he’ll immediately re-direct over $2.5 million in government grants that had previously been channelled through Queensland Association for Healthier Communities to conduct AIDS/HIV awareness and prevention strategies.

“Instead of this funding being administered by QAHC, which has published its intention to move the core of its activity away from AIDS/HIV to more general, political issues, it will be moved into the control of an expert panel a Ministerial Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS.”

Plans & Funding - Strategic Plan 2012-2015 - http://www.qahc.org.au/plans
http://www.qahc.org.au/files/shared/docs/2012_Strategic_Plan_web-email.pdf

GOAL 3
Leading Voice on LGBT Issues
Be the lead voice on LGBT issues in Queensland and
effectively represent the needs of LGBT Queenslanders on
LGBT health, wellbeing and related human rights issues

Advocacy & Lobbying
n Consult widely with LGBT people through a range of mechanisms in the
development of advocacy positions.
n Encourage the Queensland government to establish a whole-ofgovernment
LGBT advisory group and commitment statement.
n Work with the Queensland government to ensure that LGBT people and
communities are appropriately prioritised, resourced and serviced.
n Advocate for full equality before the law for LGBT people, including age
of consent, relationships recognition/marriage, anti-discrimination,
adoption, transgender identity documentation.
n Explore the viability of a cross-party LGBT Queensland parliamentary
friends group.
n Develop effective relationships with local bodies including local
government, Medicare Locals, Local Health & Hospital Networks and
Public Health Units
n Speak out against homophobia/transphobia in the media and public
sphere.
n Develop and support a network of people across the state who can act
as champions for Healthy Communities and LGBT health.
n Advocate for full access to required health services for transgender
people, through the public health system.
n Advocate for sex & relationships education as part of the core school
curriculum in Queensland, which is inclusive of LGBT young people.
Research & Policy
n Develop partnerships with researchers and mainstream research
institutions in Queensland and nationally, to increase inclusion of LGBT
people and issues and develop Queensland based research.
n Encourage and support staff to undertake research projects and present
findings to conferences and in professional journals.
n Develop formal Healthy Communities position statements on a variety of
priority issues in consultation with LGBT people and organisations.
n Make submissions to relevant reviews, inquiries and consultations.
Profile & Reputation
n Strengthen the Healthy Communities brand and increase its recognition
by more people in the LGBT and wider communities.
n Develop effective relationships with LGBT and mainstream media outlets
and journalists to increase appropriate coverage of LGBT issues and
Healthy Communities.
n Make better use of online and social media to reach our communities
and engage in discussion.
n Redesign the Healthy Communities website and increase its
functionality.
n Produce a bi-annual magazine promoting the work and services of
Healthy Communities.
n Celebrate Healthy Communities’ good work and successes through
‘Statewide News’, LGBT media and other means.

I'm guessing the LNP has decided they don't want to fund media campaigns against themselves.

It's a shame because the plan looks useful. - I don't know how effective QAHC has been in the past in implementing their plans - good?

and I liked the sound of this:

how ironic!

I guess this is what can happen when a publicly funded health organisation decides to expand into politics and activism. especially right before a landslide election.

Is there much information yet about where the money will be redirected?

and what chance does the campaign to stop it have do you think?

mark_

mark_ said on the 22nd May, 2012

^ That makes sense to me Ammonite.

I don't know these particular Queenslanders but some public servants forget who they're supposed to be serving. They create their own little empires at taxpayers' expense

MrAsh said on the 22nd May, 2012

^ That makes sense to me Ammonite.

I don't know these particular Queenslanders but some public servants forget who they're supposed to be serving. They create their own little empires at taxpayers' expense

This lot seem to have turned a public health service into a lobby group.

BTW Mark have you ever been to one of those ACON parties?

andrewc

andrewc said on the 22nd May, 2012

@ammonite from what I understand the money will still be directed in HIV related activites, but this will be administered by QLD Health (alarm bells) rather than an "independent" organisation.

In terms of questions about their services - ripnroll is clearly the biggest example of what they have done recently, but they also do a plethora of other activities, from safe sex packs provided to LGBTIQ events, running workshops on sex and relationships, help fund and support the Gay and Lesbian Welfare phone line, provide regional services to gays throughout Qld... these are just the things I know off the top of my head, I'm sure the website would prove more illuminating.

This slash and burn style of Newman's is disturbing, it is reminiscent of the 90's corporate takeover culture, where a company is bought all assets are stripped and the husk of the organisation is left and it either withers or blooms. Someone makes a lot of money, but a lot more people suffer!

mark_

mark_ said on the 22nd May, 2012

^
Yes I have. They are well catered. The canapés and hors d'oeuvres are vibrant and diverse; the serving boys are vibrant and diverse.

Nicholas Whatsisname is very handsome and he rationalises all the glitzy glamour and the importing of US porn stars by saying that Sydney's gay men want glitzy glamour.

andrewc

andrewc said on the 22nd May, 2012

QAHC has made no secret of its plans to ADVOCATE for the community, also it has been some time since they were purely focused on HIV/AIDS... this focused was changed to focus on general mental and sexual Health, in the belief that better informed / well adjusted people would make better decisions about safe sex.

MrAsh said on the 22nd May, 2012

^
Yes I have. They are well catered. The canapés and hors d'oeuvres are vibrant and diverse; the serving boys are vibrant and diverse.

Nicholas Whatsisname is very handsome and he rationalises all the glitzy glamour and the importing of US porn stars by saying that Sydney's gay men want glitzy glamour.

I thought as much.

ammonite

ammonite said on the 22nd May, 2012

LOL alarm bells indeed

that's a very interesting insight. he does strike me as very corporate, and not at all very politician-y - which i think is why he has become so popular. that (business) is his background isn't it?

I think there are a few places that could really use some extreme slashing and burning though; the aforementioned health department for example.

mark_

mark_ said on the 22nd May, 2012

and which community would that be?

I'm always wary of those people whose favourite word is 'community'. The second favourite word is usually 'passion' or 'journey'.

And when they start talking I know they're about to ask for cash—either directly in the form of cash donations or indirectly in the form of more funding from the taxpayers. :rolleyes:

(NB: As I said earlier, I'm commenting in general not about those two feuding sets of Queensland public servants who want to get their hands on Queensland taxpayers' money.)

.

ammonite

ammonite said on the 22nd May, 2012

I see. wow.

So a HIVAIDS service decided to spend less time and money directly on HIVAIDS in order to lobby for gay marriage rights hoping that it would improve gay men's mental health and so they would then have safer sex?

gay marriage = healthy minds = safe sex = less HIVAIDS?

I think that's a tad ridiculous.

That kind of thinking is plaguing the gay community atm and it bugs me a lot actually.

GAY MARRIAGE WILL SOLVE EVERYTHING!!!1!1!!

MrAsh said on the 22nd May, 2012

and which community would that be?

I'm always wary of those people whose favourite word is 'community'. The second favourite word is usually 'passion' or 'journey'.

And when they start talking I know they're about to ask for cash—either directly in the form of cash donations or indirectly in the form of more funding from the taxpayers. :rolleyes:

(NB: As I said earlier, I'm commenting in general not about those two feuding sets of Queensland public servants who want to get their hands on Queensland taxpayers' money.)

.

I'm the same.

mark_

mark_ said on the 22nd May, 2012

That american novelist on QnA last night said that Jane Austen novels/Hollywood/Mills and Boon/mainstream culture presents marriage as a victory and as the climax to the story and as the key to happiness!

Wrong!

andrewc

andrewc said on the 22nd May, 2012

@ Mark I don't think your comments are helpful in discourse about this particular organisation, as you are basing it on a Sydney view... QAHC is different. It has grown differently, and the GLBTIQ political atmosphere within QLD is very different to that of Sydney. They state what they mean as community in the post made by Ammonite.

@ Ammonite marriage equality was one element, they actually listed equal age of consent first in that sentence, and this is one bullet point in about 20. To say they are changing to focus on marriage equality is a little bit alarmist. They tend to be at all the rallies providing information about their services, not lobbying.

Apart from GLBTIQ liason officers within the QLD police I am not aware of any other publicly funded organisation that is focused on the well-being of GLBTIQ people, this is the most disturbing part of this cut. QLD is the most homophobic state, which to me says there are likely to be more people at risk of harm and at risk of being misinformed. Organisations like QAHC provide a lifeline and education to these people, particularly in our regional areas (think Katter country) where they are even more at risk.

ammonite

ammonite said on the 22nd May, 2012

That american novelist on QnA last night said that Jane Austen novels/Hollywood/Mills and Boon/mainstream culture presents marriage as a victory and as the climax to the story and as the key to happiness!

Wrong!
that's true isn't. so many movies end at a wedding.

ammonite

ammonite said on the 22nd May, 2012

I'm sorry for sounding alarmist.
That's good to hear.
If that's true I don't understand what possessed them to include a whole page of lobbying plans in that 4 year document? They really shot themselves in the foot.

It sounds like the problem then is that they were receiving QLD health funding. That doesn't really seem like an appropriate department for them to be under. What department normally deals with social issues?
Are you sure QLD is the most homophobic state?

mark_

mark_ said on the 22nd May, 2012

^ WA must be the most homophobic per capita, surely.

andrewc

andrewc said on the 22nd May, 2012

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queenslands-alarming-gay-phobia-20101115-17txg.html

"Queensland is the least gay-friendly state in the country with one person in three believing homosexuality is immoral, a national survey reveals.

The Roy Morgan Research data also shows two-thirds of the state's population is opposed to same-sex couples adopting children.

The anti-gay sentiment is strongest on the state's central coast and in the west, where up to 45 per cent of people regard gay and lesbian unions as immoral."

mark_

mark_ said on the 22nd May, 2012

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2010/11/15/2045276/420map-420x0.jpg

MrAsh said on the 22nd May, 2012

and which community would that be?

I'm always wary of those people whose favourite word is 'community'. The second favourite word is usually 'passion' or 'journey'.

And when they start talking I know they're about to ask for cash—either directly in the form of cash donations or indirectly in the form of more funding from the taxpayers. :rolleyes:

(NB: As I said earlier, I'm commenting in general not about those two feuding sets of Queensland public servants who want to get their hands on Queensland taxpayers' money.)

.

I'm the same.

coast_boy_21 said on the 22nd May, 2012

LNP Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie is expected to recommend to Cabinet in coming weeks that the civil union laws passed last year by the former government be scrapped.

ammonite

ammonite said on the 22nd May, 2012

thank you andrew and mark

any theories as to why?

ammonite

ammonite said on the 22nd May, 2012

I am still wondering re my query above about whether funding exclusively from QLD Health is really appropriate for this organisation considering what it does and wants to do.

So... instead of campaigning for the reinstatement of QLD Health funding to QAHC,
does anyone think we might be better off campaigning for QAHC to become a LGBTIQ service rather than a HIVAIDS one and to receive funding from another department?
or perhaps even for a new organisation to be formed?

mark_

mark_ said on the 22nd May, 2012

thank you andrew and mark

any theories as to why?

Why what?
Why Roy Morgan can draw up that map of Australian homophobia? I don't know.
Why this Qld organisation can cater to gays and lesbians but not cater to HIV hets and HIV druggies? I don't know.

ammonite

ammonite said on the 22nd May, 2012

Why what?
Why Roy Morgan can draw up that map of Australian homophobia? I don't know.Why QLD polled as the most homophobic according to roy morgan?
neither do i

MrAsh said on the 22nd May, 2012

Why what?
Why Roy Morgan can draw up that map of Australian homophobia? I don't know.
Why this Qld organisation can cater to gays and lesbians but not cater to HIV hets and HIV druggies? I don't know.

That's been my argument Mark. If other AIDS councils can have very successful programs for GLBTIQ folk and still cater for heterosexuals and people with drug addictions at risk of HIV infection. Then why cant QAHC do the same?

Surely there are hetero bogans and drug users up on the Gold Coast and locals who shag with backpackers up in Cairns who are at risk of contracting HIV, so why isn't prevention education and assistance being given to them as well.

coast_boy_21 said on the 23rd May, 2012

Why QLD polled as the most homophobic according to roy morgan?
neither do i

Guys, this might clear a few things up. Back in 2005 The Australian Institute conducted a study on homophobia using Roy Morgan data for the study. Back then in 2005 it showed QLD and Tasmania as being the most homophobic states, however in saying that the study also showed that males in the Northern Territory are the most homophobic people in Australia. Victoria was shown to be the most gay friendly. Here is a link to the study with the data: http://www.glhv.org.au/files/aust_inst_homophobia_paper.pdf

coast_boy_21 said on the 23rd May, 2012

I have also wonded why QLD is apparently the most homophobic state, well my theory is that the population of QLD really grew between 1968 and 1990, now all the people who moved to QLD during that period would have to be blind, thick and deaf not to know how homophobic the state government under Joh Bjelke-Petersen was, and yet these people moved to QLD. So obviously most people who still reside in QLD that arrived here between 1968 and 1990 did not really care about the rights of gay people, and they still don't to this day. However to be fair, QLD is no where near as homophobic as it once was, but over the city of Brisbane there is still a strong stench of homophobia floating in the atmosphere.

andrewc

andrewc said on the 23rd May, 2012

@ MrAsh as previously stated QAHC is not an AIDS council and hasn't been for some time. The relevance of an organisation focused on the Gay community is clear given the roy morgan research.

@Ammonite and CoastBoy one theory re homophobia in QLD is the suburbanisation/rural nature of the state. The Roy Morgan poll clearly shows that metro areas tend to be more tolerant. Brisbane City's population is less than a quarter of the state, and I'd consider at least 75% of that population as suburban... from interaction with people from suburban Brisbane, their tends to be an underlying homophobia that is entrenched in the culture. Whilst this may not result in overt actions, when questioned on morality people may revert to subconscious responses, rather than considered. Eg the census last year, my non-practicing "christian" flatmates indicated that they were religious when clearly they do not think or act in such a manner... I almost did the same thing. Just a thought.

ammonite

ammonite said on the 24th May, 2012

i'm also convinced from my own experience that suburbia is very homophobic. much more in fact than rural areas - which is not what urban people expect or understand.

trina2004

trina2004 said on the 24th May, 2012

That's funny as I have experienced the exact opposite.

ammonite

ammonite said on the 24th May, 2012

andrewc

andrewc said on the 24th May, 2012

Media Release from QAHC

"Healthy Communities Speaks the Truth about HIV Infections

Healthy Communities has been deeply concerned about the increase in HIV over the past 10 years, with rates per 100,000 population rising from 2.7 in 2000 to 4.7 in 2010[1]. As the first organisation to respond to HIV in Queensland back in 1984, we are keenly aware of the impact of HIV on the lives of people with HIV, their friends, families and communities and the importance of HIV prevention.

We had already written to Health Minister Lawrence Springborg making 29 recommendations on how to improve the HIV response in Queensland and pledged our support to work with the government to implement these[2]. The response was to defund us.

The Queensland Government spends less on HIV, Hepatitis C and STI control than any other state or territory in Australia.

In 2007-08 (latest figures available) Queensland spent $2.34 per person on HIV, Hep C and STI control, compared to $3.65 in Victoria and $7.67 in NSW[3].

One non-government organisation on its own, tasked with working with gay men, is not solely responsible for HIV infection rates in Queensland.

We all share responsibility for HIV: government, medical professions, schools, community organisations, businesses, the media, communities and individuals.

The rate of HIV increase in Queensland is lower among gay men than in other population groups[4].

Gay men make up a lower proportion of HIV diagnoses than they did 10 years ago[5].

The rate of HIV infection in Queensland has caught up over the past 10 years to levels similar to NSW and Victoria[6]. This is due to population changes and the ‘natural’ progression of HIV across the country.

The number of HIV infections in Queensland decreased in 2011[7].

The prevalence of HIV among gay men in Queensland is 9%, by comparison it’s 25% in San Francisco[8], 12% in Sydney and 10% in Melbourne.

Healthy Communities remains committed to fighting HIV by using community based health promotion and peer education, continually improving our own services and raising important public policy issues."

mark_

mark_ said on the 24th May, 2012

I'd like to apologise for my pugnacious tone back in #35 and also repeat that I've had no dealings with all these Queensland taxpayer-funded people (though I will say that the gay men of Sydney organised and funded our own community centre before the taxpayer-funded Sydney Acon commenced.)

MrAsh said on the 24th May, 2012

Media Release from QAHC

"Healthy Communities Speaks the Truth about HIV Infections

Healthy Communities has been deeply concerned about the increase in HIV over the past 10 years, with rates per 100,000 population rising from 2.7 in 2000 to 4.7 in 2010[1]. As the first organisation to respond to HIV in Queensland back in 1984, we are keenly aware of the impact of HIV on the lives of people with HIV, their friends, families and communities and the importance of HIV prevention.

We had already written to Health Minister Lawrence Springborg making 29 recommendations on how to improve the HIV response in Queensland and pledged our support to work with the government to implement these[2]. The response was to defund us.

The Queensland Government spends less on HIV, Hepatitis C and STI control than any other state or territory in Australia.

In 2007-08 (latest figures available) Queensland spent $2.34 per person on HIV, Hep C and STI control, compared to $3.65 in Victoria and $7.67 in NSW[3].

One non-government organisation on its own, tasked with working with gay men, is not solely responsible for HIV infection rates in Queensland.

We all share responsibility for HIV: government, medical professions, schools, community organisations, businesses, the media, communities and individuals.

The rate of HIV increase in Queensland is lower among gay men than in other population groups[4].

Gay men make up a lower proportion of HIV diagnoses than they did 10 years ago[5].

The rate of HIV infection in Queensland has caught up over the past 10 years to levels similar to NSW and Victoria[6]. This is due to population changes and the ‘natural’ progression of HIV across the country.

The number of HIV infections in Queensland decreased in 2011[7].

The prevalence of HIV among gay men in Queensland is 9%, by comparison it’s 25% in San Francisco[8], 12% in Sydney and 10% in Melbourne.

Healthy Communities remains committed to fighting HIV by using community based health promotion and peer education, continually improving our own services and raising important public policy issues."

This shows that QAHC is not effective in proving education and much needed HIV related services to all people in QLD and reducing HIV in all demographics. It's focus seems to be solely on Gay men (even though it stated it's GLBTIQ) and it's clear government funding would be better used in an organisation and program's which are orientated towards all demographic groups which make up QLD.

I wonder if they have a lesbian health program?

HubbaHubba said on the 24th May, 2012

Lesbians aren't at risk of HIV. So why fund HIV prevention programs aimed at lesbians? Better to aim them at queer poly pan bi sexuals.

HubbaHubba said on the 24th May, 2012

I suspect that if NSW goverment to an axe to acon a lot of nsweshlmen would be cheering!

andrewc

andrewc said on the 24th May, 2012

I suggest that some people *cough* MrAsh *cough* should check out the website and see the plethora of what www.qahc.org.au do. Instead of making random speculative comments.

I also want to say that I'm not tied to QAHC in anyway shape or form. I just read.

trina2004

trina2004 said on the 25th May, 2012

Yes because lesbians don't have bodily fluids. Honey runs through our veins.

MrAsh said on the 25th May, 2012

I suggest that some people *cough* MrAsh *cough* should check out the website and see the plethora of what www.qahc.org.au do. Instead of making random speculative comments.

I also want to say that I'm not tied to QAHC in anyway shape or form. I just read.

Oh I did look at that funny site which comes across as being heavily orientated towards gay men and not much for the rest of LBTIQ.

Yet apparently ACON had the first national lesbian health project.

Anthony Mahera

Anthony Mahera said on the 25th May, 2012

Sounds like something from a Disney movie.....

HubbaHubba said on the 25th May, 2012

no. It's because lesbians (as opposed to pan bi queer) only have sex with women and at this stage of the game it's still predominatly men - and gay men in particular - who have this disease. If u or your sex partner don't have sex with that group of people then u are at low risk of HIV. Hence lesbians are only at risk when they have sex with bi or gay men. Which isn't very "lesbian".

HubbaHubba said on the 25th May, 2012

next years mardi gras sponsor!

That's the joke we are becoming as a alphabet community. As if there is a difference between bisexual pan sexual or polysexual. Or even queer for that matter.....

mark_

mark_ said on the 25th May, 2012

next years mardi gras sponsor!

That's the joker.....

Hubba, the joke is the gay community is now so sanitised, bland and safe (i.e Sheldon) that Disney might want to sponsor Mardi Gras as part of the continuous expansion of potential consumers

MrAsh said on the 25th May, 2012

Incorrect. Lesbian sex is low risk, yet transmission of HIV can still occur with exchange of vaginal fluids and menstrual blood. The transmission can be through, cunninlingus, vaginal or anal fisting and sharing of sex toys.

I'm not sure of the validity of this, yet I've heard there are some lesbian women who are into 'blood sucking' where they have a fetish/liking for menstural blood. If one or few of the women of Same Same can give more information on whether this is fact or urban myth, it would be appreciated.

trina2004

trina2004 said on the 25th May, 2012

I'm not sure of the validity of this, yet I've heard there are some lesbian women who are into 'blood sucking' where they have a fetish/liking for menstural blood. If one or few of the women of Same Same can give more information on whether this is fact or urban myth, it would be appreciated.

ewwwwwww.... :eek::eek::eek::eek:

immature, but my first reaction!

Rob_smith said on the 26th May, 2012

Ever heard of GLWA Gay Lesbian Wealthfare Association of QLD , GL rights lobby QLD. I feel both QAHC and ACON are redundant and no longer serve the intended purpose, both would be better suited within the current respective Health Departments and focus on the Sexual health Of All not just a group. While Gay/Lesbian (homosexual) lobbying, welfare and politics would be better consolidated within current lobby groups instead and focus on rights of homosexuals.

? Is it even legal to be a homosexual in QLD or is it just decriminalised ? Meaning being a homosexual is not legal but not a criminal offense. It wasn't 3 years ago and I'm not certain if that has changed.

Half the time I feel these TWO organisation serve only themselves while other services are left to serve the needs. I always been amused that both focused on Gay men but are Queensland and New South Wales Aids Council. I also get angered when I see vast amounts of money spent on materials that sit in massive piles only to be dumped in the trash. Or when I go to a gay venue and in one cubicle 3 posters and then a mainstream venue and see none, yet not all gays, bisexuals and Pansexuals go to gay venues so the Minister is correct in suggesting what he did, it's not helping to reduce or targeting the the correct audience. I certainly don't need reminding every time I walk in to a gay venue to use protection.

We are all still covered federally under defacto relationships. If people are concerned it would serve you best to write a letter to your local member of Parliament outlineing how repelling civil unions will harm you, will harm the community, as well as addressing how having civil unions benefits you and the community. Writing to MPs is a constitutional right and is more powerful than protests or writing a name on a petition, as long as its respectful and civil.

Rob_smith said on the 26th May, 2012

@ hubbahubba I too was confused on the topic of Pan/omnisexual and bi, the difference is more spiritual gender neutral, Gender fluid. Pan/omnisexual will have sex/love anyone regardless of sexual gender or orientation ie intersex/androgynous/hermaphrodite transsexual homosexual heterosexual or bisexual and usually with a focus on who rather than what a person is. But not limited to. Bi-sexual male or female only.
Gay/lesbian Women are at risk of HIV while it's low they are. Please remember HIV is not just sexually transmissible, and this is not to say women who have HIV contracted through needle use. Besides that tattoos and blood transfusions are other avenues of transfer, not that either is much of a risk here but in other countries yes.

I cannot see how marriage will stop sexual behaviour, so what, now you get married and bam you become monogamous. I'm sure all the call boys will question that logic. Hang a sec i'll just tell my other brain we are married now! I'm sure that marriage stops heterosexuals from having a bit on the side, what swingers clubs? No sorry that is a delusion of conservitive heteronormative and a very dangerous one. People will still be having sex and there's nothing you can do to stop them. I've been married 11 years and it hasn't stopped us. I've got mates who have been together 30 years and it's never stopped them. Open honest trusting does not = married.

Any solicitor can draw up legally binding contracts between two people, you don't need a marriage certificate to ensure the same out come financially.

mark_

mark_ said on the 26th May, 2012

^ They sound like sensible, pragmatic ideas, Rob_smith. Much more so than the senationalist headline in the latest Star Observer which has a screaming headline Dark Days ahead; Qld government's arrack on the community. :eek: :eek:

It would be good to get some facts on the matter. Unfortunately pollies and 'public servants' are so very good at spin, obscuring facts about their inter-departmental 'turf wars' and how they all they build their little taxpayer-paid empires.

(I'm having a little battle with my local council who are increasing my rates for no good reason; they saying they're building a 'new library for the community' when Blind Freddy knows it's bigger, carpeted offices for the growing number of staff who provide stuff the ratepayers don't actually need or want.:mad::mad:)

coast_boy_21 said on the 27th May, 2012

Controversial anti-gay Sunshine Coast MP Fiona Simpson has been announced as the new Speaker of Queensland’s parliament.
She will be the state’s first ever female Parliamentary Speaker.
An advocate of so-called ‘reparative therapy’ for homosexuals, the Liberal National Party MP famously told the state’s legislative assembly that homosexuals could “grow into heterosexuality over time”.
The conservative Christian, who was the shadow minister responsible for communities and women, also encouraged people struggling with their sexuality to contact Exodus ministries – part of a Christian ‘ex-gay’ organisation that claims to be able to cure homosexuality.
This is more evidence that the LNP has an agenda to take away all GLBT peoples rights.

Irene

Irene said on the 28th May, 2012

Better to have her as speaker where she's effectively gagged, than spouting that crap on the floor of parliament.

andrewc

andrewc said on the 29th May, 2012

I have heard of them and did some volunteering for them once... they are not a lobby group at all... it is/was an independant organisation totally run by volunteers that provides a free telephone counselling service... They actually fill a gap in the "free" depression services as a number of the other hotlines are not well equipped to handle Gay and Lesbian issues. And some refuse to.

HubbaHubba said on the 29th May, 2012

Gay/lesbian Women are at risk of HIV while it's low they are. Please remember HIV is not just sexually transmissible, and this is not to say women who have HIV contracted through needle use. Besides that tattoos and blood transfusions are other avenues of transfer, not that either is much of a risk here but in other countries yes.

.

so I still don't get why you would target HIV prevention to lesbians when targeting those services to people who inject would also cover those lesbians who Inject (because that is the high risk behaviour - not cunniligus (sucking a mans cock is higher risk than cnnilingus and male blow jobs are low risk)).

HubbaHubba said on the 29th May, 2012

I cannot see how marriage will stop sexual behaviour, so what, now you get married and bam you become monogamous. I'm sure all the call boys will question that logic. Hang a sec i'll just tell my other brain we are married now! I'm sure that marriage stops heterosexuals from having a bit on the side, what swingers clubs? No sorry that is a delusion of conservitive heteronormative and a very dangerous one. People will still be having sex and there's nothing you can do to stop them. I've been married 11 years and it hasn't stopped us. I've got mates who have been together 30 years and it's never stopped them. Open honest trusting does not = married.

marriage won't stop sexual behaviour but it will change it.

People who play outside their marriage/r'ship would be more likely to play safe so they don't infect their husbands.

Also marriage will reduce the number of rships that serial monogamists get into. It's much harder to split with someone after you've made a public commitment to them. Sure it'll still happen but people wil be more likely to keep trying for longer because "wouldn't it be embarrasing if we got a divorce after spending all that money on our wedding and inviting so many people to hear us say our vows, perhaps we should wrk thru this ruff patch before we go down the embarrasing route".

Thirdly long term stable r'ships provide other health outcomes, such as having someone there to take care of you when u r sick, someone to insist u go to the dr's, someone to cut up fruit for you so u r eating healthy. And those small behaviours add up to a healthier life and therfore more years on this planet.

mark_

mark_ said on the 29th May, 2012

I SO agree with that. Families use to take responsibility for themselves; nowdays everything is so casual that people can't be bothered with ANY form of commitment; parents expect the school teachers to raise their children or the taxpayers to look after all their private woes. :mad:

HubbaHubba said on the 29th May, 2012

....For tax payers to pay for their childrens expenses but not have a say on their morals.....

valuespotters said on the 6th Jun, 2012

@Ammonite I haven't had any dealings with QAHC yet from looking at their website it's clear that the organisations purpose is solely focused on GLTBIQ communities and not about assisting and educating the whole QLD community on HIV/AIDS, sexuality and sexual health related issues.

If you compare QAHC to an organisation like the Western Australian AIDS Council (WAAC) you'll find that QAHC has a very limited agenda and I can see why they have been targeted for funding cuts and withdrawl.

AIDS/HIV, sexuality and sexual health issues don't just affect GLBTIQ communities, they affect everyone and those services should be provided for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.

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