All posts tagged: lgbtq

Review: ‘I Am My Own Wife’

A lone figure enters. She makes her way to a gramophone placed off centre stage, and talks about her fascination with it, and the other items that belong to her extensive museum of furniture and everyday objects. For the next 90 minutes, this is the only person to grace the stage, playing over 30 different characters throughout the entire performance. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play, ‘I Am My Own Wife’, by Doug Wright, made its WA premiere over the weekend at The Heath Ledger Theatre Studio Underground. Set in Germany amidst the Nazi and Communist regimes, the story follows the life German antiquarian, Charlotte von Mahsldorf, played by Brendan Hanson. Charlotte, who is plagued by memories of her late father, manages to live her life fearlessly and unapologetically as a trans person in a time and place where it was not safe to do so. As she talks about her life to an enthusiastic array of different characters, a fascinating, intricate and emotive story emerges. Sourcing items …

The Australian Marriage Equality Postal Survey: How You Can Get Involved in Changing History

Let’s face it, the marriage equality postal survey sucks. We didn’t want it, much of the Australian public didn’t want it – but we’re stuck with it. Now that the High Court has dashed any hope of getting rid of the postal survey, it’s time to unite to make sure we win a YES for marriage equality. Unlike a regular election, it isn’t compulsory and we know from past statistics on postal surveys that young people aged 18-24 are the least likely to respond to them. It’s up to everyone who is voting yes to make sure we can encourage as many people as possible to vote in favour of marriage equality, even in the face of adversity and lies from much of the ‘no’ side. Here are some tips on how to win the marriage equality postal survey: One-to-One conversations Social media is incredibly important, but the truth is one-to-one conversations with as many people as possible will be key in determining who will win this survey. This means volunteering and making calls with …

TropOut 2017, Half-Naked Cooking & More: An Interview with MKR’s Jordan Bruno

Jordan Bruno Never stops! Thank goodness though, because he continues to do some amazing and exciting work. Since his time as a semi finalist on My Kitchen Rules with mum Anna, he’s released an e-cook book to raise awareness for LGBTI mental health, started a YouTube Channel, become an outspoken advocate for marriage equality in Australia and more recently, an ambassador for New Caledonia’s TropOut 2017. We had a chance to chat to Bruno about all of this and more! A lot has happened since your time on MKR! How has your life changed since your time on air? It has been a very busy 12 months! My life is almost unrecognisable from where it was pre-My Kitchen Rules. I now get recognised wherever I go, and I’ve also been lucky enough to land ambassador roles with a range of high-profile organisations including my personal favourite, TropOut 2017. You released your own digital cookbook late last year to benefit youth mental health, in particular, LGBTI youth. Can you tell us a bit about that project …

Moonlight: Why Intersectional Representation Matters

If you’re late to the party, Moonlight is a talented film directed by Barry Jenkins based on the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. It has received a lot of buzz since its release in late 2016, and even more so since it won Best Motion Picture at the 74th Golden Globe Awards recently, the first all black cast, queer film to do so. The soundtrack is orchestral, not something most would expect if they’re about to watch a film set in a ghetto of poverty, violence, and an inescapable drug culture. The film was shot in a unique way with a very shallow depth of field making it feel unnerving, vulnerable, and personal. This is because director Barry Jenkins is taking you on an extremely tender and genuine coming-of-age queer journey, portrayed through the main character Chiron. This film doesn’t cheapen itself by following a predictable narrative. The queer characters did not die in the film because they were queer. They were not used as a prop for the dangers of STIs or …

VIDEOS: Nick, Robin & Lex Share Their Stories for Trans Awareness Month

Last month was Transgender Awareness Month. We decided to share the stories of three transgender Australian’s to spread awareness of trans issues and experiences. Nick’s Story Hear Nick talk about his experiences growing up, coming out as trans, and founding TransFolk of WA. Robin’s Story Robin talks about her experiences coming out, transitioning and working with the transgender community! Lex’s Story Lex talks about being trans, the confines of the gender binary and their amazing artwork.

15 Gender Neutral Bathrooms That All Ignore the Gender Binary

1. This gender neutral restroom which this high school senior advocated for, so that future generations don’t have to 2. This inclusive portable toilet at Sacramento Pride 3. This bathroom at Twist, Seattle’s Queer Film Festival, which explains what facilities are available inside 4. This bathroom which has been liberated from the gender binary 5. This bathroom which is more concerned about hygiene than being gendered 6. These artistic gender neutral washrooms that will brighten up your day 7. Just Toilets! 8. This bathroom that has people over the moon about its existence 9. This colourfully poster covered bathroom that welcomes all 10. These beautiful seahorse themed gender neutral bathrooms 11. This bathroom with a cool logo 12. These restrooms with the choice of multi or single stall 13. This facility open to all human beings 14. This all gender bathroom being used by everyone! 15. And finally, these amazing designs from a Buzzfeed article

VIDEO: The Powerful New Ad Pushing for Marriage Equality in Australia

Australian Marriage Equality has just released an ad as part of the Equality Campaign. The campaign aims to achieve marriage equality together as a nation, through a free vote in parliament, not a plebiscite. The ad, shows families, couples, friends, young and old, from all corners of the country coming together to paint a rainbow Australia on a blank wall, writing things like ‘for my mums’, ‘for fairness’, ‘for commitment’ and ‘for love’ in the process. “The Equality Campaign is about building on the momentum and energy generated across the nation for marriage equality and continuing to campaign for a straightforward change to be achieved by a vote in the parliament,” co-chair of Australians for Equality, Anna Brown told Huffington Post. “This campaign is about putting the human face of the issue back in the centre of the discussion. It is based on the importance of human stories and the message to LGBTI people, their families and friends that collectively we can be the agent of change.” Many have already tweeted their support for the …

The Gay Chef: MKR’s Jordan Bruno Releases FREE Cook Book for a Cause

Perth Man Jordan Bruno was a semi finalist with his mum Anna, in the Australian cooking show My Kitchen Rules earlier this year. Not one to take a break, and someone who’s always willing to help the LGBTIQ+ community, Bruno has just released his latest project; a free e-cook book dedicated to raising awareness for mental health issues of all young Australians. Donations for the e-cook book, The Gay Chef, can be made to two organisations in particular; Minus18 and Headspace. Minus18 is Australia’s largest youth led organisation for LGBTIQ+ people offering mental health support, social events and volunteering opportunities all while aiming for a homophobia and transphobia free Australia. Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health and well being support and counselling for all young Australians. The e-book itself is full of some amazing recipes, info about Bruno, his family and his relationship with food, and dedicated largely to queer youth to which Bruno says, “You are not alone”. “This book is extremely close to my heart as …

Interview: All Trans Band Ryan Cassata & The Rhythm

Ryan Cassata & The Rhythm formed in July of this year, the by-product of connections formed through college, social media and the Long Island music scene. With a rock sound, a passion for music and some studio singles in the works, I’m not surprised if you think this band sounds a lot like the many others out there. This however, is not the case.   The thing that sets this band apart are its members, Ryan (singer, acoustic guitarist, harmonica player) , Jordi (electric guitarist), Destroy (drummer) and Acadia (bass player). They are all amazing musicians, and they ALL identify on the trans spectrum. Trans visibility is continually increasing but still low, so to have an all trans band making some noise in the music scene is amazing, and up until this point more or less unheard of! Lead member Ryan Cassata is well known as many things; a singer-song writer, actor, YouTuber and LGBTQ activist. We had a chance to ask Ryan a few questions about the newly formed band, trans visibility and projects …

The World’s First App for Gender-Non Conforming & Queer People

The admirable thing about people in the queer community is the amount of hard work we are willing to go through to build connections and friendships with people of all types of diversity. To listen to the stories of others and understand or empathise with the hardships, celebrate the successes, and be there for each other. To create safe spaces where we don’t have to justify anything, or feel like the odd one out, but can simply just be ourselves. Enter GENDR, an app that encapsulates all of the above. Released on July 12, 2016, GENDR is the end product of an idea from two friends who realised there were no specific apps available to bring together the people, products and places that connect to the continuum of human sexuality and gender identity. With gender non-conforming and queer members from all over the world, the community chats, private messages and shares photos and stories on topics such as transition tips, makeup tutorials, gender neutral apparel, breaking news, health resources, travel and more. The app itself …