Star Online

South Australian Social Inclusion Minister Ian Hunter says lesbian couples and single women are a step closer to accessing IVF services after a bill to change the state’s laws on the issue passed in the Upper House last night.

Hunter’s private member’s bill to amend Section Nine of South Australia’s Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 1988 – which currently prevents some single women and women in same-sex relationships from accessing fertility treatment – passed in the Legislative Council, 12 votes to 9.

“Currently under South Australian law, a woman has to be diagnosed as medically infertile in order to access assisted reproductive treatment [ART],” Hunter said.

“This has significant implications for single women and lesbian couples in that it specifically excludes those who may not have any medical impediment to achieve pregnancy, but whose social circumstances prevent them from conceiving without some form of [ART].

The bill will now head to the Lower House for a vote.

“We’ll be briefing members in the Lower House and explaining what the bill does for [ART] and hopefully the community will get on board and support the bill as well by contacting their local MPs and expressing their views on this,” Hunter said.

Hunter said, if passed, the laws will bring South Australia in line with other states.

“The recent passage of the Family Relationships (Parentage) Amendment Act 2011 means that lesbian couples who conceive a child through [ART] are able to have both mothers recognised on the child’s birth certificate, but these same couples cannot access ART in SA and are forced to travel interstate,” Hunter said.

“It’s time to remove discrimination from the law.”

MPs have been allowed a conscience vote on the bill.

Similar legislation was introduced in 2009 but was defeated by one vote.

South Australia is one of the last states to allow lesbians and single women access to ART services.

People living with HIV will be targeted in a new advertising blitz to get them to speak to their doctors about going on treatment, whether they are newly diagnosed or have had the virus for
years.

Advertisements will run in national print media and on billboards in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in what’s set to be the biggest national campaign of its kind.

Driven by the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA), the campaign is backed by recent research and a change in US HIV treatment guidelines last month which now recommend treatment for all people with HIV to improve patients’ health as well as to drive down transmission rates.

NAPWA president Robert Mitchell said the campaign is about getting HIV-positive people to start a conversation with their doctors about treatment options.

“People need the latest information to make fully informed decisions about managing their health,” Mitchell said.

Australia’s leading HIV scientist Professor David Cooper supports the campaign.

“It is very important that people with HIV are well informed about the benefits of being on HIV treatment — both the individual benefit for the patient and the secondary benefit that treatment has in helping reduce transmission of HIV to others,” Cooper said.

“Even today, with the well tolerated and potent HIV treatments available, we still see people presenting at hospitals with very damaged immune systems and serious HIV-related health issues, despite the strong evidence that early treatment is beneficial.”

NAPWA special representative Bill Whittaker said he believes many people still have an outdated view of HIV treatment.

“I think a lot of people are still thinking it’s fine to wait a number of years until your immune system declines to a certain point and then that’s the time to start treatment,” he told the Star Observer.

Whittaker also called on the federal Government to address some of the issues that prevent patients going on treatment.

“We’ve got to reduce some of the costs around treatments. There are dispensing fees and co-payments costs and that can force people [to choose] between paying the rent or putting food on the table, and buying their drugs,” he said.

Albion St Centre director of clinical services Dr Don Smith said while increasing research shows the benefits of early treatment, doctors won’t force patients to go on treatment.

“What I tell many of my patients, even if they’re not ready to go on treatment and not convinced it’s good for them, actually just knowing what’s going on gives an opportunity to discuss that evidence and discuss what triggers would need to occur before they would consider start[ing] treatment.”

Businesswoman and former National Advisory Committee on AIDS chairwoman Ita Buttrose will launch the advertising campaign in Sydney this Friday, May 4.

Community forums will also be held across Australia to inform the community of the benefits of early treatment.

INFO: www.napwa.org.au

It’s with great pleasure we present two editorials this week from the enormously well regarded author and academic Dennis Altman and talented writer and tweeter extraordinaire Benjamin Law.

The pair have written ahead of their appearance at a Sydney Writers’ Festival forum this month titled ‘Why Get Married When You Could Be Happy?’

The discussion will also feature celebrated writer Jeanette Winterson and American-Russian journalist and LGBT rights advocate Masha Gessen. It looks set to be a lively discussion.

As I’ve no doubt expressed countless times before, I’m with Law and Altman on this one. I’m not terribly enamoured with the institution, but think the ban on queer couples marrying is outwardly unjust.

Altman raises an interesting point about his desire to see the same efforts thrown into the marriage equality campaign directed towards helping queers overseas overcome far more dire discrimination.

Of course, as he points out, for a range of complex reasons, attempts to do so would be mired in difficulties.

But there are small, and significant, steps being made on the global stage.

Late last month the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD) adopted a landmark resolution to support young people’s sexual and reproductive rights.

The resolution, pushed largely by non-government organisations, stated that young people should have the right to decide on all matters relating to their sexuality, have access to sexual
health services, have a right to comprehensive sex education, and importantly, be protected to experience sexuality free from violence and discrimination.

Of course, talk is cheap, and in some parts of the world, UN resolutions even cheaper. But this is an important message to send in support of the freedom of the next generation of young people across the world, the next batch of LGBTI rights activists who can make a difference.

It’s worth recalling the comments of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a speech she gave in Geneva last year, for inspiration.

“It is a violation of human rights when people are beaten or killed because of their sexual orientation, or because they do not conform to cultural norms about how men and women should look or behave,” she said.

“Gay people are born into — and belong to — every society in the world. They are all ages, all races, all faiths. They are doctors and teachers, farmers and bankers, soldiers and athletes.

“Being gay is not a Western invention. It is a human reality.”

Unfortunately for many LGBTI peple around the world, violence, abuse and discrimination is also a reality. Let’s hope, once marriage equality is won, this is a cause where we can somehow make a difference.

Under new leadership, the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) will push for stronger federal protection and will target vilification at state and federal levels.

New VGLRL convenor Anna Brown (pictured) has been working with the committee to create a strong agenda.

Brown told the Star Observer she was excited to lead the lobby this year despite there being no male co-convenor.

“I’m looking forward to a year where we have some energy and reinvigoration of the lobby and expand its base of activity,” she said.

“We’ve had a strategic planning day and settled in some priority issues this year.”

The key issues for 2012 were lobbying for stronger federal anti-discrimination laws, targeting LGBT vilification, creating LGBT-friendlier workplaces, and working towards developing a state peak body.

“We need coverage at federal level to protect LGBTI community from discrimination,” Brown said.

The federal Government is working on draft legislation that will consolidate anti-discrimination laws into a single law. With bipartisan support, LGBT people will also be protected by the new nationwide law.

“We need to keep the pressure on and make sure federal Parliament delivers the best outcome for our community,” Brown said.

States and territories, along with the Commonwealth, already have anti-discrimination laws in place, however, Brown said there was room for improvement.

“The simple answer is, I think the more protection, the better,” she said.

“The fact that we’re reforming the Commonwealth laws now is a chance to push to hopefully achieve an even greater level of protection.”

Brown said reforms for systemic discrimination were also needed as well as greater access to justice when it came to discrimination complaints.

“Most people wouldn’t be aware but if you have suffered discrimination, the process of taking forward a complaint under equal opportunity laws is very burdensome and it’s a big disincentive and we don’t actually get many cases coming through the courts for that reason,” she said.

The VGLRL is seeking a male co-convenor to help lead the organisation with Brown.

She said the lobby was also examining fundraising options, including a formal dinner to celebrate achievements in the LGBTI community. She urged anyone interested in the idea to contact the VGLRL.

INFO: www.vglrl.org.au

Triumph this week that same-sex marriage supporters had won the online clicking war against marriage opponents in the House of Representatives survey is likely to be short-lived.

No matter what happens with the two parliamentary inquiries currently being held into same-sex marriage, the outcome still rests on how MPs vote when the relevant legislation is before them.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that 58 percent of respondents to the House of Representatives survey were in favour of change. It’s a great momentum boost, but numbers can only be crunched so far.

As has been the case since the Labor Party voted to change its platform position on the issue last year, the fate of marriage equality rests with the Coalition.

Labor MPs will be allowed a conscience vote, but so far Opposition leader Tony Abbott has not been moved to offer Coalition MPs the same courtesy.

Abbott said he made a promise before the election not to change the Marriage Act, so he won’t.

It’s a difficult argument to counter, and Abbott knows it.

For those in favour of change — which, on best estimates, is most Australians — Abbott’s position is infuriating. When is the Coalition ever going to go to an election promising to allow same-sex marriage?

But Abbott knows, as long as this issue remains unresolved, it will become increasingly uncomfortable, and personal, given his own sister has recently come out and supports marriage equality.

So one must focus instead on the age-old method of change — from the grassroots up.

This month the East Sydney Liberal Party branch voted unanimously to call on federal Liberal MPs to be allowed a conscience vote on the issue.

While I’m doubtful too many other Liberal branches will take the same step, there are certainly pockets of support among rank-and-file party members. These members need to step up and make their voices heard at party meetings. It is here a little effort could go a long way to push for change.

Australia’s peak LGBTI health organisations have applauded the Gillard Government’s move to include LGBTI people as a special needs group under the Aged Care Act.

The Government also announced $2.5 million would be allocated over the next five years to train aged-care workers to better support LGBTI seniors.

“Many older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians have experienced considerable discrimination over the course of their lives,” the Government said in its report into changes in the aged-care sector.

“It is important that their sexuality or gender identity are recognised and supported in delivering aged care services.”

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill welcomed the announcement.

“We are hopeful these initiatives will ensure that LGBTI people receive the same standard of care as others in the community,” he said.

National LGBTI Health Alliance general manager Warren Talbot said the move was necessary, but also called for the Gillard Government to implement a national LGBTI aged-care strategy to ensure future projects are rolled out effectively.

“The special needs of LGBTI people are often neglected,” Talbot said.

“We look forward to multi-partisan support for [this] change.”

Last year the Productivity Commission released its Caring for Older Australians report which detailed the concerns of LGBTI seniors for the first time, including their fear of discrimination in aged-care services.

Alliance ageing and aged-care working group convenor Corey Irlam told the Star Observer inclusion of LGBTI issues under the Act means aged-care providers will have to consider LGBTI issues.

“All private providers, not-for-profit providers, religious providers applying for funding will need to consider what they’re doing for the individuals under each of those special needs categories,” Irlam said.

“But also it will enable the Government to provide targeted packages where there’s a proven needs base to service the need of the LGBTI community.

“[This] may in future assist with things such as a gay and lesbian aged-care home, or service provision in the home.”

Irlam said the next step of the process will be to look at inclusive aged-care standards, both for residential and community care.

Gerontologist and LGBTI ageing expert Dr Jo Harrison said the announcement marks a a significant shift in thinking on LGBTI ageing issues, “from virtual invisibility, to a clear and solid presence”.

“It is testament to the hard work of those in our community who have raised the serious concerns related to LGBTI aged care and discrimination over many years, particularly older GLBTI people themselves,” Harrison told the Star Observer.

“Special needs group status will enable access to funding and increased attention within policies and programs across aged care. It will also send a strong signal to providers of aged care.”

Melbourne will host Australia’s first national conference on surrogacy next month.

The conference is run by Surrogacy Australia — a not-for-profit association set up in late 2010 — to help prospective parents get to grips with the issues around starting a family.

Surrogacy Australia spokesman Sam Everingham told the Star Observer the event aims to help people make informed decisions.

“There are so many hundreds of couples, particularly gay couples, in Australia using surrogacy to have children, but doing it without much in the way of objective information,” Everingham said.

“Most of us were going online and doing Google searches.

“A lot of us have done some hard yards accessing surrogacy overseas and realise some objective information and openness about the processes is needed in Australia.”

The two-day conference will feature local and international experts on surrogacy, including lawyers, doctors, counsellors, and surrogates.

Speakers will cover topics including trends, legal and ethical concerns, and processes in countries where commercial surrogacy is available.

Everingham, who has 10-month old twin girls via surrogacy with his partner Phil, said couples can lack an understanding of the difficulty of surrogacy arrangements, both emotionally and financially.

“It’s very common to go through three or four or five attempts with a surrogate to get pregnant,” Everingham said.

“It’s very common for surrogates to miscarry, in early or late stages of pregnancies, so couples need to be able to prepare to deal with the grief and loss.”

Currently it is illegal to enter a commercial surrogacy arrangement in Australia, and in some states it is an offence to advertise that you are looking for a surrogate.

In 2010 New South Wales legislated to make it a criminal act for NSW residents to enter into a commercial arrangement, either locally or overseas.

Everingham said this has had a big impact on prospective families.

“[Restricted] access means we really need to start talking publicly about this because there are starting to be lots of families exposed to criminal prosecution in NSW and it’s been clear from [a recent Surrogacy Australia] survey that the criminal laws aren’t stopping people from accessing surrogacy.”

The surrogacy conference is at Rydges Hotel, Melbourne, May 26 – 27.

INFO: www.surrogacyaustralia.org

Trustees of fledgling organisation the Carmen Rupe Memorial Trust (CRMT) have defended board member Kelly Glanney after rifts have emerged.

The Trust was officially established last month in memory of transgender icon Carmen Rupe who died last year. Glanney, Rupe’s neighbour for 19 years, led the Trust’s set-up. She said she faced allegations on social media sites that the Trust has taken donations without accounting for the money.

“We’ve not taken a cent in donations,” Glanney told the Star Observer. “They’re baseless allegations designed to kill us before we’ve started.”

Glanney said the Trust is still applying to the Australian Tax Office to become a registered charity.

Rupe’s longtime friend, Sydney-based Pindi Hurring, has called for Glanney’s resignation, claiming she has upset Rupe’s friends.

“There were things that went on, on behalf of the Trust, with no consultation of her close friends,” Hurring told the Star Observer.

Glanney has rejected claims the Trust has not consulted the community. Rupe’s niece Chanette Hemopo — the major beneficiary of her estate and a CRMT trustee — and CRMT chairman Garry Pammer have backed Glanney.

“Kelly has continued to contribute incredible skill, energy and strategic vision in helping us set up and launch the CRMT — in spite of the very public personal attacks on her character. [This] clearly demonstrates her commitment to the CRMT,” Hemopo said.

“I have no doubt Kelly’s heart is in the right place and that to me is paramount.”

A group of 150 medical professionals have claimed same-sex marriage would negatively impact on people’s general health and potentially increase HIV rates.

In a submission to the recent Senate inquiry into same-sex marriage, the group Doctors For The Family said it was opposed to any change to the Marriage Act.

“Legislation of same-sex marriage will have significant ramifications that have been confirmed by research and events here and elsewhere,” the group said.

The submission stated that same-sex marriage would further “normalise” homosexual behaviour which would lead to health consequences. To illustrate their point, the group pointed to the higher rates of HIV and syphilis among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) compared with heterosexuals.

National LGBTI Health Alliance general manager Warren Talbot said the claims were false.

“There’s obviously no intrinsic relationship between homosexuality and HIV status — globally HIV is a heteroseuxal pandemic,” Talbot told the Star Observer.

“It is a fact that in Australia and some other places, because the initial pool of infection was amongst MSM, that’s where the infections are going to be, but that has nothing to do with proving any intrinsic relationship between HIV status and homosexuality.”

Talbot said while he was concerned about the group’s views, he doesn’t believe their views were widespread in Australia’s medical community.

“I would be concerned that the 150 people who signed the submission [would not] treat an LGBTI person with the proper respect and dignity which all patients deserve,” he said.

“But Australia has 81,000 medical practitioners and I’m quite sure the 150 who’ve signed this submission are completely out of step with the Australian Medical Association, which has a very good policy on the acceptance of people with different sexual orientations and sexual diversity — so this group would be entirely out of step with the mainstream of the medical profession.”

In a submission to the same inquiry, the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) said legalising same-sex marriage would, in fact, benefit the health of LGBT people.

“Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) populations experience significant health disadvantage,” AMSA said.

“Discrimination, including legislation that precludes marriage equality, is an important cause of the health inequities experienced by LGBTI populations.

“The issue of marriage equality affects the whole of society. Instituting marriage equality is an important measure to remove discrimination against LGBTI populations and improve the health of these groups.”

An AMA spokesman told the Star Observer the AMA does not have a position on same-sex marriage.

Whatever your position on the Greens or outgoing leader Bob Brown, there is no doubt he’s made a considerable contribution to gay rights reforms, not only in Tasmania, but across Australia.

Saying he was the first publicly gay man in Tasmania (Brown came out in the Launceston Examiner in 1976) doesn’t mean much these days, but one can only imagine the personal hardships associated with that particular claim to fame.

Homosexuality was still illegal in most Australian states and decriminalisation in Tasmania was two decades away.

Brown must certainly be built of tough stuff. Fielding questions from journalists following his resignation last week, Brown responded to one query about whether the bruising debate on the carbon tax had played any part in his decision to call it quits.

He appeared slightly amused at the suggestion and went on to explain the talk-back fury and ‘convoys of no confidence’ pale in comparison to the frightening personal abuse he received as an openly gay man (and an environmentalist) standing for office in a state where homosexuality was still illegal.

As fellow Tasmanian and long-time gay activist Rodney Croome says, it’s hard to put the feeling of hatred towards homosexuals at that time into words.

“You only have to look at the gay law reform debate in Tasmania and look at how protracted and angry it was and how deep the homophobia was in some parts of Tasmania,” Croome said.

Brown was elected to the Tasmanian Assembly in 1983. By the time he was elected to the Senate in 1996, the federal stage must have been something of a welcome relief.

“We’re talking about a situation where there were state MPs, particularly in the [Tasmanian] Upper House, calling to track down and wipe out homosexuals and for the re-introduction of the death penalty for homosexuals,” Croome said.

“[Being openly gay in] Tasmania was like living in a police state and to be elected to public office, and for that to be the first time for that to happen in Australia, in Tasmania … it was unbelievable.”

Perhaps one of the most important offerings from Brown, as far as his ability to shift minds on gay issues, is his air of the ordinariness of his own sexuality.

For Croome, Brown’s early openness galvanised him and others to keep pushing until rights were won.

“I can’t begin to describe how inspiring that was for young people like me, to see a gay man, not only living happily in Tasmania, but changing Tasmania for the better,” he said.

Croome believes the community owes Brown a great deal of gratitude for his fight for gay rights. I don’t suppose he’s wrong.