‘Conversion therapy, religious freedom, and poppers’: the year in LGBTI news

This year has been one of the most tumultuous for Australia’s LGBTI community, and the Star Observer has been there to cover the news every step of the way.

Here are some of the top news stories that affected our community in 2018.

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JANUARY

Australians called marriage equality the most significant event to have shaped the nation, in a report released by the Social Research Centre. The survey asked Australians aged 18 to 93 to nominate events in their lifetime they felt had the greatest impact on the country. Same-sex marriage topped the list, followed by the Sydney Olympics.

FEBRUARY

Footballer Jason Ball launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the rollout of rainbow Pride Cups in 150 AFL clubs around the country. The crowdfunder raised nearly a tenth of its $50,000 goal just a day after launching.

MARCH

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras confirmed that gay icon and pop superstar Cher would headline the official party this year, after weeks of speculation and rumour. After performing in March, the legend ultimately went one step further: she announced her first Australian tour in over a decade for later in the year.

APRIL

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) announced its decision to recommend that HIV prevention pill PrEP be listed and subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The $180 million subsidy dramatically reduced the cost of the medication, which was listed on the scheme from April 1.

MAY

This year’s federal budget announcement included news that the school chaplains program would be made permanent, effectively replacing the Safe Schools anti-bullying program. The Australian Education Union joined a host of groups protesting the $247 million funding package.

JUNE

The World Health Organization (WHO) declassified being trans as a mental illness in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The health agency stated there was no evidence that being trans is a mental disorder, reclassifying it as a condition of sexual health.

JULY

A survey of LGBTI Australians found that the top political priority for LGBTI Australians was achieving a ban on conversion therapy. In July, Greens Senator Janet Rice called on the government to eradicate the practice of conversion therapy used against LGBTI people.

AUGUST

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller delivered an official apology on behalf of the state’s police force to the ’78ers over the brutality they suffered. ’78ers present were brought to tears by the apology, which came 40 years after the first Mardi Gras ended in police assaulting, jailing, and persecuting those involved in the protest.

SEPTEMBER

Poppers – also known as amyl – may soon be banned in Australia after the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) supported a proposed amendment to outlaw the substance. The interim decision would see poppers moved into the same category as heroin, making the possession, sale, or use of the inhalants a criminal offence.

OCTOBER

Fuelled by the alarming findings in the Who I Am study on bisexual mental health, Bi+ Australia was launched, the first national organisation dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for bisexual people.

NOVEMBER

As part of his reflections on the anniversary of the postal survey Yes win, Alex Greenwich dubbed Magda Szubanski the Wonder Woman of the marriage equality campaign, highlighting the way she shared her strength in a way that inspired others to do the same.

DECEMBER

The Senate Legal Committee tabled its report recommending that the government reject key parts of the Philip Ruddock-led religious freedom review, which would allow faith-based institutions to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The current debate around religious freedom in parliament could extend through to 2019.