THE MONTH IN A MINUTE
THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION OF
AIDS ORGANISATIONS (AFAO) appeals for self-test HIV kit approval to be fast-tracked. Studies show that home testing kits double HIV testing rates and are a powerful tool in the fight to prevent transmissions. The kits have been approved in the UK since 2015.
ATTACKERS THROW A CANISTER of tear gas into a Croatian gay nightclub at peak time, causing a stampede that injures two and traumatises many others. Partygoers inside the club smash windows to get fresh air. An investigation into the attack is underway and a local Pride group condemns the attack as a hate crime.
AN HIV ACTIVIST WINS the 2017 Mr Gay New Zealand title and pledges to use his position to tackle stigma. Charlie Tredway, 33, from Auckland, says one of the reasons he entered the competition was to give him a platform to talk about HIV. He will represent New Zealand at the Mr Gay World Finals in Spain in May.
THE EUROPEAN COURT of Human Rights fines Russia for blocking an LGBT Pride march in St Petersburg. Officials refused to allow the parade to take place, citing issues with the route. However, they allowed a family march to take place in the same area. Pride organisers are awarded €27,500 ($AUD38,000) in damages, which they say they will contribute to the Pride event. A NEW SURVEY REVEALS that support for marriage equality in corporate Australia is growing. Australian Marriage Equality says the poll shows 63 per cent of small and medium businesses are pro-marriage equality, up from 55 per cent last year.
THE APOLLO SPLASH CLUB gay sauna in Berlin, Germany says it may never open again following the death of three men in a fire in February. The cause of the fire is being investigated but some reports claim negligence. Fire fighters navigated through 60 private cubicles in the club’s winding, maze-like corridors to attempt to save those inside. PRESIDENT TRUMP dramatically U-turns and does not sign a sweeping religious freedom Executive Order to make it legal to discriminate against LGBTI people. LGBTI organisations were ready for battle after a draft of the bill was leaked. They remain on guard as a White House spokesperson fails to say it would never be signed, but that, “We do not have plans to sign anything at this time but will let you know when we have any updates.” THE LEADER OF BRITAIN’S Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, comes under attack for saying people have chosen to be gay. The comments come as he addresses a crowd celebrating the launch of LGBT History Month. “We’re with you, we’re in solidarity with you. Your triumphs are our triumphs. Our defense of you is a defense of all of humanity,” Corbyn says. “The right of people to practice what they want to practice rather than be criminalized, brutalized and murdered just because they chose to be gay, they chose to be lesbian, they were LGBT in any form.”
It’s embarrassing and terrifying to put the target on your forehead. It sets you up for troll attacks and armies of brownshirt bots and worse, and the only way you can do it is if you feel you have to. You have no choice but you have to speak up and stand up and act up. - Meryl Streep reflects on her anti-Trump stance after winning a Human Rights Campaign National Ally For Equality award.