THE MONTH IN A MINUTE.
MOURNING
Brenton Erkens-Goss, an Australian police officer, who championed better relations between the LGBT+ community and the police, dies by suicide. Brenton was a prominent Victoria Police LGBTI Liaison Officer, working to strengthen trust and equality. It’s reported he was suffering depression.
SPIDER-FAN
British actor Tom Holland (above), who plays Spider-Man, says that superhero could come out as gay in the future, as, “The world isn’t as simple as a straight white guy”. Spider-Man is already an LGBTIQ fan favourite among the Marvel characters.
JACK’D OFF
A US court rules that the gay hook-up app Jack’d must pay compensation to almost 2,000 users for failing to secure nude images from leaking. New York authorities say the app’s architecture left users vulnerable to being hacked and the app must pay a total of $AU343,000 to those affected.
KYLIE LEGEND
Kylie plays the Legends slot at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival, bringing camp, rainbow glitter and a message of unity to the thousands in attendance and the millions watching live on TV. Screens across the world become Pride flags as the glitter canons erupt in a joyous show of equality and… love.
NO EQUALITY
The Prime
Minister of Singapore, Lee
Hsien Loong (right), says his country’s anti-gay law banning sex between men will remain in place “for some time”. He claims society wants to keep the law, which criminalizes gay sex with punishment of up to two years in prison, yet he insists LGBT+ people are welcome in Singapore and that he is not homophobic.
QUEEN
The expected future king of Australia, Prince William says he is “absolutely fine” with the idea that one of his children might grow up to be gay. He says he will support any of his three kids if they come out but would be concerned about the pressure they’d face from the international community.
PARK UP
Sydney City announces it will rename an area of Prince Alfred Park as Equality Green. The southern end of the park (above, right) was where thousands gathered in 2017 to hear the result of Australia’s marriage equality referendum announced. It was, of course, a resounding Yes.
RUPAUL AUSTRALIA?
Speculation about a future RuPaul’s Drag Race Australia grows as a Canadian version of the hit show is announced. The US, UK and Thailand already have their own series – is it only a matter of time?
“Fifty years of revolution, 50 years of freedom fighting, 50 years of putting up with discrimination, hatred and indifference, 50 years of blood, sweat and tears, 50 years of not bowing down to fear. That’s what I’m talking about.” – Madonna in her closing speech at New York’s World Pride celebrations.