OPINION PIECES

Trump's Lessons For South Australia

In 1967 Martin Luther King warned that “we must rapidly begin the transition from a thing oriented society to a person oriented society.”“When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are...

Identity Politics In The Age Of Trump

I was recently watching a documentary about the Trump Presidency and saw a highly disturbing interview with a man representing an organisation called ‘Gays for Trump’. I was shocked that a gay...

Hang In There, There’s Always A Storm Before The Rainbow

The Government’s Marriage Equality Survey is deeply insulting, not only because of the tidal wave of hatred it has unleashed against people who already suffer prejudice and discrimination, but because the process...

Turnbull Represents Failed Political System

There’s a store in my home state of South Australia called Mr Bankrupt, which ran some quite memorable TV commercials when I was a kid, “selling out fast, it’s all gotta go!”I...

Blocking A Plebiscite Is The Best Way To Achieve Marriage Equality

I remember my first ever Gay Pride march. I was in my mid-20s at the time. Trying to get into the after party on the streets of Adelaide, I had to negotiate...

Orlando Massacre Is A Tragic Reminder Of Violence Against LGBTI People

This week, a horrific hate crime targeting a gay nightclub in Orlando has devastated LGBTI communities and their allies right across the world.It is a stark and sobering reminder that acts of...

It’s Time To Strengthen Our Anti-Discrimination Laws

This week we marked International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. It’s an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come on the road to equality for LGBTI people, but also to reflect...

More Action Needed To Combat Homophobia In Schools And In Parliament

I was about 10 when I was first called a “fag” and a “poof”. At that time I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I knew it wasn’t a compliment. The names...

A Plebiscite On Gay Marriage Would Tell Us What We Already Know

When Malcolm Turnbull seized the Prime Ministership from Tony Abbott two months ago, the nation breathed a collective sigh of relief. At last, we might have something that looks a bit more...

Australia’s Civic Life Will Suffer If Major Parties Turn Universities Into Degree Factories

Australia’s universities are vital to our nation’s future. This is not only because they are fundamental to the growth of our economy but because they are an essential public good. Universities are...

Coming Out Day Celebrates A Lifelong Process

Today is Coming Out Day, an opportunity to celebrate the importance of pride and reflect on my own personal journey with sexuality.I was 12 when I realised I was gay. It was...

Time For Labor To Bind On Marriage Equality

Buoyed by growing momentum for marriage equality, Deputy Labor Leader Tanya Plibersek is leading the charge for her party to put its money where its mouth is by making support for this...