LGBTQ+ people and the people who love, support and affirm us are discriminated against by religious educational institutions and faith-based service providers across the country, every day. Ghassan Kassisieh, Legal Director at Equality Australia joins us to discuss the new report Dismissed, Denied and Demeaned: A national report on LGBTQ+ discrimination in faith-based schools and organisations. We explore religious carveouts that enable faith based institutions to discriminate against LGBTIQ+ people, instances of affirming practices, and how we protect our community from harm. You can read the ..read more

Nathan Despott is a co-founder of Brave Network, a support and advocacy group for survivors of conversion practices, and SOGICE Survivors, a group that advocates for effective legislation to end conversion practices across Australia. Nathan shares with us some of the negative health impacts on LGBTIQA+ people caused by conversion practices, and his work in developing ethical guidelines for supporting survivors of harmful conversion practices. Additionally, mark your calendars for an exciting event! Thorne Harbour Health presents the Countdown to Eurovision Trivia Night on Friday, May ..read more

In this episode, we delve into the findings of the latest report, Rainbow Realities, which consolidates past research while shedding light on new insights into the experiences of the LGBTQA+ community in Australia regarding alcohol and drugs, family violence, sexual health, and more. Joining us is Natalie Amos, Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), who will explore fresh analyses from surveys such as Private Lives, Writing Themselves In, and SWASH. Explore the comprehensive analysis in the report, Rainbow Realities: In-depth examinations of larg ..read more

Emen8 Project Lead Chris Williams joins us to discuss some of the recent blog posts to be published on the site, including how to introduce your same-sex partner to your parents. He also talks with Jack and Rachel about content available in multiple languages as well as a recent social media campaign promoting the use of PrEP on-demand. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health & wellbeing. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at Tho ..read more

The Digital Sexual Health or Sextech research project is focused on better understanding how LGBTQ+ people think about sextech, and how it can advance LGBTQ+ people’s sexual health by supporting safety, pleasure and wellbeing. Professor Kath Albury from Swinburne University of Technology joins Jack to discuss the project and some of the preliminary findings. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health & wellbeing. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and eve ..read more

Jack and Rachel speak with academic, researcher and author Noah Roseman about his book Transgender Australia – A History Since 1910. Drawing on over a hundred oral history interviews and previously unexamined documents and media reports, it highlights how trans people have tried to live authentically while navigating a society that often treated them like outcasts. It is the first book to chart the history of gender diverse Australians, exploring both progress and ongoing battles.  See the book Transgender Australia – A History Since 1910 Victoria’s Transgender History  – Transgender ..read more

This week started with the sad news that longstanding activist and Founding President of the Victorian AIDS Council (now Thorne Harbour Health) Phil Carswell OAM died peacefully at his home in Brisbane. Phil leaves behind a remarkable legacy of advocating for the health, wellbeing, and the rights of our LGBTIQA+ communities. In particular, Phil played a vital leadership role in Australia’s role in responding to HIV and AIDS. Joining Cal Hawk in the studio for this episode is Dr Adam Carr. Both Adam and Phil were a part of the Community Living Legends series last year as Thorne Harbour Health ..read more

Rachel and Jacinta speak with two researchers from the University of Wollongong, Associate Research Fellow Kate Manlik and Associate Professor Catherine Mac Phail, about the latest research project about HIV risk for women, prevention requirements, and use of PrEP. While the very limited research on this topic is all about heterosexual women – Kate and Catherine are working hard to change that! We chat about the significant issues around PrEP access for women who are at risk of HIV and what the future may hold. If you would like to take part in the study see details in the flyer below and acce ..read more

Jacinta and Rachel speak to the inspiring Julie Peters. Even in her 70s, Julie Peters is naïve enough to believe the world can be a better place and has her life trying to make it happen; as a doctoral researcher in public health and anthropology of gender, a teacher, sessional academic, cabaret performer, writer, parliamentary candidate, practical environmentalist and media professional. A strong focus of her work over three decades has been to demythologise and promote social justice and equity for trans and gender diverse individuals with the public, health professionals and across intersec ..read more

Cal and Jacinta speak to Victorian Minister for Health, the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas, to find out what changes are planned to address the gender pain gap and improve services for women’s health. We discuss sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and some of the key points revealed from the 2023 Women’s Health Survey and the submissions that are currently open for the Inquiry into Women’s Pain. We talk about why LGBTIQA+ voices are important in this area and who can share their experiences to inform future changes that address the gender pain gap that impacts women and other marginalised ge ..read more