WHAT'S ON

The queer community is in shock after the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras confirmed it has cancelled the iconic Mardi Gras party. New CEO Jesse Matheson described the move as a heartbreaking but necessary decision to protect the future of the festival.

Russia has just taken another swing at queer rights. The Russia Ministry of Justice has added ILGA World – a global LGBTIQA+ rights federation linking 2,000+ groups in 170 countries to its list of “undesirable organisations”.

OpenAI’s decision to introduce advertising into ChatGPT marks a major turning point in how artificial intelligence will be funded, used and possible trusted.

The ACT Labor Government has confirmed it will review and toughen the Territory’s hate crime and vilification framework, including looking at whether the worst forms of hate speech should become criminal offences.

Victoria has moved ahead with new 'Hate Speech' protections that, for the first time, clearly cover LGBTIQ+ communities, with the changes due to be fully in force by June 2026. The reforms expand anti‑vilification laws beyond race and religion, introduce new criminal offences for serious hate conduct, and strengthen civil options for people targeted because of who they are or who they love.

LGBTIQ+ groups are calling on the federal government to include greater protections for their communities in its proposed overhaul of hate speech legislation. 

Kazakhstan follows Russia in banning ‘LGBTQ propaganda’ While the Kazakhstan government says being LGBTQ+ isn’t illegal, the new LGBTQ+ 'propaganda'  raises serious concerns about censorship, visibility, and the silencing of queer voices.

Anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in California are reaching alarming levels, especially against trans and nonbinary individuals. With a shocking 102 reported anti-trans incidents last year and a staggering 275% increase in crimes against nonbinary people, it’s clear that our communities need stronger protections and support.

In a significant move, the US Supreme Court has upheld the landmark Obergefell v Hodges ruling, rejecting a petition from Kim Davis that sought to challenge marriage equality in the USA.