starobserver.com.au - 1 323 Showbiz News and Updates

Victoria’s latest ‘Big’ landmark is coming to Daylesford. The Big Rainbow in Daylesford will be Australia’s first ‘Big’ landmark dedicated to the LGBTQI community. Australian towns are home to a number of iconic ‘Big Things’, including the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, Big Merino in Goulburn, Big Pineapple in Woombye, Big Potato in Robertson and the Big Ned Kelly at the Glenrowan Tourist Centre.The Big Rainbow Project was unveiled by Tinder in March 2022, and the company said they will donate $100,000 to support regional LGBTQI organisations across Australia.Over 16,000 votes were cast from across Australia to decide the location of the Big Rainbow.

The Hallmark Channel has just announced the next 40 Christmas movies they will be releasing this holiday season. One of these movies, The Holiday Sitter, will make Hallmark history by being the first holiday rom com to centre around a gay couple. The Hallmark channel is known for their cheesy Christmas movies they release every year during their annual Countdown to Christmas event where they release 31 movies in the leadup to Christmas.

An elected official in the Philippines has been charged with the murder of 38-year-old trans school teacher, Estee Saway.The four other suspects were captured on security video and quickly arrested.  Trigger Warning: This story discusses transphobic violence, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.According to Abra TV News, Wilson was identified as the mastermind behind the murder by one of the suspects arrested. Saway, a high school teacher from Suyo National High School, was shot multiple times on September 28, outside a local carwash.

Essendon is facing backlash from some fans over the appointment of Andrew Thorburn, the chairman of a conservative Christian church that preaches homosexuality is wrong and that abortion is “legal murder”, as the club’s new CEO. Trigger Warning: This story discusses homophobic comments, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.Essendon President Dave Barham announced the appointment and described Thorburn as “a man of great integrity and exceptional vision.”On its website, the City on a Hill church claims that “practicing homosexuality is a sin, but same-sex attraction is not a sin”. In a 2013 article, the church says “God has designed sex to be enjoyed within marriage between one man and one woman” and adds “a Christian who is same–sex attracted should not identify with being gay”. The Church is much more strident in its views against abortion rights, equating it to Nazi “concentration camps”.A 2013 sermon about abortion says: “Whereas today we look back at sadness and disgust over concentration camps, future generations will look back with sadness at the legal murder of hundreds of thousands human beings every day through medicine and in the name of freedom.” A 2022 sermon reaffirms the church’s opposition to abortion, even in cases of rape. I've made the difficult decision to resign my Essendon FC membership, and those of my children, due to the Essendon board's decision to appoint the chair of a homophobic and anti-health care church to the position of CEO.

Lawrence Morningstar, an OnlyFans model and gay adult film star has passed away at the age of 31. Morningstar, a resident of Hollywood, passed away on September 28, while in Wailea Maui Hawaii.In a post to , Morningstar’s friend and college Damien Cruz wrote, “It gives me the utmost sadness to have to tell you all, my soulmate, my brother, and my best friend @xxx_morningstar has passed away this morning.It gives me the utmost sadness to have to tell you all, my soulmate, my brother, and my best friend @xxx_morningstar has passed away this morning

Bros, touted as the first mainstream Hollywood studio-backed gay rom-com, has opened to a less than enthusiastic response at the US Box office.Variety reported that Bros debuted at number four and had grossed $4.8 million in its opening weekend – half the collections projected by the studio. Universal had expected a $8 to $10 million opening for the Judd Apatow-produced film directed by Nicholas Stoller and starring Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane.Before the movie was released, homophobes had review bombed the movie with low ratings.

Halloween is upon us, which means we’re all looking for some spooky season movies to help get into the spirit. For this reason Shudder’s upcoming documentary series, Queer For Fear: The History Of Queer Horror, could not arrive at a better time. Queer For Fear is filled with interviews & historical information about the queer underpinnings of the finest horror cinema the world has ever known. Although I was aware of the connections between horror & the LGBTQI community I had never explored those connections deeply.

Nikki Blonsky has announced on social media of her engagement to her partner Hailey Jo Jenson. Blonsky was thrilled to share the news, saying that the “greatest blessing in life is real love.”Best known for her role as Tracy Turnbald in the popular 2007 film adaptation of the hit musical, Hairspray, Blonsky announced her engagement on Instagram.

Gay pro- wrestler Anthony Bowens sent a strong, heartfelt message through tears after winning his first major All-Elite Wrestling (AEW) championship.Bowens made history, along with his teammate and the other half of the tag team The Acclaimed, Max Caster as the pair snatched the AEW tag-team championship. The pair defeated the duo Swerve in Our Glory – Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee in the dynamite match at the AEW Grand Slam.With this win, Bowens has become the first openly gay competitor to win gold in the AEW and spoke about the importance of the win and what it means to him.“Some of you know, some of you may not know, but I never thought I’d be able to have a moment like this.”“I never thought I would be able to live my dreams because there was a time where I was very confused, and I didn’t know how to accept myself, but I fought through that bullsh*t.

A 21-year-old fan of American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer from Lafayette, Louisiana has pleaded guilty to kidnapping a gay man with the intention of murdering and dismembering him, as part of a scheme to abduct and murder Grindr users. Trigger Warning: This story discusses a hate crime, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.On June 20, 2020, Chance Seneca used Grindr to lure 19-year-old Holden White.

A NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday sentenced three young men to prison for the aggravated kidnapping of 56-year-old Canberra-based real estate agent Peter Keeley, whose body was found in the bushlands on the NSW South Coast in February 2020. Trigger Warning: This story discusses violent death of a gay man, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.Keeley, an auctioneer and past president of West Belconnen Junior Rugby League Football Club, was lured by one of the boys via the gay dating app Grindr.

Northern Beaches and Randwick Councils are installing rainbows to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Mardi Gras, this year.Randwick Council voted unanimously to update the 47-metre Coogee Rainbow, at the steps of Coogee’s lower promenade, to include five additional Progress Pride Flag colours, creating a more inclusive rainbow.Coogee Rainbow. Image: SuppliedDesigned in 2018 by graphic designer Daniel Quasar, the Progress Pride Flag incorporates a brown and black stripe to represent people of colour and the white, pink and blue stripe of the trans flag, to create a more inclusive representation of the LGBTQI+ community. Randwick Council Mayor Dylan Parker proclaimed that, “Randwick Council is proud to partner with Sydney World Pride as part of the 45 Rainbows initiative.

Browse through our picks for what’s on in Sydney this long weekend and beyond, including concerts, cinema and parties.  The Haus of Karma is taking over the Imperial’s basement as part of Volume II of the new Pink Friday series of events. Spearheaded by Sydney queen Karma and her friends Miss Andry and London Bridge, the three will bring various drag shows before the DJs take the stage and keep the good vibes spinning. Pink Friday is a safe space for all queer people with free admission for First Nations people.

The Australian Bureau Of Statistics has said that it will evaluate how information on sex was collected for the 2021 Census and make recommendations to the government before the 2026 Census. This follows an admission that its analysis of data revealed that the addition of the non-binary option for the sex question in the 2021 Census had failed to yield any meaningful data. National LGBTQI advocacy group Equality Australia said that the analysis released by the ABS “proves that changes are needed in order for LGBTIQ+ people to be properly counted in the Census.”The ABS has guidelines about how to ask questions for collecting information about sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation. The Standard recommends four separate questions – sex recorded at birth, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation. Despite calls from LGBTQI advocacy groups to include questions on sexual orientation and gender identity, the then Scott Morrison government determined that these questions would not be included in the 2021 Census. Scott Morrison“The topics in the Census are determined by Government and the Parliament.

When Tony and Doug (names changed for privacy), a gay couple, who had lived interstate and overseas, moved to a small rural town in Southern Tasmania, they were looking forward to life away from the fast pace they were used to. What they did not bargain was for a year-long campaign of harassment and homophobic abuse directed at them by their next-door neighbour. A court in Tasmania recently held the woman guilty of anti-gay abuse and sentenced her to six weeks in prison.

Following the global success of her show Nanette and it’s follow up Douglas, Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby announced that she has signed a multi-title deal with Netflix. Gadsby’s announcement came almost a year after the comedian slammed Netflix over its handling of the controversy surrounding comedian Dave Chappelle’s transphobic comments. Gadsby revealed that Netflix had agreed to work with her on a special that would feature genderqueer comics from across the world. Hannah Gadsby.Gadsby had kicked off her ‘Body of Work’ tour in the US in April 2022. The show travelled to Canada, before arriving in Australia.

Victoria has not seen a new Monkeypox infection in the past few weeks. While it is too early to celebrate, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton thanked gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men for the turnaround. Sutton’s comments came even as Australia’s health minister Mark Butler said that the growth of monkeypox infection in the country appear to be stabilising. “It does appear that new infection numbers are stabilising significantly in the area of monkeypox.

In Louisiana, a school district is being accused of indoctrination after students were brought to an anti-trans church service under the guise of college and career preparation.On September 20, over 2,100 students from the East Baton Rouge Parish School System were told they were going to a “College and Career Fair.”The permission slip included the address, however, it failed to mention the address belonged to Living Faith Christian Center.According to Alexis Budyach, a student at Baton Rouge Magnet High, “majority of students chose to attend this field trip on the promise of free food and the opportunity to skip class, however the majority of students were not only disappointed by this event, but traumatized as well. I attended this college fair as someone who plans on applying to colleges soon, so I was disappointed once I saw what the event actually was.”Woodlawn High teacher Brittney Byrant, who attended as a chaperone with her transgender child, posted about the event.“Boys were instructed to go outside while the girls were left in the church for ‘girl talk’.

Qatar, which has laws that criminalise homosexuality, will host the football World Cup later this year. But, English Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham claims he has been told Qatar police will not arrest LGBTQI fans for holding hands or kissing in public at the World Cup. The country has faced questions about its human rights records, treatment of migrant workers and homophobic laws ahead of the World Cup. Homosexuality in Qatar  is illegal.

National treasure and gay Indigenous elder Uncle Jack Charles, who died on September 13, will be honoured and celebrated at a state funeral, the Victorian government confirmed on Monday. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that Uncle Charles’ family had accepted the offer of a state funeral. “There is no actor, no activist, no survivor and no Victorian quite like Uncle Jack Charles. He leaves behind a legacy – one of profound honesty, survival and reconciliation – and one that every single Victorian can be proud of,” the Premier said in a statement. The State Funeral Service will be held at Hamer Hall at 2pm on Tuesday October 18, 2022.Uncle Jack CharlesUncle Jack Charles, a proud Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Taungurung man, was a survivor of the stolen generation – as an infant, he was forcibly removed from his mother by authorities.

A new reimagined version of The Wizard of Oz, that will include LGBTQI characters, is set to begin production with Black-ish creator and writer Kenya Barris at the helm.In an interview with Variety, Barris said, “The original was an allegory and a reflection of the way the world was at the time with things like the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.”“Now we’re going to turn a mirror on where we’re at right now and take disparate characters from the LGBTQI community, from different cultural communities and socioeconomic communities, and tell a story that reflects the world. I think this is the best time to do that,” Barris said. When asked who he envisioned casting in the upcoming film, Barris told Essence,“No one that you would think. I know people feel like they know what we’re going to do, so I want to do something totally different.” Kenya Barris.Barris will also pen the script for the film which is being produced by his production company, Khalabo Ink Society, for Warner Brothers. The new film is based upon L.

Veronicas star Jess Origliasso has celebrated her engagement to partner Alex Smith, calling her the “woman of my dreams”. The ‘Untouched’ singer took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal that the pair had gotten engaged last week. Origliasso posted a photo of the couple showing off two engagement bands, while pointing their fingers towards the camera. She captioned her post with, “WIFED (still crying a week later)”.“I’ve waited my whole life for you.

Recent activity at former gay bar ARQ Sydney could indicate it’s reopening this October or November after its shutdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Originally, the club was shut down due to crowd limits brought on by the coronavirus. At the beginning of the pandemic, ARQ had intentions of reopening as soon as it was able to.

Fifteen years after 20-year-old Matthew Leveson walked out of Sydney gay nightclub ARQ and disappeared, never to be seen again alive, his parents have shared an emotional tribute. “Matty, it is fifteen years today that you were murdered and our lives changed forever.  A part of our hearts went with you to heaven,” Faye & Mark Leveson, Mathew’s parents, posted on .Matthew Leveson (right) was last seen on September 23, 2007, leaving ARQ nightclub in Sydney with his then boyfriend Michael Atkins (left).Matthew had walked out of ARQ in Darlinghurst, Sydney, in the early hours of September 23, 2007. CCTV footage showed him leaving the club with his boyfriend Michael Atkins (then 45 years old). On September 25, 2007, Matthew’s parents reported him missing and two days later on September 27, his car was found abandoned at Waratah Park Reserve in Sutherland. Matthew’s parents Faye & Mark Leveson.Matthew’s parents continued their search for their son’s body and in 2015 a coronial inquest into the death was resumed.

I’ll never forget the energy in the room at Sydney Bi+ Network’s first Bi+ Visibility Day event, BiLines, back in 2019. With standing room only at Redfern Town Hall, we gathered for our storytelling event to celebrate bi+ people and communities, our unique experiences, and joys.

The NSW Teachers Federation’s and transgender service provider The Gender Centre’s applications to march in the 2023 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) Parade has been rejected.In an open letter to members, NSW Teachers Federation General Secretary Maxine Sharkey revealed “with great disappointment” that their application to march in the 2023 SGLMG Parade was rejected, despite having marched in the last several parades. Sharkey acknowledged the Union’s support for Mardi Gras in the past, “including providing spaces in our conference centre and encouraging members to volunteer as marshals or float participants in Mardi Gras parades. Sharkey stressed, however, that even though the Union would not be marching in the Parade, “we will contribute to the Sydney WorldPride Amplify program.”The Gender Centre health and communications manager Eloise Brook said “We provide over 90 per cent of trans-specific services to the community in NSW,” According to an interview in the Sydney Morning Herald, SGLMG received so many applications “far exceeding our total capacity.”This year’s Mardi Gras Parade is part of Sydney WorldPride 2023.Sydney WorldPride 2023 takes place from February 17 to March 5, 2023 with nearly 1 million people expected to take part in the 17-day celebration.© Star Observer 2022 | For the latest in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTIQ) news in Australia, be sure to visit

Technology companies are finally cracking down on anti-trans hate group Gays Against Groomers.Google on Wednesday suspended the group just hours after Paypal and Venmo shut down the group’s accounts for “violating” its user agreements. The group continues to be active on social media platforms including , Instagram and . Trigger Warning: This story discusses anti-LGBTQI comments, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.BREAKING: We have just been BANNED from @Venmo and @PayPal (within minutes of each other) for “violating” their user agreements.

Parties, proms and meditation practice are on the menu in Queer Sydney this week, making for an incredibly diverse array of things to do and see this weekend and beyond. Fifteen years after its closure, Chinatown’s Harbour City Twin Cinema is being revived by month-long festival Pleasures Playhouse. Starting Thursday, three consecutive parties are to be thrown each night, but only Friday’s show starring a DJ set by Kiwi duo Broods with special appearances by Big Wett and Heaps Gay DJs has tickets still available.Pleasures Playhouse runs until October 31st with a wide range of exciting and queer-inclusive events to come.

For the second year running, Queensland Police Force officers will not march in uniform in Brisbane Pride. In a joint statement, issued with Brisbane Pride, the police have committed to issuing an apology to the LGBTQI community in early 2023.The joint statement was issued days before Brisbane Pride, which is scheduled to be held on September 24, 2022. The statement said that the delay in finalising the apology was the reason for asking police not to march in uniform in the Pride parade. Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.Police commissioner Katarina Carroll, who is leading the preparations for a formal apology, said she was committed to delivering it in consultation with community members, including serving LGBTQI police officers. The Queensland Police Force had in 2015 lifted a 25-year-old ban on its officers marching in uniform in the Brisbane Pride Festival.

Right-wing Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson has accused schools and hospitals of “sex crimes” and “sexualising children” for discussing sexuality and providing gender-affirming care.“In a healthy country, with an intact social fabric, neighborhood dads would give out instant justice to anyone who even thought about sexualizing their kids,” he said. “Sexualizing children screws them up for life — ask anyone to whom it has happened — period. No one should put up with this. No parent should put up with this for one second, no matter what the law says.

Thirty four years ago a young newly graduated police constable Tim Dooley arrested LGBTQI activist Rodney Croome, who was calling for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Tasmania. Last week the two met for the first time after over three decades in very different circumstances. This was just the second encounter between Cooley, now a Commander with the Tasmanian Police, and Croome, a former Tasmanian of the Year, who was appointed Member of Order of Australia for his LGBTQI activism in 2003. Croome recalls that in 1988 the LGBTQI community’s relationship with the local police were “at a low ebb”. In 1988, Tasmania’s LGBTQI community started their decade long battle to call for the repeal of the law that criminalised homosexuality with up to 21 years imprisonment.

An Emmy nominated, out gay New York-based Meteorologist and TV presenter, Erick Adame, said he was fired from his “dream job”, after someone took screenshots of him performing on an adult cam website and sent it to his mother and employer. Adame, who has over over 15 years broadcast journalism experience, was the resident weatherman on the ‘Mornings On 1′ show on weekdays on Spectrum News’ NY1 channel since 2017. He was part of the NY1 team that was nominated twice for the Emmys for their coverage of Hurricane Ida and Tropical Storm Isaias. “Despite being a public figure and being on television in the biggest market in the country in front of millions of people five days a week for more than a decade and a half, I secretly appeared on an adult webcam website,” Adame revealed to his social media followers. “On this site, I acted out my compulsive behaviors, while at home, by performing on camera for other men.

After eight episodes and a whole lot of ‘Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent’, Spankie Jackzon (37) was crowned the winner of Season 2 of Rupaul’s Drag Race Down Under.This Kiwi drag performer started her drag career over 15 years ago, with 12 of them spent establishing her credentials in the Melbourne drag scene. In Melbourne she was known for hosting ‘Nurse Betty presents’ parties.Spankie was previously the winner of season 2 of the Kiwi show House of Drag and is the official host and roving reporter of The Wellington International Pride Parade.On being named Australia’s Next Drag Superstar, Spankie, with tears in her eyes, called Kween and Hannah onto the stage with her, saying, “Honestly, I don’t give a fuck about the crown— these two girls here are the fuckin wind because I wouldn’t have made it here to the end if it wasn’t for their love and support and kindness and our friendship.

ARIA Award winner and former Australian Idol star Anthony Callea will sing at the memorial service for Queen Elizabeth at Parliament House on Thursday.  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement on Sky News on Sunday. The Prime Minister said that the farewell to Queen Elizabeth II would be led by TV presenter Melissa Doyle and Opposition leader Peter Dutton would be among those who would deliver short remarks at the service.Following the state funeral for the Queen on Monday, Australia will mark Thursday as the National Day of Mourning.

Thousands of LGBTQI activists and allies took to the streets of Belgrade for the EuroPride 2022 March on September 17, 2022, in the face of a police ban that was withdrawn at the eleventh hour and threats from right-wing Christian protesters. EuroPride 2022, hosted by Belgrade Pride, was hailed by  European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA) as the “most important in the event’s 30 year history”.  More than 7,000 police personnel were deployed to ensure the Parade passed off peacefully, after calls from homophobes to disrupt the event.  Police formed a protective corridor around the Pride participants as football hooligans, anti-gay right-wing and religious protesters threw projectiles and clashed, reported Balkan Insights. According to EPOA, several LGBTQI activists were attacked as they left the closing concert.

With the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral set to take place on Monday 19th September, many shops across London will be closed for the day, except for one gay sauna.Pleasuredrome, a popular bar spa in London that boasts as the “only gay venue in the UK that never closes” announced that it will not play music and show its regularly scheduled porn in the cinema. Instead, they will be live streaming the funeral in the cinema.“The staff and management of Pleasuredrome Spa join together in expressing their sense of deep sadness and loss at the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II,” management wrote on their website.“In accordance with Government guidance and advice, Pleasuredrome Spa will remain open on Monday, 19th September.