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I have never donated blood.
Not because I am selfish, or squeamish, or a miserly hoarder of my bodily liquids. This is not an outside experience for many queer men in Australia, who have been historically excluded from blood donation since restrictions were introduced during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s.
Now that rules have changed for queer men in monogamous relationships, the world will get to experience my precious plasma. You’re welcome.
For decades gay and bisexual men and trans people have been firmly told by this ban that we are “other”, that our ability to live and contribute to society can be limited by the whims and fears of the people in charge.
The new rules are another step in healing that divide. Plus it’s funny to think that homophobes will never be able to tell if gay blood saved their lives.
The mother of former NSW police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon will remain behind bars for at least two weeks after being refused bail on charges alleging she attempted to interfere with a key witness in her son’s upcoming double murder trial.
Coleen Lamarre, 63, a former senior officer in the NSW Police radio division, appeared in court on April 30 after being arrested at Balmain the previous day and charged with doing an act intending to pervert the course of justice.
by Patrick Lenton
PRESENTED BY LIFEBLOOD
BLOOD DONATION EQUALITY
More gay, bisexual and trans people can now give blood or plasma.
Find out more
For decades, donating blood came with a quiet but cutting message for LGBTQIA+ Australians: not you. That’s what makes the latest changes from the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood feel so important: we finally get to roll up a sleeve, and be part of something life-saving.
From April 20, Lifeblood introduced Gender Neutral Assessments (GNA), removing gender-based sexual activity questions, and instead asking all donors the same questions.
by Chloe Sargeant
Thinking about starting a family of your own? Join the experts at our annual Making Rainbow Families seminar.
Haus of Drag takeover: Bigger, bolder, louder queens bringing unforgettable nightlife energy
“What if witches didn’t use their powers for good, and just used them for themselves?” is the premise behind the new webseries, The Witchy Girls, by drag icons and friends Lazy Susan and Zelda Moon.
“We’ve been concocting this show for ages,” explains Drag Race Down Under winner Lazy Susan. “And we were always asking, if we ever got the opportunity to go beyond live performance, and onto the screen, what would we wanna do?”
by Patrick Lenton
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Academy Award®-winning Lionsgate film, La La Land, in a live-to-film concert experience.
Another thumping night of '90s house, techno and rave, featuring DJ Sveta, Jon Wicks, Raydar & Emagica + HMWK (live)
FEATURE
Not every Pride celebration needs a flashy parade — often, the best queer events involve a packed venue, a sticky floor, and stunning drag queens making you feel seen, heard, and valid. But you’ve got to be there to find that out.
On June 13, Haus of Drag Presents PRIDE: Peel The Pride Takeover lands at the Sunshine Coast’s Banana Bender, from 5:30pm to midnight. It’s set to transform the venue into a high-energy celebration packed with drag, burlesque, live music and local markets.
by Chloe Sargeant
A stretch of Sydney Harbour, a lineup of regional producers, and an appetite for community — for one weekend in May, Pyrmont is once again set to become a meeting point for the regions that feed the city.
The 2026 Pyrmont Food and Wine Festival lands on May 23 and 24, taking over Pirrama Park with a loving goal: bring the country to the city, and let Sydneysiders taste their way through it.
by Chloe Sargeant
