Last week, the Andrews government took a step in the right direction when it announced it would at long last repeal an “anachronistic” law that criminalises the intentional transmission of HIV. The law – otherwise known as section 19A of the Victorian Crime’s Act – is a relic of the panicking policy making of the late 1980s and early ‘90s when the AIDS epidemic was at its height.
HIV organisations have for years lobbied for the law to be scrapped, claiming that section 19A stigmatises people living with HIV. Section 19A is the last law of its kind in Australia that singles out HIV specifically, since NSW repealed their HIV-specific crime offence in 2007. More absurdly it has never been applied in the circumstances in which it was intended – for submitting HIV by injecting them with a blood-filled syringe.
Even more absurdly, the law makes the intentionally transmitting HIV punishable by up to 25 years in prison. By contrast, in Victoria, the maximum sentence for manslaughter is 20 years. While there are some within the gay community who argue that gay men need protection from HIV, the Labor government has sensibly seen that the law is unnecessary, since intentional transmission of an STI like HIV could already be prosecuted for causing a serious injury under existing criminal offences.
What HIV-specific laws do accomplish is creating a deterrent for people to get tested for HIV. Contrary to what people think, the vast majority of new HIV transmissions are caused by people who don’t know they have the disease. Only 1% of new cases are from people who knew they were HIV positive. As Attorney General Martin Pakula said the laws ensured people living with HIV were treated equally before the law. “This is about reducing the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV, and in turn promoting equal protection by the law for all Victorians.”
Up in Sydney, acting chief executive of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras revealed to The Star Observer that from next year, the route of the Mardi Gras parade which currently runs from Hyde Park along Oxford Street may be reversed so the parade runs to the CBD or even through the CBD. Over the years, the Mardi Gras parade has actually taken a number of different routes, and the first Mardi Gras actually started at Taylor’s Square and marched down to Hyde Park. This new route no doubt reflects how Sydney’s lockout laws are hitting gay venues along Oxford Street.
Meanwhile, in a sign transgender people are making great leaps forward, a 27-year-old trans model named Aydian Dowling has been thrust into the spotlight after being poised to become the first ever trans cover model for Men’s Health in the US. After transitioning in 2009, Dowling has gone viral after recreating Adam Levine’s cheeky cover pose in his bid to grace the cover. So far, he’s receiving a whopping 28,000 votes in the magazine’s online competition. To add one more, you can vote for him here: ultimateguy.menshealth.com/leaderboard.
This week, the Victorian AIDS Council will be hosting information sessions on PrEP for gay men interested in finding out about how PrEP can prevent HIV transmission, and how gay men can access it in Victoria. The next session will be held at PRONTO 175 Rose Street, Fitzroy on Sunday April 26 from 2pm-3pm. To RSVP, visit [email protected].
Two of the divas from Ru Paul’s Drag Race are heading down under for an Australian tour this weekend. In The Dark (the scene queens behind Swagger) will be bringing Violet Chachki and Max Malanaphy to Melbourne on Wednesday April 29 at the GH Hotel from 8pm. Tickets are $25 or $55 for VIP meet and greets if you want to rub shoulders with the gals. For tickets, visit itdevents.yapsody.com.
The homos behind POOF DOOF are teaming up with the boys from Leather Mob to once again throw a Leather Doof next Saturday May 2. DJs Scott Anderson and Kam Shafatti will be on hand along with residents Argonaut and Salvador Darling for a night of fetish, whips and tops off. For details, visit facebook.com/leathermob.
Hippies, hipsters and homos are all welcome to The Good People Party next Friday May 1. Expect to end up with some glitter on your face, some flowers in your hair and a smile on your dial at the monthly gathering. The Good People Party will be held at the Railway Hotel in Brunswick from 9pm till late. $15 on the door.
