Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

FIFA World Cup Pride game between two nations who outlaw homosexuality

December 9, 2025 at 10:09 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

And held in a country that is moving backwards, rapidly, on LGBTIQ+ rights, especially in its war on trans people.
www.outinperth.com/fifa-world-c...

FIFA have drawn the teams for the 2026 World Cup, but the designated Pride match will feature teams from countries that outlaw homosexuality.

www.outinperth.com

December 9, 2025 at 12:50 AM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“Girl Guides Australia’s mission is to empower girls and young women to discover their potential as leaders of their world,” the organisation wrote on Facebook.

“All girls – cisgender and transgender – are welcome at Guides, and we support their personal journeys.” 👏
qnews.com.au/all-girls-we...

All girls welcome says Girl Guides Australia, including trans girls

142 medical professionals call for QLD trans healthcare to be restored

December 8, 2025 at 9:35 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“Queensland now stands alone as the only state removing this vital support from young people.”

“A decision that defies expert medical consensus, global guidelines, community expectations and the government’s own human rights obligations.” #aushealth #qldpol
qnews.com.au/142-medical-...

Rules on single-sex spaces pose risk to trans people’s mental health, UK charities say

December 8, 2025 at 9:33 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"New rules on access to single-sex spaces could pose a significant risk to the mental health of trans and non-binary people, according to 15 of the UK’s most respected mental charities."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Fifteen organisations sign letter expressing deep concern over EHRC guidance being considered by ministers

Activist Kirralie Smith fined $95k over anti-trans vilification

December 8, 2025 at 9:32 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

So much wrong in this article, but this in particular stands out: 'along with males who have intersex conditions'.

It's pretty clear the author has no idea what they are talking about - and is effectively implying that any athlete who is intersex is a male.
www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/i...

www.theaustralian.com.au

December 8, 2025 at 9:29 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

The Australian has clearly run out of any actual news to print, instead choosing to revive its horrific anti-trans war.

For the record, only fringe 'gay and lesbian' orgs, like the LGB Alliance, have any issue with trans people - for the vast majority of us, trans people are our friends and allies.

The nonsense has gone too far. As Rice reports, gay and lesbian groups, rightly, are objecting, finding that the ongoing erasure of biological sex in law is having a damaging effect on many in the gay community. Governments and companies should also take a firm stand against such ideology.

December 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

Hopefully the Queensland LGBTI Legal Service is successful in this new challenge.

But the only way all young trans and gender diverse people to have access to vital health care is for the Govt to change their mind - or, if they refuse, for the people to change the Govt. #aushealth #qldpol

Another legal challenge to Queensland’s ban on puberty blockers

Queensland’s LGBTI Legal Service has filed a second challenge to the state’s controversial ban on puberty blockers, on behalf of a client who was denied treatment in the state system.

The government first banned public health services from prescribing puberty blockers to “new patients” in January.

In October, the supreme court ruled the first ban was unlawful, due to a lack of consultation. The government instituted a second ban within hours of it being overturned.

The young person at the centre of the case was deemed a “new patient” under the first ban in January, and subsequently sought treatment for gender dysphoria as a private patient. Private treatments can be significantly more expensive.

After the first ban was overturned, the young person then sought treatment as a public patient, on the grounds they were not a “new patient” because they had begun gender-affirming care before the second ban was implemented. They claim they were refused treatment.

The court challenge seeks an order that anyone who began gender-affirming care before 28 October – when the second ban was instituted – should not be considered a “new patient”.

The mother of the young person said:

The ministerial direction was made with lightning speed but, yet again, was made without input from trans young people and their parents and without consulting anyone with expertise in treating trans young people.

Seven hours wasn’t even long enough for the minister to prepare a direction that was clear and unambiguous, let alone adequately consider all of the issues.
The legal services says it has lodged separate discrimination and human rights cases.

December 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"Smith has now been ordered to pay the fine and publish a public apology across “all social media pages and websites over which she has control”. The $95,000 fine must be paid within 28 days, after which it will double."

Good things are still possible.
qnews.com.au/kirralie-smi...

DoJ moves to eliminate sexual abuse protections for LGBTQ+ people in prisons

December 7, 2025 at 10:31 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“This gives more license to individuals to target trans, intersex and other LGBTQ+ folks in carceral settings and ignore their obligations under the law.”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Memo says the policy shift, which advocates call ‘reckless’, was designed to align with one of Trump’s anti-trans orders

Outcry in Italy over sex education bill to crack down on ‘gender ideology’

December 7, 2025 at 10:29 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

The global fascist war on trans people continues. #transphobia
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Legislation is needed to stop leftwing politicians ‘bringing drag queens and porn actors into schools’, minister says

Leading groups for UK women and girls to close doors for trans women

December 4, 2025 at 9:19 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"This is mere cruelty to exclude trans people from doing the things they love with the people who love them." #transphobia
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

Two of the UK's leading groups for women and girls will stop offering membership to trans women in the aftermath of a Supreme Court ruling.

www.abc.net.au

December 4, 2025 at 9:09 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

“They [the ADF] have a very longstanding and aggressive approach to the rights of LGBTIQ people.

“They fight it in the courts in the US, they fight it politically, locally and in communities, and their aggressive anti-gay stance is extremely harmful.”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Global group accused of attacking gay rights backs South Australian woman over school presentation

Global arm of Alliance Defending Freedom, which advances ‘a Christian view’ of sexuality, supports proposed legal action over classroom material

Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025

December 3, 2025 at 10:09 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

The text of the Victorian Bill to end involuntary medical interventions, incl surgery, on children born with variations in sex characteristics (the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025) is now online. #aushealth
www.legislation.vic.gov.au/bills/health...

www.legislation.vic.gov.au

December 3, 2025 at 5:02 AM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

It is extraordinary - and extraordinarily condescending - that the same Albanese Government that regularly breaks its promises to protect LGBTIQ+ rights domestically thinks it is in a position to 'promote' LGBTIQ+ human rights to other countries. #auspol #auslaw 1/

Special Envoy for International Human Rights

Joint media release with:
Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia
28 November 2025
Today we announce the appointment of Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP as Australia's Special Envoy for International Human Rights.
As Special Envoy, Mr Dreyfus will renew Australia's tradition as a global champion for human rights – a role we have played since we were an original signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
In particular, Mr Dreyfus will take a special advocacy role for the abolition of the death penalty, as well as for the rights and protections of children, older persons, people living with a disability and LGBTIQ+ individuals – all issues on which Australia has a long record of international leadership.
Mr Dreyfus is one of the most accomplished and widely respected parliamentarians of recent decades. He has served as Attorney-General and Cabinet Secretary in two governments, and before entering parliament was a prominent barrister for twenty years.
His high standing as a parliamentarian means he can work effectively with other parliamentary representatives in our region leading their countries' human rights agendas.
We thank Mr Dreyfus for agreeing to share his wealth of experience and outstanding credentials through this role, in addition to his parliamentary responsibilities.

December 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"The definition of “disability” isn’t the problem. It is already broader and more flexible than many people realise. What’s missing is clear information, education and the political will to make other parts of the DDA more effective." #auslaw
www.abc.net.au/religion/mis...

Confusion about disability discrimination law is weakening its power to protect people - ABC Religion & Ethics

The Disability Discrimination Act remains one of Australia’s most important human rights laws, but for it to protect people effectively, everyone — whether in the government or in the community — need...

www.abc.net.au

December 2, 2025 at 11:21 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

This is an excellent interview, with a great advocate.
www.smh.com.au/national/he-...

‘He was shaking’: The encounter in his local cafe that hit home for Mitch Brown

The former West Coast Eagle – and first openly bisexual player in the AFL/VFL’s history – on the messages he’s received since he came out in August.

www.smh.com.au

December 1, 2025 at 10:54 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"Victoria will become the first Australian state to ban unnecessary surgeries on intersex children, with legislation to be introduced to parliament to ensure procedures are deferred until patients are old enough to consent to them." #aushealth

Good.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Victoria could become first Australian state to ban unnecessary surgery on intersex children

Exclusive: Legislation would prohibit deferrable, irreversible procedures until child can give informed consent, bringing state in line with ACT

‘He needs to be a boy’: Unnecessary surgeries being performed on intersex children

December 1, 2025 at 10:53 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"Of the 83 cases that could be scrutinised – which related to procedures in Syd & Bris between 2018 & 2023 – nearly half featured cosmetic preferences as part of clinical deliberations, despite the children being too young to express their own wishes." #aushealth 1/2
www.smh.com.au/national/vic...

As Victoria prepares to ban unnecessary surgeries for intersex children, a new report says some hospitals appear to keep no records justifying surgeries.

www.smh.com.au

December 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"By attempting to brainwash gay youth into becoming “normal”, conversion practices promotes Trump’s war on the LGBTQ+ community. That explains why, relying on junk science, a Health & Human Services Dept report issued last spring appeared to support the practice."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

‘Conversion therapy’ is homophobic and dangerous. Yet it threatens to make a comeback | David Kirp

Bans on the dangerous practice, condemned by national mental health organizations, could soon be struck down

Reciting the names of the dead: how Australia’s response to HIV/Aids was emotionally – and politically – powerful | Leigh Boucher

December 1, 2025 at 10:06 PM

Alastair Lawrie

@alastairlawrie.bsky.social

"There is a lot to celebrate in the history of our national model, not least because it is such a powerful example of how a public health catastrophe can be managed & ameliorated when govt policy & funding is informed by community knowledge & expertise" #aushealth
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Researchers now describe it as both historical phenomenon and public health model. Its success was remarkable