While I reserve the rights of my fellow GLBTIQ Australians to enjoy their leisure time however they like, I confess it disturbs me to see so much emphasis placed on sex.
Thanks for Rachel Cook’s article, ‘Ex-gay movement meets’ (MCV #386, Thursday May 29).
The ex-gay movement has had its day in Australia. No-one I know of in the movement would be so bold today as to claim that homosexuals become heterosexuals. Most people in ex-gay ministries in Oz want to distance themselves from the US-based Exodus, as it was highjacked by the well-funded conservative religious organisations.
I am writing about the article ‘Licking AIDS’ (MCV #385, Thursday May 22).
MCV like other GLTBI media, is a powerful medium to supply and inform the community of news, programs, and health campaigns. However the article about this campaign raised a very serious issue about the collection method that was not addressed in the article.
Along with others that I have spoken to, I have never heard of saliva swabs being used for HIV testing. Saliva swabs are usually associated with drug testing and DNA sample collection, not for HIV testing.
Due to this unheard method of testing for HIV, I took the step of contacting the Burnet Institute and speaking to Dr Mark Stoové (the doctor heading this study). When asked about this method, he explained that this method is reliable for research purposes but not as accurate as traditional blood tests, therefore it is not licensed for diagnostic purposes in Australia.
As this issue was not addressed in the article, I felt it created suspicion, confusion, and doubt about the authenticity of the study.
The Burnet Institute has now issued further information addressing this and other issues relating to the study, available on their website (www.burnet.edu.au/suckit ).
Adam, Collingwood
The Sonic Dolphin team would like to thank the 250 astronauts, aliens, cyborgs, droids and starship troopers who joined us at the Sonic Dolphin Sci Fi Adventure party on Saturday April 5.
Our special thanks go to our DJs, Oracle Lasers, Dean Murphy, MCV, Joy Melbourne and Club Evolution.
Your stellar energy and astronomical contribution helped raise $2369 for the Victorian AIDS Council.
See you at the next Sonic Dolphin party in October 2008.
The Sonic Dolphin Team
I support this 12-year-old kid who wants gender reassignment (MCV #386, Thursday May 29) all the way. It is disgusting the way the Herald Sun and others turned it into a freak show. It just goes to show the lack of respect for our trans community.
Jack C, via www.eevolution.com.au
The Victorian State Government’s short-sighted and knee-jerk reaction to alcohol-related violence in the city’s streets is to be widely condemned; whereas your writer, Doug Pollard, is to be applauded for his detailed analysis of how and why such strictures have worked in those cities where such laws have been introduced (MCV #386, Thursday May 29).
Identify and target the venues that are responsible for the violence: monitor their patrons; suspend their liquor licenses. Don’t apply a broad band-aid solution that only penalises those venues whose patrons are well-behaved.
Perhaps most critical is the decision by the city councils of Ballarat and Warrnambool to increase security and the police presence on the streets, and improve access to public transport in the wee hours. However, given that such solutions would actually cost the government, I can’t see our former state treasurer Mr Brumby acting to do so in much of a hurry!
Paul, Northcote
Why is it that discrimination laws provide a loophole for employers to sack staff who do not comply with their religious ethos by being homosexual? Surely this exemption is in direct conflict with the spirit of our discrimination laws?
I have recently left a religious high school for fear that, if I was to be ‘outed’, I would lose my job. I now have the option of teaching at a public school but still risk discrimination. I love teaching but feel I am being forced out of the profession because of my sexuality.
Anyone who gets complacent about the rights of gays and lesbians and the discrimination we face needs to think again. We still have such a long way to go.
Name withheld by request
