News

19 Nov 2020

From CAMP to Queer: How Far have we Come?

On Sunday 15 November, the 28th Keith Harbour Address was delivered by longstanding gay rights activist, academic and author - Professor Dennis Altman AM. He is well known for his pioneering work with Gay Liberation in the 1970s, his leadership throughout the AIDS crisis, and his published works including Homosexual: Oppression & Liberation in 1971 through to Unrequited Love last year. Here is his address titled From CAMP to Queer: How Far have we Come?

12 Nov 2020

COVID 'Sex Bubble'

COVID-19 remains a very real threat to the health and wellbeing of the community. Since lockdown commenced our community has had to accommodate isolation, loneliness and the stresses associated with being unable to connect with others.

08 Oct 2020

Be a part of the World AIDS Day Memorial

This year, due to COVID-19, the 2020 World AIDS Day Memorial will be carried out without people gathering at the Positive Living Centre. There will be an online event and we are encouraging members of the public to contribute to this year’s memorial.

18 Sep 2020

CEO Update: We're Moving!

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Victoria continue to decline, Thorne Harbour CEO Simon Ruth talks to our LGBTI and HIV communities about change. This includes an upcoming change for Thorne Harbour Health as the organisation prepares to move into a new location at 200 Hoddle Street in Abbotsford and later the Victorian Pride Centre.

18 Sep 2020

Re: Imogen (No. 6) [2020] FamCA 761

The Family Court’s ruling Re: Imogen (No. 6) [2020] FamCA 761 does not generally cast doubt on the concept of Gillick competency in relation to treatments for gender dysphoria. The Family Court’s ruling in Re Imogen is only concerned with the situation where a parent or a medical practitioner disputes that an adolescent is actually Gillick competent, or that the adolescent has a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, or that proposed treatment for gender dysphoria is required. It does not concern the situation where there is no such dispute.Justice Watts found that Imogen was Gillick competent to provide consent to Stage 2 treatment, and in circumstances of the dispute as between her parents about that treatment, it was in Imogen’s best interests to order that she could have the proposed stage 2 treatment. This was based on Justice Watts’s accepting the expert opinion of her treating doctors, which His Honour found was consistent with the accepted majority of the medical profession.

23 Jul 2020

Remembering Harriet

Harriet stood up to be counted at the height of the AIDS epidemic when people were shunning those living with HIV or dying from AIDS, as was often the case in those early days. She was a committed massage therapist volunteer - working tirelessly at the Positive Living Centre for many years before retiring in 2011.Harriet stood out in a crowd. She was a colourful character with a big personality who possessed her own unique style of dress. Yet, for all of her flamboyance, she was a gentle and softly spoken person who brought a sense of calm, if not a degree of natural spirituality, to her work.

10 Jul 2020

CEO Update: Melbourne's Lockdown and Masks

As Melbourne returns to lockdown in response to a second wave of COVID-19, CEO Simon Ruth talks about what we need to do to stop the spread in Melbourne as well as the support services out there for our LGBTI communities.

10 Jul 2020

Using masks to fight COVID-19

Many people are using face masks to prevent either catching or passing on COVID-19. There is a lot of information on how to prevent the virus. Effective strategies include: social distancing, washing hands, isolation and self-quarantine. Unfortunately, there is not a great deal of evidence regarding the use of face masks in non-medical settings.

09 Jul 2020

COVID-19 Resources to Support Intl Students and Multicultural Communities

Navigating through the healthcare system, welfare system and finding support as an international student can be confusing, especially during this time.

02 Jul 2020

CEO Update: Melbourne Returns to Lockdown

As several suburbs surrounding Melbourne go back into lockdown, Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth talks about what we can be doing now to stay safe and look after our health and wellbeing.

22 Jun 2020

Thorne Harbour Volunteers Remember Ayman Barbaresco

“Five years ago, he proudly strode into my world….Wooden gavel in hand, Ayman approached the lectern, and commenced the meeting with such authority and conviction. I froze still in response.”

04 Jun 2020

LOVE & Volunteering During COVID-19

Many things may have slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic, but volunteering is not one of them. In fact, Thorne Harbour volunteers quickly adapted to continue supporting our LGBTI communities and people living with HIV. From outreach to peer support to policy work, our volunteers have continued to dedicate their time and energy to the communities we serve. During National Volunteer Week, the fourth annual LGBTIQ Organisations Volunteer Event (L.O.V.E.) went online – holding a virtual event to acknowledge the longstanding commitment of our volunteers.