Do not do revenge porn

How not to fight unwanted pics

 

 A friend sent me this pic taken of their local free newspaper. They were shocked as the article seemed to be advocating and encouraging its users to do revenge porn. I tracked down the full article here.

What is Revenge Porn:

 Revenge porn is the distribution of nude or otherwise adult private images without the owners consent. These images can but do not necessarily have to have been originally freely shared or necessarily distributed after a break up. Indeed any sharing of sexually explicit material to humiliate or intimidate can be considered revenge porn.

Is it Legal?

 While there is no current national revenge porn crime in Australia at the time of writing this.  There are national laws against using a device to harass, cause offence or menace, as the right wing in Australia do this all the time, it obviously isn't usually enforced. Some states do have other laws that might apply if you did take the articles advice. 

 Victoria has laws against distributing intimate images without consent. 

 Western Australia can place restraining orders that disallow the distribution of intimate images. 

 South Australia it is a crime to distribute such images.

  Should i send Nudes?

Short answer is probably not, but think about it first. Read the recipients profile, ask your self some questions;
1. Are you legal age?

2. Does the recipient want to see this?

3. Is the recipient legal age?

4. Do you trust the recipient?

5. Is the pic/clip flattering?

6. Are you okay with the chance it could be leaked, hacked or redistributed?

7. Is the recipient at a location that looking at this would be appropriate?

8. Is the pic you?

9. Do you have permission to distribute this?

10. Do you really want to send it?

If you answer no to any of these questions, don't send it!

How should you Fight Unwanted Pics? 

 Firstly do not under any circumstances redistribute intimate or sexual images or clips you have without the persons express permission, and even then get them to distribute them themselves.

 If you receive a nude you don't like just delete it, and block or report the person if that seems like an appropriate response.

 You could let them know that the pic wasn't appreciated, or just wasn't flattering even, ouch! 

 Just chill, i get unsolicited nudes all the time, yer it can be annoying, but i try to think of it as the person has reached out and trusted me with a look at their most private parts, that changes my attitude. 

 I am still unlikely to go on a date with a guy that instead of saying hello just sends me a pic of his junk but i also know that the guys and girls that do that must be being rewarded for it or they wouldn't do it right? 

 Honestly asking for nudes is kind of a turn off for me, i want dinner and a movie first man.

 If you are underage and you are being sent (or asked for) nudes definitely contact the authority!

 If your nudes are being spread definitely get legal advice as i am not a lawyer.

Fact Check laws 

Alternatives to nudes

Breakdown of laws

Love Court Love

Margret Court Vs love

 Margret Court is a former Australian tennis player and a "christian" minister. She had a distinguished career as a tennis player, she was awarded an Order of British Empire and an Order of Australia which she still has despite her actions since retirement.  She has had show court one at the sports and entertainment complex in Melbourne park renamed to Margret Court Arena in her honor, this has remained the name despite her attacks on Innocent Australians.

 Unfortunately she has a horrible track record when it comes to her morality and decency.  Through her after- tennis life she has fought against the Australian constitution, and LGBT rights. She has supported the Australian (anti-) Family Association which can only reasonably be describes as a hate group. She even attacked Qantas after the CEO came out in support of human rights.

 Some of the ridiculous comments she has made are that 'Tennis is full of lesbians that take children to partys', she claims that transgender children were the work of the devil, She falsely equated sexual education to Nazis and communism, She has railed against an anti bullying program that helps LGBT children make it through their school years alive, She claims LGBT people are unable to love and only exhibit a lust for flesh, She has also claimed that Australia is a theocracy, Her views are obviously homophobic, racist and inaccurate. It is also important to note that she amazingly still claims to not be homophobic, despite her devotion to denying the rights (and even existence) of LGBT Australians including children.

 She has claimed that any effort by people with knowledge of LGBT issues to merely correct her misconceptions or to rename the arena after a non-racist and non-homophobic person are ironically bullying.

 Despite promising the LGBT community that Australia would have no place for homophobia or hate speech, Malcolm Turnbull supported her views, and keeping the Melbourne park named after her. 

 ...or its at Margret Court Arena of course.

 

 A lot of the media handled Courts deplorable views a bit dangerously.Very few news stories pointed out that her views were not supported by facts, and were inaccurate to say the least. Any attempt to correct the record on the dangerously inaccurate things she was saying was often reported by right wingers as preventing her free speech, despite her very public platform. I also don't think i seen any calls for all christians or women or tennis players to own her actions and to publicly denounce her disgusting views.
 Attacks on LGBT children are horrible as it is, and her evil comments show how important programs like Safe Schools anti-bullying programs really are. But now that the government has kowtowed to the vocal minority that doesn't want LGBT kids to survive through their school years, such homophobic comments become even more dangerous. 
 I really do feel that public figures have a responsibility to fact check what they say before they go public, especially when kids lives are at risk.

 If homophobia is effecting you as a victim of it or even as a perpetrator please get help. 

 It looks like the petition to re-name the arena is still active. 

Sign the petition

 

Australia's businesses come out!

Australia's businesses take out full-page ad backing marriage equality.

 On 29th of May 2015 Australia's businesses took out a full-page ad backing marriage equality. These 53 company's have  came out as non bigoted. 

Its great to see, its heartwarming. I can say with most of my family being homophobic, not having equal rights under Australian law, being vilified by political and pseudo-religious groups, its a real boost. It is a great feeling to see such support for equality.

The list of participating businesses is constantly growing. Its more than time we allowed all Australians to have equal rights.
Have you done your part? Its easy to participate, it will be amazing one day to tell the grandkids that you helped end this discrimination. Australian Marriage Equality website is a good place to start, There is also the trending #equalitycalling which helps you call your local MP.

 


When you have a little spare time why not peruse the advertisement, take a few seconds to send an email thanking those businesses who participated, maybe your bank is not included, ask them why not?
To all those who help fight for equality, for those who stand up to their own friends and family and say "that's not cool" to bigotry or homophobic comments. To those who take a few seconds out of their day to sign online petitions, share blogs (hint hint ), like and share Facebook posts, for those who do their bit for equality. You are appreciated, from one gay guy i just want to say;

Thank You

Update:

Telstra has changed its position on equality.

 

The registered nurse is an integral part of aged care.

Is aged care important?

That is the question that Australians face today. Under the current laws NSW (New South Wales) nursing homes must have a registered nurse on duty at all times and must appoint a director of nursing. This requirement is at risk. Its a complex issue and this PDF Staffing by Registered Nurses in NSW Nursing Homes, might explain it better than i could.

Registered nurses prevent frequent visits to hospitals and emergency wards. There presence also reduces the times residents would have to remain hospitalised, as they can receive the after care i the nursing home. They have a higher skill level and more training than other staff and know when a doctor or ambulance needs to be called. 

The government is turning its back on the elderly. Our elderly deserve the best care we can offer, we should not sacrifice the level of care we give our older population for the sake of profits.

Even if you don't have a relative in aged care, you may one day. You yourself or your partner, or a friend may be subject to these laws one day. So act now to ensure proper care is given.

What can you do? Click the links for helpful shortcuts.

• Download print out and sign this petition; Insist on registered nurses 24/7 in NSW nursing homes.

• Register your support at the NSW Nurses & Midwives association.

• Send an email to the Minister for Health asking her to keep the requirement for registered nurses 24/7 in NSW nursing homes.

• Send a letter to the paper to insist on registered nurses in aged care 24/7.

• Talk to your colleagues, family, friends and local community about the essential role of registered nurses in aged care.

• Like their Facebook page. 

• Print out the poster (or the petition) and place it on your local noticeboards, leave it at your doctors, hairdressers or school. 

 

 Do it!

Should circumcision be voluntary?

Genital mutilation

With the recent case in America of a woman forced, under duress to sign a 'consent' form for her child to be circumcised, the issue of male genital mutilation has again risen. 
The story is shocking and i would imagine no doctor would perform the surgery under those circumstances. I hope she gets further legal advice and fights this decision, and sues those responsible if the surgery occurs. No matter if your for or against infant genital modification, you should agree that this is a horrific story.

The thing that bothers me is that the only reason the issue has been going on for so many years was that, the husband thinks that circumcision is; 'just the normal thing to do.'  
He is lucky i am not the Judge there as i would have given full custody of the child to the mother as soon as i heard that nonsense. I mean really, that is no reason to modify the sexual organ of a young child! And especially not to prolong the argument for years and to drag the mother into court, into jail...

I have trouble believing a father would put the child through unnecessary surgery, pain and permanent disfigurement, because its what most people do?
If there were a medical problem with the child than of course he should have the surgery as it would be required, but to force it out of, well i don't know, it almost seems like it is only being done to cause distress to the mother and or child. 
If you have a better explanation, please comment below.
I don't know the people involved and i don't know the intricacies of the case, so its all conjecture.

Lets speak more generally about circumcision. Most circumcisions begun with religious practices which we will briefly examine below;

African beliefs:
In Africa it was traditional for ritual circumcision to occur as a transition into manhood. The practice certainly varied from tribe to tribe.

Bahá'í

Have no circumcision tradition, and view female gentile mutilation as well mutilation.

Buddhism:
There is nothing in this religions relating to circumcision.

 

Christianity:

Now based on the Christian Bible it seems that circumcision is not necessary and indeed was frowned upon as to differentiate Christians from Jews. Upon a lot of research into this i am going to conclude that for Christians it is a practice meant to be a personal choice, by a well informed adult. It appears to me that child penile mutilation is frowned upon by the Bible versus, unless the child is Jewish.

 

Egyptian/Kemetic Re-constructionist Paganism: 

Performed voluntarily on a boy mark of passage from childhood to adulthood. The ritual was performed by priests on mass, and was more popular with the well off. It was also performed at any adult age in order to learn ancient secret mysteries, that may be lost today. 

 Hinduism

There is nothing in this religions relating to circumcision.

Islam:
Another confusing one as there seems to be no consensus. It is seems as ether recommended or required. Performed at birth or as a right into manhood. 
 

Jewish religion: 
When a boy is eight days old, in the morning, at the parents home. They get this from Genesis 17:10-14 in the Torah , and Jews who are not circumcised are 'disconnected' spiritually from their god YHWH ( Yahweh). The mutilation is performed as a sign that the child will father more Jews. 

Mormon:
The Latter Day Saint movement urges parents not to circumcise their children.

Roman Catholic:
The Roman Catholic Church does not require or endorse circumcision on males or females. It goes so far as to voice moral objection to the genital mutilation of infants.

 Wicca:
The Wiccan Rede is very clear on the issue. Wiccans do not circumcise unless there is a valid medial reason.

As always i am trying to remain respectful of other religions, but as an outsider i may miss subtle nuances and meaning. If i have please do inform me and include a link or source.  
Did i miss your religion? Comment below and let me know.

Where i live we have laws which say you can not do particular things before a particular age. 
You need to be 18 (or have your parents permission) to get a tattoo. You need to be 16 (or have your parents permission) to get a piercing. 
You need to be 18 to get a nipple or gentile piercing. Other body modification (brands, scars, beads, circumcision, etc) can be done at 18 (earlier if you have permission from your parents). 
You can not have sex until you are 16 (18 in some instances). 
You have to be 18 to vote, drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes in Australia. 
We do have laws against child abuse but police, and doctors seem to turn a blind eye to the mutilation of a baby's genitals for some reason...

My personal opinion is that it should be the individuals choice if their body is modified or not. Unless there is a real medical reason, it should be law that he or she should have to wait until they are 18 before permanently modifying their genitals.
What is your opinion and why do you hold that opinion?

Should circumcision be voluntary?

TIME article outrages those against animal cruelty

TIME for a resignation?

I used to think TIME was a reputable magazine and source of news. I had placed it into the same category as National Geographic, ABC, or Huffington Post.
This was until my partner posted on Facebook this article entitled Australians Are Trying to Decide if It’s O.K. to Swear at Sheep.

 What this TIME article is glossing over and trying to trivialise is the PETA expose of the widespread abuse and mutilation of sheep in the Australian wool industry.

My own thoughts on the issue and its initial response can be found in my post; PETA Wool Exposé.

How the 'TIME Staff'' could watch those videos and read that report and then write a story without expressing disgust at the physical abuse, astounds me. 
The story focuses on swearing at the sheep, and does not address the seriousness of the other abuses uncovered.

I have contacted TIME for an explanation and asked for those TIME staff to be fired or make a public apology and am awaiting a response.
If i had a TIME subscription i would be canceling it.