Friday 16th January: Hate Speech Bill Set to Fail, Sandie La Gore, Pride Cup, Heated Rivalry

Hi, I’m Louise Poole, and this is the Rainbow Briefing for Friday the 16th of January. Your daily LGBTQIA+ news catchup.

Recorded and produced on Yugambeh and Yuggera land.

The federal government’s hate speech laws look set to fail — with both the Coalition and the Greens ruling out support.

The Combatting Antisemitism Bill was released on Tuesday with just three days for public consultation. It’s 144 pages covering hate speech and gun reform — drafted after the Bondi attack, following weeks of Coalition demands to recall parliament.

But the hate speech protections don’t cover everyone. LGBTQIA+ people and people with disability are among those left out.

Now the Greens have joined calls to change that — saying they won’t support the bill without amendments.

Leader Larissa Waters said we can’t combat hate if we don’t combat it for everyone. Excluding protections based on religion ignores that both antisemitism and Islamophobia are rising in our communities, she said. These laws should protect everyone — including LGBTQ+ and disability communities.

The Prime Minister says he wants this bill passed first — broader protections can come later.

Meanwhile, the Coalition — who pushed for the rushed recall — now calls the bill “unsalvageable.”

Parliament debates Monday and Tuesday.

Tasmania’s queer community is mourning the loss of a trailblazer.

Sandie La Gore — trans icon, showgirl, and one of the legendary Les Girls — has passed away after more than 56 years on stage.

She travelled to Cairo for gender affirmation surgery at a time when doing so demanded extraordinary courage. She performed everywhere from underground Hobart bars — where you knocked on the door to get in — to modern Pride festivals.

Offstage, she worked as a nurse with the Sisters of Charity in Melbourne. When colleagues discovered her drag persona, she was embraced — nuns included.

She mentored generations of performers and was known as the “queen grandmother” of Tasmanian drag.

Tasmania’s queer community has lost a matriarch.

Pride Cup returns to the A-Leagues tomorrow.

Melbourne Victory takes on Adelaide United in both the women’s and men’s matches at Coopers Stadium — marking the fourth year of the fixture.

Victory captains will wear pride armbands for the matches.

Tonight, the club also leads an inaugural futsal event at the Queer Sporting Alliance’s national tournament in Melbourne — the country’s biggest annual LGBTIQ+ sports event.

If you’ve been anywhere near the internet lately, you’ve probably heard of Heated Rivalry.

It’s a Canadian TV series based on a romance novel about two closeted hockey players — and it’s taken over the world.

Now author Rachel Reid says a musical adaptation could be on the cards. She told Variety she still holds the stage rights — and after the show’s runaway success, quote, “it feels like we could do literally anything.”

Season two is confirmed, with stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie returning. And a third and final book has just been announced — following the couple as out, married, and facing backlash from the hockey world.

But it’s not just the boys getting their moment.

Crave — the Canadian network behind Heated Rivalry — has announced Slo Pitch. It’s a mockumentary about a lesbian softball team, produced by Elliot Page’s company and starring Schitt’s Creek’s Emily Hampshire.

The tagline? Beer, lesbians, and baseball.

Slo Pitch drops later this year.

And finally — your queer weekend plans.

Tomorrow kicks off BearFest 2026 with Beach Day at Williamstown Beach in Melbourne. It’s free, gender-inclusive, and runs from 11am to 4pm.

BearFest continues through to February 1st with parties, competitions, and the Mr VicBears contest — all part of Midsumma Festival.

Speaking of which — Sunday is Midsumma Carnival at Alexandra Gardens. It’s the official launch of Melbourne’s biggest LGBTQIA+ arts and culture festival.

Get out there and enjoy the sunshine.

That’s the Rainbow Briefing for Friday the 16th of January.

This is independent queer community media, and your support is crucial to its success. Share the bulletin, tell your community, and if you’ve got news to share, head to rainbowbriefing.com.au.

I’m Louise. Have a great weekend — I’ll see you Monday.