"So many people already knew, but the idea of absolutely everyone knowing took a bit of getting used to."

Tony Abbott has said he feels disappointed in himself for saying in a TV interview four years ago he felt "a bit threatened" by gays.

SYDNEY: After receiving a torrent of criticism for not backing the rainbow crossing launched on Oxford Street yesterday morning, several City of Sydney councillors, including high-profile Liberal councillor Christine Forster, have defended their commitment to the local LGBTI community and have said the only reason they opposed the initiative was due to a lack of transparency by Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

SYDNEY: It seems Sydneysiders and many more across the country have already fallen in love with the rainbow crossing installed across Oxford Street at Taylor Square overnight.

Australian marriage equality advocates have welcomed reports that the Young Liberals will urge the federal party to allow a conscience vote on the issue.

SYDNEY: From its beginnings as a protest against police brutality and corruption to the “creative, celebratory, glamorous” event it has become today, 35 years of Sydney Mardi Gras history is now open to the public following the launch of Australia’s first gay and lesbian museum on Oxford Street this week.

From advocacy and media to arts and entertainment, Gay News Network lists Australia's most talented, intriguing and promising people from the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities to watch in 2013.

The future of Oxford Street is literally set to look a little bit brighter with two busy intersections to be painted the colours of the rainbow to recognise the positive and long-lasting influence the LGBTI community has had in the area.

Plans for a Mardi Gras museum on the T2 site at Taylor Square remain up in the air after a City of Sydney council meeting this week resolved the space be put aside as a bike hub before a late amendment by newly elected Liberal councillor Christine Forster ensured other community purposes for the building, including a museum, will still be considered.

SYDNEY: NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has backed Liberal candidate Shayne Mallard to provide an experienced and respected “voice at the heart of Government” if he is elected as the next MP for the state seat of Sydney at next weekend’s by-election.

He may be the country’s potential next prime minister but the family of Tony Abbott now have another sibling to support in the political world after the Coalition Leader’s openly gay sister, Christine Forster, was named the winner of the final City of Sydney council seat following this month’s local government elections.

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has lauded his sister Christine Forster’s decision to come out as gay, saying she is “one of the bravest” people he knows whose actions “deepened” his own life.

She made headlines earlier this year when it was made public her brother is Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. Now, she is making political waves of her own as a Liberal candidate for the upcoming local council elections for the City of Sydney. With her partner Virginia Edwards, Serkan Ozturk meets Christine Forster.

SYDNEY: Residents and businesses in the inner-city could be paying less council rates, with the Liberal Party announcing its plan for the City of Sydney involves massively reducing capital spending as well as a 10 per cent cut and freeze of rates.

Outgoing City of Sydney councillor Shayne Mallard will be the first gay member of the Liberal Party to take part in a same-sex marriage after announcing plans to marry in Denmark next year.