The Federal Government has been commended for listening to community concerns and reinstating rebatable mental health sessions under the Better Access program, however the National LGBTI Health Alliance has warned that the government’s timetable for increasing the capacity of new services targeting mental health by 2013 may not be realistic.

With the Australian Open grand slam coming to a close for another year, fallout over the widely reported anti-gay views of one of the sport’s former champions, Margaret Court, has continued with the multiple grand slam winner turned evangelical pastor creating further furore yesterday after claiming that being gay for many people was the result of child abuse.

Reporting incidents of assault can be difficult for many men who often feel shame and guilt. But, as one male victim tells SX, it’s important to speak out against violence and homophobia. Here is his moving story. 

Tennis legend Margaret Court has been slammed by a wide cross-section of the LGBTI community as well as a number of former and current representatives of Christian churches following her latest remarks about homosexuality and gay and lesbian people.

The Queensland Attorney-General Paul Lucas says legislation will be changed to "remove doubts" about the so-called "gay panic" defence, but some advocates say the moves do not go far enough.

Marriage equality advocates were joined by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young just before midday in Canberra today to push for a new Senate inquiry on the issue, which they believe would help tackle lingering concerns held by some MPS as well as members of the wider community.

With the world’s best tennis players in Melbourne this week for the start of the year’s first grand slam tournament, fallout over the widely reported anti-gay views of the sport’s greatest ever female player Margaret Court has continued with organisers forced to distance themselves from her comments, while a leading psychologist has said that Court’s support for ‘gay conversion’ therapies was also deeply concerning.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS), which represents over 20,000 Australian psychologists, has today released a statement in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Queensland Independent MP Rob Messenger announced that he will introduce a bill to repeal the state’s same-sex civil union legislation that was passed earlier this month.

MELBOURNE: Community advocates and some Christian leaders are calling on supporters of marriage equality to stand by a Baptist Minister sacked last week for giving his public support to the issue following a campaign by conservative Christian group Salt Shakers to oust him.

BRISBANE: One of Queensland’s leading LGBTI mental health experts, psychologist Paul Martin, has called on Premier Anna Bligh to “urgently” alter the state’s Sodomy Law, warning that its continued existence “increases risks of negative outcomes including suicide” for same-sex attracted youth.

Leading LGBTI mental health expert, Paul Martin, has written to Network Ten to express his concern over the hiring of controversial New Zealand broadcaster, Paul Henry, as co-host for its flagship Breakfast program due to be launched early next year.

BRISBANE: Psychologist Paul Martin has blasted Queensland LNP Shadow Minister for Communities and Women, Fiona Simpson, over comments made in a 2002 speech that homosexuals can “grow into heterosexuality over time.”

The National LGBTI Health Alliance has indicated that it holds a positive outlook for the future as it looks to expand services and capacity, following its annual general meeting (AGM) held last Thursday.

A leading marriage equality advocate who last month met with Prime Minister Julia Gillard has said he believes there is a small chance that she may change her mind on the issue and support same-sex marriage rights in the future.