We have always had trans people; whether by that name or social role. They have been a source of awe, fascination or fear. Held apart, lauded and sometimes hated. Whether the 'third gender' or the shaman: invested with powers, their insights sometimes sought but frequently suppressed. Even for those of us who "pass" as our gender and identify with it, it may not be enough for those who would seek to police your behaviour. For who amongst us hasn't let their guard down for a m

The coverage since this days-old conviction doesn’t give us much insight into Cardinal Pell, but it does give us a good look at how ‘mateship’ and corruption in Australia works. As soon as the matter became public the flak machine went into overdrive, casting doubt on the unanimous verdict and blaming everyone who had opposed Pell and his ‘conservative’ mates; though what they are conserving apart from their own peer group is a mystery. They’re like children playing ‘imaginat