LGBTIQ+ Health Australia Presents: The Latest – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of The Latest in LGBTIQ+ Health and Policy, host Triana Butler explores the rise of vaping in LGBTIQ+ communities.

Dr Ruby Grant (La Trobe University), Rachel Anderson (QUIT), and Terence Humphreys (LGBTIQ+ Health Australia) share insights into the latest research, health impacts, and the social factors driving higher vaping rates among our communities.

The discussion covers:

• National data showing LGB people are twice as likely to vape as heterosexual people, with increasing use among trans, gender diverse and younger community members.
• The short- and long-term health impacts of vaping
• The role of stigma and social connection in shaping vaping practices.
• Recent changes to federal vaping laws, and how new restrictions affect accessibility and cost.

Guests also highlight the role of community care, Quitline, and digital tools like My Quit Buddy in supporting people to reduce or quit vaping, and a targeted digital campaign by LHA and Thorne Harbour Health providing resources, awareness, and tailored support for LGBTIQ+ people looking to quit.

Thinking About Quitting?

Whether you’re ready now or just thinking about it, there are tools to help. Support is available.

• Reach out to Quitline or at 13 QUIT (7847)
• Download the My QuitBuddy app
• Talk to a trusted health professional

For more information visit the Touchbase website.

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOY’s services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 31: Vaping and LGBTIQ+ Communities appeared first on The Latest.

In this episode of The Latest, we’re joined by Professor Nadine Ezard, one of Australia’s leading voices in harm reduction and public health. With more than 30 years’ experience, Professor Ezard is the inaugural Director of the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCRED) at UNSW and Clinical Director of the Alcohol and Drug Service at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.

We explore how stigma and structural barriers continue to shape drug and alcohol services – particularly for LGBTIQ+ people. Professor Ezard speaks candidly about the persistent gaps in data, treatment models, and the visibility of specific communities – including trans, bisexual and intersex people – in both research and care.

From the “double stigma” of being LGBTIQ+ and having a substance use disorder, to the role of community-led responses, she calls for smarter, more compassionate approaches to drug education, and for a shift away from criminalisation toward evidence-based public health. We also unpack methamphetamine, GHB, and ketamine use in queer communities – and how understanding the difference between use and disorder is critical to reducing harm.

Professor Ezard highlights the power of peer-led models, outlines key policy changes that could have the biggest impact, and shares a sneak peek into upcoming trials – including a world-first clinical treatment for methamphetamine withdrawal.

This is an episode full of practical insights, compassionate care, and a call to centre lived experience in our health responses. It’s a must-listen for anyone working in LGBTIQ+ health, harm reduction, or community care.

Take home naloxone: saving lives through free access

This episode contains reference to the Australian Government’s Take Home Naloxone (THN) program – a national initiative providing free access to naloxone for people at risk of opioid overdose and those likely to witness one.

What is naloxone?

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, including those involving prescription opioids like oxycodone and morphine, as well as illicit opioids such as heroin. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, helping restore normal breathing until emergency medical assistance arrives. Naloxone can be administered via nasal spray or injection and is safe to use even if an opioid overdose is not confirmed.

About the take home naloxone program

Launched nationally in 2022, the THN program aims to reduce opioid-related harm by removing cost and access barriers. Under the program, naloxone is available free of charge and without a prescription at participating pharmacies and other approved sites across Australia.

Who should carry naloxone?

Anyone who uses opioids – whether prescribed or illicit – or who may witness an overdose should consider carrying naloxone. This includes family members, friends, carers, and frontline workers. With the increasing presence of potent synthetic opioids in various substances, broader access to naloxone is more important than ever.

Where to get naloxone

Naloxone is available at participating pharmacies, alcohol and other drug treatment centres, needle and syringe programs, and custodial release programs. To find your nearest provider, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website: (health.gov.au).

How to use naloxone

Naloxone is user-friendly, with clear instructions provided with each product. Training resources, including videos and modules, are available through the Australasian College of Pharmacy and other organisations. Remember, after administering naloxone, it’s crucial to call emergency services (000) immediately, as the medication’s effects are temporary.

Further information

For more details on the THN program, including resources and training materials, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care’s official page: (health.gov.au).

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOY’s services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 30: Professor Nadine Ezard appeared first on The Latest.

Content note: This episode may cover topics you find uncomfortable or triggering. Support is available: QLife provides Australia-wide, anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support. QLife services are free and available over the phone or on webchat: Call 1800 184 527 or visit qlife.org.au, every day between 3pm and midnight.

The Latest in LGBTIQ+ Health and Policy is a podcast that brings you the health and well-being hot topic discussions that matter to LGBTIQ+ people.

On this episode, we chat with Ada Cheung, the leading specialist consultant Endocrinologist providing patient-centred care in Melbourne as well as rural Australia.

Associate Professor Cheung holds a prestigious Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship, and a Dame Kate Campbell Fellowship to support her medical research. She is on the Board of Directors for the Endocrine Society of Australia and is a policy committee member of the Australian Professional Association of Trans Health. She also established the Trans Health Research Group at The University of Melbourne, aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary people.

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOY’s services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 21: Ada Cheung appeared first on The Latest.

Content note: This episode may cover topics you find uncomfortable or triggering. Support is available: QLife provides Australia-wide, anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support. QLife services are free and available over the phone or on webchat: Call 1800 184 527 or visit qlife.org.au, every day between 3pm and midnight.

The Latest in LGBTIQ+ Health and Policy is a podcast that brings you the health and well-being hot topic discussions that matter to LGBTIQ+ people.

On this episode, we chat with Natasha Stretton and Lily Hayward who are part of the Walkern Katatdjin project team at Telethon Kids Institute, based in Western Australia.

Natasha is a Research Support Officer, with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Population Health, and Human Geography and Planning. Lily is a Noongar Yorga, a Research Assistant at Telethon Kids and is studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Linguistics. They both joined The Latest to discuss the importance of the national research project, Walkern Katatdjin, which aims to understand and promote the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people.

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOY’s services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 20: Natasha Stretton and Lily Hayward appeared first on The Latest.

Content note: This episode may cover topics you find uncomfortable or triggering. Support is available: QLife provides Australia-wide, anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support. QLife services are free and available over the phone or on webchat: Call 1800 184 527 or visit qlife.org.au, every day between 3pm and midnight.

The Latest in LGBTIQ+ Health and Policy is a podcast that brings you the health and well-being hot topic discussions that matter to LGBTIQ+ people.

On this episode, we chat with Anthony Venn Brown, founder of Freedom2b and founder and CEO of Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International.

Anthony had previously been a leader in the Assemblies of God and a high-profile preacher in Australian churches. He’s also authored best seller autobiography A Life of Unlearning – a preacher’s struggle with his homosexuality, church and faith. Anthony joined us to discuss his book, as well as advocating for the LGBTIQ+ community within faith spaces.

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOYs services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 19: Anthony Venn Brown appeared first on The Latest.

Content note: This episode may cover topics you find uncomfortable or triggering. Support is available: QLife provides Australia-wide, anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support. QLife services are free and available over the phone or on webchat: Call 1800 184 527 or visit qlife.org.au, every day between 3pm and midnight.

The Latest in LGBTIQ+ Health and Policy is a podcast that brings you the health and well-being hot topic discussions that matter to LGBTIQ+ people.

On this episode, we chat with Kathryn Gill, Australian soccer player and the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Professional Footballers Australia. Kathryn became the first female to be appointed to the PFA Executive Committee in 2014.

We talk about Kathryn’s career, her work as Director of Pride Cup, as well as legislation and guidelines informing trans inclusion in sport.

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOYs services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 18: Kathryn Gill appeared first on The Latest.

Content note: This episode may cover topics you find uncomfortable or triggering. Support is available: QLife provides Australia-wide, anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support. QLife services are free and available over the phone or on webchat: Call 1800 184 527 or visit qlife.org.au, every day between 3pm and midnight.

The Latest in LGBTIQ+ Health and Policy is a podcast that brings you the health and well-being hot topic discussions that matter to LGBTIQ+ people.

On this episode, we chat with Ed Davies, the award-winning author of stories of men in love – stories of hope, found family and guys next door getting their modern fairy tale endings.

Ed joins Triana Butler to explore the importance of representation and diverse stories, and why fantasy and escapism are unique ways to encourage good health and wellbeing.

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOYs services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 17: Ed Davies appeared first on The Latest.

Content note: This episode may cover topics you find uncomfortable or triggering. Support is available: QLife provides Australia-wide, anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support. QLife services are free and available over the phone or on webchat: Call 1800 184 527 or visit qlife.org.au, every day between 3pm and midnight.

The Latest in LGBTIQ+ Health and Policy is a podcast that brings you the health and well-being hot topic discussions that matter to LGBTIQ+ people.

On this episode, we chat with Maria Thattil, Miss Universe Australia 2020, contestant on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, media personality, writer, speaker, and digital creator. Maria joins us on The Latest to talk to host Triana about bisexual representation and advocacy as well as her recently released book Unbounded.

The two delve into Maria’s past, her family life, and why she felt so empowered to come out publically. They discuss the challenges facing the bisexual community and what steps the individual can take to advocate for change even if that’s just amongst their personal circles of influence.

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOYs services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 16: Maria Thattil appeared first on The Latest.

Content note: This episode may cover topics you find uncomfortable or triggering. Support is available: QLife provides Australia-wide, anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support. QLife services are free and available over the phone or on webchat: Call 1800 184 527 or visit qlife.org.au, every day between 3pm and midnight.

The Latest in LGBTIQ+ Health and Policy is a podcast that brings you the health and wellbeing hot topic discussions that matter to LGBTIQ+ people.

On this episode, we chat with Rev. Dr Josephine Inkpin, a minister in the Uniting Church of Australia and the first openly trans person inducted into a mainstream Australian church. She leads the Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney, a congregation notable for its affirmation of LGBTIQA+ people and focus on social justice. Dr Inkpin holds a PhD in theology from Durham University, taught history and theology at Oxford University and was an ordained Anglican priest in the Church of England and the Anglican Church of Australia for nearly 34 years.

Josephine shares her wisdom on the intersection between faith and LGBTQ+ community. She discusses the changes happening within the church, overcoming barriers as a trans woman, and her 30 year relationship with wife Penny.

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOYs services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 15: Reverend Dr Josephine Inkpin appeared first on The Latest.

Content note: This episode may cover topics you find uncomfortable or triggering. Support is available: QLife provides Australia-wide, anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support. QLife services are free and available over the phone or on webchat: Call 1800 184 527 or visit qlife.org.au, every day between 3pm and midnight.

The Latest in LGBTIQ+ Health and Policy is a podcast that brings you the health and wellbeing hot topic discussions that matter to LGBTIQ+ people.

On this episode, we chat with Jelly O’Shea, the Community and Communications Manager for Intersex Aotearoa. She also holds an executive role on the IPSA (Intersex Peer Support Australia) Board, among other positions.

Jelly shares details on her work with intersex advocacy. She discusses issues related to the intersex community, discusses medicine and health policies, cultural impact, and much more.

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOYs services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 14: Jelly O’Shea from Intersex Aotearoa appeared first on The Latest.