Fridae

This week, New South Wales joins ACT and Western Australia to allow same-sex couples to adopt a child together. The southern island state of Tasmania becomes the first state to approve laws recognising same-sex marriages and civil unions registered in other states or countries.

The Sydney Mardi Gras organisers are accused of locking rival online groups out of the upcoming parade and Fair Day. The Australian federal government is considering a plan for a new A$10 million sexual health campaign targeting gay men. In Britain, Catholic adoption agencies will not be exempted from anti-discrimination laws.

Just a day after Australia hosted the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, PM John Howard condemns the country's first law allowing gay couples to adopt children.