Australian News

Exodus International, one of the largest and most notorious “ex-gay” Christian ministries has issued a statement apologizing to members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community for “years of undue suffering” according to Salon. While msnNOW reports that while President Alan Chambers’ still believes homosexuality is a sin and that he does not condone same-sex marriages, he is deeply sorry for all the pain he has caused. The statement reads: “I am sorry for the pain and hurt that many of you have experienced.  I am sorry some of you spent years working through the shame and guilt when your attractions didn’t change. “I am sorry we promoted sexual orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatized parents.” The apologies didn’t stop there, oh no. He continued on saying: “I am sorry that when I celebrated a person coming to Christ and surrendering their sexuality to Him, I callously celebrated the end of relationships that broke your heart. “I am sorry I have communicated that you and your families are less than me and mine.” Chambers’ didn’t even end there with his apologies. He ends with: “More than anything, I am sorry that so many have interpreted this religious rejection by Christians as God’s rejection. “I am profoundly sorry that many have walked away from their faith and that some have chosen to end their lives.” This is a pretty big apology to come from such a large religious organization. This of course doesn’t mean that he’s giving up his beliefs, but it does seem like he’s a bit more understanding. He mentions very vaguely that Exodus “will serve in our pluralistic culture by hosting thoughtful and safe conversations about gender and sexuality, while partnering with others to reduce fear, inspire hope, and cultivate human flourishing.” So what does this all mean for the group? Well, that’s not completely clear. This apology comes during a time that the LGBT community is receiving a lot of attention worldwide. Local stories, such as Danielle Powell’s struggle with a Christian College, and the new Anti-Gay Laws in Russia have hit the news more recently. With the LGBT community becoming a big focus in the news, how do you think everyone will react to the apology from Exodus International? [Image via Gay Christian Movement Watch] Exodus International Apologizes For ‘Years Of Undue Suffering’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

A strong Australian dollar has done little to stop travellers from flying into Sydney from China and Singapore.

Clare Taylor-Rowe Group M media agency Maxus have appointed Claire Taylor-Rose as its first chief strategy officer in Sydney. Taylor-Rose joins the management team at Maxus from Aegis where she was the chief strategy officer of North Asia. Her previous experience also includes roles as global head of planning at Nokia and she has held senior strategic roles at Naked, Initiative and PHD in Europe. Jon Chadwick, CEO of Maxus Australia, said: “The appointment  of Claire comes at a critical phase as we further diversify and evolve our business. Claire is a ‘world class’ talent, having developed global standard thinking on GM, LVMH, COI, Sony Europe, Nokia and Unilever. We are lucky to have her in the team to help drive our next phase of growth.” Taylor-Rose added: “It is fantastic to be joining the Maxus team at such an exciting time of growth in such a dynamic market. I’m really looking forward to working in partnership with our clients to build their businesses through highly innovative communications strategies.” The post Maxus hires first chief strategy officer Claire Taylor-Rose appeared first on mUmBRELLA.

A pair of childhood friends will celebrate the launch of their production company in Newcastle on Saturday. The announcement: EC/FC LAUNCHES On Saturday, 22 June 2013 childhood friends Zac Garred and TomArthur will launch their production company, EC/FC. Towards the end oflast year, the two young men formed the company to produce feature film, short film and television content for Australian and international audiences. Zac Garred is an accomplished actor of stage and screen. His career began at age 17 when he starred in the Channel 9/RTE co-production FOREIGN EXCHANGE. Since then he has had starring roles in Bryan Brown’s TWO TWISTED, the Emmy Award-winning SCORCHED: THE COMPLETE STORY, Rebel Penfold-Russel’s acclaimed short film ALEX’S PARTY, as well as ALL SAINTS, HOME AND AWAY, BLUE WATER HIGH, OUT OF THE BLUE and the feature film NEWCASTLE. Zac holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and History from the University of Newcastle, and studied under Trinity College of London drama tuition,where he topped the state in his graduating year. Tom Arthur is an accomplished musician, best known for his work as guitarist and songwriter in the former Newcastle-based band FICTIONS, which released EPs in 2008 and 2011 and toured with major acts including British India, Philadelphia Grand Jury, Magic Dirt and Dukes of Windsor. Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Newcastle, majoring in English and Film, and with Honours in Film, Media and Cultural Studies. Collaboratingwith up-and-coming Director of Photography Gavin Blyth and established editor Shane Burrell and his company FinalPost, EC/FC (short for El Chupacabras Film Company, inspired by the name of Arthur and Garred’s indoor soccer team) has begun to assemble a varied slate of challenging projects that it hopes will pique the interest of Australian and international audiences. “Our motto is simple: good stories well told,” said Arthur and Garred. “We have access to some incredibly talented people across all fields in the film and television world. They have the capabilities to bring these stories to life in a proficient, productive and extremely engaging way.” On 22 June, EC/FC will be screening a trailer from SIPS, a television project that is in development, as well as making an announcement about its feature film project, THE BALLAD OF LES DARCY. SIPS is a half-hour dramedy about five bar staff whose lives are enmeshedwith an iconic live music pub that is besieged by controversy and forced to fall into line, threatening the very scene on which its reputation was built. It is inspired by the narrative style of GIRLS and iconic television dramas such as THE SECRET LIFE OF US and SKINS, and is based on real-world experiences. SIPS is intelligent, immersive and often confronting, and explores the tensions between the institutions of business, culture and community, and the generations that control them. THE BALLAD OF LES DARCY is a feature film about the iconic Maitland boxerwho was born in to poverty, rose up to be Middleweight and Heavyweight Champion and who polarised the worldwhen he chose not to fight in the GreatWar. Earlier this year, Arthur and Garred acquired the screen rights to PETER FITZSIMONS’ book of the same name. They will shoot a trailer in July to begin raising the estimated $8 to 10 million needed to make the film. After launching a fundraising campaign for the trailer via crowdsourcing website Pozible,they allowed themselves sixweeks to raise $2500. Within two weeks, over $3500 was pledged. “The support behind this project has been amazing,” Garred said.“We knew it was out there, but to see it come to fruition is very exciting.” Their development slate also includes the feature film THE STAR. Set in Newcastle, 1979, it is the story behind the infamous riot that ensuedwhen one Australia’s most iconic live music venues was forced to close. STONE WINDOWS depicts a young womanwho is raised within controversial Christian sect The Exclusiv

Shakira’s baby Milan, made his debut at The Voice finale on Tuesday. The Colombian singer brought in her little boy as she said farewell after only one season as a coach. Shakira replaced Christina Aguilera who also made an appearance on Tuesday night and looks a lot lighter than she used to last season. Aguilera came back to perform her hit single Feel This Moment which she sings with another Colombian artist, Pitbull. The adorable photos of baby were posted by Shakira on Instagram with a legend that read: “Mommy thanks for bringing me to @nbcthevoice, so fun!!” “Though your fellow coaches are a doubtful influence on me, I’m ready for season 6!!” she joked of her fellow coaches shenanigans. She did not have any contestants left standing in the final, which 16 year-old Danielle Bradbery won making her the youngest winner the show has ever crowned. Shakira was a newbie on the show alongside Usher and original coaches Adam Levine, front man for the band Maroon 5 and country singer Blake Shelton who won the competition. On Sunday, Shakira also shared a family photo celebrating her soccer-player-boyfriend, Gerard Piqué’s first Father’s Day. In a recent interview with People magazine the musician praised her boyfriend, “He’s been amazing. The baby spends as much time with me as he does with his dad,” the 36-year-old gushed. “He’s the kind of dad who is full hands-on. He changes diapers; he enjoys bathing him. That’s a real help for me.” The singer and 26-year-old Barça player began dating in 2011 shortly after she ended her relationship with Argentinean lawyer Antonio de la Rúa. “I know he’s the one person who is with me not because of any interest other than the love that unites us.” Shakira told People for the July issue. Isn’t Shakira’s baby adorable? [Images via Instagram/Facebook] Shakira’s Adorable Baby Makes ‘The Voice’ Finale [Photos] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Today’s stunning announcement from Microsoft that its policies regarding used games and DRM on the Xbox One have effectively been reversed has been met with slightly mixed reception from consumers, but the majority of fans can agree that it’s at the very least a step in the right direction. However, the Xbox One policy changes apparently didn’t come without a few sacrifices. Speaking in an interview with Polygon, Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Xbox division, admitted that consumer reception of Microsoft’s original policies was very poor – but Whitten says that the company was waiting to tell its “complete story” before making any decisions. “We knew our complete story was partially told at the Xbox One unveil and partially told at E3,” Whitten told the site. “We wanted to put our story out there and show the great games we have coming. We did that and people gave us a ton of feedback.” Whitten went on to say that in order to make these policy changes, several features intended to make use of the console’s used game DRM in a relatively good way had to be cut; for example, you will no longer be able to share your game with up to 10 family members. Additionally, Whitten said that with the old system, you would have been able to play all of your games on another console by simply logging into your account, regardless of whether your games were retail or digital copies. In other words, the original system made it so that discs would no longer be required after the initial installation. That doesn’t mean that Microsoft is going all the way back to how things were on the Xbox 360, however. Whitten pointed out that all games will be available digitally day-and-date with retail releases, meaning those who want to abandon discs entirely will still be able to do so. “While we are adding in the ability to use physical discs, we still believe in the power of a digital and cloud-powered future played out at launch and rolled out over time,” Whitten said. “You are going to see us invest a ton in all of the ways digital builds experiences.” Xbox One Policy Reversal: Microsoft Drops Several Planned Features is a post from: The Inquisitr

A protective dad in Washington used Facebook to catch a 30-year-old who planned to elope with his 15-year-old daughter. The teenager’s mom posed as her daughter and talked to alleged kidnapper Jason D. Richards on Facebook. She persuaded him to meet her in an alley behind the house. The dad and a couple of his friends cornered Richards in the alley and held him down until the cops arrived. Richards was charged with child rape and attempted kidnapping and his bond was set at $100,000. The potential kidnapper met the 15-year-old girl through a Facebook dating application and exchanged hundreds of messages with her before meeting her on May 18. He told police that he knew she was underage but still had sex with her. The two planned to elope and erase records of their online relationship so that the girl could run away and live with Richards. The 15-year-old even thought about changing her name and appearance. The teenager’s parents found out about her relationship on June 7 and put a stop to it. They took her computer away and locked her Facebook account. This isn’t the first time a parent has protected his child on Facebook. Earlier this month, a Florida woman found out a 23-year-old man was talking to her 11-year-old daughter on Facebook. The mother called Michael Bradley and told him to stop speaking to her daughter. But the man continued to talk to her daughter and even asked her for a nude photo. That’s when the woman pretended to be her daughter and sent the man a photo of a girl in her bra she found in a Target ad. Bradley sent her nude photos of himself and was charged with eight counts of ”displaying obscene images to a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.” [Image via Shuttershock] Protective Dad Uses Facebook To Catch Potential Kidnapper is a post from: The Inquisitr

Chief Keef had a pretty terrible start to his week, after he was forced to deal with four legal problems over the course of 48 hours. Keef, who along with Frank Ocean, Kid Cudi, and several other artists, featured on Kanye West’s new album, Yeezus, was first of all handed a second paternity in a year as he say outside a Stokie courtroom. The rapper was there dealing with a month old case after he was arrested last moth for speeding in Northern Illinois. Keef, whose real name is Keith F. Cozart, was recorded doing 110 mph in a 55 mph zone along the Edens Expressway, to which he pleaded guilty on Monday morning. As he left the courthouse though he was arrested once again on a month-old trespassing complaint. Just a few blocks away from the courthouse officers charged him with a misdemeanor and took him into custody. Leah Starkman, Keef’s attorney, stated on Monday evening that the 17-year-old hip hop star was released only hours later, without bail after being processed. Starkman wasn’t impressed with the police’s action though, stating, “His management believes he’s being harassed by the police. I know that he’s on the police radar, but I don’t know if it’s harassment.” However, this wasn’t the end to Keef’s worries. An arrest warrant was issued in Florida on Wednesday morning for him after the rapper told police last August that he had “weed” in his “right front pocket,” after he had been caught riding in a stolen red Ferrari convertible as he celebrated his 17th birthday. Cozart was unable to appear in court in January because he was already in jail in Chicago on a different charge. A Florida judge has issued an arrest warrant which will be served if he is ever in the vicinity of Miami Beach again. What do you think of Chief Keef’s legal problems? Chief Keef Served With Paternity Suit, Pleads Guilty To Speeding In Chicago, Arrested For Trespassing, And Wanted In Florida, All Within 48 Hours is a post from: The Inquisitr

Two senior members of Whybin\TBWA’s digital team have left the agency for their own startup, Mumbrella can reveal. Alex Christian (left) and Daniel Christos (right) Foundation clients for digital studio Cypha include environmental campaign group Sea Shepherd and the National Maritime Museum. Daniel Christos, former technical director at TBWA\Digital Arts Network, and Alex Christian, the agency’s former director of design, are behind the launch. The duo have worked on projects including  Red Bull Beat Suite, Sapphires Soul Sync and the Emmy award winning Dirt Girl IOS app. Their digital experience spans agencies such as Holler Sydney, The White Agency, BMF, and Reactive Media. At Cypha the pair aim to partner creative and technology to deliver inspiring interactive work through a team of talented energetic people. Christos, technical partner at Cypha, said ”beautiful tech” and the belief that the digital experience can transcend into something more than just a screen experience is at the forefront of Cypha’s thinking. ”Far too often we see great creative fall short on technical delivery, or highly technical solutions that miss the mark for its users. The team at Cypha work as one highly skilled unit.” Christian, creative partner, added: “Although digital is still an infant, there is a very real demand to move beyond elementary thinking. The next few years are going to see some mind blowing change and it is crucial that brands unite with innovative, imaginative digital specialists who truly understand the environment, if they are to be part of this exciting transformation.” The post Former Whybin\TBWA staffers launch digital studio Cypha appeared first on mUmBRELLA.

Producer and hip hop artist Sean Combs, better known as P. Diddy, caused murmurs in the audience at the Cannes Lions festival today when he declared that he hated watching TV ads. Combs is in town to promote his new cable music channel Revolt TV to potential advertisers. He told delegates today: “I hate watching TV commercials, just like everyone else.” “The truth will set you free. And I’m here to tell the truth. If you’re not going to produce great work [advertising], you’d better get the fuck out of this room,” he told his audience of advertising professionals and clients. “Millennials [young people] don’t like watching commercials – and they don’t like BS,” he said. “Brands need to give them something that touches them emotionally.” “Brands don’t listen enough to kids,” he said. “But if you can empower them, you will win their respect.” Combs also lamented the day that MTV stopped playing music videos. “Seven years ago MTV stopped playing music videos. That had a big impact on music. Music became safer. There was no longer a platform that artists could trust.” Combs also took issue with the idea that the music industry is in trouble. “There is a misconception that music is in the worst shape of its life. But music consumption is at an all time high,” he said. “Nine of the top ten people on Twitter are music people. That’s a lot of power.” The post P. Diddy tells adland: ‘I hate watching commercials, just like everyone else’ appeared first on mUmBRELLA.