Melbourne gay cop honoured

Senior Sergeant Joy Lynette Murphy - Australian Police Medal

Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Unit - Diamond Creek

Senior Sergeant Joy Lynette Murphy has been a member of Victoria Police for over thirty years. During this time she has significantly contributed to Victoria Police and the Victorian community through her commitment and willingness to help others. From early on in her career, she has demonstrated an aptitude for criminal investigation, specifically in relation to sexual assault matters, as well a growing expertise in child protection and welfare issues. She has been responsible for a variety of proactive projects that have made a positive difference to the lives of many in the community she serves.

She has been an active supporter of those in policing who do not conform to stereotypes. In addition to informal mentoring, she played a leading role in establishing formal support mechanisms to combat discrimination within Victoria Police through her roles with the Past and Present Women in Policing Association and the Victoria Gay and Lesbian Police Employee’s Network (GALPEN).

Victoria Police Media Unit

Dutch Queens Birthday Attack

Dutch Tolerance Finished?

In Amsterdam the Queen's Birthday April 30 is a very big deal, when the whole city becomes one big street party.

Koninginnedag, as it's called, is also very, very gay, as the city shuts up shop for the day, the streets and canalsides fill with market stalls, the bars stay open all night, people dress up (mainly in orange) and everyone has fun.

Not so much fun this year for a couple of gay models taking part in a fashion parade, allegedly beaten up by a bunch of Muslim youths.

It's the latest in a series of assaults in the once-tolerant city that was my home for a number of years. Mind you, Dutch 'tolerance' is not quite what you may imagine it to be.

When I lived there, no-one would try in any way to prevent you from being and acting as gay as a goose, but having granted you that licence, anti-gay Amsterdammers always felt free to loudly carp, criticise and insult you for being gay, and you were expected to take it on the chin.

The same principle allowed you to carp, criticise, insult and argue back.

It wasn't the polite English version of tolerance, where 'we don't discuss politics or religion at the dinner table, thank you' - but once you got used to it, it was quite fun. Though you did need to grow a considerably thicker skin.

That wouldn't be enough nowadays, it seems.

Now you need body armour.