The Gold Coast Notebook - of unisex toilets, gay demands

Of unisex toilets, gay demands

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It’s common to find unisex toilets at clubs and restaurants in Australia. But even with these, there’s a push to have transgender washrooms too. LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) activists now want the National Construction Code (NCC) be amended to require all public facilities to have transgender toilets. “The rationale was that the NCC does not reflect the diversity of the Australian community when it comes to the labelling and regulation of sanitary facilities,” Australian Building Codes Board chairman John Fahey says in a statement. Interesting indeed.

Celebs here down to earth

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It’s sickening how nondescript, wannabe “celebs” in Kenya cause a stir whenever they appear at social places, some with “security” teams in tow. In Australia, it’s quite common to see mega stars mingling with revellers without causing undue attention or tagging along a retinue of handlers. “Even the Prime Minister wouldn’t get specialised treatment if he comes to such clubs,” a local told me as we sipped Aussie beers at Surfers’ Paradise on Thursday night. “After all, he’s just a civil servant,” he adds. “Even Cate Blanchett or Liam Hemsworth easily mingle with people without seeking too much attention,” he says referring to two of Australia’s most popular screen stars.

Aussie mzee recalls Homa Bay days

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While following the lawn bowls action at the Broadbeach Bowls Club, we came across Jason Carpenter, a Games volunteer with fond memories of Homa Bay County. The 71-year-old Aussie was an English teacher in Rangwe between 1968 and 1971, moonlighting as a tour driver. He vividly recalls attending a Tom Mboya homecoming ceremony in Rusinga Island and also meeting the doyen of Kenya’s multi-party politics, Oginga Odinga, recalling Jaramogi’s trademark flywhisk. “I miss places like Oyugis where I used to hang out those days,” he reminisces before bidding us ero kamano (goodbye) and melting away into the crowd.

Bull sharks sending shivers

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Our bus driver warns me to beware of bull sharks which he says have populated the Gold Coast canals. As we drive from downtown to the boxing venue on the outskirts, he says these man-eating predators have bred in the canals over the last 20 years, forcing authorities to put up preventive nets to keep them at bay. "These sharks grow up to four metres long and thrive in salty, fresh and even murky waters. And if one bites you, it will quickly return for a second bite,” he adds, eerily. I’m not venturing into the waters, other than in my bath tub, any time soon here…