With all the terrible things going on in the world, it’s sometimes tempting to think we’re actually going backwards. It’s not so, says Labor left stalwart Anthony Albanese. When he entered politics in 1996, marriage equality certainly wasn’t on the table — and sexuality was barely even discussed in public. When he first raised the issue of gay rights in Labor caucus, Albo told a Wheeler Centre audience last night, it prompted a few members to shift awkwardly in their seats. In fact, such a strange idea was it to some that more than one MP whispered: “I never knew Albo was gay”.