FUSE 11 HOT Stuff (Boy Cover)

HOT STUFF! MINORITY LOVE

ARE WE GREENER BECAUSE OF IT?

SHANE RATTENBURY

PINK & GREEN POLITICS

LEGAL EQUALITY LET’S TAKE IT FURTHER

TOP QUEER

GREENING YOUR RIDE

CARBON POLLUTION PUMPING IT UP!

THE BUZZ

BOY GEORGE AVRIL LAVIGNE CALVIN KLEIN

THINK HE’S HOT — WAIT ‘TIL YOU SEE OUR FUTURE!

HOSTED BY

PORTIA TURBO & JOHNNO DAVIS

+

fusemagazine.com.au

DUB DUB GOOSE WITH BETH MONZO

+ BIG BRAD WOLF + AUSSIEBUM FASHION SHOW

+ CANBERRA KINGS + TORI MAC FROM FUNKEN DISCO

SATURDAY 10 APRIL @ 7PM @ TILLEY’S CORNER WATTLE & BRIGALOW ST, LYNEHAM

DONATION AT DOOR WITH PROCEEDS TO HSI ‘SAVE THE DANCING BEARS’ FUND

11

FUSE FEATURES

14

26

Does our minority love make us more likely to stand up for other marginalised causes and groups?

Does it make us more green?

FUSE OP.ED 20 Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Why it will take us backwards in the

fight against global warming.

44

16

36 Fight for legal equality escalates.

Aiming to make same-sex marriage

a major issue in 2010 elections.

FUSE11 MARCH 2010

26 Find out how having sex reduces

carbon pollution and why it’s good

for the environment and for you.

CONTENTS

12 FUSE chats to Shane Rattenbury

from the Greens about gay rights,

politics and our fragile environment.

FUSE REGULARS 04 Editor’s Rant 06 What’s On in Canberra

12

08 The Trap : Local & Gritty & Gaga

36

10 What’s On : Canberra Festival 16 The Buzz : News, Gossip & Stuff

{

PUBLISHER & DESIGN Lithium Innovation Pty Ltd {www.lithium.net.au}

22 Fab Things : Environmental Shopping

EDITOR Alexander Thatcher {editor@fusemagazine.com.au}

28 Grooming : Zac Efron’s Hair

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Yasmin Element

PRODUCTION & EDITORIAL Christopher Powell

CONTRIBUTORS Tony Hamlyn Scott Malcolm Brendan Farnhill Chelsey Anne Hilary Caldwell

Damien Pratt Robert Henderson Stuart Poole Chad Wijayatilake Lucy Jane

PHOTOGRAPHERS Snez Saravovska

Douglas Robinson

25 Money Shot : Carbon Offsetting 30 Out & About : Canberra’s Night Life 34 World Stage : Pakistan, Malawi, Uganda 38 Top Queer : Greening Your Ride Rose Pappalardo Simon Copland Brooklyn Hulands Helen Stevens

CONTACT Advertising, editorial enquiries or letters Telephone: +61 2 6232 7662 • Email: editor@fusemagazine.com.au Mail: PO Box 3577 Manuka ACT 2603 • ISSN 1836-8387

40 Fitness : Training Without a Gym 42 Ear Candy : Music Reviews 44 Out & About : More Photos of You 45 Travel Tips : Staying Healthy 46 Artists Profile : KC 47 FUSE Business Directory 48 Dear Rose

www.fusemagazine.com.au All rights reserved. No part of the magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. The appearance, mention or likeness of any person or organisation in editorial or advertising in no way suggests sexual or political orientation. Photographs used to illustrate editorial do not depict the real lives, behaviour or sexuality of the models. Opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor of FUSE staff.

Any health, fitness or dietry advice contained in this magazine is for informational purposes only. Consult your physician and a fitness/health professional before changing your diet, doing any exercise program, or taking any supplements or remedies of any kind. Submissions of text, photographs or any other material will be taken as consent to publish said material.

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FUSE 02

FUSE 03

FRAGILE

EDITOR’S RANT

WORLD

SUMPTION FORE CON THINK BE

Alexander Thatcher FUSE Editor Wondering about our future

I am completely bewildered by mankind. We have such potential and are capable of so much care, love and compassion — yet we seem to be stumbling in the dark. I fear if we don’t have a huge shift in global consciousness very soon we are destined for some very difficult times ahead.

I can see three major issues that I believe are not only holding us back as a species, but also doing irreparable damage: our behavior regarding marginalised groups — like the GLBTQ community and many others; our treatment of animals; and our total lack of respect and care for our planet — a home which we share with so many other inhabitants. Each of these are close to my heart and worthy of many words, but as this is our environmental issue I’m going to concentrate on the latter.

It seems to me that many of us have lost our connection to the earth — our home. We’re so caught up with our lives, work and the consumption of stuff, that I believe we have become unaware of what’s really going on around us. I could fill this magazine with thousands of examples of this disconnection when it comes to the environmental, but I think just one example will make my point.

Much of our waste today is comprised of plastic — which is made from petroleum, a material that the Earth cannot digest — yet we still continue to consume it without much thought. Every bit of plastic that has ever been created still exists (except for a small amount that has been incinerated, releasing toxic chemicals into the atmosphere instead).

Most of us are unaware that massive amounts of this plastic and other waste has been accumulating in the ocean. In some areas plastic to sea life ratios are 6:1.

The largest of these garbage swills is known as The Great Garbage Patch, it is roughly the size of Texas (and a lot more interesting) and contains approximately 3.5 million tons of trash. As far as the eye can see, there are electronic parts, packaging, bags, toys, car tyres, condoms and bottles too numerous to count, all floating midway between Hawaii and San Francisco and it’s growing every day.

This is just one of many silent ecological disasters we not only ignore but add to every day and something for each of us to consider when living our lives. Our environmental problems are many and no matter what we think, it will reach a tipping point — if substantial change is not made — that may change things forever.

In this issue, FUSE asks Shane Rattenbury if the Greens have some solutions for our environmental and social woes. We explore whether our minority love make us more green; find out why sex helps reduce carbon pollution; and look at why the Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme may just make things worse.

I know I’ve been a bit doom and gloom in this month’s editorial, but I think sometimes we need to be reminded of the serious state our planet is in.

On an up-note then, you may have noticed that next month FUSE will be ONE — how exciting is that! So April 10 you’re all invited to the FUSE Big Birthday Bash at Tilley’s. We’ve got some great entertainment lined up so be sure to come along, it’s going to be a great night. More info inside front cover!

Yasmin Element Associate Editor

FUSE 04

Enjoy, Alex

Send all letters to the editor to editor@fusemagazine.com.au

}

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FUSE 05

WHAT’S ON

at the movies

BROTHERS : OPENS 18 MARCH

When a decorated Marine goes missing overseas, his blacksheep younger brother cares for his wife and children at home — with consequences that will shake the foundation of the entire family. Brothers tells the powerful story of two siblings, thirtysomething Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) and younger brother Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal), who are polar opposites.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND : OPENS 4 MARCH From Walt Disney Pictures and visionary director Tim Burton comes an epic fantasy adventure Alice in Wonderland, a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time.

Johnny Depp stars as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends: the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter. Alice embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen’s reign of terror.

GREEN ZONE : OPENS 11 MARCH Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass (Bourne Supremacy, Bourne Ultimatum) re-team for their latest electrifying thriller in Green Zone, a film set in the chaotic early days of the Iraqi War when no one could be trusted and every decision could detonate unforeseen consequences.

A Marine about to embark on his fourth tour of duty, Sam is a steadfast family man married to his high school sweetheart, the aptly named Grace (Natalie Portman), with whom he has two young daughters (Bailee Madison, Taylor Grace Geare).

Tommy, his charismatic younger brother, is a drifter just out of jail who’s always gotten by on wit and charm. He slides easily into his role as family provocateur on his first night out of prison, at Sam’s farewell dinner with their parents, and Hank Cahil a retired Marine.

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO : OPENS 25 MARCH 16-year old girl Harriet Vanger disappeared without a trace on September 29th 1966. Nearly forty years later a journalist, Mikael Blomqvist, gets an unusual assignment. He is contacted by industrial leader Henrik Vanger, who wants him to write the history of the Vanger family. But the family chronicle is just a cover for the real assignment: to find out what really happened to Harriet...

FREE MOVIE TICKETS FUSE has double passes to give away to Dendy Theatre in Canberra.

Write in and tell us what you think of FUSE, comment on an article or sign up for FUSE EXTRA! and you could win these great Dendy movie tickets • email: hello@fusemagazine.com.au • www.fusemagazine.com.au

Free movie passes were kindly supplied by Dendy Cinemas Canberra Level 2, North Quarter Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City

www.dendy.com.au

FUSE 06

FABULOUS FUN SEE PAGE 10

WHAT’S ON MARCH WENDY RULE LIVE One night only at HUSH Thursday 18 March 7pm

Don’t miss this fantastic chance to see Wendy Rule live in Canberra.

She creates music that is rich and emotive. Her music reflects her love of mythology and her spiritual path as a Witch. Wise and beautiful Pagan music. More info p32.

Wendy Rule creates dark, sensual sonic theatre… compelling stuff.

Rolling Stone Magazine.

SUPERHEROES!

Friday 19 March @ CUBE

REGULAR QUEER EVENTS!

Grab your cape; wear undies on the outside of your tights if you’re that way inclined, be a hero... save the world! Dress as your favourite Superhero or Villain for free entry and the chance to WIN some SUPER prizes. More info p30.

SATURDAYS Q RADIO 7pm – 9pm 2XX, 98.3FM Canberra’s own GLBTQ radio show.

RAW FM 87.6 : GIRL THING Wednesdays & Sundays from 7pm For girls who like girls. Presented

by Tori Mac, an hour of sexy house and electro served up girly style.

HANG OUT WITH CANBERRA BEARS Sunday arvos at O’Neill’s Irish Pub, Woolley St, Dickson on the first Sunday of the month 3pm. Bears Dinners: third Friday of the month.

TUESDAYS DYKE DINNER & MOVIE More info on FUSE website or see Canberra Lesbians on Facebook.

{

WHAT’S ON

CANBERRA FESTIVAL Check out fusemagazine.com.au for a full list of what’s happening in Canberra including local and national gay and lesbian events.

CANBERRA FESTIVAL

Saturday 6 March to Sunday 14 March Canberra will play host to a range of extraordinary events, with each day presenting something new, exciting and vibrant to showcase the diversity and culture of our city. Check out the full line up p10.

NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL

1 to 5 April Exhibition Park For five days Exhibition Park in Canberra becomes a magic place, filled with colour and sound.

Hundreds of the world’s best musicians perform daily, in a non-stop flow of entertainment over five fabulous days. More info at www.folkfestival.asn.au

STEPPING OUT FOR WOMEN

10 to 17 April at Westlund House Stepping Out is a course for women of all ages, who are coming out or exploring their sexuality. You may have been out for a while but want explore more about what it is to be same sex attracted, or you may not be sure at all about who you’re attracted too. More p41.

MONDAYS GAY & LESBIAN TENNIS 6pm – 9pm. Turner Tennis Club, Cnr McCaughey and Condamine Streets.

Bring a tennis racquet, shoes and $5.

GAY & LESBIAN SQUASH Wednesdays 6.30pm – 7.30pm. National Sports Club, Mouat St Lyneham. Info at: groups.google.com/group/gayactsquas BENT LENSES Canberra’s very own Queer screen culture group. www.bentlenses.org ACTOUT ACTOUT is an informal outdoorsie activities group for Canberra’s gay and lesbian community.

More details on the FUSE website.

BIT BENT : CANBERRA YOUTH GROUP Meet other young people, get support or just hang out. Mondays at Belconnen Youth Centre 6pm - 8pm & Thursdays at the Woden Youth Centre 5pm - 6.30pm.

Email : bit_bent@hotmail.com

HANGOUTS CUBE NIGHTCLUB Canberra’s gay night club. p30.

THE HUSH LOUNGE A chilled out GLBTQ bar. p32.

TILLEY’S DEVINE CAFE Legendary and sumptuous! p29.

BAR32 : WWW.BAR32.COM Alternative gay friendly bar.

FUSE 07

THE TRAP THE TRAP

{By Brooklyn Hulands — Journalist

OFF WITH HIS HEAD

TO TALK OF OTHER THINGS

A VERY IMPORTANT DATE

This issue of Fuse is all about the environment. But as Peter Garrett has discovered, it’s not always easy being green.

This month sees the release of director Tim Burton’s first real foray into 3D — and it’s a Canberra girl jumping at us from the screen.

At the start of last year, the Rudd Government’s roof insulation scheme sounded like a great idea. The Government would pay homeowners to get insulation installed — keeping people in jobs and lowering energy use in thousands of homes. A boost to the economy and a cut to emissions; It surely couldn’t go wrong...

Twenty-year-old Mia Wasikowska has been on the worldwide publicity trail, promoting her role alongside Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway in Alice in Wonderland.

Eight million albums. Two Grammys. Nine headline shows down under. And all just eighteen months after lip-syncing on Sunrise.

But by the time the environment minister had banned dangerous foil insulation, four installers had been electrocuted, and up to 50,000 homes were left with potentially “live” roofs.

Electricians say they warned him, the ACT claims it raised concerns, and the federal opposition has called for his head.

Peter Garrett can only defend the well-intentioned scheme, choosing the age-old finger point. He says it’s not the rebate’s fault, rather the dodgy installers who didn’t follow safety advice.

But that excuse isn’t cutting it for many. Whether it was rushing the scheme, ignoring advice, or failing to make sure safety was enforced, the Government should be taking the fall.

FUSE 08

She was chosen by Burton her for her “old-soul quality” — something probably attributable to her two artistic parents, and their frequent trips to Europe. Until the age of fourteen, Mia trained as a ballerina, but gave it up for the big screen.

‘There wasn’t any room for fault or imperfection. Film is a lot more about life, and so it’s all about the things we do that are imperfect.

That really interested me more,’ she told W Magazine.

For a born and raised Canberra chick touted as the next big thing in Hollywood, a big-budget Disney film is one hell of a launch pad. But the soon-to-be A-lister isn’t turning her back on the ACT. ‘I love going home,’ she says. ‘There I’m like, oh yeah, the world doesn’t revolve around moviemaking. People talk about other things.’

Alive in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton opens 4th March at Dendy cinema in Canberra.

Anyone who saw that performance at Breaky Central in 2008 (YouTube it) would share my amazement at Lady Gaga’s rise down under. Who knew that weird girl riding a dolphin in ‘Just Dance’ would sell-out AIS Arena less than two years later.

But she has, and in honor of her visit to the sunburnt country, I’ve written something a little different.

My Gaga

Apologies to Dorothea Mackellar I love my Lady Gaga, A voice of past cocaine, Of disco sticks and poker, Of riding the fast lane.

I love her far horizons, A tour not girt by sea, Who knew she’d play the Berra?

The Monster Ball for me!

Eat my heart, my Gaga!

I don’t care if you’re bi, Let’s write an Aussie romance, Make love then eat meat pie.

My tickets are all sorted, No sneak peaks at YouTube, March 22 — just bring it, Then please, come visit Cube.

FUSE 09

WHAT’S ON

CANBERRA

FESTIVAL 6-14 MARCH The Canberra Festival honours our sense of community spirit and vibrancy through sporting events, exhibitions, dance, art, culture and heritage, film and music.

From Saturday 6 March to Sunday 14 March, Canberra will play host to a range of extraordinary events, with each day presenting something new, exciting and vibrant to showcase the diversity and culture of our city.

With so much to see, do and enjoy, there is no better place to be than the nation’s capital this March! Check out events.act.gov.au for more info!

EVENTS.ACT.GOV.AU

Balloon Spectacular Canberra Day Holiday FlipArt Lights!Canberra!Action!

Celebrate in the Park Symphony in the Park

6 – 14 March Monday 8 March 12 – 14 March Friday 12 March Saturday 13 March Sunday 14 March

Held over nine days you’ll see over 30 giant hot air balloons launched from the forecourt of Old Parliament House each morning. The Balloon Spectacular has become an institution in Canberra and this year it is again guaranteed to provide an awe inspiring early morning sight.

CELEBRATE IN THE PARK

Friday 12 March : Garema Place

Saturday 13 March : Stage 88, Commonwealth Park

Back for another take, the film festival gives our local movie makers the opportunity to produce a completely Canberra-centric short film.

Filmmakers are given a list of ten themed items to include in their movie, with only ten days to cast, shoot, edit and produce a seven minute film.

This year Canberra’s birthday party boasts a huge lineup of some of the nation’s most popular and talented performers. Headlining the concert is the famous Fremantle trio, Eskimo Joe, the fabulous and funky Cassie Davis, and rock legends Dragon. Local acts Manilla Green, The Trivs and Who’s Ya Daddy will also perform at this electrifying show at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park.

Come down to Garema Place, bring your chair or bean bag, blanket and movie snacks, and settle in for a great night.

10

Saturday 6 - Sunday 14 March, from 6.30am daily

LIGHTS!CANBERRA!ACTION!

Lights!Canberra!Action! grows more popular with filmmakers and spectators each year.

FUSE

BALLOON SPECTACULAR

To cap off a huge day’s entertainment, after dark the sky above Commonwealth Park will light-up with a spectacular fireworks display that’s not to be missed.

Celebrate in the Park is Canberra’s best free all-ages show so be sure you don’t miss the party in 2010.

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A CHAT WITH

{

By Alexander Thatcher

FEATURE

SHANE RATTENBURY MLA, SPEAKER OF THE ACT LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Everyone seems to want the gay vote lately — so what makes one party more worthy of your support than another? Over the past few years we have seen both ACT Greens and the ACT Labor working hard to secure equal marriage rights for the gay and lesbian community in Canberra. Despite the watering down of civil union legislation and political stand-offs with the Federal Government (both Labor and the Coalition), they have made some good progress.

Although a political party’s view on gay and lesbian issues is obviously important when you cast your vote, it’s not all that counts. We spoke to Shane Rattenbury from ACT Greens to see if we could get to know him just that little bit better. We chatted about the ACT Greens’ policies, Shane’s thoughts on same sex marriage and adoption, and of course the environment — now at the forefront of many people’s minds.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE GREENS? My passion for environmental issues was stirred in the 1980s, and I was particularly inspired by the campaign by Greenpeace to have Antarctica declared a World Park for all of humanity.

I joined the Greens just after the party was launched because I finally saw a political party that represented my values. I kicked off my involvement by signing up at a stall during O-Week at ANU. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE ACT CIVIL UNIONS LEGISLATION AS IT WAS ULTIMATELY PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS? My feelings on this are mixed — I’m happy that we made another step forward, but deeply frustrated by the Federal intervention to curb our laws. We had a number of weeks where the full laws were in force and we saw couples in the ACT take advantage of them. The Greens will continue to push for marriage equality at a national level — this debate is not over.

WHY DO THE GREENS FEEL A RESPONSIBILITY TO REPRESENT MARGINALISED GROUPS (LIKE THE GLBTQ COMMUNITY) WHEN THEY’RE NOT PART OF YOUR CORE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES? The Greens have always had a broad policy platform; it is just that our environmental work is much better known. Social justice is one of the central tenets of that platform. At the end of the day, we can only truly have a sustainable planet when we have a just and fair planet.

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WHAT’S THE GREENS POLICY ON GAY PARENTING AND ADOPTION? The Greens policy on sexuality and gender identity is very clear in seeking to end discrimination and inequality, to quote from our policies we want “access, regardless of sexuality and gender identity, to adoption, fostering, artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation procedures”.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S INTERNET FILTER? The Greens oppose the Government’s proposed compulsory internet filter. My colleague, Senator Scott Ludlum has been very active on this issue, arguing that the Government’s plan will not protect children, will do nothing to crack down on criminal activity online, and sets a dangerous precedent of centralised net censorship.

DO YOU FEEL THAT THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY IS MORE AWARE OF AND RESPONSIVE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES? Overall I think the gay and lesbian community is probably more responsive, perhaps because they have long experience in being politically and socially engaged. But like any community there is a range of interests and passions. Some folks would be very committed to social justice and environment, and there are others whose focus really lies in other places.

WHAT TYPE OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? A Toyota Prius.

HOW MANY HYBRID CARS ARE THERE IN THE ACT GOVERNMENT FLEET, AND WHY AREN’T ALL GOVERNMENT CARS HYBRIDS? The ACT Government does have a policy that all cars in its fleet should be limited to four cylinder cars, except for special vehicles such as rangers and fire trucks. I expect we will see more hybrid cars in coming years and also electric vehicles if the promised infrastructure for electric cars is rolled out in Canberra.

WE HARDLY EVER FILL OUR NORMAL RUBBISH WHEELIE BIN, BUT OUR RECYCLING BIN IS ALWAYS FULL — WHY NOT HAVE RECYCLING COLLECTION WEEKLY AND NORMAL GARBAGE FORTNIGHTLY? Canberrans are some of the best recyclers in the country, and many people have raised with me the idea of swapping the collections around. I tend to have the same problem you are talking about!

One other thing I want to see is all households to have a green waste bin, or third bin, so that we can collect and re-use kitchen and garden waste. I have met one company that says they can use all of this green waste to create enough bio-gas to run the entire ACTION bus fleet, and the leftovers become high quality compost – that is the sort of clever, green industries we want to be bringing to Canberra.

CANBERRA HAS A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY VEGGIE GARDENS, BUT IT TAKES UP TO SIX MONTHS TO GET A PLOT — DO YOU THINK WE NEED MORE, AND DO YOU THINK IT’S WORTH ENCOURAGING MORE PEOPLE TO GROW THEIR OWN PRODUCE? Absolutely we should grow more of our own food — not only can it help the environment, but it is so personally rewarding and the community gardens contribute so much in getting to know our neighbours better. I only moved in to my house less than a year ago, and spent much of this spring and summer getting rid of invasive weeds from the yard. I am preparing for a veggie patch though, and have two large compost bins on the go as part of my plan to create some very fertile soil!

Shane has been a Canberran for more than 20 years and has lived and worked overseas. He has also worked for Greenpeace, helped save whales and acted as their International Political Director.

DOES THE ACT GOVERNMENT USE GREEN POWER? The ACT Government currently purchases thirty per cent of its power from the green power program. As part of the Parliamentary Agreement with the Greens, that is scheduled to increase to a hundred per cent in the coming years.

WHAT INCENTIVES DOES THE ACT GOVERNMENT PROVIDE FOR HOUSEHOLDS TO BECOME MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE AND EFFICIENT? The ACT Government has a whole host of programs for householders, businesses and schools that you can check out at www.environment.act.gov.au/actsmart. My view is that we need to move beyond just rebate programs for the keen households and the ones who are good at DIY, and move to a more proactive approach where someone comes to your house and helps you get those practical things done. Most of us don’t have the time or perhaps the experience to do it ourselves, and we need a bit of a helping hand.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE OUTCOME COPENHAGEN AND REPORTS THAT THERE IS A GROWING SKEPTICISM (HERE AND OVERSEAS) ABOUT THE REALITY OF CLIMATE CHANGE? Copenhagen was a travesty of leadership. At a time when the science is clear that we should act soon to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, too many countries placed self interest ahead of the good of humanity. It might seem naïve to expect people to act for the greater good, but the world did it for the ozone layer, and we need that same political conviction now.

The trouble with the approach taken by many of the skeptics is the selective use of information, without context, when we need to look at the big picture.

Personally I would rather throw my weight behind the UN sponsored intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, made up of more than 2000 of the world’s leading scientists and their peer reviewed work, than accept the argument of some guy with a science degree who grabs a few facts out of context, builds a website, and lays out a great conspiracy theory.

FUSE 13

{

By Chelsey Anne

Why are LGBTQ more promoting of environmental issues? What persuasion is in this cause that employs LGBTQ folk to fight for it, be more aware and be more righteous about it than those of heterosexual orientation?

FEATURE

It could all be happenstance, one simple slip that comes from having such a small community compared to that of the wider world. Or it could be as simple as minority love.

ORITY LOVE

MIN

ARE WE GREEN BECAUSE OF IT? Minority Love: the love of something or someone because of its cause, substance or general disposition to be in the minority of society or its standards.

Hi, I’m a feminist, animal rights supporting, equality concerned, environmentalist queer. How are you?”

One in five LGBTQ folk are comfortable using the self-label of ‘environmentalist’ while in contrast, only thirteen per cent of heterosexual persons are comfortable with the term.

No, I’m not spouting off random information for my own amusement, I’m spouting off this information for a reason. I believe each one of these statements can affect the LGBTQ community in some way.

Many surveys in the past years have been conducted to evaluate the environmental concerns of people, and it seems the majority of these surveys (which take into account sexual orientation or gender association) have all pointed to the same conclusion: LGBTQ are more environmentally aware than their heterosexual counterparts.

This information, if it is in fact accurate, then begs the question of why?

FUSE 14

It has been said before, and it will be said again; LGBTQ will always, in some way, be a minority.

Acceptance and tolerance can come all it wants but whatever we are, in nature and society, we are a minority group and in some ways we embrace it.

So, minority love; are we really that affected by persecution that in our adult lives we seek further clearance from the world by fighting for other ‘sideline’ or currently minority causes? Or are we more attuned to the world and its needs because we often hold a closer affinity with it, majority of us believing that we were born the way we are.

I’d bet my money on minority love, not for the point that we’re all striving to be different and encounter endless hardships because of our political or social views, but because in some way, that persecution from our past is still leaking into our current community.

In the early twentieth century many people were persecuted, both politically and religiously, some of these groups being feminists, LGBTQ people, environmentalist, alternate religious folk, equality concerned persons and practically any person who had employed pre-monotheistic religious ideals.

So why would this matter to us now? It’s a simple fact that people who are on the sidelines are often clumped together in some way, and in that manner they began to acquire other groups’ views or opinions. This would have been the start of LGBTQ community supportive of environmentalism (as well as a few other ‘sideline’ causes).

Petering down through the generations of LGBTQ folk, we arrive here and now, a place and time where environmental concerns are very real and pressing but still it seems LGBTQ persons are infinitely more aware of this plight than heterosexuals.

Minority love is something so consistent with our culture, with the issue of it being raised and pondered before in terms of LGBTQ folk, but seeing statistics of environmentalism seems to bring it to life in a more obvious manner.

We can speculate all we like: minority love, nature affinity, insanity...

Anyway we spin it, it’s now known as fact in some manner, LGBTQ folk are more environmentally aware than heterosexual folk. So why not be proud of it?

events.act.gov.au

FUSE 15

THE

NEWS GOSSIP & STUFF

BUZZ

*

{

By Tony Hamlyn

CAMP OSCARS ~ CALVIN VAMPS ~ BOY GEORGE ~ CELEBRITY ~ MINI MINOGUE

HARD SELL ON HAITI It’s hard not to be cynical when pop gets political.

I recently read the Marina Hyde book Celebrity: How Entertainers Took Over The World And Why We Need An Exit Strategy which details some of the more outrageous truths behind Bono’s, Brangelina’s and Madonna’s attempts to save the world, to name just a few. Honestly, some of these accounts of self-importance and misguided goodwill are jawdropping to say the least, and as I watch We Are The World 25 I can’t help but laugh loudly at what it is unfolding before us.

The Jonas Brothers trying to seem cool next to the likes of Jamie Foxx and Wycleaf Jean; Enrique Iglesias’ accent making it seem like he’s just forgotten the words and made up stuff on the spot; Barbra Streisand clutching her pocketbook in fright, sandwiched between T-Pain and Li’l Wayne; Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus (both of whom were born in the 1990s!) gazing around not in awe but with indifference at legends like Tony Bennett and Janet Jackson. It’s all so undignified!

On the positive side though, I will say this: Celine Dion is bat-shit crazy, but she’s one of the truest stars there ever was and in this middle-eight she sounds A-MAHZING! Jennifer Hudson possesses an incredible godgiven voice — would somebody please write her a hit album already! And in a room of big, big egos her vocals shine like a diamond in the rough; the choir-like chorus at the end of this track is cheesy and tawdry and so overly-sentimental it borders on criminal, but (call me crazy) it works! It works so well, so beautifully, it makes me tear up and think of how interconnected we are, or we should be, and it makes me reach out for my credit card and donate a few dollars to those poor, homeless people of Haiti. And really, that’s what it’s all about isn’t it? So mission accomplished!

FUSE 16

BOY BIO-PIC It was announced a few weeks ago that a British TV movie based on the life and times of Boy George is in production in Manchester. Worried About the Boy (is it just me, or is that actually the worst title EVER???) has begun shooting with the gorgeous young model turned actor, Douglas Booth, in the title role. George must be thrilled with the casting, to say the least.

The movie follows the early life of the iconic pop star, through his teenage years as a loud mouthed misfit with an acid tongue and razor-sharp wit, right up to the heady days of international success as part of Culture Club. The script has been penned by Tony Basgallop, who was responsible for the camp series Hotel Babylon, and Catherine Tate fans might be pleased to hear that Matthew Horne costars as Culture Club drummer, Jon Moss, who famously had a secret affair with Boy George throughout the band’s heyday. Horne, of course, is the guy who features prominently in the comedienne’s sketch show, playing Ryan to Tate’s Lauren (“Am I bovered…?”) and the longsuffering Grandson of the foul-mouthed Nan character.

All press seems to indicate a heavily 80s-influenced production with the words “fashion” and “clubbing” being thrown around generously. If you’ve ever read Boy George’s autobiography Take It Like A Man then you’ll know this is a terrific story of talent and determination, success and notoriety, all ruined by the drugs, excess and trappings of fame. A must watch for all and sundry!

CALVIN VAMPS IT UP Have you SEEN the ads for new Calvin Klein underwear brand ‘X’? It seems the legendary label is cleverly cashing in on the current vampire craze, with actors Kellan Lutz and Mehcad Brooks two of the more prominent faces in the advertising campaign.

And by faces, I mean of course crotches.

And by crotches I mean LORD HAVE MERCY!

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO… Yes, it’s Oscar time again. And what can we hope for at this year’s Oscars?

Camp! That’s right, lots of fun and frivolity thanks to this year’s producer Adam Shankman. Best known as director of the fabulous musical movie Hairspray (pictured above), you may have also seen Shankman in his capacity as judge on the US version of So You Think You Can Dance. He has the right mix of emotional reverence, sentimentality and knows his way around a showstopper and it’s this that will ensure a great awards show.

For those of you unfamiliar with your celebrity vampires, Kellan Lutz plays Emmett, the cuter and much buffer younger brother of Twilight hero, Edward Cullen (played of course by Rob Pattinson). Mehcad plays Eggs in season two of True Blood, and if you’ve watched the show you’ll be more than aware of his amazing upper body already, given that every other scene features him with his shirt off. A jaw dropping torso is not his only tantalising attribute, however, as these CK photos will contest.

Hosting this year are Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. Steve has proved his Oscar-worth more than once, having hosted both the 2001 and 2003 awards ceremonies. He’s regarded in the Oscar production circles as pretty much the consummate host; funny, clever, easy to work with and, most importantly, fast. The show will always go for three-plus hours, but Steve has always managed to keep it as close to the three-hour mark as possible.

Baldwin is white hot right now, and the two of them teaming up should provide for some great gags.

Add to all that the fact that it is the year of Avatar, already the highest grossing film of all-time, and we all know that a blockbuster brings in the big Oscar audiences. My money’s not on Avatar for a Best Picture win, but I think James Cameron will get Best Director. Best Film might just go to Up in the Air, the George Clooney dramedy that deals with the need for connectivity, amidst a backdrop of corporate America. Great film! I also think that Jeff Bridges will cause an upset in stealing the Best Actor award from Clooney for his role as a washed-up country singer in Crazy Heart, and that no one will beat out Meryl Streep for her role as celebrity chef Julia Childs in the rom-com Julie and Julia. This is St Meryl’s 16th Oscar nomination! Hard to believe she’s only won twice, and the last time was for Sophie’s Choice way back in 1982. Hardly any of us were even born then!

Be sure to tune into the live broadcast on Channel Nine from midday Monday March 8, or if you want to catch the Red Carpet then FOXTEL’s Movie Extra channel will be airing it from 10am.

If you haven’t seen the photos in question yet, might I suggest you jump onto the electric interweb toot-sweet and check them out? A quick google search will bring up the goods, or you can go to the official CK underwear site www.cku.com. Along with these two vampire favourites, there’s also an international athlete contingent with Japanese soccer star Hidetoshi Nakata and current top ten tennis champ Fernando Verdasco from Spain, both sporting their goods in this new campaign. Trust me when I say, this particular batch of celebrity underwear models is enough to make your eyes water. You have been warned!

FUSE 17

WHITNEY BOMBS IN BRISSY MORE BUZZ

By now you’ve all read the bad Whitney press — sweaty and sickly and unable to sing; backup vocalists carrying the show; fans walking out, demanding their money back. I was there at the now infamous Brisbane concert and I can tell you it is all 100 per cent true. In fact, it was probably worse than the press made out. It was an absolute disaster, so much so that I don’t have the column space to go into as much detail here as I would like to, but I will say this:

{

By Tony Hamlyn

AVRIL IN WONDERLAND I can’t stand Avril Lavigne. Other than writing what is undoubtedly one of the greatest rock ballads of her generation (the 2002 hit ‘I’m With You’), I find her annoying, precocious, and whenever I see her in that ridiculous hoody with the devils horns, which she refuses to let go of even though it’s so over it hurts, I find myself wanting to take to it with a pair of scissors. Phew! Now that I’ve got that off my chest…

Guess who has done the theme song for the Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland extravaganza…?

That’s right – none other than young Avril!

The song entitled ‘Alice’ is actually a bit of a corker, somewhat reminiscent of All Saint’s ‘Pure Shores’ I think, but with more of an edgier guitar hook. The clip is out of this world, with scenes from the movie being interwoven with Lavigne placed in the title role. She looks beautiful and the whole thing begs asking who exactly is responsible for her styling on and off the camera and why are they so goddamn hit and miss?

In any case, the video and song will have been well and truly available for upload on iTunes by the time this goes to publication. According to online reports the whole Alice in Wonderland soundtrack album should be quite interesting with songs promised from indie-pop artists such as Franz Ferdinand, Metro Station, and Plain White Ts. Aussie band, Wolfmother feature a song apparently, as does The Cure’s lead singer, Robert Smith. It all sounds like a bit of a mixed bag, but that’s of course keeping entirely with this remarkable, visually-challenging piece of cinema. And all part of the Tim Burton kookiness really. Now if he could just talk Johnny Depp into bathing more often…

FUSE 18

I saw Liza Minnelli a few months back. She is 64-years old, and I dare say that she’s been through more public hell-and-back, drug-addled, booze-fuelled breakdowns in those 64 years than Whitney has even imagined. She went through Betty Ford so many times they could’ve built a new wing of the facility in her name. When she played that Opera House gig last October everyone knew that she wasn’t of the same vocal calibre she was twenty-plus years ago, but she was clever in her approach to the show. She rearranged and recrafted her songs in such a careful way, underplaying any vocal weaknesses and utilising her showmanship and her experience. Maybe the big notes weren’t there, but they were replaced by smaller notes and simpler phrasing, and so there was still something there and it was still effective. And NOBODY left that concert hall disappointed. The reviews were great, and everyone in that audience was on their feet, marvelling at what becomes a legend most.

I don’t begrudge Whitney Houston a bad gig. She’s a singer that I have loved and supported over decades, and I hate the idea that her footnote in history might end up being a stellar career gone awry after drug addiction and a disastrous world tour. But it’s greedy, gutless promoters such as Andrew McManus, who brought this particular tour out to Australia, that really should be made more accountable.

When you charge people up to $200 a ticket for a vocal act that no longer has the capacity to perform, why are you not then hung out to dry in front of an ACCC committee for misleading promotion or non-delivery of advertised content? And to then release a statement criticising Australian audiences for panning the shows when Whitney was apparently out there “warts and all” and “giving it a red hot go”??? I mean, what is this??? It’s not community theatre or rock eisteddfod for god’s sake. It’s Whitney Houston! He’s mistakenly laid blame at disgruntled and disappointed concert-goers, but it’s not at all a case of an over-critical audience — if you deliver the goods you’ve promoted then you’ll always have a hit on your hands. It’s as simple as that.

Judging from the awkward and embarrassed looks from the audience that night in Brisbane, this show was not a hit. And when Whitney’s backup singers delivered an encore of ‘I’m Every Woman’ as she herself waved goodbye and left the stage without singing a single note from her own hit song, you had to wonder ‘if she’s not sticking around for the encore, why the hell am I???’

Whitney in her younger days

cAN…

Photography by Magnus Hastings

EN yOU h w T U O O g y h w

>>

PLAN yOUR PERFEcT PLAy dATE.

Tonight’s the night to play with Gaydar, with over 5 million men to get to know you’ll never need to leave your comfy couch.

yOU mIghT BE sOmEBOdy ELsE’s PERFEcT NIghT IN!

ONLINE

Log on at www.gAydAR.cOm.AU

ON mOBILE

Log on via your mobile at www.m.gAydAR.cOm.AU

ON AIR

Listen live online at www.gAydARRAdIO.cOm

FUSE 19

{{

By BySimon SimonCopland Copland

OP.ED

CARBON POLLUTION REDUCTION SCHEME

OPPOSING CPRS IS RIGHT In 2009, the Australian Government introduced its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) to parliament.

On the same day, Kevin Rudd spent his afternoon in Queensland, turning the first sod on a rail and port expansion that will treble the states’ coal exports. In doing so, he provided the greatest possible symbol for the reality of what the ALP’s climate policy is; a scheme that will take Australia and the world backwards in the fight against global warming.

Its pathetic targets aside, the CPRS has a number of problems that leave it not only as a completely useless tool for emissions cuts, but will actually facilitate increasing emissions in Australia.

There are two key elements that will lead to this situation.

First, modelling has revealed that the scheme will not actually cut emissions in Australia until 2033. Until then, ‘cuts’ will be based upon the purchase of offsets, mostly through forest initiatives in Indonesia. In 2033, cuts in Australia will apparently be possible as by then clean coal will be commercially viable. Clean coal is currently an unviable technology with no proof of possible success: apparently this does not come into account. The scheme therefore does nothing to change Australia’s energy system, but rather holds back money for doing so by sending it to what will often be dodgy offset schemes.

Second, under the CPRS carbon emitters will receive compensation in order to ‘adapt’. The more a company pollutes the more money it will get.

This is problematic; if the idea is to make polluters pay for the damage they have caused, there are problems with compensating these polluters for having to do so.

Compensation voids the point of the scheme in the first place, leaving tax payers to pay for the mess companies have caused and giving companies no incentive to change their ways.

Given that major emitters will not actually have to adapt (as emissions cuts will be met through offsets until 2033), research shows that the CPRS will boost coal investment in Australia. There are now talks about recommissioning two coal power plants in Western Australia which will become profitable again as the compensation comes in.

Other new coal investment is also planned across the Eastern seaboard.

But is this really a reason to oppose the scheme?

Isn’t this just a start; something that we should pass now and build upon in the future? No. The CPRS is such a rigid scheme that making changes to it in the future will make it almost impossible.

When you legally create a scheme that determines that way our economy will work for decades into the future, you cannot simply change it that easily.

Some constitutional lawyers have advised that any future government would be liable to billions more in compensation if the scheme were to be changed.

With the introduction of the CPRS, an important decision had to be made; whether to take it as a first step for climate action or oppose it to get something better. This decision had to be based on whether the scheme will genuinely facilitate action or whether it will just cause more problems than it solves.

The Greens and environment groups opposition to the CPRS was not because it didn’t go far enough, but because it will hinder action and take Australia backwards in our fight against climate change.

The CPRS will lock in failure for many years to come. For this reason, we must oppose it and fight for action that will genuinely tackle Australia’s emissions. Instead of locking in failure, we need a scheme that locks in success.

FUSE 20

ADVERTISEMENT

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On any night in Australia, more than 1.2 million people will have trouble getting a good, restful sleep and will greet the morning feeling tired and cranky.

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‘You sleep for 1/3 of your life. A bed is one of the only household items you will buy that is a health benefit and contributes largely to how well you function every day,’ Mr George proprietor of Sleepy’s Fyshwick said.

The latest technology in latex, memory foam, pocket-coil and chiropractic mattresses and ensembles that Sleepy’s provide could be a solution for many Australians who suffer back, neck, hip or shoulder pain.

‘Sleepy’s chiropractic range of beds is the only bedding range that the Chiropractic Association of Australia (CAA) has developed, tested and endorsed ,’ Mr George said.

‘At Sleepy’s we offer a 60-day comfort exchange on our core range, so if you are not sleeping better within two months, you can exchange your mattress,’ he said.

Sleepy’s deliver free of charge to Canberra, Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra. ‘We also offer a mattress and ensemble base removal service at no charge to our customers,’ Mr George said.

Sleepy’s also sponsor sleep awareness programs and host chiropractic workshops, support Breast Cancer Network Australia, Sids for Kids and local community groups.

The staff at Sleepy’s have been trained by Sleepmaker and representatives from the CAA so they are able to give expert advice. If you have any questions or need advice about a new or existing mattress, call Michael, Stephen, Susan or James.

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FUSE 21

FABULOUS ECO THINGS

{FAB}THINGS We all have an impact on the Earth — an ecological footprint left behind by our activities and consumption habits. Shopping with the planet in mind can make a big difference in many ways. Collectively, we can reward environmentally responsible practices, discourage waste, help close the recycling loop and reduce the amount of toxic materials entering our ecosystems. Buying products and services that don’t harm the environment is one of the most powerful choices a consumer can make. Shop like your life depends on it — because it just might.

IPAD ~ FAIRY LIGHTS ~ SOY JOCKS ~ COOL CUPS ~ SOLAR STUFF ~ MONKEYLECTRIC

KEEP YOUR CUP! Our love of take a way coffee is costing our environemt dearly. Did you know that each year in Australia disposable paper cups account for an estimated 5,500 tonnes of landfill, 206,250 trees and 274,500 gjoules of energy — that’s enough to power 4238 homes for a year.

ALL HAIL APPLE You don’t have to look very hard to see just how successful Apple have been with their iPhones, ipods and online itunes store. Sometimes I’m simply astounded just how many people have an iPhone ­— although many of them still won’t admit it, even the hard core PC geeks are starting to see the light when it comes to Apple products.

Sadly most disposable paper cups are not recyclable. The paper cup is made from a composite of materials: kraft bleached paper sprayed with a polyethylene coating. Paper cups are often impregnated with toxic dyes which make them difficult to recycle and are probably not goof for you either. Plus the plastic lining in most disposable paper cups means they are not recyclable.

You’ve seen touch tablets in more science fiction flicks than I can list (although they’re usually about four inches thick) ­and now they have finally arrived. Apple’s unveiled the iPad ­— like the iPhone, it’s had its fair share of being panned (even before it’s been released) but I can tell you right now it’s going to be just as successful as iPhone and has the potential to save billions of trees with the launch of the iBookstore.

So what makes it so damn cool then ­— a lot of critics say it’s just a big iPhone (which it is) or complain that you can’t run full OSX software on it (that’s called an iMac, Doug!). But what they don’t get is, it’s not meant to be a computer — it’s a media device. Something you can use in bed to read your favourite book or magazine (like FUSE :•), check out the TV guide while watching TV, browse the web on the lounge, watch a film, chat with friends, or entertain yourself when you’re out and about.

Sure you can use it for work stuff, but surely we have enough gadgets for that already.

The iPad is scheduled for a March/ April release in Oz, prices start from US$499 (exact Australian pricing still to be confirmed). www.apple.com/au

FUSE 22

In arid regions like Australia, biodegradation of a paper cup can take 50 years or more. It’s not just the cup and lid that go into landfill.

Like everything it’s a choice. We can choose to destroy fewer trees and reduce landfill, CO2 and energy output. Small acts can make a big difference — for better and for worse. The environmental impact of all single use items is great. Through good design and a little effort we can easily incorporate reuse into our daily routine.

So why not grab yourself a keepcup so next time you’re buying coffee you can say: I brought my own cup thanks! Prices start at around $8.

Available at Myer.

SOLAR POWERED FAIRY LIGHTS Who doesn’t love fairy lights?

Solar powered ones have been around for a while now, so we are wondering why most people don’t already use them?

Outdoor fairy lights are a wonderful way to decorate your garden or even a room.

You can add a touch of magic to an evening party or create an enchanting sanctuary to sit back and unwind after a long day — best thing is no power point is required!

So why not go solar? Just leave the solar panel in sunlight to charge up the battery and drape the LED fairy lights where ever you like for a wonderful sparkly display. Some sets even have a solar sensor that automatically switches your fairy lights on at night and off again at dawn — just like in magical fairly land.

So next time you’re out to by fairy lights — go solar, they’re free to run and good for the planet. You’ll find them at most department stores and online.

WHAT’S ON?

SOY UNDERWEAR

Cool, small and contemporary, the Wattson Energy Meter is amongst the cutting edge of energy saving technology; its design, functions and pure innovation makes it one of the most popular energy meters on the market today. Easy to install, the Wattson Energy Meter shows you how much electricity each appliance uses when you switch it on or off. It’s easy to read display works in all light conditions and shows your home’s electricity usage in watts or cost. Simple in design, it is portable and wireless so you can use it anywhere in your home.

Other companies make natural garments using hemp, corn, and bamboo. 2(x)ist have recently released their men’s underwear with another natural ingredient ­— soy. Thousands have hailed this as an environmentally friendly move. Despite the fact 2(x)ist’s soy cottons are regarded among the smoothest and softest men’s underwear currently available, you can’t eat them (as much as you might like to).

2(x)ist’s revolutionary soy collection is made from an amazing, environmentally friendly soy fiber based fabric that feels like luxurious cashmere and provides the breathability of cotton. It’s soft, moisture-wicking and provides both uncommon comfort and impeccable 21st century style. Check out www.2xist.com

Used correctly this little baby can save you up to 25% on your electric bills. $219.00 at www.todae.com.au

CHARGE YOUR MOBILE ON THE GO! The Solio recharges virtually all mobile and handheld electronic devices from the power of the sun.

With it, you can harness the energy of the sun and carry it in your pocket, purse or backpack anywhere anytime. $129.00 at www.todae.com.au

MONKEYLECTRIC BIKE LIGHTS! And now you can be out and proud (and bright) with the fantastic MonkeyLectric rainbow Monkey Lights. Powered by you, the MonkeyLectric is a revolutionary bike light that keeps you visible.

It features 32 full-color LEDs and very cool cutting edge visual effects. The rugged, all weather design is perfect for anyone that needs to be visible biking at night or just look fabulous!

The Monkey Light attaches to the spokes of nearly any bike wheel and comes in heaps of different colours and fun designs.

Available at www.neco.com.au for only $ 52.95

} FUSE 23

stepping out

a free workshop for same-sex attracted women of all ages Stepping Out is a fun, interactive and confidential way to meet other women.

We cover issues such as coming out, relationships, sex, and queer networks in the ACT. for more details contact stepping_out@hotmail.com

FUSE 24

Next FR work EE shop starts Apr 2010 il

WOULD YOU LIKE TO

OFFSET YOUR

?

MONEY SHOT

CARBON

INVESTMENTS As with everything else in life, investment can have a social, environmental or ethical impact and as an investor you can and should consider the implications of your investment decisions in light of their impact.

When it comes to putting together an investment strategy to achieve your goals for life, it is important to have thought for the types of investments you feel comfortable investing in, not just from an understanding of the investment structure and market perspective but also from a moral, ethical and social perspective.

This is a little easier to manage if you are investing directly, as you can do your homework and most

companies will have a ‘sustainability, environment and community’ policy statement, which they promote via their website. Or if you are using managed investments you can select a specialist socially responsible investment funds manager that adds or removes companies based on different social or environmental criteria.

What is the impact on your investments returns? Not too much, you will be pleased to read! Depending on your allocation and what you are happy to invest into, research from the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (www.riaa.org.au) shows that these types of funds are comparable and even provide outperformance in some shorter term periods when compared to their ‘mainstream’ peers. The table below illustrates this comparison and is from ‘The 9th annual Benchmark Report for Responsible Investment 2009’ 1 year

Australian Share Funds

Overseas Share Funds

Balanced Growth Funds

3 years

5 years

7 years

Average Responsible Investment Fund (19)

-18.28

-4.08

6.67

7.86

Average Mainstream Fund

-18.79

-3.61

6.82

7.18

S & P / ASX 300 Accumulation Index

-20.34

-3.86

6.79

7.54

Average Responsible Investment Fund (12)

-14.93

-6.26

2.79

4.74

Average Mainstream Fund

-22.13

-11.09

-2.76

-2.22

MSCI World ex Australia Index $A

-16.24

-10.76

-3.14

-2.64

Average Responsible Investment Fund (8)

-10.09

-1.24

4.83

4.45

Average Mainstream Fund

-10.28

-2.57

2.98

3.82

* Returns to June 2009 (net of Management Fees) % p.a * Number of funds in each responsible investment category is shown in brackets * Best performance for period is shown in bold

When it comes to your investments, the above shows that being green can add a dynamic to your portfolio that provides long-term sustainability without removing the quality performance returns that most investors are chasing!

No matter what your goals for life, as with all investment strategy and product, do not put all your eggs into one basket, seek advice and empower yourself to create wealth through understanding.

Scott Malcolm (scott@money-mechanics.com.au) is Director of Money Mechanics (ph: 6257 5557) who are authorised to provide financial advice through PATRON Financial Advice AFSL 307379.

The information provided on this document is of a general nature only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before acting on this information you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.

} FUSE 25

FEATURE

{

By Hilary Caldwell MHSc (Sexual Health) Sexuality Counsellor

SEX AND THE ENVIRONMENT DO IT FOR OUR PLANET!

IT’S NOT JUST ANOTHER COME ON LINE. SEX IS GOOD FOR US AND IT’S GOOD FOR OUR WORLD. FUSE 26

HEALTHY SEX = HEALTHY BODIES

THIS IN TURN REDUCES THE BURDEN ON OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Medical and health services use large amounts of public funding, generate massive amounts of waste and pollution and create huge amounts of carbon emissions — health care is an energy hungry beast.

In the US alone, health care emits over eight per cent of all greenhouse gases. You help reduce this by being healthy and having a healthy sex life.

Good energetic sex helps with weight control, lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol levels and increases blood circulation, all of which improves cardiovascular health. If we are fitter, we may consider alternative transports such as walking or cycling instead of driving. Oh, and if we are fitter we feel like having more sex!

If you are convinced that having sex is the best thing for you, here are some ideas to make it more eco-friendly.

Good sex gives a healthy glow to the skin which keeps us feeling supple and fresh and improves our self esteem. This reduces the need to cover ourselves with makeup and other adornments of beautification. It may help with self esteem issues such as comfort eating or impulse shopping.

• As an exercise, having sex usually uses few expensive machines. And if sex is at home, it reduces travel. For those who like toys and props, look for power toys that use mains power instead of batteries, sustainably harvested timber for paddles etc, PVC free toys, organic candles, lubes, and cold pressed oils, and natural fibres (such as leather, organic cotton, hemp, bamboo) for linen, dress ups, whips, ropes etc.

Great orgasms help to reduce stress which alleviates depression and other stress related illnesses. They help you to sleep better and be more productive while awake. Immune systems are boosted to help prevent infections that might leave the less sexually satisfied miserable — visiting the doctor, consuming tissues and drugs etc. Getting sick is just horrible, and of course having sex with someone who is sick is likely to expose you to pathogens, but a strong immune system is your best defence, however you are exposed.

Within relationships, sex increases intimacy and improves communication. Stable relationships conserve the environment by sharing living spaces and resources. Disharmony causes millions of angry emails and text messages that clog our electronic environments and I don’t need to mention that each divorce uses paperwork that might otherwise be a forest! Be nice to each other and save the planet.

Sex helps to reduce pain in existing conditions such as painful periods, pms, arthritis, headaches etc. Using less analgesic drugs saves on manufacturing, marketing etc and improves our health and productivity. Long term health benefits of having lots of good sex include lowering prostate cancer risk and building strong pelvic floor muscles. I wonder how much landfill is taken with twenty years of incontinence pads?

• Having sex in the dark at night will save electricity and may increase your sense of touch. It is lovely to see your partner too, so you could balance your day/night time liaisons.

• Shower together to save water.

• Using condoms and dams prevent infections which drain our health systems and they prevent pregnancy in fertile couples.

Reducing the population reduces the resource strain.

• If searching for sexual partners is using too much of your energy, have sex alone. It is just as therapeutic.

BE ENVIRONMENTALLY SMART WITH PROTECTION! A quick note about disposing of personal protective equipment (condoms and dams): latex condoms are biodegradable but can’t be in water to break down. Dams are polyurethane and are not biodegradable but there is no better option than landfill. Lambskin condoms are biodegradable and will prevent pregnancy but not STIs. Please do NOT put any of these products in the toilet. They may clog up your system but if not, they definitely clog our waterways. Unfortunately, burying is not a good option as animals will be attracted to the scent of human waste and might attempt to dig them up. Until we find a safe way to dispose of condoms and dams, wrap them in toilet paper or biodegradable fibre towel and put in land fill. And of course, never reuse them.

Make love not war. I believe that if all the world leaders were having great sex... world peace!

Go ahead and do your best for our environment.

If you have any problems or personal issues with your sexuality, gender issues, orientation, kinks or sexual disfunction call Hilary on 0430 855 739.

FUSE 27

{

By Chad Wijayatilake from Form Haircutters

GROOMING

WHO CAN AND WHO CAN’T? THE ISSUE OF GROWING YOUR HAIR SOME TIPS ON HOW TO GROW YOUR HAIR • Don’t ask for short layers when trying to grow your luscious locks; ask for longer layers and a solid base line, which will make your hair appear a lot thicker.

• Try to look after your hair with regular treatments at the salon and at home.

• Try not to dry out your hair with styling irons and harsh chemical treatments, such as full-head bleach and chemical relaxers.

Recently I tried to grow my hair so I could have a change.

I thought about how nice it would be to have a shaggy surfer-chic look for the summer. My hair is thick, curly and gets really crunchy once it’s dry, my team mates at Form told me this would not happen, and they were right.

About six weeks after my last haircut (I was looking quite woolly by this stage) I started to realise that my hair isn’t all smooth and straight like Zac Efron’s hair: it’s more like steel-wool that you would use to scrub a dirty pot.

I soon came to the realisation that there are two types of people in this world that can grow their hair, the first are the ones with hair that is naturally straight and grows down from their scalp and not out; they can grow their hair very easily. The second is someone with a loose soft wave or nice controlled curls, that naturally do what they want them to do for the day, without giving you a headache.

Whether it’s wearing it up in a messy bun or down with a lots of texture, people who have hair such as this could also get away with not having a regular trim as well.

But, if you have hair like mine that grows outwards from your head like an afro, then the 70s would have been the decade for you; but unfortunately, long hair just isn’t meant to be. I tried to get through those two to three weeks (the hardest weeks, where you can’t do anything with your hair but wear a hat), but I soon figured out that the only way I could grow my hair (without taking a pair of clippers to my head or going completely crazy) would be to get stuck on a deserted island for about two years. Only then would I have a shaggy look, and maybe even some dreadlocks.

FUSE 28

•

Have a trim every eight to ten weeks. It’s one thing to have long hair, but there’s no point having long hair if you’ve got split ends and random layers with only three strands of hair trailing your every move.

• Use a leave-in treatment to help nourish the mid lengths and ends of your hair.

•

Some hair types can be very fragile due to the effects of medication or the environment. Of course, some hair is just fine. Having your hair in a pony-tail or bun for work every day can cause hair breakage, so be aware and try and give your hair a break throughout the week, and watch what sort of bands you use to tie it up with.

GO GREEN

WITH PUREOLOGY Pureology is a new range of products for your hair, and the best thing is that it’s organic and environmentally friendly and also it’s a hundred per cent Vegan formula and sulphate free. Pureology is against animal cruelty and uses only post-consumer recycled and recyclable packaging. It’s in to be green, even when it comes to your hair care, so come and grab a free sample at Form Haircutters while stocks last.

Geoff Field & Jason Kerr

Some super funds now recognise same-sex partners. So if yours doesn’t, switch. 85 Federal laws that discriminated against same-sex couples have been reformed. To celebrate, 85 artists have created 85 T-shirts inspired by the changes. Find out which ones fit you.

FUSE 29

OUT & ABOUT

33 Petrie Plaza Civic, Canberra City www.cubenightclub.com.au

}

Be a Superhero

Grab your cape; wear undies on the outside of your tights if you’re that way inclined, be a hero... save the world! Or not... perhaps you’re more the villainous type?

Whatever your preference (we’re all about preferences) this is THE party for you!

FUSE 30

Come dressed as your favourite Superhero or Villain for FREE entry and the chance to WIN some SUPER prizes like a share in $600 cash donated by SUPERCUTS Hairdressing.

Also on the night: Super STYLIN DJ Matt and Super SEXY Tia Jones and Chyna Dahl performing live. Friday 19 March. Doors open @ 9pm.

FUSE 31

OUT & ABOUT

WENDY RULE LIVE AT HUSH

THURSDAY 18 MARCH

The Hush Lounge is proud to announce that the brilliant performer Wendy Rule will be doing a live show on Thursday 18th March.

Wendy creates music in a category of its own. Dark, rich and emotive, her music reflects her love of mythology and her spiritual path as a Witch. Wise and beautiful Pagan music.

She has released five full length studio albums ( Zero, Deity, World Between Worlds, The Lotus Eaters, and The Wolf Sky) as well as a recent Meditation album. Her live performances are truly unique.

Whether performing solo, or with a full band, Wendy blends ritual and music to create an unforgettable experience for her audience.

After years of local shows and national tours, Wendy’s music is now being recognised internationally. Don’t miss this amazing chance to see Wendy Rule perform live in Canberra.

Thursday 18 March. Doors open at 5pm. Door charge $15 ALSO THIS MONTH AT HUSH DON’T MISS Rock Nation 1st Concert — Live Bands — Friday 26 March.

SERENE ADDICTION LIVE Saturday 20 March Serene Addiction (right) is Bec and Lani from the Gold Coast. The duo is touring OZ in 2010! They cover genres such as rock ‘n’ roll, Aussie rock, 60’s-70’s rock, hits from the 80s, 90s, 2000s, as well as their own fantastic and original music.

The girls connect with their audience through their upbeat vibe and pure enjoyment of live music. Serene Addiction’s music will soothe and excite. Don’t miss them at the HUSH Lounge.

Corner of Launceston & Irving Streets Phillip www.hushlounge.com.au ~ 02 6282 1944

FUSE 32

}

WWW.HUSHLOUNGE.COM.AU CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE FULL LINE UP OF LIVE MUSIC, KARAOKE NIGHTS, SPECIAL EVENTS, PARTIES & MORE!

FUSE 33

WORLD STAGE

MALAWI PROSECUTES GAY COUPLE

{

By Simon Copland

“Unnatural acts” and “gross indecency”. They are the two charges given to couple Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in Malawi recently.

The pair were arrested in late December after they participated in an engagement ceremony.

Homosexuality is illegal in Malawi and if the couple are prosecuted they could face up to fourteen years in prison. After their arrest the couple were given medical tests to prove that they had had sex and were then denied bail by the court magistrate. The magistrate argued that denying bail was required for the couple’s own safety.

PAKISTAN RECOGNISES HIJRA THIRD GENDER In the dying days of 2009, the Pakistani Supreme Court ordered the Federal Government to officially recognise hijra as a third gender. People who identify as hijra, which includes a diverse group of trans* and intersex people, will now be officially recognised by the Federal Government. The decision was made after appeals to the Supreme Court to have hijra placed as an official gender on national identity cards. All national identity cards, which are required for voting, had compulsory male or female sex identification, leaving those who don’t identify as male or female excluded from official government programs.

The ruling follows one in India in late 2009, when hijra was given official recognition for national identity cards for the purposes of voting. This ruling ensured that the Indian hijra community will now be included in all future elections. The Pakistani ruling however goes much further. Not only does it ensure that hijra is identified an official sex for voting purposes, but will place it on the national identity card for all purposes. Second to that, the Chief Justice also ruled that in the future that hijra’s rights of inheritance will be enforced and that harassment of hijra people from police will not be accepted. These two warnings are re-enforcements of already existing laws and were designed to ensure that these laws are not ignored in the future.

Homosexuality has been illegal in Malawi since the introduction of a law against ‘unnatural acts’ during British colonial times. This law has been enforced ever since independence and has rarely been challenged in mainstream political debate.

However, queer rights activism is growing in Malawi, especially with the creation of the Human Rights charter in 1995 and the creation of a nationwide minority rights organisation, the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) in recent years. This organisation has helped build the queer movement in Malawi and is strongly defending Monjeza and Chimbalanga in their case. The case has not been taken to trial at the writing of this, but will do so in the following months. It is unfortunately largely expected that this couple will be prosecuted, although it seems as though the fight for equality in Malawi is only getting bigger.

PRESSURE BUILDS ON UGANDA OVER ANTIHOMOSEXUALITY BILL Pressure is building on Uganda over its proposed anti-homosexuality bill.The bill, which was introduced in April 2009, would prescribe death sentences or life imprisonment for homosexuals. It is expected to be voted on by late February or early March 2010.

When first introduced it looked certain to pass easily, but pressure has been building from a range of areas for the legislation to be dropped. Countries such as the UK, The United States, Canada and France have all publicly called for the bill to be dropped, whilst Sweden, who has close relations with Uganda, has stated that it will cancel all government aid if the bill is passed. The Australian Government, however, has not made any statements on the legislation. Religious and human rights organisations are also building a campaign on the legislation, with key groups involved in Uganda supporting queer activists throughout the country.

This pressure is having an effect. Recent months have seen the Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni openly discuss revision of the bill, especially by dropping the death penalty. It is unclear however where this will lead, leaving Ugandan queers with an uncertain future.

FUSE 34

Tilley’s

Devine Café Gallery

TILLEY’S IS NESTLED IN TREE LINED LYNEHAM JUST 4KM FROM THE CITY

For over 26 years Tilley’s has been famous for its breakfasts, lunches, and dinners... and of course its fabulous coffees. Tilley’s attracts not only ‘regulars’ but visitors from overseas and interstate who enjoy the all-day menu specials, and oh such lovely cake!

Internationally renowned for legendary blues, jazz and classical concerts, Tilley’s continues to attract artists of international calibre who prefer the intimacy of a warm theatre atmosphere clad in red velvet, brass and dark timber booths.

With a fully licensed bar, one can enjoy champagne with breakfast, or in the evening savour our broad range of wines, spirits or boutique beers on tap.

OPENING HOURS 9am – 10pm Monday to Saturday • 9am – 6pm Sunday To reserve your favourite table or booth phone us on 6247 7753

TILLEY’S IS PROUD TO HOST THE

HOSTED BY

BIG E FUBS IRTHDAY

BASH!

7PM SATURDAY 10 APRIL

PORTIA TURBO & JOHNNO DAVIS

DUB DUB GOOSE WITH BETH MONZO BIG BRAD WOLF AUSSIE BUM FASHION SHOW DRAG KINGS TORI MAC FROM FUNKEN DISCO

Corner of Wattle & Brigalow Streets, Lyneham • www.tilleys.com.au FUSE 35

AL G E L R O F T H FIG ATES L A C S E Y T I L EQUA I F F U R T H E R! OP.ED

L E T ’S TA K E

On the 8th of August and the 28th of November, thousands of queer activists took to the streets in two ‘National Day’s of Action’ on same-sex marriage. This year these actions will increase in what has been called a year of action on same-sex marriage, as activists aim to make it a major issue in the 2010 election.

Heading to the streets in this way is a fantastic thing. Whilst we cannot ignore the great work that is done on the ground level for queer rights, the queer movement has in many ways lacked a nationally co-ordinated mass action effort. These NDAs give us the opportunity to create such a movement and in doing so empower activists, build networks, create alliances and provide a more visible face to an ever growing movement.

However, at the same time we must be wary that these NDAs don’t narrow the focus of the queer movement solely onto legal equality for same-sex couples. Whilst legal equality for same-sex couples is an important step, it is just a step, and one that cannot and should not be separated from the other changes we need in society.

Focusing solely on legal equality limits our ability to challenge the key social institutions that define the heteronormative society. For instance, by focusing solely on gaining acceptance to marriage, we lose ability to criticise it as an institution. Marriage, as a key part of the heteronormative society, places many into an oppressive situation. It defines how relationships should work and then punishes those who don’t fit the norm. We therefore must challenge the way this institution operates and the effect it has on society. Otherwise, we risk a scenario where success is defined through the ability of some to enter heteronormative society/institutions. This will leave many, who don’t fit into these institutions behind.

Leading on from this, a same-sex marriage focus can ignore many other important issues. Whether it is sexual/gender identity based violence, structural poverty or a whole array of other issues, the queer movement should be addressing a whole lot more than legal equality for same sex couples.

FUSE 36

{

By Simon Copland

Queer people are extremely diverse and with this diversity comes a broad range of issues that require attention. If we ignore this diversity, we not only neglect many important issues, but also risk isolating people from the queer movement.

In the long run this could become divisive. If we fail to challenge dominant social institutions or tackle other problems, the queer movement risks becoming one that instead of challenging the heteronormative society, accepts it and aims to become part of it. This will not only isolate many people, but will also see a movement that collapses after same-sex marriage is won as organisers and activists believe that queer liberation has been achieved.

Legal reform is an important part of the fight for the queer movement. However, that doesn’t mean we should accept laws as they are, nor settle for equality within them as our only goal. We should fight for legal equality, but we must make sure that such a fight doesn’t let us lose sight of other issues or weaken the queer movement in the long run.

The NDAs are giving queer activists a great opportunity to build networks and create co-ordinated actions across the country and I encourage everyone to continue participating in them. But let’s make sure we use these opportunities to strengthen the movement to fully challenge the oppressive nature of the heteronormative society and to create real, long lasting change. Our movement and our society depend on it.

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FUSE 37

GREENING

TOP QUEER

YOUR RIDE

SO HOW GREEN ARE YOUR WHEELS? We have all heard a lot of publicity and advertising in relation to vehicles and their perceived or actual kindness to our world. There seems to be a lot of new economy vehicles which claim to be better on the environment and your wallet. Usually one goes with the other ‘cos the less fuel your car uses, the less you will be shelling out hard earned dollars to an oil company (and the Australian Government in fuel tax).

We have seen a lot of new mega-economy diesel cars hit the market. This has been a trend that has been developing in Europe for years, but it’s finally taken off on our shores too. There are also hybrids and super minis (like the Smart) to consider, however the initial purchase price is a bit off putting and the cost would take you forever to recover in fuel savings. Leave them for the movie stars with big wallets and green cred points to score, unless you have nothing better to do with your cash.

So what can be done in your backyard (or garage) to do your little bit for the world?

What kind of car do you drive? Is it too big for your needs? Does that four wheel drive ever get onto a dirt road? Does the Commodore’s back seat get used for anything other than copulation? I guess I am hinting at downsizing. Do you need a large car when a medium would do? Yes size queens, I know it does matter in other areas, but you and the world are paying for this automotive indulgence. I recently downsized my car and haven’t looked back. As well as halving my fuel use, the car is easier to park and much cheaper to maintain.

Could you ride your bike or walk to the shop instead of driving? No competing for car parks and you will walk off that Cornetto before you buy it!

Have you considered a scooter? Scooters are an increasingly popular alternative to a second family car. They are also free of parking fees at most CBDs. Long trips are a no-no though and carrying a weeks worth of groceries home could be trickier than marching down the length of Oxford Street in stilettos.

FUSE 38

{

By Stuart Poole Stuart has been a car enthusiast as long as he can remember and greased up more moving parts than one can possibly imagine.

However, for commuting, nothing comes near a scooter for maneuverability, purchase price and economy. They are also a bit “café-chic” too.

If you can change gears yourself a manual car will generally use 10-20% less fuel than an automatic. Manual cars are usually more reliable and robust and generally cheaper to maintain. Buying a manual will also save you $$$ when you are buying new, with savings of $1500-$4000 over the purchase price of an automatic car.

Keeping your existing car serviced will help you do your bit for the world — significantly. If your car is making an unusual noise, don’t ignore it! It won’t go away by itself and it’s your car’s way of saying ‘there is something wrong with me’. A poorly tuned car can use more than double the fuel it was intended too and is pretty lame when it comes to performance.

When your car starts burning oil, consider updating it or having it repaired. This is really bad for the world and your wallet. Oil burning cars stink and it may also be a sign your car is going to let you down in a big way, SOON. Now the really big one, and the simplest. Keep your tyres inflated to the correct pressure. Poorly inflated tyres make the most economical car thirstier than a shearer on payday. Under-inflated tyres also wear out quicker costing you and the environment in money and landfill.

You can check out the green-cred of new cars online at www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au This should help you with your decision; remember saving the world will generally be saving you $ too.

AUNT DOROTHY’S

MOTORING TIP A stitch in time saves nine. Keep your car or motor bike well maintained.

It will last longer, look prettier, retain its value better, use less fuel and cost you a whole lot less in the long run. Lovely!

FUSE 39

BODY SHAPE

LOOKING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE BULGE, BUT YOU DON’T WANT TO GO TO THE GYM? THERE IS A SOLUTION! There are a variety of different ways that you can work on your fitness outdoors, as opposed to having to enter a gym. Training outdoors can be just as beneficial as training in a gym, you just need to think outside the square when you are planning your sessions. Think about where you are going to be training, and what is available to you in order to help you achieve some of your goals, and to work your muscles in a similar way that you would in the gym.

Some ideas for what to look for are: Hills — can be used for cardio fitness, using interval training sprinting up and down.

Hand Rails — if you struggle to do push ups on the ground, use a handrail to do them. You’ll still working the muscle hard, but taking a little pressure off. You can also use a hand rail for a pull up to work through the back muscles.

Stairs — find yourself a nice flight of stairs to run up.

This is another great way to train your cardio fitness, burn some fat and work on those leg muscles.

Park Benches — great for working the arms in a triceps dip. You can also think of some other exciting ways to add some resistance to your exercises by carrying old car tyres etc. OK, so this all sounds well and good, but for some (well most) people, it’s hard to get motivated to push themselves to the point where they are going to change their lives. It is too easy for us to make excuses to not train, and hey, if you haven’t got an appointment to see anyone, and no one is going to know you didn’t do it, why bother.

There is again another solution for this problem. There are quite a number of places around Canberra that offer outdoor training sessions, which are done as a group. These types of sessions are fantastic because you are avoiding the gyms and you have got a group of people who have the same views about their fitness as you do. They help to motivate you and push you to your limits and the biggest bonus is you don’t have to plan your own training sessions.

So what benefit is this going to have if you are already going to the gym? The short answer: variety. It is easy for a training program to become stale and boring and just as easy for your body to become accustomed to the exercises you are doing. Adding in something like an outdoor training session is still going to help you with your training routine, but is also going to change it up and help target a few different muscle groups and energy systems.

If you would like a little bit more information on Outdoor Training, email outdoortraining@alivehealthclubscom.au

FUSE 40

{

By Brendan Farnhill Alive! Health & Fitness

GETTING

FIT WITHOUT A GYM

YOU COULD BUY THESE CHEAP NASTY DONUTS...OR

SUBSCRIBE TO FUSE* WE’RE

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& TASTY TOO!

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU

HIV Positive?

Interested in tips for living well?

Check out this new website

www.hivtoptips.org.au FUSE 41

VAMPIRE WEEKEND – CONTRA

EAR CANDY

Vampire Weekend are a four-piece outfit from New York City, who formed in 2006 after meeting while at Columbia University. Contra is their second studio album released this year, the first being their self titled album of 2008. Contra has so far been extremely successful for the band after it reached number one on the US album charts this year. The band has a very interesting sound indeed and is said to be a mixture of African popular music and Western classical music in a genre dubbed ‘Upper West Side Soweto’. Are you as confused as me with this one?

{

By Damien Pratt

We received a letter from a FUSE reader asking for more reviews on popular music and popular dance. I thought about it for a while and decided that I could probably give this a go even though the top forty has never really pulled much of my attention. Ok who am I kidding, that was a total lie; when I was a teenager I loved the top forty. I religiously collected the 100% Hits compilations and there are some even worse skeletons than that in my CD closet. In fact Mariah Carey’s Music Box also comes to mind but that is all I am telling you! So in future I will attempt to review one pop and one indie/alternate album just to keep all our lovley readers happy.

BUT… I will need some time to work out what pop music actually is as it does cover such a broad number of sub-genres. So for now watch this space. For this edition of FUSE though I will be reviewing a country music album by Gloriana (pictured above), that was sent into us for review and the brand new Vampire Weekend album. Are you excited?

Anyway I find Vampire Weekend’s music totally fun and uplifting, it seems to have a personality of its own and is always bubbly and a whole heap of fun. If you close your eyes and think of the happiest person you know then this would be the soundtrack to their life.

When I saw these guys play at the Splendour in the Grass music festival a few years ago, I found myself uncontrollably jumping and in the best mood for what seemed like days afterwards. So if you like uplifting happy music then you need to check these guys out.

And if you are hooked on Vampire Weekend then they are coming back to play the Groovin the Moo music festival which is coming to Canberra mid this year.

GLORIANA – (SELF TITLED) Gloriana are a country music band hailing from, that’s right you guessed it, Nashville, Tennessee. I mean it’s kind of a prerequisite for any fair dinkin country music outfit that wants to be taken seriously in the US to be based in Nashville.

Nashville is country like Seattle was grunge rock in the 90s.

Gloriana are a four-piece group that originally consisted of two brothers that had a go at a number of different bands with a number of different band members before crossing paths with two female performers and becoming Gloriana in 2008. The band sent a demo to the people at Emblem record company who saw potential and hooked them up with some of the best song writing and production talent in the country music industry. What came out of these collaborations was their debut self titled album that was released in the US in 2009. Off the back of this album and singles like ‘Wild at Heart’ the band did exceptionally well even winning Breakthrough Artist of the year at the 2009 American Music Awards.

For me this album comes across as very pop country and seemed created for the youth market. It seems a little manufactured, but in saying that they definitely all have great, if not beautiful voices and are exceptionally talented on their instruments of choice.

The album and its songs are short which leads me to think that it may have been pumped out in a bit of a hurry in order to get it in the market as fast as possible. Some songs are very catchy and others are not so, but with tours lined up supporting the likes of Taylor Swift they are sure to get a good fan base in the near future.

We have free copies of Gloriana’s new CD to giveaway to the first two readers to email us at FUSE — hello@fusemagaizne.com.au

FUSE 42

GENRES 101: COUNTRY Country and Western is described by Wikipedia as being a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It has roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, gospel music and oldtime music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s.

The term country music began to be used in the 1940s when the earlier term hillbilly music was deemed to be degrading and the term was widely embraced in the 1970s, while the Country and Western term has declined in use since that time, except in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it is still commonly used. In the SouthWestern United States, a different mix of ethnic groups created the music that became the Western music of the term Country and Western. The term “Country Music” is used today to describe many styles and subgenres.

ELECTRIC FIREFLY DESIGN & CREATION

Wake up to a new light Electric Firefly Design & Creation is here to captivate and inspire the imagination with its lamps and lighting ideas. Designed along timeless principles of fractal and sacred geometry, the forms of nature are expressed in a modern medium that is strong, safe and durable for home, office or commercial use.

Designed for everyone, Electric Firefly brings together form and functionality with modern and classic styling in an environmentally conscious medium, at a fraction of the cost of your average designer light.

Available Handmade Markets Sunday 28 March Cnr Northbourne Ave & Flemington Rd Lyneham The Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston or order online.

electricfirefly.com.au • 02 8003 4999 • info@electricfirefly.com.au

FUSE 43

OUT & ABOUT

HUSH LOUNGE

CUBE

GET YOUR KING ON

FUSE 44 44

TRAVELLING

TRAVEL

CANBERRA IS STARING DOWN THE BARREL AT ANOTHER OF OUR FAMOUSLY LONG AND COLD WINTERS AND SO MANY SUN-JUNKIES WILL BE THINKING ABOUT PACKING THEIR BAGS, ABANDONING THEIR GLOVES AND SCARVES AND HEADING OVERSEAS TO ENJOY A WARMER CLIMATE, EVEN IF ONLY FOR A WEEK OR TWO.

OS AND STAYING SAFE & HEALTHY

Travelling overseas can be overwhelming, especially for the inexperienced. There are so many things to prepare and consider. Many a late night has been spent packing for a trip, making sure you minimise excess baggage and try to defy physics with what can fit into carry-on. Have you got your tickets, transfers, and passport? Have you thought about your health? You got your shots right? That’s everything checked off… isn’t it? Actually, there are a few things that need to be checked before you go on a glamorous rainbow tour.

It is really important, especially if you are open to the possibility of having sex while jet setting, to make sure you pack a box of condoms and some lube. Australian condoms have incredibly high production standards which, depending on the country you are going to, are not always going to be guaranteed — that’s if you can find condoms at all. Having a healthy and reliable supply of condoms is always important, but especially when you consider that some of our nearest neighbours have distressingly high HIV and STI rates.

It is estimated that one in three MSMs in Bangkok are HIV+, and many other parts of SE Asia and the Pacific are only just starting to comprehend the extent of HIV and other STIs within their MSM and general population.

It is also a good idea to do some detective work to check to see if what happens between the sheets will land you in trouble or not depending on the cultural mores of the country or region you are planning on visiting.

Now what if you already have HIV? There is already so much for everyone to consider for a regular trip. There is even more if you are travelling and HIV positive as well.

{

By Keiran Rossteuscher Social Marketing Officer at the AIDS Action Council

If you are HIV positive, on top of having to worry about maintaining any medication regime, ability to purchase meds overseas, long haul flights whilst on medication with side effects, and worrying about changing time zones etc, one of the biggest issues can simply be trying to get into the bloody country! If you think filling out a regular visa application is a pain in the ass, consider that there are some countries that require you to declare your HIV status before entry, such as China. You are automatically refused entry into some countries like Singapore and everyone over sixteen needs to have an HIV test to enter Papua New Guinea (www.hivtravel.org, 2010).

Many people with HIV will cop this on the chin, but many will also see it as further reinforcing the negative associations with being positive, having to declare their HIV status, like having to declare a criminal record.

Many countries place time limits on how long someone who is positive can stay on their visa, and some will automatically deport foreign nationals who are found to be HIV positive whilst residing there.

On a happier note, in January this year US President Obama overturned a 23-year-old ban on entry of HIV+ people into the United States and compulsory testing for immigration, and the UN has recently announced that South Korea was lifting many of the restrictions it too placed on people coming into the country with HIV. Everyone needs to get out of Canberra every now and then, and international travel is a truly fantastic experience. A little planning makes all the difference, so make sure you have some of these tips included on your checklist next time you’re heading overseas so that the worst thing you have to worry about is getting that tiki through customs on the way back in.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CHECK OUT Smart Traveler: www.smarttraveler.gov.au HIV Travel: www.hivtravel.org

FUSE 45

ARTIST PROFILE

KC REVEALS HER HIDDEN TALENT ART IS INDEED ALL AROUND US. HELEN STEVENS TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE WORK OF LOCAL ARTIST KIMCHERRIE

Kimcherrie, or KC as you might know her, has been a watercolour artist for approximately fifteen years.

KC started painting when she was living in Queensland, beginning with sketching from photographs using pencil, she later moved onto ink and then watercolour paint.

KC has also studied with another prominent watercolour artist, Jan Vincent, a former editorial consultant of Australian Artist Journal and local Canberra artist.

Through Jan’s coaching, KC developed a more free and relaxed style and was inspired to produce new work.

To develop her talent and style, KC studied with watercolour artist Dianne Kelly in Brisbane for four years. In her first year of studies with Dianne, KC was invited to show her work in a student exhibition. KC remembers the event vividly. ‘I’ll never forget this night for the rest of my life.

I exhibited 26 pieces and sold eighteen in total. Selling your art is the ultimate compliment that your work is good.’

KC paints a wide range of subject matter using different styles. Her subjects include rural landscape scenes from the Canberra, Queensland and Victoria regions, animals, trees, florals, still life, European villas and miniatures. The Mediterranean villa scenes are akin to pieces you’ll see on side-walk stalls in Italian villages and Parisian streets.

More recently, KC has moved to producing abstract pieces. ‘It was weird. I got up in the middle of the night a few years ago, needed to paint and started punching out piece after piece over the next month or so. And have enjoyed doing my abstract works since.’

In contrast to the earthy tones KC uses in her landscapes, her abstract style brings out the use of opposite colours.

One piece uses bright red and blue colours, creating a vibrant intensity.

‘My favourite subject matter is rural landscapes. I think this comes from my country upbringing and my style suits that subject matter. I can use a combination of heavy and light brushstrokes and my hands. There is a wonderful feeling I get when I have finished a piece, I step back and think WOW.’ When I asked KC what inspires her to paint she confesses, ‘Painting allows me to express my moods and emotions at that time. When I see magnificent colours in the landscape, I want to get it down in painting.’

FUSE 46

KC remembers a Japanese exchange student purchasing one of her pieces as a gift to take back to her father. ‘There’s an enormous amount of pride knowing that my work is hanging on the wall of someone’s home or office overseas.’

KC currently has fourty pieces available to exhibit and for sale. Whether you’re a seasoned art collector or your home needs brightening up, take a look at the diverse range of work by Kimcherrie. You can get in touch with her at kcleo7@gmail.com or on 0404 847 472.

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By Helen Stevens

FUSE 47

DEAR ROSE

Dear Rose, I’m in a new relationship and family is important to me. My new partner’s mother insists that he always visit without me — I’m not welcome it seems, because she does not support his lifestyle.

What should I do?

CK Dear CK, Families are a huge problem in the gay world, especially in new relationships. It is important to remember that this is not your problem and whilst it would be nice to have a family that is completely welcoming and supporting of your relationship, the reality is that it is not always the case. And as such, making choices about this is tough.

My question would be, ‘what does the new boyfriend say about his mother’s behaviour?’ The answer to this question will be the difference on how you deal with this issue. If the new boyfriend chooses to ignore this matter, you need follow his lead and remove yourself from being hurt or insulted. Decline invitations from him on visiting his mother or find other things to do that coincide with visiting his mother.

If your new boyfriend finds her behaviour offensive, then it is time for him to have a serious discussion with his mother about this subject. Be supportive and loving as he goes through this process, being honest with your parents about their behaviour is tricky. Your only consolation is that, whilst we like to think that family acceptance is polarised in the gay world, the fact is that this situation is no different in the hetero world where families don’t particularly like one of their children’s partners.

Remember this is your boyfriend’s family and he needs to be clear on his expectations from his family as you do with yours. Don’t take this on as your problem or you will find it will consume your relationship and possibly ruin it.

Dear Rose, I need help! I have this friend and I know his BF is cheating on him. I’m hesitant to get involved as they are both close to me. What should I do?

Ron Dear Ron, As someone who has been cheated on, I felt that the whole world seemed to know what was happening in my relationship except me. What hurt the most was that none of my friends wanted to “get involved” and in the end I felt humiliated that I was the last to know.

Nobody likes to be thought of as the type of person who interferes in other people’s business; however, you seem genuinely concerned about both your friends’ welfare, so here is my Dear Rose advice.

FUSE 48

Rose

Dear

If you would like to write to dear rose please email her at dearrose@fusemagazine.com.au ~ letters are placed either here or on the Fuse website fusemagazine.com.au

Subtly check what arrangements they have regarding their relationship. Some folks have interesting views on how they conduct their relationships, which is cool as long as they both agree.

If there are no arrangements in place, make a time to see the cheating boyfriend on his own, have a chat to him about the situation. Remember that there are lots of reasons why someone cheats on someone else. A great friend will be empathetic and non judgemental, give them a chance to tell their side of the story. Be clear that your friend has to own up to what he has done and give him the chance to deal with it directly and privately with his partner.

Dear Rose, I’m a straight girl. My best friend is a gay guy and we spend nearly all our time together and even live together. The problem is I’m in love with him — God I’m such a cliché it’s embarrassing. I’m living a delusion that one day he’ll be with me — but I just can’t seem to let go of my fantasy and when he’s with other boys it tears me up inside.

Sad Girl Dear Sad Girl, Darling, darling, darling... it’s natural to love your best friend, especially if they are a beautiful gay boi. I mean what’s not to love? They are loads of fun, considerate, you can tell them anything and they will be on your side when you feel that the world is against you! I am a gay woman and sometimes I love being with my gay boi-friends more than I do with my girlfriend!

At the end of the day you need to be honest with yourself, he’s a gay man! It would be easy to hang onto the notion that one day he will suddenly turn out to be straight and want to be with you. The reality is pretty harsh and the likelihood of this happening is zero — you could waste a lifetime waiting around for someone who is never going feel how you do. What is a far sadder thought is all the missed opportunities you could have being with someone who will love you completely and wholly, if you hang onto this dream of your gay boi-friend.

My Dear Rose advice to you is: ween yourself from the gay boi-friend, take a brave step forward and start to hang out with other friends or do something new that doesn’t include your gay boi-friend. Find balance in your life between your gay boi-friend and a straight relationship, and draw on some of the traits that you love in your gay boi-friend with someone new.

}

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Courtney Act and her alter ego Shane Jenek

Same-sex couples are now legally entitled to the same workplace benefits as different-sex couples.

85 Federal laws that discriminated against same-sex couples have been reformed. To celebrate, 85 artists have created 85 T-shirts inspired by the changes. Find out which ones fit you.