FUSE 14 Going Solo, Hot Aussie & Gaytimes (Girl Cover)

GOING SOLO NO PARTNER REQUIRED! ROUGH &

TUMBLE

ROLLER DERBY GIRLS

POP GOES THE QWIRE A BRAVE NEW REPERTOIRE

SILENT

QUEERPHOBIA

CAMP STEREOTYPES OK

ROSEANNE

YOU THOUGHT SHE WAS DEAD

DRAG KINGS

BUTCH-A-GO-GO

SNUGGLE UP WITH US THIS WINTER & STAY WARM

14

08

We look at the culture of silent queerphobia still thriving in Hollywood and the entertainment industry.

16 Meet singer/songwriter Lucas

Kane Hall, the Aussie boy following

his dream in the Big Apple.

44 Get down and dirty with the girls

from Canberra Roller Derby League.

FUSE OP.ED 22 Nada Ratcliffe writes about ageing

successfully with independence

through active and positive lifestyles.

08

44å

FUSE14 JUNE 2010

20 The Canberra Kings are a bunch

of “boys” who like to woo the ladies,

offend people and have fun.

10

CONTENTS

FUSE FEATURES

36 Do we really need partners to be

complete? Hilary Caldwell writes

about going solo!

FUSE REGULARS 12

20 PUBLISHER & DESIGN Lithium Innovation Pty Ltd {www.lithium.net.au} EDITOR Alexander Thatcher {editor@fusemagazine.com.au}

{

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Yasmin Element

PRODUCTION & EDITORIAL Christopher Powell

CONTRIBUTORS Tony Hamlyn Simon Copland Brooklyn Hulands Rose Pappalardo Robert Henderson

Scott Malcolm Damien Pratt Stuart Poole Chad Wijayatilake Brendan Farnhill

Hilary Caldwell Nada Ratcliffe Lucy Jane Megan Munro Helen Stevens

PHOTOGRAPHERS Douglas Robinson

Snez Saravovska

Keith Jeffers

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

02 04 05 06 10 12 14 24 26 28 30 34 38 40 42 46 47 48

Editor’s Rant What’s On at the Movies What’s On in Canberra The Trap : Local & Gritty Footlights : Canberra Qwire The Buzz : News, Gossip & Stuff Footlights : Lying Cheating Bastard Out & About : The Laramie Project Money Shot : No Frills Budget Grooming : Layer it Up! Out & About : Canberra’s Night Life Ear Candy : Music Reviews Body Shape : Resist the Winter Binge Out & About : Gay Global Kiss-In World & Local News FUSE Community Directory FUSE Business Directory 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 or 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.

FUSE 1

Damien Pratt FUSE Music Reviewer Alexander Thatcher FUSE Editor

EDITOR’S RANT

Simon Copland FUSE Political Editor

Drinks after The Laramie Project

by Everyman Theatre. p24.

Photo by FUSE Photographer Snez Saravovska.

WHERE’S MY BEANIE? I’m not good in the cold, so it’s often a challenge for me to keep my spirits up in the winter months. I try to think of all the things I like about it: snow, snuggling and our slow combustion fireplace that sits in the living room — mmmmm... fireplace.

Over the next few months you’ll probably find me shivering somewhere close to the nearest heater, with fourteen layers of clothes and a beanie. I’m going to do my very best not to whinge too much this winter though (much to Christopher’s delight). I also thought I’d take Brendan’s advice and keep warm by eating lots of healthy soups and by spending time at the gym — it’s one of the only places you can still hang around in a singlet and shorts without freezing to death. p38.

This is FUSE’s second winter — it never ceases to amaze me how time flies. Last June in FUSE02, we had blues and roots singer/songwriter Kim Churchill on the cover and a year later we feature another up and coming young talent: Lucas Kane Hall, a gay boy from Bendigo. He has taken a bag of dreams and his favourite guitar to New York where he hopes to find fame and fortune. We talked to him recently and he told us all about life in the music biz and what he thinks of the New York scene.

He’s a great guy, talented and pretty easy on the eyes as well. p16.

We welcome back Hilary Caldwell our resident sexuality expert. She writes how choosing to be single is ok and how ‘going solo’ doesn’t mean you’re incomplete.

Often we desperately seek out relationships — or continue dysfunctional ones — just because it’s seen as a social requirement to be “normal”. Being healthy means truly knowing what’s best for you. Warning, this is not a Pope approved article. p36.

Talking about the Pope (I love a cheesy segue), he would love the fact that another feature film with central gay characters has been shelved. Hollywood big wigs are uncomfortable with the subject matter… Oh please, it’s 2010 FGS! But it goes deeper than that — read all about silent queerphobia in the entertainment industry. p08.

Apparently there’s no queerphobia on the Roller Derby ring, just a bunch of ‘rough and tumble’ girls having truckloads of fun on skates. Hot pants are go! p44. Plus don’t miss our article on the Gay and Lesbian Qwire, who are performing their new pop repertoire at The Street Theatre on Sunday 20 June. Just regular pants, sorry! p10.

Christoper Powell Yasmin Element

Lastly I’d just like to say thanks to the Everyman Theatre Company who put on The Laramie Project last month at the Canberra Theatre, it was… well… bloody fantastic.

We attended opening night with FUSE contributors, VIPs and our ticket winners.

It was a great night and of course we enjoyed the free wine. p24. Make sure you catch their next production Kiss of the Spider Woman which opens 30 September.

Enjoy, Alex.

FUSE 2

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

}

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FUSE 3

At the Movies ANIMAL KINGDOM : OPENS 3 JUNE

A powerful crime drama, Animal Kingdom tells the story of a tense battle between a dangerous criminal family and the police, and the young man who finds himself caught in the crossfire.

Following the death of his mother, Joshua ‘J’ Cody finds himself living with his hitherto estranged family — a family populated by armed robbers and drug dealers. J quickly comes to believe that he is a player in this world. But as he soon discovers, this world is far larger and more menacing than he could ever imagine.

PRINCE OF PERSIA : THE SANDS OF TIME OPENS 27 MAY This one is going to be big kids and is full of exceptional man candy, playing rough. Set in the mystical lands of Persia, a rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) and a mysterious princess (Gemma Arterton) race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time — a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world. Prince of Persia also stars Ben Kingsley.

When tensions between family and police reach a bloody peak and J finds himself at the centre of a cold-blooded revenge plot, it is the job of senior cop, Nathan Leckie (Guy Pearce), to lure J into the police fold and then shepherd him through a complex minefield of witness protection, corrupt cops, slippery lawyers and a paranoid and vengeful underworld.

THE A TEAM : OPENS 10 JUNE THE A—Team follows the exciting and daring exploits of a colorful team of former Special Forces soldiers who were set up for a crime they did not commit. Going ‘rogue,’ they utilize their unique talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit.

Liam Neeson (Taken), Bradley Cooper (The Hangover), mixed martial arts champ Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, and District 9 sensation Sharlto Copley, are The A—Team.

SEX AND THE CITY 2 : OPENS 2 JUNE Have you missed Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda? I know we have. Well they’re back to take another big juicy bite out of the Big Apple in the sequel to the 2008 summer blockbuster.

See what our very own entertainment guru Tony Hamlyn has to say about Sex and the City 2 — ‘THE BUZZ’ on p12.

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 to the FUSE website and you could win these great Dendy movie tickets • email: hello@fusemagazine.com.au • www.fusemagazine.com.au

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

www.dendy.com.au

FUSE 4

ENNIO MARCHETTO One Night Only!

Thursday 17 June 8pm The Playhouse Canberra Theatre

{

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

WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON JUNE ‘The Living Paper Cartoon’ comes to Canberra. Experience Marilyn Monroe, Britney Spears, Elton John, Lady Gaga and many more pop icons like you’ve never seen them before!

International sensation Ennio Marchetto, the living paper cartoon, brings his unique blend of clowning, mime and origami to Canberra for the first time on 17 June for one-night-only.

Bookings 02 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au

QWIRE TOPS THE POP The Canberra Gay & Lesbian Qwire Sunday 20 June 3pm : $15 Adults $10 Cons.

The first concert by the Canberra Gay and Lesbian Qwire under the direction of their new conductor, Ken Teoh is total pop. There’ll be no protest songs, no classical numbers, no tedious chanting rounds, just lots of fabulous pop songs that we all love from the 60s to the noughties. No other choir in Canberra will have such a program.

Read a full review by Robert Henderson on p10.

At The Street Theatre : 15 Childers Street, City West Bookings 02 6247 1223 or www.thestreet.org.au

BENT LENSES : GAY FILM NIGHTS Friday 4 June 7pm : Eating Out 1 Friday 25 June 7pm : Eating Out 2 How far would you go to get the person of your dreams? In Eating Out 2, Kyle convinced his straight roommate to pretend to be gay to get the girl. Now, with the help of Gwen and Tiffani, Kyle pretends to be heterosexual to land Troy, the new guy — and nude model — in town, only to find himself joining the campus ex-gay support group and nabbing a girlfriend! Kyle’s ex boyfriend, Marc, is horrified at the plan and decides to pursue the confused Troy with his own tactic — being his out gay self. Who will win him first?

CSIRO Discovery Centre, Nth Science Road, Acton Tickets & Bar open from 7.00pm : $10

RAINBOW BOWLERS ON SUNDAYS! Sundays : AMF Belconnen : 1 Emu Bank Looking for something to do on a Sunday night? Well it’s all new and it’s at Belconnen Bowling Alley — Gay and Lesbian Bowling on Sundays. Come along, meet new people or hang out with your friends. For only $20 you get three games, plus a beer, wine or soft drink. From 7pm on Sunday nights. More p7.

SEE THE NEW FUSE COMMUNITY DIRECTORY ON PAGE 46 FUSE 5

THE TRAP

THE

By Brooklyn Hulands www.brooklynross.com

SEATS GOING UP

MONEY GOING AROUND

My fellow political nerds — get excited!

Hundreds of millions of dollars could soon be spent bringing world class soccer back to Canberra. But not everyone is convinced it’s worth it.

There have been plenty of comparisons between seventeen-year-old sailing ‘hero’ Jessica Watson, and other ‘less-respectable’ Gen Y celebrities.

It was the second last day of sitting in 2009 that saw Malcolm Turnbull dumped as Liberal leader — and with Parliament’s long winter break now just weeks away, any changes could be imminent.

Kevin07 is battling his lowest popularity since coming to power. The opposition wants to smear the Prime Minister, but is worried an untarnished Julia Gillard could be pushed to the top at the last minute.

She’s the one tipped to eventually replace the PM. And if opinion polls get any worse this month, that one-day could be surprisingly soon.

The man who won Australian hearts three years ago will cling to power like Kerry O’Brien clutching a question on the ETS. But after waiting twelve years to bring down John Howard, the Labor Party could turn out to be Kevin’s biggest problem.

6

{

POLLS GOING DOWN AIn what’s turning into an unpopularity contest between Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd, both major parties will spend the next few weeks positioning themselves for the upcoming Federal election.

FUSE

TRAP As part of Australia’s bid for a FIFA World Cup, plans have been revealed for a new 40,000 seat stadium at Bruce. It’s expected to cost $270 million in total, with the ACT only billed $100 million of that.

It’s a sweet deal that the ACT Government isn’t planning to turn down. We’ll be the biggest winner if the World Cup gets approved, and will be left with a downsized 27,000 capacity stadium, ready for soccer, union, league and maybe even a concert or two.

But it’s a lot of money to duplicate what’s right next door. Canberra Stadium (with a capacity of 25,000) rarely sells out for a Raiders or Brumbies game. A-League matches proved even less popular last year, while the stadium’s rectangular design will mean AFL and cricket stay in Manuka.

It’ll be good enough to attract more international games to Canberra, but the new stadium would have little benefit for locals.

It’s an attractive half price offer, but in this case, we’d be getting what we paid for.

But I don’t see all the differences.

As the Queenslander was sailing solo around the world, other young celebs hung out with their hot boyfriends, binge-drank, and gave the producers of their movie sexy lap dances. Or more specifically — Miley Cyrus kept on living.

Cyrus (also seventeen) has been criticised for not being more of a Watson-like role model. She can sing and has fun, and is surrounded by people able to turn that into money.

Compare it to Jessica’s equally useful talent. Able to sail a GPS-assisted boat around the globe, those by her side had squeezed every last cent from her story before she’d even returned to safety.

She was told to wait offshore for days before sailing into a massive Sydney media circus — with time to write more of her book as she waited for One HD’s continuous live coverage.

We can’t blame the girls themselves, but can question their level of exploitation.

Billy Ray Cyrus says his daughter was ‘just having fun’ when she grinded the 44-year-old movie producer. Roger Watson says it would have been worse to stop his daughter sailing the globe, than to lose her in the attempt.

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FUSE 7

By Simon Copland

FEATURE

{

THE

SILENT QUEERPHOBIA

OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

There is an episode of Will and Grace that I always seem to remember. In this episode Jack gets excited because his favourite TV show is going to show a ‘man on man’ kiss for the first time on prime time television. When the episode goes on air however, the kiss is not actually shown, but just implied. Jack is rightfully upset and spends the rest of the episode fighting with the network over the treatment of queer people on television. The episode ends with Will and Jack kissing on Regis Live, therefore becoming the two men who have the first ‘man on man’ kiss on prime time television.

This episode sticks out for me because it manages to hit the nail on the head when it comes to the issue of homophobia in the entertainment industry, whilst doing so through a very homophobic prism.

This episode has a great narrative around the treatment of queer people in the entertainment industry. Queer people are still regularly left out of prime time film and TV, and queer sex is extremely rare and never graphic in its description (i.e. it is only ever implied, never shown). For example, after a successful run at film festivals around the world, a new film called I Love You, Phillip Morris, has recently found it extremely difficult to break through in cinemas. Whilst the film managed to get some distribution in Europe, it was not until many of the gay sex scenes were deleted that it found a distributer in the US. Even after this though, the film has been delayed a number of times and when released is unlikely to be widely distributed.

I Love You, Phillip Morris, just like the characters in Jack’s show, is the victim of overt homophobia from the entertainment industry. Being a film with some raunchy ‘man on man’ sex scenes the film was clearly considered either not appropriate for mainstream consumption or at least unable to make money for any of the mainstream distributors.

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Many DVD stores now have decent queer film sections. But these films are still part of a niche genre — a niche that is normally only targeted at queer audiences and normally receive very little success. As Scott Stiffle author of Why Hollywood Avoids Gay Movies states:

FUSE 8

‘Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transvestite cinema is still seen as an underground, specific genre. When it comes to Hollywood mainstream, they (film distributors) want the widest audience possible for the amount of money they spend.’

This is true, even for mainstream queer films. Brokeback Mountain for example, only grossed $83 million dollars in the US, whilst I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (about two heterosexual men who enter into a civil partnership as part of a pension scam) was able to bring in $120 million.

Yet, this sort of homophobia, which is the most obvious, is not actually the most prevalent. The most prevalent, and the most silent, is that of the Will and Grace type. It is the homophobia that puts queer characters in a special box where their queerness is quite evident (through pushing stereotypes) and laughed at. Queer characters are rarely serious and if they are, they are pushed into the niche genre. As Scott Stiffle says:

‘Mostly straight, multiplex-going audiences don’t want to see a romantic comedy in which two dudes get it on; unless it is meant as a joke.’

Will and Grace is full of this type of homophobia. Will, one of the main characters, starts off relatively ‘straight acting’. The other gay character in the show, Jack, offsets this by being overtly camp. This creates the comedy for the show; something that would have been missing if both characters were straight acting. As the show goes on, Will gets more camp — quite clearly a reaction to the popularity of Jack as a character. Jack and Will are also never seen having any form of sex, or even getting close to it. Whilst they talk about sex, it is generally only spoken about after the fact and even kissing is not shown. This is despite the fact that Grace is shown kissing and occasionally having sex (although not graphically).

Because it is considered hard to make stereotypical non-gay queer characters either sexy or funny (which is the aim of the queer characters in other genres)? For example, the stereotypical angry, butch lesbian is someone who you apparently can’t make sexy or funny. The facts that not all lesbians are butch and angry; that just because someone is butch and angry that doesn’t mean they can’t be funny and sexy; or that even if they aren’t funny and angry they can still be a good and serious character, are simply ignored. There are certain roles queer characters are there to play, and according to general stereotypes, it is only gay men that can do this.

THIS SILENT HOMOPHOBIA OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IS PRESENT AND EXTREMELY STRONG.

STRAIGHT ACTING GAYS + OVERTLY CAMP STEREOTYPES = FUNNY = RATINGS = CASH This broad treatment of the gay characters in Will and Grace can be seen across the film and television industry (I say gay characters, because it is extremely rare to see Lesbians, Bisexuals, Intersex or Trans* people on mainstream TV — more about this soon).

In fact, when looking at any mainstream TV shows or movies that involve gay characters you can see that they are always put into particular boxes.

Either they are a ‘mainstream’ character or they are a joke character.

Mainstream characters are those who play the lead in a show — i.e. Will.

These characters’ generally have very little character depth, apart from their sexuality, which is displayed in a very sexual way even though they are never shown having sex on screen (for example, Will is always shown walking around in tank tops, but never has sex). Joke characters, such as Jack, fill the comic void, through making a joke out of their sexuality.

They do so through acting overtly camp and making a joke over their homosexuality. Normally these characters are the same person — they are a sexy person who you can laugh at.

These roles are generally only true for gay men. That is because other queer people are simply not shown on mainstream TV or film. Why?

Queer people are left out of mainstream television and film and when they are let in, are placed into a stereotypical box that creates a character role that is focused solely on the funniness of their sexuality.

It doesn’t have to stay like this. Some queer film is now moving away from being a niche category. Films such as Brokeback Mountain, A Single Man and I Love You, Phillip Morris are starting to bring queer entertainment into the mainstream. Yet, even though these films are good, they are still narrow in their focus (i.e. they are still solely based on gay men). We should support these films, but do so in a way that encourages the broadening of the genre itself to fully reflect the diversity of queer people.

However, it is not the queer film industry that is solely going to solve the problem.

We are not going to see any major change in the entertainment industry until we start to break down the queer stereotypes that still dominate our society. This is a tough challenge, but one we must rise to.

FUSE 9

wire

FOOTLIGHTS

Q

P O P E H T S P TO {

By Robert Henderson

The first concert by the Canberra Gay and Lesbian Qwire under the direction of their new conductor, Ken Teoh is total pop. Performing on Sunday 20 June at 3pm at the Street Theatre, there’ll be no protest songs, classical numbers or tedious chanting rounds, just lots of fabulous pop songs that we all love from the 60s to the noughties. No other choir in Canberra will have such a program.

Qwire publicist, Susan Nicholls told me we’ll be getting only the best and most enjoyable songs. Someone’s pop of the 60s is now considered a classic, such as ‘Hallelujah’, especially as pop has such an affinity with youth; So yesterday’s youth is catered for as well as today’s youth, with items as recent as Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Viva’ and ‘Fix You’. This is a concert like you’ve never seen the Qwire perform before. ‘My Immorta’ by Evanescence, Amy Winehouse’s ‘Rehab’, ‘Happy Ending’ by Mika, and an ABBA and a Queen medley are just some of the highlights. The boys will sing ‘Bridge over Troubled Waters’, while the girls do ‘Hallelujah’. Many of the songs have been arranged by Teoh or Qwire member Tim Little.

The Qwire’s new Musical Director, Ken Teoh takes over from highly esteemed previous director, Leanne Linmore.

Like Leanne, Ken sets the highest possible standards for quality. He’s a highly sought after and experienced choral director, recently seen on Battle of the Choirs with the Strange Weather Gospel Choir. Ken brings an enormous amount of energy and dynamism, as well as an incredible level of musicianship. Ken is currently the Artistic and Musical Director of the ABC’s Community Choir, and has held the positions of Artistic Director and Musical Director of numerous Canberra choirs including the Canberra Boys Choir, the Strange Weather Gospel Choir, the Burton & Garran Singers and the Canberra Youth Choir. But his theatrical and musical background also means an emphasis on entertainment and dance. This promises to be a concert not to miss and one sure to sell out.

You may not know but the Qwire is a teenager, seventeen-years-old, so pop music is ideal for them to perform. They toured USA, France and New Zealand, as well as many places in Australia.

The Canberra Gay & Lesbian Qwire 3pm Sunday 20 June $15 / $10 Conc.

Street Theatre Bookings 6247 1223

Some may argue that calling them pop is putting them down a bit, especially with such complex and beautiful songs as Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’. But that is only the case if you think of pop as being solely commercial, simplistic fairy floss. I tend to think of the best of pop as the songs that get in your head and soul, speak to the widest audience; after all, pop just means popular.

Coming as a classical music devote, I also love my pop which sometimes captures the feelings in someone’s heart and soul best. As a former Qwire member, I’m looking forward to seeing this brand new repertoire.

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Always having an enviable reputation for quality, they were chosen by ABC Classic FM to perform live setting a record for the largest Sunday Live audience attendance. More recently they performed at the opening of the Museum for Democracy in Canberra and are in regular demand to sing at community events, fundraisers, memorial services and most recently at the AIDS candlelight vigil at The National Museum of Australia.

THE STREET THEATRE IS SUPPORTED BY THE

ACT GOVERNMENT

FUSE 11

THE

NEWS GOSSIP & STUFF

BUZZ

*

{

By Tony Hamlyn

JOHNNY WEIR ~ THE CARRIE DIARIES ~ GAY KEVIN KELLER ~ ROSEANNE BARR

ROSEANNE’S RETURN Ever wondered whatever happened to Roseanne? She had almost a decade of one of the biggest sitcoms in television history, became a huge star and media icon, tried her hand at a failed talk show, and then seemingly disappeared without a trace. Well wonder no more, as Roseanne Barr is back as part of a new panel show called The Green Room, starting in the US June 10th.

From what I understand, the show is a sit-down discussion with some of the finest and funniest names in the comic world, all discussing comedy and… stuff.

It’s hosted by Paul Provenza — director and producer of the fantastic 2005 documentary The Aristocrats, in which more than a hundred comedians tell the world’s most disgusting and infamous joke — and is set to feature comedic talents such as Andy Dick, Tommy Smothers, Bob Saget and Aussie Brendon Burns, to name just a few. The most exciting part is of course Roseanne’s return, and also the inclusion of Judaism’s gift to girl-ongirl action, the sensational Sandra Bernhard.

Showtime are responsible which means, because they’re a premium cable channel, they are not limited by the censorship that the other major networks are held to. So the funnier and more outrageous moments stay in the show! No airdate has been set for Australian audiences as yet, but expect to see it before the end of the year somewhere on FOXTEL, most likely The Comedy Channel.

THE GAYS COME TO

RIVERDALE! I grew up on Archie Comics. In fact, along with Richie Cunningham, Archie is the latent influence that still has me chasing redheads to this very day. So I was thrilled to hear the news that they are adding a gay guy to the cannon of Riverdale characters later this year. Veronica #202, due September 2010, introduces Kevin Keller, a tall blonde boy, who hits town and promptly beats Jughead in a hamburger eating contest (Euphemism? You decide…). Impressed by his mad hamburger eating skills, Veronica tries to win the newcomer over with her wily brunette ways, not realising the new dude is in fact homo-licious.

It’s a wonderful way to introduce a character like this into the Archie world, with the gang having fun at Veronica’s expense, watching her try everything in her power to get the guy, not realising he bats for the other team. Being totally Team Betty I could not be happier with this storyline, but what’s really significant here is that the integration of a gay character into a cultural phenomenon like Archie Comics is being done in a clever, low-key way, without being overly hyped or controversial.

It’s business as usual for all the existing characters, and most importantly it does it without being hurtful of patronising to any part of the GLBT community (except those of us who don’t like hamburgers).

According to the co-Chief Exec of Archie Comics, Jon Goldwater, ‘The introduction of Kevin is just about keeping the world of Archie Comics current and inclusive. Archie’s hometown of Riverdale has always been a safe world for everyone.

It just makes sense to have an openly gay character in Archie Comic books.’

Three cheers for them! I doubt we’ll see any locker room action with Reggie, and I won’t hold my breath for any girl on girl action between Sabrina and Betty, but this is a pretty decent step in the right direction, no question.

FUSE 12

WEIR-Y

JOHNNY

PREQUEL IN THE CITY Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City — the book skimmed from the newspaper column that begat the whole phenomenon — has released a brand new chapter in the SATC franchise. The Carrie Diaries is a prequel to the Sex and the City we all know and love, and it tells the tale of a seventeen-year-old Carrie Bradshaw, wannabe writer and fashion adventurer, entering her senior year of high school and generally dealing with life in smalltown Connecticut, USA. It all sounds so trite, doesn’t it? Well, don’t be too quick to judge. A recent excerpt, published by Teen Vogue online (and before you ask, no I don’t often peruse teenvogue.com, but perhaps I will now) was sort of fun, in a Sweet Valley High kind of way.

Imagine teen angst, but with an edgy twist, or Vampire Diaries with op-shops. I mean, style-wise this is aimed well and truly at the teen market. But let’s not underestimate the sort of cross-generational appeal a book like this will have. Twilight certainly wasn’t intended for sophisticated thirty-somethings but that hasn’t stopped every middle-aged cougar and her best gay friend the world over from buying into the Stephenie Meyers cult, right?

The one thing that’s always been missing from SATC storylines is of course family. Other than a funeral for Miranda’s mother, a divorce for Charlotte’s brother, and a bizarre flu remedy referenced to Samantha’s mother, we’ve never really gotten the back story for these women’s upbringings or the relationships they’ve had with their siblings and parents. I myself am looking forward to finding out a little more about what shaped Carrie Bradshaw into the fabulously chic ball of senseless neuroses we see before us today.

The book is available online, and should be hitting Aussie bookstores any time soon.

Anyone who watched the Vancouver Winter Olympics will of course remember the showmanship and shimmy of American skater Johnny Weir. The former threetime US Champion, who hasn’t sniffed a medal for a few years now, obviously recognised his star might be fading and so went all out at this year’s Olympics, if not to grab glory, at least to grab attention. Well, more power to him, ‘cos he’s now taking time to “reassess” his skating career and is powering on with a number of other enterprises. And man, this girl is busy!

Having completed judging duties at this year’s Miss USA pageant, where his outlandish ‘Bird Jacket’ stole headlines and tickled chins, he went straight into the studio to record a single. The song, entitled ‘Dirty Love’, doesn’t necessarily mean delusions of pop grandeur thank goodness. Johnny stated in a recent interview with People Magazine online, ‘If I only do one song in my life, I want it to be a huge success,’ but then added that his main goal is to get to sing it at the MTV Video Music Awards in some outrageous ice themed performance. Camp!

But wait… that’s not all! There’s also a book deal, with a tell-all memoir to rival any steamy Jackie Collins novel due out in January.

The book will focus mainly on the racy world of competitive ice dancing, but will also touch on Johnny’s ‘different relationships, whether it be a family member or someone I lost my virginity to.’

In case you haven’t already seen the online reality show Be Good Johnny Weir (do it! do it now!), there are talks with HBO about a biopic, possibly starring the man himself — can’t wait for that one.

And as if that’s not enough, now there’s a very public bitch fight to perpetuate with current US and Olympic champion, Evan Lysacek, the two of them going at it like cats in a box. After Evan commented on Johnny’s exclusion from the upcoming Stars On Ice tour (seriously!) saying the “flamboyant” skater lacked talent, Johnny then did what any self-respecting queen would do, and slagged off his rival on the Wendy Williams talk show by calling him a “slore” (conjunctive of slut and whore). High road, indeed!

I should point out at this stage that Weir has remained steadfastly ambiguous when asked about his sexuality — well, as ambiguous as a figure skating pageant judge in a ‘Bird Jacket’ can — taking the old Ricky Martin route and refusing to answer either way. Talk show hosts such as Chelsea Handler and Joy Behar have made assumptions about his sexuality, (mistakenly?) referring to him as gay during interviews, and he’s chosen to not comment in any way, shape or form, which is of course his prerogative. So whether you love him or hate him, buckle up for a bumpy ride, ‘cos you’ll be seeing an awful lot of Johnny Weir and his various exploits over the upcoming months.

FUSE 13

FOOTLIGHTS

I ALWAYS WIN, ALWAYS. COS I NEVER GO AGAINST THE PERCENTAGES, I CONTROL THE VARIABLES, AND I DON’T LEAVE ANYTHING TO CHANCE.

OH YEAH. AND I CHEAT! JIMMY GARCIA

“

SPEND THE NIGHT WITH A

LYING CHEATING

I love magic shows and tricks. I used to read up all about them as a kid but some of the joy faded as I grew older and the tricks grew tired. So when something refreshingly different comes along, I embrace it.

Lying Cheating Bastard at The Q from 27 July blends close-up magic tricks with the tale of a fatherless young lad’s gradual immersion into the grift and con world of Sydney and how Jimmy Garcia, aka the Cricket, became the most successful con-man in Australia by the age of 27.

The play blends the story with increasingly bewildering and amazing card tricks and cons. A large screen projects the finer details of the tricks, but no matter how hard you look, you’ll not see the solution.

Staring and co-writing the play is spunky hunky 23-yearold James Galea,

FRESH FROM THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW THIS YEAR,

where you can see the tricks that left her dumbfounded; Watch as he carefully places her unique signed card into her open palm, only to turn it over moments later to show not only a different card, but suddenly the back has changed colour too.

FUSE 14

BASTARD Unlike the traditional suited magician, Galea wears a too-tight black t-shirt and jeans.

There’s no sleeves to hide anything up. When he pulls off a trick, his laugh is loud, infectious and genuine. Like Jimmy Garcia in the play, you know he’s going to trick you, but

SOMEHOW YOU WANT TO BE TRICKED, CHEATED AND CONNED. From the age of fourteen, Galea started learning tricks from a guy he thought to be a magician, but turned out he was a professional conman, cheating at high roller poker games. When cheating professionally, you have to be good or you’ll get killed. So Galea learned from the best.

His previous show, I Hate Rabbits, was a sell-out success Australia-wide and as was the premiere of Lying Cheating Bastard in Sydney last year.

At The Q Performing Arts Centre, Queanbeyan.

Tuesday 27 July to Saturday 31 July 2010.

Bookings 6298 0290.

{

By Robert Henderson

Starring Australia’s No.1 Magician James Galea, Lying Cheating Bastard is an intriguing tale of a young man drawn into the seedy underbelly of Sydney

A Soft Tread Production

Playing at ‘The Q’ Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 27-31 July.

Tickets: Adults – $42 Conc. & groups – $37 Under 26 – $32 All matinees – $27

“

Bookings: Phone 6298 0290 or www.theq.net.au

It keeps you on the hook, right up to the cliffhanger at interval, after which the plot steals the show. From there, everything takes on the hyperbolic quality of a Hollywood crime caper with Jimmy’s redemption, framed in a masterly display of the black art of card trickery, taking us out on the required high note.

”

– Jason Blake SMH This production was produced in association with Merrigong Theatre Company and supported through NORPA’s Generator program.

This tour has been made possible by the New South Wales Government through Arts NSW

FUSE 15

FEATURE

LUCAS KANE HALL

I can just imagine how exciting it must be for a country boy to find himself living in New York being a singer and songwriter.

It’s very cool and I must say I’m very impressed (and a little jealous) about how Lucas Kane Hall has been brave enough to follow his dream and go straight to the deep end of the pool — exceptional. No matter what happens from this point on for Lucas, at least he’ll never find himself wondering ‘what if?’

Lucus arrived in New York just over a year ago with a few bags, his EP of ‘chilled out acoustic pop,’ and his favourite guitar under his arm. Since then Lucas has had one of his songs, ‘Tomorrow’ selected for the soundtrack of an award winning film, The Third Letter and he’s also secured a recording deal with the Tyler Music Group, famous for their work with Taylor Swift, Jewel and The Dixie Chicks.

Lucas took a little time out of his busy life to reconnect with Australia and chat to us at FUSE Magazine about how things have been going.

FUSE 16

Hi Lucas, thanks for taking the time to speak with us. So what’s it like for a Bendigo boy in the Big Apple, it must be quite a culture shock?

Thanks for having me Alex. Luckily there were a few cities in between Bendigo and New York, otherwise this would have been much more of a culture shock than it already was! When it comes down to it, I’m a country boy at heart, I have come from an amazingly strong and down to earth family background, which I’m so very grateful for but I always knew from a young age that I would move away to the city.

We love your sound. How did you become a muso?

{

Interview by Alex Thatcher

Thanks! I taught myself to play the guitar when I was fifteen. I would stay up all night learning Jewel songs, she was such an inspiration to me when I was younger, and still is today. Then around the same time I joined a band as the guitarist and songwriter and was really influenced by artists like Fiona Apple and Veruca Salt. I still look back on those songs that we wrote and think that they rock.

I was actually sixteen when I wrote my first solo acoustic track and it just hit me like a bolt of lightning. I remember jumping around my room because I was so excited, I knew with all of my heart that music was what I wanted to do. The next day I told my dad, ‘Dad, I want to drop out of school, and become a singer,’ which I think really shocked him... He said I could leave school but that I would have to commit and give my all to pursuing a career in music — which I did.

A career in the entertainment industry can be a bit of a gamble but so far my gamble has paid off. I’ve performed in Australia and Japan and now America where I’ve been able to record at the famous Sound Emporium studios in Nashville with muso’s who have actually played with Jewel. I feel very blessed.

How would you classify your sound?

I would describe my sound as chilled out, acoustic pop music. It’s fundamentally grounded in folk, but I also love a good pop tune with catchy lyrics. My music has really developed over the years, I initially wrote very introverted songs, but over time I realised that there was no need to be so damn sad all the time!

AUSSIE BOY IN THE BIG APPLE NYC is so comfy for me, I really love the energy of this place, everyone here is pushing themselves to the max, striving to achieve their goals, and everyone I meet is going after it with all forces.

New York attracts people from all over the world because it’s seen as the centre of entertainment and a place where things can ‘happen’ for your career. It also helps that the lifestyle is awesome; bars, restaurants, and the spectacular apartments! It’s the type of energy I thrive on!

“

...STAY TRUTHFUL, REFUSE TO HIDE AWAY AND CONTINUE TO BE PROUD...

What are you listening to on your ipod at the moment?

Right now it’s Begin to Hope from Regina Spektor, (which is an amazing musical that just stars only two people), oh and Lady Gaga, she is just crazy cool.

So who are your music mentors?

I love Regina Spektor for her experimentation of sound; Sam Sparrow for his courage and jazzy tones; Missy Higgins for her lyrical brilliance; Alex Lloyd for his originality and vocal styling; Jason Mraz for the new way he presents acoustic pop; Bob Evans for his overall sound; and Billie Holiday for her calming quality. I listen to one of them at least once a day, just to stay inspired.

Do you have a favorite gay artist?

I really love what Jay Brannan is doing, he is such an amazing talent. Missy Higgins is outstanding in my eyes, her records really tell such a wonderful story — I would love to tour with her one day. I recently saw Sean Hayes in Promises Promises here on Broadway and he was amazingly hilarious, and Ellen of course, who has broken down the perceived limitations and expectations of what can be achieved by a gay person in entertainment. She’s an absolute inspiration.

Do you think being a gay guy makes any difference to getting gigs and film work?

Going into this next level in my career, I’m sure issues will pop up, but for me it’s always been important to be honest and never deny who I am. So I’ll just continue to be truthful and to create good music and have faith that the rest will sort itself out. So far I have no complaints as the US has welcomed me and my music, with open arms.

With regards to film work, there was an article in the US media recently where a journalist wrote asking if a gay actor could play a straight character, I believe the answer is of course we can. It’s acting!

Society is changing though; people are much more open and accepting of sexuality.

It’s still unfortunately an issue for some but one day at a time I say, as long as people just stay truthful, refuse to hide away and continue to be proud of who they are, we will continue to break down issues like this.

FUSE 17

So all the guys at FUSE want to know, what are the boys and the scene like over there in NY?

A lot of my first EP Stars and Blue has songs of growing up as an introverted kid, never really knowing where I fitted into the world. ‘Seventeen’ is a song about me in a hurry to find my way as a gay teenager; ‘She Used to Sing the Blues’ is a track I wrote about a wonderful lady I grew up with in Bendigo who was a wonderful support for me emotionally; I also have a track called ‘Adam and Eve’, which questions religion and trying to fit into the grand scheme of things. A lot of my songs are personal, but some are fiction, stories that are in my head, but I would say ninety per cent are about love.

Boys are boys! But I find NYC to have much more diversity in the gay world, half of the guys here you wouldn’t even know were gay — my gaydar is useless now! The clubs and bars are awesome though, very sleek and glam. Of course you have your typical dive clubs — but what gay scene wouldn’t be complete without them, right?

We hear you’ve done some film and TV work as well, tell us about that.

While I was studying performing arts in Melbourne, I landed a gig as a featured dancer in the film Love’s Brother with Adam Garcia. It was such an amazing gig. I remember stepping on his foot during one of the scenes actually — I just remembered that now — he was so cool about it though. It was so much fun as a young actor, I got to meet so many great people. It was such a surreal moment dancing next to Adam, one of those “And I get paid for this?” moments.

I was also fortunate to open the NRL grand final with Kelly Clarkson, and INXS while I was studying dance at Brent Street in Sydney. Kelly was amazing, I walked her off the grounds afterwards, I was so nervous because I loved her music so much, it was right around the time of ‘Miss Independent’. She was such a sweetie-pie. I’ve appeared in a few commercials for Mitsubishi, PCYC, and for a college, oh and I also danced at the Australian Film Institute awards opening in Melbourne wearing nothing but a trench-coat, and had to jump on a trampoline... enough said.

MY GAYDAR IS USELESS...

I live right near Hell’s Kitchen, which is the gay strip here in NYC. I usually go to Therapy, which is an amazing bar. They have really funny shows and amazing cosmos.

Is there somebody special in your life, or are you playing the field in the big apple?

Yes there is, I have been in a relationship for six years. I know right? Unheard of! I am very much in love. We moved to NYC together. We have such a wonderful relationship. We’ve been through the whole long distance thing, spending a year apart while I was in Japan, so being together on this adventure is truly amazing.

Do you remember your first kiss?

I do! It was a dare. We were sitting on one of those giant industrial freezers at his house — I think we were around eight-years-old, and our friends dared us to kiss. Oh, how cute.

Funnily enough he is also gay now.

So do you think you’ll come back to Oz? Yes for sure. I love NYC, but home is Australia, if the opportunities were there in Oz I would be there but there are so many great things happening over here for me, with my Nashville management, album and shows so for now, it makes sense to be here. I am planning a trip to Australia in the autumn to play some shows, visit my family and my brother is in Canberra now, so I’ll be going there too. It’ll also give me a chance to get my fill of all the things I really miss about Australia like cordial, vegemite, the searing sun, and a good latte!!

Visit Lucas online and grab a copy of his debut album ‘My Name in Wingdings’ on itunes. www.lucaskanehall.com www.ustream.tv/channel/lucaskanehall

FUSE 18 18

LUCAS KANE HALL

“

Do any of your songs have gay themes? Are there any personal stories there?

Polo Trendline 3 door manual from $19,698 driveaway* There’s more to performance than just looking the part.

To some, performance is all about sporty looks and big engines. The new Polo’s performance goes much deeper. Its light, compact petrol and diesel engines aren’t just designed to make Polo more fun to drive, but to deliver power smoothly and efficiently. Opt for a TSI or TDI direct-injection engine and you’ll get amazing low-end torque, effortless acceleration and just the right amount of fuel at the right time, for excellent economy and low emissions. Plus an optional 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) shifts faster than you ever could, making your transitions between gears seamless. So Polo gives you all the driving enjoyment its outer looks promise. If substance is something that matters to you as well, visit Lennock Volkswagen for a test drive today.

The new Polo. For dedicated followers of no one.

Your Volkswagen Partner

Lennock Volkswagen

150 Melrose Drive, Phillip Phone 1300 724 084 LMVD17000028

* Price excludes metallic paint $500.00 extra.

FUSE 19

COMMUNITY FEATURE

{

THE CANBERRA KINGS THE CANBERRA KINGS ARE A BUNCH OF BOYS WHO LIKE TO WOO THE LADIES, OFFEND PEOPLE AND HAVE FUN.

The Kings, who you may have seen performing are Nelida Contreras aka Rocco Hardness, Kelly Butcher aka Butch Bendson, Rhiannon Galla aka Lance Libido, Mandy Sharplin aka Phil Hymen, Lisa Gooding aka Beau Bouncer, Mary Kirkman aka Rik Shaw, Jo Martin aka Harley Hungwell, Megan Munro aka Green Teal, Billy Tonkin aka Billy Bragger, Julie Maynard aka Axle Rod and Claire Worrall aka Egon Upder and Stretch aka Alyssa Bagley.

It all began when Mr Green Teal won a Drag King Idol at Cube and came second in another drag competition also held there.

Following this, with encouragement and support from Rocco, Green facilitated a drag workshop in 2008. The idea behind the workshop was to share ideas and learn from each other. From the workshop a number of kings were born: Rocco, Butch, Lance, Phil, Beau and Rik. These Kings performed at the Purple Party as the Canberra Kings at the end of 2008 to a couple of hundred screaming women.

The performance was very popular and the Kings were invited to come along and perform at a World AIDS Day fundraiser held at the relatively new Hush Lounge. Around this time the Kings had a meeting for those who had come to the workshop and for several others who had not attended but were interested in being involved. The overwhelming wish of the group was that it wanted to have a community focus, to be inclusive and encouraging of all women/people who might want to give drag a try. It was about encouraging personal development, as well as something that was fun that would bring people in the community together.

A number of the Kings went on to perform at various events, held at the Hush Lounge at the beginning of 2009. In April 2009 another workshop was conducted by Butch and Green.

In June The Canberra Kings supported A Gender Agenda with a fundraiser ‘A Butch Auction’ which was held at Hush, and this performance introduced Harley to audiences.

FUSE 20

Megan Munro aka Green Teal

In May 2009 Butch and Green went to Melbourne and performed at The Glasshouse in a show hosted by famous Australian drag king Rocco D’Amore. Butch was interviewed on Joy FM and Green was interviewed by the local Dykes on Mikes. These interviews came about spontaneously as Melbourne audiences were impressed with the Canberra talent.

Green competed and came second against some very tough competition from very talented drag queens in October 2009. Billy was introduced at the second Purple Party performance and also performed with Harley at another World AIDS Day fundraiser at Hush.

In February ‘Get Your King On’ was held at The Hush Lounge. The event was organised in such a way that it was open to all performers, with performers being able to turn up on the night with music to participate; this was to encourage any drag performer who might like to ‘give it a try’. It was also to encourage inclusiveness in the community and to build community spirit. Apart from a talented array of performers the audience was able to enjoy some of the already known drag kings: BB the Wiggly aka Karen Yaldren, Buster Bogan aka Christine Platt, and Jeremy Einstein aka Gemma Demarco (visiting from Melbourne).

The most recent event in which the Kings performed was at Fuse’s first birthday. This fantastic performance saw the introduction of Axle and Egon, with Stretch coming out of retirement. The Kings continue to perform as individuals and, whenever possible, as The Canberra Kings. It is a vibrant, evolving group, including a number who have been involved in workshops but not performed. There are many people in the community, other performers (photographers, hosts and venue managers) who have supported The Kings, and they are just as much a part of this evolving community group. It is a difficult task for all performers to be involved all the time, but the overall desire to perform, entertain and participate in our community prevails.

Butch-a-go-go

FUSE 21

OP.ED

Actively AGEING

BEING ACTIVE DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY! Just add some free/affordable and accessible organised programs and activities like: • Walking groups • Gentle exercise classes • Easy aqua aerobics • Tai Chi We are so lucky here in Canberra in that we have a great urban environment as well as surrounding bush and national parks where we can just walk or bike around. The AIDS Action Council also has a number of activities and resources available to the blooming boomers within the LGBT and HIV communities to help growing older (dis)gracefully.

Why don’t you come in a check some of them out?

STITCH & BITCH: A group for gay men to enjoy each other’s company and conversation or for meeting new guys. Wool, needles, lessons and light refreshments will be provided.

Every second Thursday evening, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm from 6th May – 26th August at Westlund House.

LOOKING OUT: Looking Out provides a safe and supportive environment for guys 26 and older to share your own experiences and learn from the experiences of others. Meet people, connect with the community and enjoy a safe space to talk about being gay or bisexual, as well as sex, relationships and the community.

{

Keep an eye out for when this will be on next.

By Nada Ratcliffe AIDS Action Council of the ACT

Today we are less inclined to take on the negative stereotypical images of growing older with the emphasis now being on ageing successfully and ongoing independence through active and positive lifestyles. As well as the obvious benefits of exercise in reducing our risk of physical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke or diabetes, there are enormous social and community benefits for us that can be derived by participating with friends and local groups. So not only will you enjoy better health, you will feel more confident and develop a greater sense of wellbeing — to add to that it helps us to look brighter and better, which is certainly a bonus.

There are many ways for us to get the right amount of exercise to maintain and enhance the body and soul. The good news is that it doesn’t have to entail a rigorous regimen, visits to the gym or aching muscles and joints. According to national and international research, ‘people of all ages can benefit by including thirty minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) on most, if not all days of the week’*. What is important is that you just get started.

If you think of that as the most difficult aspect of being active then it’s easy as one, two, three… go! Here are some simple suggestions to introduce easy exercise into your life:

FUSE 22

STEPPING OUT: For women who are attracted to other women, Stepping Out is a series of workshops designed to help you to explore your feelings, you will learn about coming out, relationships, safer sex, the community and meet other women like you.

Keep an eye out for when this will be on next.

OUT LATE: A guide for older men coming out.

This resource provides information about sexual identity and coming out as an older gay man as well as important information about health and safe sex.

AHEAD OF TIME: A practical guide for growing older with HIV: This booklet includes up to date information about HIV and the ageing process that is relevant to the lives and health of people living with and growing older with HIV — so they can prepare and plan for their future health needs.

The booklet also contains a comprehensive list of service providers’ contact details.

Available in hardcopy or in PDF from www.aidsaction.org.au * US Surgeon General’s Report on Physical and Mental Health

FUSE 23

OUT & ABOUT

THE LARAMIE PROJECT @ CANBERRA THEATRE

FUSE CONTRIBUTORS, VIPS AND TICKET WINNERS AT THE OPENING OF EVERYMAN THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF ‘THE LARAMIE PROJECT’ AT THE CANBERRA THEATRE

FUSE 24

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 Serving you breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days.

Monday to Saturday : 9am – 10pm Sundays : 9am – 6pm

THE CALL IS YOURS! TILLEY’S CAN DO IT FOR YOU...

To reserve your favourite table or booth phone us on 6247 7753 Corner of Wattle & Brigalow Streets, Lyneham • www.tilleys.com.au FUSE 25

MONEY SHOT

This month the Federal Government handed down their 2010 Budget. There were not too many surprises with Wayne Swan delivering what he described as a ‘no frills responsible budget’.

So here is my ‘no frills’ update to you about what the budget contains: Overall, if the expectations play out the economy will remain in good shape and Australia will be out of debt by 2013, as long as China continues to grow.

Other expectations from the budget are that unemployment is expected to fall below 5%, which is good news for those looking for work or a career change.

Inflation is going to track at 2.5% this is the magic level of inflation the Reserve Bank looks for when making interest rate decisions so achieved rates should remain on hold, but only time will really tell that story as we have seen rates come a long way in the last few months.

TAX CHANGES

WEALTH CREATION

• Standard deduction for everyone for work-related expenses and accounting costs of $500 from 1 July 2012 — so you can eventually throw out the shoe boxes of receipts;

• First home saver account changes to give more flexibility if a home is purchased before the four year term. This amount can now be used to pay off the mortgage rather than being paid into super; and

• 50% savings discount for interest income up to $1,000 per annum from 1 July 2011; • Changes to marginal tax rates which represent $150 reduction in tax payable for those on lower incomes and $1,300 for those on above $180,000 per annum; • Child care rebate changes to reduce the annual limit to $7,500 per child; and • Increase in the net medical expense tax offset threshold from $1,500 to $2,000 effective form 1 July 2010 — not good news for those who currently benefit from these last two.

SUPERANNUATION • Intribution to stay at $1,000 and freeze indexation on income limits for the next two income years; • Government Super Contributions tax rebate for low income earners under $37,000 per annum; and • Tax-deductible contributions limits increased to $50,000 for those over age 50 if balance in super is under $500,000.

• Capital protected borrowings have been given a boost to the rate of deductibility that can be claimed as 1% above the standard variable housing rates which is good news for those with this type of strategy in play.

OTHER • Paid parental leave is being implemented which provides eighteen weeks leave for new mothers — not too much detail on how this would effect working fathers; and • Changes to disability support pension and employment services will have their claims assessed by Centrelink staff rather than using a job capacity assessment.

It all sound exciting doesn’t it? If you need assistance to work out how this may effect your situation personally get professional advice but most importantly start your journey to being free around your money and creating wealth with 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.

FUSE 26

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 27

By Chad Wijayatilake from Form Haircutters

LAYER

GROOMING

{

Winter is here and it’s going to get a whole lot colder.

IT UP

SO LET’S TALK OUTFITS. My favourite season is summer. I love the summer lifestyle as it’s more relaxed and less sophisticated. But winter fashion is by far the most exciting. I love all the knits, jackets, trousers and the thicker denims that some of the denim houses release for the season.

One thing I do notice is when it gets colder some of us get it right with winter fashion and some of us look a bit like a stuffed teddy bear. So let’s talk layering.

It’s very easy to layer different pieces over one another. But it’s how you layer that makes you look chic and not cheap. When purchasing winter pieces make sure you are getting your money’s worth. Try and buy jumpers and cardigans that are mostly wool or cashmere. This means less layering needed since these items will keep you warmer than cotton blends and artificial fabrics. When I see someone that looks like a stuffed teddy bear I think to myself ‘they must be pretty cold and they don’t own a mirror’.

I’ll make it a little easier: Throwing on chunky knits with a puffy jacket is not cool.

You will instantly put on twenty kilos. Try and work opposites; if you have a chunky knit you will need to layer it with an overcoat and not a fitted jacket. And yes reader, I have seen this fashion crime happen every winter and it needs to stop!

If you want to wear a fitted jacket maybe you could go for a leather shirt-jacket such as the one Dolce and Gabbana had featured in their up coming season fashions.

I recommend mixing it up with fine knit. This way you can create the right balance.

Also try and add colour to your winter wardrobe. It’s very easy to go into a black and grey phase over winter. Have a bit of fun and add a couple of colours to your outfit but try and keep at just three colours — don’t go over board if you are not comfortable in mixing colours. My favourite colours for this season are purple, black and silver.

FUSE 28 28

The major trend this season is military for guys and girls. Two major punchers should be military boots and a military inspired overcoat. Mix it up with your favourite pair of jeans or a cute dress. And a word of advice to everyone out there: just because something is in-trend doesn’t mean it’s going to suit you. Most of the time it will, but there will be that one look which will catch you off guard. My tip is to stay clear of thigh high boots — if you are not tall or Beyonce I’d stay away!

LET’S TALK HAIR. Ever considered layering products in your hair? This could be a small secret that your hair stylist could be keeping from you. If you can’t recreate the same look as your stylist at home it could be the products you are using. Sometimes you need to use more than one product to get that look you really like. You might need to use a foundation product such a volumising moose or a blow-dry lotion and then apply a texturising product to get some movement in the hair and finally a smoothing serum or a shine mist for that finishing touch. Find out from your stylist exactly what products they are using in your hair when they are styling your hair.

FUSE 29

OUT & ABOUT

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

ATTENTION SOLDIERS It’s on again. Camo Party Friday 18th June with the talented DJ Pete. Come dressed in camouflage for FREE entry and the chance to WIN some awesome prizes.

Don’t miss CAMO PARTY @ CUBE Friday 18th June from 9pm.

FUSE 30

Camo Party MORE THAN A NIGHTCLUB

Cube is a home away from home with a sense of family so unique it cannot be compared. Canberra’s premier gay venue along with ARIA accredited resident DJs provide a mix of music beyond the charts.

}

FU SE FUSE 31 31

@

OUT & ABOUT

THIS MONTH

HUSH

CHILL OUT ON ACOUSTIC WEDNESDAYS

Every week at HUSH we now have Acoustic Wednesdays with Rock Nation Unplugged, organising local musicians to sing and play.

That means that every Wednesday night we turn down the lights, turn down the volume and unplug the amps for an intimate session with Canberra’s finest musicians — this is not a rock event, so come and chill out with us.

COMING UP AT HUSH IN JUNE: Friday 4 June : Fire and Ice IV Saturday 5 June : 80s themed party Friday 11 June : Capitol Punishment Saturday 12 June : Karaoke Sunday 13 June : Priscilla Queen of the Desert drag show!

Saturday 19 June : Rock Nation Saturday 26 June : Karaoke

FINE DINING NOW

AT HUSH LOUNGE Come by and enjoy a fine wine and dine in with HUSH on Thursday evenings with our exclusive new menu options for both meat lovers or vegetarians. There is something delicious for everyone.

THREE COURSE MEAL WITH ONE GLASS OF WINE OR BASIC BEER FOR ONLY $35.

The menu is a set menu with a vegetarian option.

This event will be held every Thursday and the menu will change from week to week.

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

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

Lesbians have the same risk of cervical cancer as heterosexual women.

Genital HPV is spread through genital skin contact during sexual activity. Over time an abnormality can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated.

Having a Pap test is not always easy for lesbians, as community acceptance and recognition of lesbians and lesbian relationships can vary. Finding access to a practitioner who is knowledgeable and understanding of lesbian health issues may be difficult.

SHFPACT’s all female doctors & nurses have been providing sensitive health care to our community for almost 40 years.

The choice to disclose information about your sexuality is yours, so don’t feel that you have to. It may, however, result in a better and more informed health care experience.

For info phone 6247 3077 or visit www.shfpact.org.au

FUSE 33

EAR CANDY

Hello Fuseoids and welcome to another riveting edition of Ear Candy. I hope you’ve all had a good month and have been listening to plenty of killer tracks and immersed yourselves in the world of music. This month I will be reviewing two new albums by two very different bands; one that I had never heard of prior to this week, and another that is one of my favourites.

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The first album will be Stardust Galaxies by the Parlotones. Who, I hear you say?! Yeah I had no idea who they were either but am always willing to try something new. The second is none other than the super fantastic indie rock legends British India with their latest album titled Avalanche. I’m excited! ... and you should be too.

By Damien Pratt

STARDUST GALAXIES THE PARLOTONES As I said before I had no idea who these guys were and (as with all bands that I don’t know) I did a little research to find out some more — and wow, these dudes are bigger than I had given them credit for.

The Parlotones are a four piece, I guess pop rock band from Johannesburg, South Africa. They have been active since about 2005 and are by all reports supermassive in, you guessed it, South Africa! They have played at many large festivals in their home country alongside some of the world’s biggest bands such as the Kings of Leon, The Gossip and Violent Femmes.

Just to give you an idea how big they are in South Africa, in 2006 they scored the closing slot at Coke Festival in Johannesburg, taking the stage after Metallica. That means that in South Africa this band is considered bigger than Metallica! WTF?! Now that is big!

BUT, there is one really strange thing that I found during my research into this band. Are you ready for it? Ok here goes… They have their own brand of wine, laptop computer and some sort of TV dinner! I can’t help but think they are using their fame to cash-in on everything they can get... and good luck to them I say, fuck knows I’d do it!

Anyway their latest album Stardust Galaxies is pretty good — I liked it. If you want a free copy, check out the FUSE website for details www.fusemagazine.com.au.

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AVALANCHE BRITISH INDIA British India is a little indie/ alternative rock band from Melbourne that started in 2004 as a garage rock band while the boys were still in high school. The four piece act has been very busy over the last few years; they produced their first album in 2007, then the second in 2008 and this, their third in 2010.

That’s a pretty good effort considering they had also been touring relentlessly around the country for most of that time. It seemed for a while there that nearly every Australian music festival had British India on the bill and the future looks like more of the same.

So this album Avalanche is brand spanking new and has totally kept up with the expectations created by the quality of their first two albums. It’s amazing you know, I first saw British India play early in the day at Homebake festival in Sydney in like 2006. They were little known but I was hooked from word go. Now these guys are a household name in the Australian indie rock scene and have been producing one of the best indie sounds that I have ever heard, and I just can’t get enough of them. This album has some killer tracks like ‘Vanilla’ and ‘Beneath the Satellite’ so if it’s rock and that garage indie sound that you love then this album should be your bible and this band your god, ‘cos these guys have that shit down pat!

My rule to listening to this album and any other British India album is LOUD! Louder than you have ever played music before!

And to get the full effect you need to jump up and down really high while singing/screaming along. So give it a shot and I guarantee that you will enjoy yourself.

GENRES 101 : INDIE ROCK This month in Genres 101 we will be looking at the phenomenon of Indie Rock — as we have been looking at one of my favourite Indie Rock bands British India. Also, in my eyes there is NOTHING hotter than a gay boy that knows his Indie Rock, yum yum yummy! So once again we will be learning about this genre from the smarts of Wikipedia. Here goes….

Indie rock is a genre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. It is rooted in earlier genres such as alternative rock, post-punk and new wave. The term is often used to describe the means of production and distribution of independent underground music, as well as the style of music that was first associated with this means of production. Indie rock artists are known for placing a premium on maintaining complete control of their music and careers, releasing albums on independent record labels (sometimes self-owned and operated) and relying on touring, word-of-mouth, airplay on independent or college radio stations and, in recent years, the Internet for promotion.

Musicians classified as Indie Rock are typically signed to independent record labels, rather than major record labels, although there are many examples of indie musicians switching to major labels mid-career. This practice blurs the lines between indie and mainstream music and is often the subject of debate amongst fans. Indeed, some bands that have spent most of their careers on major labels are still occasionally referred to by the press as Indie Rock because of their sound or aesthetic.

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FEATURE OP.ED

Solo Relationship ENJOYING YOUR LIFE WITHOUT STRINGS ATTACHED I choose to be single. It never ceases to amaze me how often people ask, ‘So when are you finally going to find someone special and settle down?’ and similar expectant crap. Our society seems fixated on romantic pair-bonding. It would seem that many think that a bad relationship is better than no relationship at all.

And when people do seek a perfect mate, many have an air of desperation about the exercise as if they are not complete without that special someone; The soul-mate; Someone for everyone; Key in the keyhole.

Some people believe that people who are not partnered are somehow dysfunctional or at least not complete without their ‘other half’. Biologically, we are not built for monogamous pair-bonding. The idea is a social construct which we have been exposed to for our entire lives and ever since religion and politics thought that monogamy and parentage were important. It takes a strong mind to deconstruct such ingrained ideas and a collective of similar strong minds to affect social change.

Being single and happy requires the rejection of romantic love as an ideal. We, who find ourselves alone by choice or circumstance, need to reclaim the value in being single. Of course it’s cheaper to go out for dinner, you don’t have to ask permission to buy anything, and you can fart as loudly and odorously as you like. {Hmmm… real classy Hilary :-) Ed.} More important, you can be who you want to be.

Even the best relationships require give and take which affects behaviour somewhat, as you do things to please your partner or take the path of least resistance. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you haven’t spent much time alone in your life, there is no control study of yourself to know how different you just might be. This still may not be a bad thing... if you are happy.

Having a solo relationship is about learning to accept yourself and to be comfortable with just you. You can learn to enjoy your own company, to learn to recognise your needs and meet them and plan for your own future. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?

Although we are not biologically designed for eternal pair-bonding, we are engineered to be social creatures. Enjoying your own company is important for singles, but being able to find a social network is also important for our emotional health. So what do you like to do in your spare time? Can you do it alone? Can you join a group that does it? Do you know anyone who does it and who might like to do it with you? You deserve leisure time that is enjoyable.

SE FUSE FU 36 36

You can learn to recognise your emotional needs if you are mindful of your feelings. Loneliness is an emotion that is difficult to recognise. You may be lonely for: intellectual conversation, a good ol’ bitch about life, a good strong hug, and/or for sexual expression. Be clear in yourself what your need is before you call on someone to share these things with. Many people find it easier to find sexual partners to fill a void that may have been satisfied with a laugh with friends.

HAVING A SOLO RELATIONSHIP IS ABOUT LEARNING TO ACCEPT YOURSELF AND TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH JUST YOU. That said, sexual needs are real and valid too.

Masturbation can often feel very solitary and unsatisfactory if you are not truly ‘into’ yourself (pardon the pun!). You can give yourself a great big hug and mean it. You can give yourself massage, admire your favourite body parts in a mirror, and set the scene for self-loving as intricately and as passionately as if you were preparing for a cherished lover. You are your cherished lover. And you don’t have any concerns about who comes first or whether the earth moved for them too!

We singles need to plan for the future as if we are going to be alone. Don’t put off making decisions, thinking that you will probably find a mate and join finances. Nurture your dreams for the future. Don’t expect a mate to make them come true.

Want to travel overseas? Want to study a new career? Plan for it! Many single people worry about getting old and being unable to care for themselves; plan for that too. Get a will, an enduring power of attorney and put some thought into health plans, nursing homes etc. Good planning will alleviate worry for everyone regardless of relationship status.

A few bummers about being single are that single people work more, don’t get carers leave, and they are more likely to work during traditional family holiday times. They pay more when they go on holiday because everything is designed for twin or double share and the general cost of living is higher. Oh well, nothing is perfect.

If you are seeking a special mate, prepare for that by being happy alone. You will have much more to offer someone in the future if they are not required to meet your basic emotional needs, your financial needs or if you expect someone else to shape who you really are.

Whether you are single, partnered, poly or any combination, you are important and deserved to be valued.

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By Hilary Caldwell (MHSc – Sexual Health) Sexuality Counsellor : Call 0430 855 739

Would you know what to do if the condom broke?

Information about PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) is available from the Canberra Sexual Health Centre, your GP or the AIDS Action Council

aidsaction.org.au/pep

FUSE 37

RESIST THE WINTER BINGE & STAY STRONG BODY SHAPE

So it’s getting to that time of the year when the weather is starting to cool down, and winter is approaching. I hate this time of the year for a couple of reasons: Firstly, it’s bloody cold, but also because this causes a lot of us to stagnate at home or just plain hibernate.

A friend was telling me a classic story the other day, which I thought was fairly relevant in terms of what we all tend to do during the colder months.

Sitting at home, curled up on the lounge or in bed with a range of junk food and beer, wine or soft drinks, watching T.V every night after work or those full weekend of DVDs on the wide screen. (I believe one of my friend’s choices was The Devil Wears Prada — we won’t even start on that!)

The real big downside to this is that it usually means that we’re not exercising as much or at all (let’s face it, who really wants to go out in the cold mornings and evenings) plus we are eating our comfort foods.

It’s here that we need to bring our inner strength out, to fight the winter bulge.

Good planning and maintaining good habits is the best way to avoid putting on those winter kilos:

• PLAN YOUR WORKOUTS AND STICK TO THEM If you know that you’re not a morning person, then don’t plan on getting up at 6am in the morning to exercise. Make it realistic and set aside thirty mins at lunch time or in the afternoon.

• DON’T GIVE IN TO THE COMFORT FOODS If you’ve got that good diet already, make sure that you stick with it. Or alternatively, if you like to switch to the more ‘winter type’ foods, warm soups are the best for this time of year, make sure that you’re not just eating the soups from a can that are full of salts and other additives. Get creative and learn to make soups that are highly nutritious and taste nice.

Plan Ahead!

• LOOK FOR MOTIVATION AND SUPPORT I know for a fact that this is the time of year that my motivation levels start to drop, so I do look for more motivation and support. Even though I am a qualified Personal Trainer, this is the time of year when I now go and pay to have another Personal Trainer to train me, to help me stay motivated and work hard. Another alternative here is to attend group fitness classes.

The group environment and the motivating instructors really help to make the workout a lot more exciting and fun. The bigger bonus here, which I have said before and will say again — you also get a great perve... talk about motivation!!!

So it’s time for us to stay active and moving, to avoid picking up that spare tyre over the colder months.

Avoid junk foods and trans fats

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By Brendan Farnhill Alive! Health & Fitness

Choose healthy winter alternatives

Look for Motivation

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OUT & ABOUT

EQUAL LOVE RALLY AND GLOBAL KISS-IN

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Photos by Keith Jeffers www.fauxtografix.com.au

LOCAL & WORLD NEWS ≥ THE ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ GAY & LESBIAN MESSAGE BOARD & DIRECTORY WHAT’S ON ≥ SOCIAL SCENE ≤ FEATURES & MORE!

PLUS YOU CAN VIEW FUSE MAGAZINE ONLINE

> WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU < SE FU FUSE 40 40

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STAMPING OUT HOMOPHOBIA IN SCHOOLS MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SPORT, ANDREW BARR ANNOUNCED THAT THE ACT GOVERNMENT WOULD STEP-UP CAMPAIGNS AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA IN SCHOOLS AND SPORT IN CANBERRA.

NEWS

Speaking on International Day Against Homophobia he said homophobia impacts negatively on an individual’s self-esteem and can result in a sense of shame, guilt and self-loathing.

‘Around ten per cent of young people experience feelings of same-sex attraction while they are at school,’ Mr Barr said. ‘Recent research shows that sixty per cent of same-sex attracted young people experience verbal or physical abuse and that three quarters of this abuse occurs at schools.’

‘Sadly the word ‘gay’ is all too often used as a term of harassment in our schools. This makes life even more difficult for young people and compromises their education.’

‘More needs to be done by the community and the government to create safer schools and stamp-out this form of discrimination. That’s why I’m pleased to announce today that the ACT Labor Government will develop new campaigns and strategies this year to ensure our schools are free of homophobia and are safer and more supportive of all students.’

Mr Barr said the ACT Government is also determined to stamp-out homophobia on the sporting field.

‘There’s no place for homophobia on the sports ground and I intend to ensure it no longer gets a guernsey. I am today committing ACT Labor to working with sporting organisations to eradicate it,’ Mr Barr said.

Victoria University research to be published this week shows gay men face considerable barriers to participating in sport. The research finds the most common sports that gay men would like to play but don’t, or feel they can’t are AFL, rugby league, rugby union and soccer. The research also finds that nearly half the gay men surveyed who play mainstream sport were not openly gay, with many saying they feared being judged and abused.

In light of this research, Mr Barr welcomed the AFL players’ Association Inclusion and Diversity campaign, which is supported by some of the biggest names in football, including Jude Bolton, Brad Sewell, Joel Selwood and Brownlow medalists Jimmy Bartel and Adam Goodes. The campaign will be launched this month.

‘I congratulate AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou and the AFL Players’ Association for their strong stand against homophobia in football,’ Mr Barr said. ‘I hope other sports, particularly the other football codes, will step-up their efforts and follow the AFL’s lead to ensure gay players are not discriminated against.’

5,000 GAY AUSTRALIANS ACROSS AUSTRALIA LAST MONTH 5,000 PEOPLE TOOK TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX AUSTRALIANS. The cast and director of Waiting for Godot — Sir Ian McKellen, Rodger Rees, Matthew Kelly and Sean Mathais — attended the Melbourne rally in person voicing their support for Equal Marriage laws.

In a pre-recorded message for the other rallies across the country Sir Ian McKellen spoke about the need for federal anti-discrimination laws and marriage equality. Sir Ian’s message explained how coming out 25 years ago ‘changed (his life) for the better’.

‘When you come out, people get affected by your honesty and it’s only when gay people respect themselves enough to be honest, that we can then demand that governments too “come out” in our support and establish what is obvious — that all people are born equal, it’s just bad laws that make them unequal,’ said Sir Ian. Australian singer and actress Dannii Minogue also sent in a message of support for the marriage equality campaign in Australia.

‘It’s so important that gay people be given total equality and as you know that includes marriage,’ said Ms Minogue.

‘While Government continues to ban same-sex marriages, gays lesbian and transgender community remains second class citizens.’

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Rallies were held to coincide with The International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). Held annually on May 17, IDAHO marks the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.

Various IDAHO activities held across Australia around this day challenge homophobia and transphobia and celebrate diversity in general.

These rallies build on the momentum of the campaign for recognition of same-sex marriages as part of the National Year of Action / Equal Love campaign. On 13 August of this year, Australia will mark the 6th anniversary since the Howard Government changed the Commonwealth Marriage Act 1961, with ALP support, to ban same-sex marriage.

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FEATURE

The savviest women’s sport has to be roller derby.

And the girls from the Canberra Roller Derby League are showing the world how it’s done!

CRDL was founded back in 2008 by four Canberra women, Bullseye Bettie, Dr Hell, Roulette Rouge and Peachy Keen — all current players — roughing it up with the best of them. Bullseye Bettie (better known as Kate Murphy) and Dr Hell (Helen Doyle) were having a casual skate in a car park one day — as you do — when a security guard asked them to leave. Heads hanging, but undeterred, Kate and Helen teamed up with Lee Dewar (Peachy Keen) and Lucy Quinn (Roulette Rouge) to organise an event where they could skate without the fun police intervening.

And so the Canberra Roller Derby League was started.

All four women were novice skaters at this time and hadn’t participated in a roller derby bout. Starting from scratch, the women looked to AD/RD — Adelaide Roller Derby group, a Brisbane league and attended training sessions in Sydney and Melbourne to learn the rules and how to run training sessions. Last year, the girls were treated to expert training advice from skater Smarty Pants from TXRD — Lonestar Roller Girls in Texas, USA — a trailblazer league responsible for much of the current craze of roller derby.

Since then, CRDL has grown to approximately 20 regular skaters, backed by a mixed gender group of 20 regular administrators and a team of 50 people who come together to host a bout.

In January this year, the second ‘freshmeat’ intake started with some 60 women attending a 10 week training course to make the grade of the league. Whilst the course is intensive, Kate says the league is committed to ‘appealing to women from a diverse range of backgrounds’.

Kate tells me, ‘It’s a safe and supportive environment for women.

While we do have male organisers and referees, the focus is very much on being on a women’s sport. We encourage diversity in the league and are committed to making it accessible to all women’.

Kate reveals, ‘Some women in the league are stay at home mums, there’s scientists, public servants, some are naturally athleticminded and other women are not sporty but were interested in playing something different to usual team sports’. So dear readers, it’s totally supportive of lesbian, queer and bisexual women of all sporting abilities joining.

BACKGROUNDER The term roller derby dates at least as far back as 1922, when the Chicago Tribune used it to describe multiday, flat-track roller skating races. It’s an American invented contact sport and historically, a form of sports entertainment. Roller derby is based on formation roller skating around an oval track, with points scored as certain players lap members of an opposing team. In past decades, roller derby had been primarily a professional paid sport.

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Today roller derby is international, predominantly female and typically operates on an amateur, unpaid circuit, with a strong do-it-yourself ethic. It often features both athleticism and a punk third-wave feminism aesthetic.

&

ROUGH

ROLLER

RULES OF COMBAT For those new to the world of roller derby, while mixed gender teams exist, the sport is mainly played by women. The basic rules are as follows: • Two teams of five players each, skate in a pack counter-clockwise on a flat-track usually in a stadium, wearing retro quad roller skates.

• Each team consists of a ‘jammer’ (identified by a star helmet cover), three ‘blockers’ and one ‘pivot’ (identified by a striped helmet cover).

• The jammers goal is to skate past as many players of the opposing team as possible in a two minute round, called a ‘jam’.

• The pivot is the pace-setter for the bout.

• The blockers role is to support their own jammers progression through the pack and prevent the opposition jammer from getting past them.

• The bout is split into two sessions and the team with the highest points at the end of the bout is the winner!

A lot of body contact is an integral part of the game. However, it’s not simple ‘push n shove’ tactics. There are allowances and restrictions on how to block jammers. Legal blocks can only be used with the torso, upper arms, hip and butt. Elbowing, use of hands, heads or feet is penalised. To play effectively, a skater needs strength to control their fall, agility and to be tactical to whip past the pack.

Kate says roller derby gives women a unique opportunity to ‘get away from the daily grind, do something different, and express themselves creatively through a different alias. It increases your fitness level and strength and it’s really liberating to play a contact sport. There aren’t many sports that give women the chance to use their energy using body contact.’

One of the attractions to roller derby is its fusion of athleticism, competition and elements of riot grrrl and rockabilly subcultures. Add in edgy femme fashion and witty player names and you’ve got more than a sports game, it’s an entertainment event.

Kate agrees that it’s the combination of subculture meets sport that continues to pack out Southern Cross Stadium for each bout. ‘Roller derby draws in a cross section of people who wouldn’t normally attend a sporting event. It’s got high spectacle value through the themes we have for each bout, a band performs at half time and it’s a really different form of entertainment and it’s cheap!’.

Check out all the sexy action at the next bout — Point Skate: The Presidents of the United Skates on Saturday 1 May. For tickets, skate to usual outlets around town or www.gticketing.com

Check out photos of the girls in action and more info about Roller Derby on the FUSE website: www.fusemagazine.com.au

TUMBLE GIRLS

DERBY IS GIGANTIC

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By Helen Stevens Photos David Stefanoff

FUSE 45

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

GLBTQ COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

REGULAR QUEER EVENTS

BENT LENSES Canberra’s very own Queer screen culture group. www.bentlenses.org DYKE DINNER & MOVIE GROUP More info on FUSE website or see Canberra Lesbians on Facebook.

GAY & LESBIAN TENNIS Mondays 6pm – 9pm. Turner Tennis Club, Cnr McCaughey and Condamine Streets. Bring a tennis racquet, shoes and $5.

GAY ACT SQUASH GROUP Wednesdays 6.30pm – 7.30pm.

National Sports Club, Mouat St, Lyneham. For more info: GayACTSquash@gmail.com MORE WHAT’S ON! Want to know ‘What’s On’ or be listed here, then visit us at www.fusemagazine.com.au

COMMUNITY GROUPS FUSE 46 46

AIDS ACTION COUNCIL The AIDS Action Council provides information, support and services.

More info: www.aidsaction.org.au ACTOUT ACTOUT is an informal outdoorsie activities group for Canberra’s gay and lesbian community. More details: www.fusemagazine.com.au UNI OF CANBERRA LGBTI GROUP A social group for all LGBTI students staff at the University of Canberra.

Queer Space is located at the UCSA building 1 Uni of Canberra. Info email: sexuality@theucsa.org.au

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

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

Q RADIO ON 2XX FM98.3 Canberra Queer Radio Show.

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

HANGOUTS CUBE NIGHTCLUB Canberra’s premier gay night club venue along with ARIA accredited resident DJs playing a mix of music beyond the charts.

33 Petrie Plaza Civic, Canberra City. www.cubenightclub.com.au More p30

QWIRE WANTS YOU! Want to be involved with Canberra’s Gay and lesbian quire? Singers and non-singers encouraged. More info: canberraqwire@yahoo.com.au

THE HUSH LOUNGE Hush is a unique and stylish gay and lesbian (GLBTI) lounge bar. It has a friendly, relaxed and chilled feel about it with regular live music, shows and great food.

NUDE YOGA FOR MEN Come and enjoy the sensual delights of practicing yoga naked under soft lighting in our new, toasty warm venue near the city in Turner. FIRST CLASS IS FREE! More info email Greg: bodywork@webone.com.au

Cnr Launceston & Irving Streets, Phillip. www.hushlounge.com.au More p32

BIT BENT YOUTH GROUP Meet other young people, get support or just hang out. Mondays at Belconnen Youth Centre 6pm – 8pm and Thursdays at the Woden Youth Centre 5pm – 6.30pm. For more info email: bit_bent@hotmail.com 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.

LONG YANG CLUB ACT A social club for Asian and nonAsian gays and their friends. More info: lyccanberra@gmail.com

RAINBOW BUBS Rainbow Bubs and IVF Support Group is a playgroup for same sex parents and their kids as well as a support group for GLBTQ people who are thinking about starting a family.

More info: hoogied@yahoo. com

FRUITS IN BOOTS A social and support network for rural GLBTI members outside the ACT. Email: fruitsinboots@gmail.com

CANBERRA GAP GROUP A social group for women that like women. More info email: krisscorpio@hotmail.com

TILLEY’S DEVINE CAFE For over 26 years Tilley’s has been a gathering place for the gay and lesbian community. Warm and sumptuous, it’s famous for its food and fabulous coffees and cake. Tilley’s is a place for everyone.

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

Corner of Wattle & Brigalow Streets, Lyneham. To reserve your favourite table or booth call us on 6247 7753. More p25 BUSHRANGER HOTEL Come for a drive to Collector and have a gay ol’ time at the Bushranger Hotel.

Gay owned. Drop in and say hi! More p41 BAR32 Bar32 is gay friendly bar and nightclub with a mixed younger crowd. Indy and alternative dance music and bands.

32 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City. www.bar32.com More p43 CHAMPIONS MEN’S LOUNGE Canberra’s men’s space. Champions Lounge is located within Mustang Ranch and is a venue for men who want to meet men. More p47

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FUSE 47

DEAR ROSE

Dear Rose, I’ve met this guy on a dating website and we have been chatting for about a month now. I’ve seen him via Skype so I know what he looks like and know he’s my age. We seem to be really hitting it off. I’ve been putting off actually meeting because I’m worried when we get together it won’t be the same. What do you think?

Adam Dear Adam, For many gay folks meeting other people through internet sites has become an extremely popular thing to do and for the most part it’s a great forum to meet new people. However, given a recent incident in NSW, I strongly urge you or anyone who is meeting someone from the internet to err on the side of caution when meeting someone new. Given that the GLBIT community tends to be a little more vulnerable to being preyed upon, I would suggest when meeting for the first time that you meet in a public place, preferably with a friend.

There is nothing wrong with arranging a meeting with someone in a small group. You can bring someone, they can bring someone and everyone feels safe. If you don’t feel comfortable with that kind of scenario, let a friend know exactly where you are going, who you are meeting and any other details so in the event something may happen a friend has some information to go on. You can arrange to call a friend or have them call you about an hour or so into your meeting and let them know that you are ok.

Having said all of that safety stuff, meeting that someone special you have made a connection with is like any other relationship. You have to take a risk and put yourself out there to see if it yields any results, and if the chemistry is not there for a dating relationship... guess what? You have made a new friend and sometimes they have a friend they introduce to you, that may be the love of your life.

Remember, be yourself, be safe and the rest will fall into place.

Dear Rose, I’m writing from Sydney and I’m a young drag queen, 23. My friends say I’m too cute to be hiding behind a dress and makeup every weekend and that’s why I can’t get a BF. YDQ Dear YDQ, As Gloria Gayner would say ‘Life is not worth a dam, if you can’t say, I am what I am!’ If you love being a drag queen and it’s something that is a part of who you are, then with all due respect to your friends, giving that up is not going to make you more attractive to boys.

And to be honest, who wants to have a boyfriend that doesn’t support the things that you love to do.

FUSE 48

But, if you feel that there is some merit to what your friends are saying, you can always experiment for a few weekends and go out, non-drag, and see if you attract a boyfriend. But remember that the sexiest people are not afraid to say ‘I am what I am!’

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

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Dear Rose, I’m 52 and still haven’t told my mother I’m a lesbian.

She is almost 80 now, have I left it too late?

CC Dear CC, Let me ask you this... What do you expect to happen if you tell her that you are gay? What would you want to see happen? Do you think that she will be devastated if you tell her? Is there a reason that you want to tell her now?

I ask these questions because my experience is that when you are older and at the other end of your life, people tend to have a different outlook on the meaning of life. When I came out to my father who is in his late 50’s, it was my 80-year-old grandmother who was far more supportive and accepting. She had come to the realisation that when you are nearing the end of your life, the quality of your own happiness was far more important than what other people think of you. We have never spoken of the subject again, but when I have introduced my partners to her, she has graciously treated them with respect. And for that I have an enormous amount of admiration for her.

I say this because you need to consider the reasons why you want to tell her and whether it is for her benefit or yours.

Chances are though, if you do decide to tell her, she may surprise you and tell you that she has known for a long time.

Dear Rose, I think my BF is addicted to the Internet. He turns his computer on as soon as he gets home from work and sits on the net almost all night, every night and often on weekends. Do you think it’s a problem, should I say something?

Paul Dear Paul, More importantly, do you think it’s a problem? From what I know of relationships it doesn’t seem that this is a healthy situation. You need to a sit down and have a discussion with the BF and find out if there is something more going on than just excessive use of the internet? To this discussion you need to bring what you consider to be an acceptable amount of time to spend on the net and find the middle ground for both of you.

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