FUSE DAVID W ROSS SAYS “I DO” ON THE BIG SCREEN ARGENTINA STREAKS AHEAD IN GENDER EQUALITY THE ART OF MANSCAPING
MADE IN AUSTRALIA FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU JUL / AUG 2012
LIFE LOVE 29 24 EQUALITY
Winter
Fashion KEEPING WARM IN A HOT PAIR OF ONESIES
FOODS FOR MOODS
........ are you reaching for the chocolate again?
+ MARVELLING AT COMIC GAY MANIA COMBATING HOMOPHOBIA IN SPORT
> EVERY VOTE SHOULD BE A CONSCIENCE VOTE!
RING FEATU est W Jar rad ham n u D y Am ts Rober Steph n fa f a Zach R Ley n a c n Du erd Sheph Wayne n Bowen Eua Zuber Chris Dr ur y y r Zacka
19y -220182
Jul
The ard Cour ty io Stud
Larson by Jonathan
Directed byWest Jarrad
From 6 Decem ber ‘12
The r tyard Cou io Stud
‘MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS BY STEVE SKINNER, ORIGINAL CONCEPT / ADDITIONAL LYRICS BY BILLY ARONSON, MUSIC SUPERVISION & ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS BY TIM WEIL, DRAMATURG LYNN THOMSON RENT was originally produced in New York by The New York Theatre Workshop & on Broadway by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and The New York Theatre Workshop. By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd. Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY)’
tickets 02 6275 2700 canberratheatrecentre.com.au
CONTENTS
FUSE MAGAZINE MADE IN AUSTRALIA JUL / AUG 2012
LIFE LOVE 29 EQUALITY EDITOR Alexander Thatcher ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Tony Hamlyn
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POLITICAL EDITOR Simon Copland
FUSE FEATURES
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Yasmin Element CREATIVE DIRECTOR Christopher Powell PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Linda Djumlija CONTRIBUTORS Scott Malcolm Jacqui Bushell Andrew Barr Rose Pappalardo Stuart Poole Gabrielle Hitch Colby Kern Morrell Lachlan Keddie Melisa Paz Chris Garrington Tom Corliss Keiron Goatcher PHOTOGRAPHERS Doug Robinson
16 Whether you’re a tomboy or a girly-girl, we have the top 10 tips for keeping you fashionably warm this winter.
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22 Our resident Naturopath Jacqui Bushell looks at eating for emotional stability. 42 British actor David W Ross discusses his new film about marriage equality called “I DO”.
FUSE OP.ED 09 Argentina streaks ahead as they set a whole new world standard in gender equality.
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WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 42 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 FUSE publisher, editor or staff. Any health, fitness or dietry advice contained in this magazine is for informational purposes only. Consult your physician and a fitness/health professional before changing your diet, doing any exercise program, or taking any supplements or remedies of any kind. Submissions of text, photographs or any other material will be taken as consent to publish said material.
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Deputy Chief Minister, Andrew Barr looks at combating homophobia in sport as the ACT Government implements a new program to manage harassment, bullying and discrimination.
28 Simon Copland asks: what’s our obsession with conscience votes and are they valid.
CONTACT FUSE Telephone: 0412 309 992 Email: hello@fusemagazine.com.au Mail: PO Box 3577 Manuka ACT 2603 Published + designed by: Lithium Innovation Pty Ltd www.lithium.net.au ISSN 1836-8387
19 Onesies have gone from cute to hot as ES Collection releases their steamy new range of one piece pyjamas for men.
After recently attending the 29th Annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Canberra, Lachlan Keddie gives a youth perspecive on HIV.
FUSE REGULARS 02 04 05 06 12 14 20 27 31 33 36 41 45 46 48
Editor’s Rant The Flicks What’s On Round Up : News & Politics Buzz : Entertainment & Gossip Homo Heritage : Harvey Fierstein Grooming : The Art of Manscaping Out & About : Cube Nightclub Money Shot : Digital Currency Top Queer : Caravanning Ear Candy : Music Reviews & Gossip Stargazer : Your Horoscope Out & About : Equal Love Canberra FUSE Community Directory Dear Rose 1
EDITOR’S EDITOR’SRANT RANT
❂ BAD BLOOD Over the past month my partner and I have been making a weekly tip to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. My grandfather has recently had a double heart bypass and in a few weeks will have another major surgery for an aortic aneurysm. It’s pretty serious stuff and it’s got me thinking about blood. We listen to the radio a lot while on our long drives and if anyone else has noticed we are currently being bombarded with donate blood ads, as our hospital system is always struggling to get enough for people like my grandfather. Alexander Thatcher Editor
I’ve never given blood, but I would like too. However, because I’m a gay man and considered at high risk of having contaminated blood, The Red Cross requires I abstain from sex for a minimum of one year, before being eligible to donate blood. This makes the assumption that most gay men have multiple partners and practice unsafe sex whilst heterosexual men don’t. I understand the concern about infected blood however the Red Cross should not be looking at sexual orientation but rather the lifestyle choices of the whole community at large. Blood screening should be standard for everybody. It makes me pretty bloody mad. I’m an extremely healthy individual that has been in a monogamous relationship for over 15 years now and my chances of contracting HIV or other STDs are virtually zero.
Tony Hamlyn Entertainment Editor
The Red Cross recently released the results of a review it commissioned on its blood donor policy. The review did not recommend the removal of the “gay blood ban” and standard blood screening for everyone. Instead it recommended the reduction of the period of celibacy for men-who-have-sex-with-men wishing to donate blood from twelve to six months. It’s absolutely ludicrous that I can’t give blood today and it also means a lot of potential donors with safe blood in the community are being overlooked. Michael Cain, Australia’s leading campaigner for gay blood donation is in a similar position to myself and recently commented “…I believe it’s unsafe sex, not gay sex, that poses a risk to the blood supply, and that if all potential blood donors — gay and straight — are screened for the safety of their sexual activity the blood supply will be even safer than it is.”
Simon Copland Political Editor
Case in point: Italy and Spain currently screen all blood donors for the safety of their sexual activity rather than their sexual preference, and the rate of infection through blood transfusion has actually decreased. Michael Cain is calling for an independent review to break through the myths and misconceptions that surround this issue, not by the organisation whose policies are in question, but by the Federal Government. But in the meantime it seems my blood is staying put. Alexander Thatcher
GAY BLOOD DONATION PLEDGE
Yasmin Element Associate Editor
FUSE magazine wants to let the Australian Government and Red Cross know just how much under utilised and safe blood is available, so we have set up a petition page at change.org — ‘Gay Blood Donation Pledge’ where you can pledge your gift of blood if Australia’s blood donation guidelines are changed. Christopher Powell Creative Director
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You’ll find the ‘Gay Blood Donation Pledge’ link on our front page at fusemagazine.com.au
WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
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MOVIES ICE AGE CONTINENTAL DRIFT OPENS 28 JUNE Manny, Diego, and Sid set out on their greatest adventure when an entire continent is set adrift. Separated from the rest of their pals, they’re launched on an epic seafaring quest, using an iceberg as a makeshift ship. Manny and the gang are challenged to become heroes and do the impossible as they encounter exotic sea creatures, explore a brave new world, and battle ruthless pirates. Meanwhile, Scrat’s reunion with his cursed nut launches him to places no prehistoric squirrel has gone before.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN : OPENS 4 JULY One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy, The Amazing Spider-Man™. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field.
THE FLICKS
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES : OPENS 19 JULY Batman (Christian Bale) is called upon again when an evil terrorist named Bane (Tom Hardy) arrives in Gotham City, intent on destroying it. The film also stars Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake. Michael Caine plays Alfred, Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon and Morgan Freeman reprises his role as Lucius Fox in this final installment of the trilogy.
TED : OPENS 5 JULY Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane brings his boundary pushing brand of humour to the big screen for the first time as writer, director and voice star of Ted. In the live action/CGanimated comedy, he tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a grown man who must deal with the cherished teddy bear who came to life as the result of a childhood wish... and has refused to leave his side ever since.
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FREE MOVIE TICKETS FUSE has double passes to give away to Dendy Cinemas.
Email us 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 261-263 KING STREET, NEWTOWN • SHOP 9, 2 EAST CIRCULAR QUAY, SYDNEY PORTSIDE WHARF, REMORA ROAD, HAMILTON • 108 JONSON STREET, BYRON BAY WWW.DENDY.COM.AU
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WHAT’S ON
BENT LENSES FILM LINEUP
SEE M RE QUEEO R FILM DETAIL S PAGE 8ON
27 JULY @ 7.00PM : WE WERE HERE CSIRO DISCOVERY CENTRE, NTH SCIENCE RD, ACTON
We Were Here is a deep and reflective look at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco and how individuals rose to the occasion during the first years of this unimaginable crisis.
31 AUGUST @ 7.00PM : AUGUST CSIRO DISCOVERY CENTRE, NTH SCIENCE RD, ACTON
2012 ANNUAL AIDS ACTION COUNCIL
TRIVIA NIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA!
August tells the story of two former lovers, Troy and Jonathan, who reunite after a long ago painful breakup. After spending several years in Spain, Troy returns to Los Angeles and decides to phone Jonathan and meet for coffee. A seemingly innocent rendezvous turns into an attempt to revive passions past. Only this time it’s not that simple as Jonathan has a new beau, Raul, and is trying to make the right decision a second time around.
SATURDAY 25 AUGUST @ 7.00PM Start saving your pennies. Come and support the annual AIDS Action Council Trivia Night Extravaganza, Saturday 25 August at the Belconnen Labor Club. Put a team together and win some really cool prizes, bid in the auction and have a fabulous time. As always we are going to have a raffle and this year’s prizes are really special — but still secret as FUSE goes to print. More details at aidsaction.org.au or give the Council a call on 02 6257 2855. For more info check out aidsaction.org.au/trivia
EVERYMAN THEATRE PRESENTS A DOUBLE BILL:
GOD + POOL (NO WATER) 19 – 28 JULY : CANBERRA THEATRE Sweet and Sour. Sugar and Spice. Light and Dark. White and… Black. Canberra’s award-winning Everyman Theatre present a delicious double-bill of two very different comedies. Woody Allen’s God is the very essence of mad-cap, where the efforts of an ancient Greek playwright and actor to write a play rapidly spill into the crazy modern world, and events and characters move so quickly from the farcical to the ridiculous to the sublime that your head will spin in confusion and laughter!
God is followed by Mark Ravenhill’s blistering black comedy Pool (No Water): a stunningly-caustic examination of friendship and envy which is guaranteed to wipe the smile off your face, and then staple it back on. Come join Everyman Theatre’s double-bill for an evening of comedy you won’t soon forget!
DRY JULY
GE INV T DRYJUOLLVED T FINDY.COM OU SIGNUP OR DONATE TODAY! O M ORE T Take a month off the booze this July and help make a positive difference to the lives of adults living with cancer. Check out page 38 for more details.
WHAT’S ON! WANT TO KNOW WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING, CHECK OUT OUR ‘WHAT’S ON’ SECTION AT WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
Q RADIO 98.3FM THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS Funky music, interviews, current news and so much more on FM98.3 or stream at 2xxfm.org.au • QRadio on Thursdays : 8:30 til 10:30 • Friday Night Lip Service : 9.30 til 11.30 • Insomnia Friday : 11.30 til late • YQRadio on Saturday : 8:00 til 9:30 5
NEWS & POLITICS
By Simon Copland
ROUND UP) DARWIN TO HOST 3RD ASIA PACIFIC OUTGAMES Darwin has been selected as the city to host the 3rd Asia Pacific Outgames in 2014. The Outgames is a triennial gathering of GLBTI people from throughout the Asia and Pacific region to participate in sports, cultural programs and a human rights conference. A delegation from Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association visited Darwin in April to view sporting and conference facilities and met with politicians, government officials, tourist operators and members of the local GLBT community. ‘We were impressed with the range of first-class facilities on offer in Darwin and the enthusiastic support from across the Darwin community for the hosting of the Games in Darwin,’ said Mr Haunui. ‘We are confident that Darwin will produce a successful Outgames and warmly welcome LGBT people to their city,’ he said.
NEVER HIDE One thing you very rarely see is queer people being projected in mainstream advertising. Well, that may be beginning to change. Eyewear company RayBan has released new advertisements as part of their ‘Never Hide’ campaign. One ad features two gay men walking through a busy 1950s style street holding hands. The advertising agency Marcel apparently produced the ads to salute ‘people from various eras who have flouted conventions in plain sight’. 6
COMIC GAY MANIA Marvel X-Man will be the first to have a gay wedding as openly gay superhero Northstar has proposed to his longtime partner, Kyle Jinadu. In the issue 50 of Astonishing X-Men, Northstar gets down on one knee in his civilian identity, Jean-Paul Beaubier, to hold up a ring to his surprised lover. “I’m asking you to marry me,” he says. The loving couple are to have a wedding ceremony in New York City’s Central Park. Not to be out done, the comic book writer Grant Morrison who writes for the Batman series has confirmed; Batman is gay. ‘Gayness is built into Batman,’ Grant Morrison, said. ‘I’m not using gay in the pejorative sense, but Batman is very, very gay. There’s just no denying it.’ And to make it a threesome — DC Comics has outed the Green Lantern, showing him in a passionate kiss with his partner before donning his skin-tight unitard typically associated with straight superheroes. Alan Scott is the gay Green Lantern in the title Earth 2 that goes on sale this month, competing for attention with the Marvel comics character Northstar who is due to marry his boyfriend in an “Astonishing X-Men” issue also due out in late June. WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
ROUND UP)
ADD IT UP
l ARGENTINA PASSES
TRANS* LAWS
50,000
The number of retweets in one day of Barack Obama’s comment on live television that ‘Same-sex couples should be able to get married’.
A NEW ERA FOR FRANCE
53%
The results of a recent Galaxy research poll showing 53% of Australian Christians support marriage equality.
Major upheaval is happening in France. In early May the socialist candidate for President François Hollande was swept into office defeating the incumbent conservative Nicolas Sarkozy. Hollande has moved quickly to stick to his pledges to increase taxes on the wealthy, remove austerity measures, withdraw troops from Afghanistan and legislate for full marriage equality. Following Barack Obama’s surprise public support for gay marriage, Hollande may also be poised to push through legislation to give same-sex couples in France the right to marry. During his presidential campaign, he declared his support both for same-sex marriage and adoption rights for LGBT couples. He vowed to pursue the issue in early 2013 if he won.
BUT IN AUSTRALIA…
63 & 62
The respective ages of Donna Summer and Robin Gibb, two disco legends who died within a week of each other in May.
80%
The number of people surveyed in a Galaxy poll that wanted Tony Abbott to allow the Liberal/National Coalition to participate in Labor’s same-sex marriage conscience vote. 76 percent of Coalition voters polled wanted a conscience vote on same-sex marriage.
After their massive victory in March, the Queensland Liberal National Party look set to stick to its commitment to repeal civil union legislation passed at the start of the year. Reports in late May stated that the new Attorney-General, Jarrod Bleijie will be bringing proposals for legislative change to the cabinet in June/July, one of which will including the repealing of the civil unions bill. The new Queensland Government made further headlines as it decided to cut funding to the Queensland Association for Health Communities (QAHC). QAHC’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Queenslanders and the organisation has focused their work heavily on promoting sexual health and providing advocacy and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Health Minister Lawrence Sprinborg said that the Government was defunding QAHC because their HIV/AIDs campaigns were apparently ineffective. No explanation was given however as to why the cuts would also apply to the organisations work in areas such as sexual health promotion and advocacy and support for those dealing with issues related to drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
The Argentinian Government has passed what could easily be described as the most progressive gender identity legislation anywhere in the world. Amongst the many advances, adults who want sex change surgery or hormone therapy will now be able to get it as part of their public or private health care plans. Adults will also now be able to officially change their gender, image and birth name on official documents without having to get approval from doctors or judges. See page 09 for the full story.
BARACK OBAMA FOR, N.CAROLINA AGAINST, COLORADO UNDECIDED Making international headlines, Barack Obama became the first President of the United States to officially come out in support of marriage equality in May. Obama had long said that his position was ‘evolving’ on the issue. Unfortunately however, Obama’s support came just one day after anti-civil unions and marriage equality measure was passed in the state of North Carolina. The measure bans all civil unions (including those for straight couples) and defines marriage to be between a man and a woman in the state’s constitution. In Colorado a bill to legislate for civil unions was held up by Republican leaders when it became clear it was going to pass the legislature. 7
A Little Laser
Cosmetic Laser Clinic Jennifer Dromgold is the owner of a new boutique laser clinic A Little Laser in Manuka. She provides safe, fast, high end medical grade treatments at affordable prices. Hair removal and skin rejuvenation treatments for people of all skin types. Jennifer’s experience in providing clinical and laser treatments spans over 10 years. Jennifer has clients ranging from gay boys who want to be ultra smooth to people in the trans* community who need a professional clinic that understands their needs. “As somebody that supports and understands the needs of trans* people I’m very keen to offer my services and help individuals look and feel better. I am excited and proud to be able to offer my clients individual treatment plans and give them the time they deserve in a boutique style clinic. I enjoy building an honest relationship with my clients and love having the opportunity to help people achieve results with their individual concerns.”
It’s about more than just beauty...
it’s about you
Call 6232 6629 Manuka Arcade
BENTLENSES PRESENTS QUEER FILM AT ITS VERY BEST! WE WERE HERE
JITTERS
A deep and reflective look at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco and how individuals rose to the occasion ON THE TEOOF during the first FIL MS OFPT10 HE years of this Y NE WEYAR unimaginable OR K T IM ES crisis.
A sensitive portrait of a group of teenage friends. A quiet teen Gabriel has an unexpected encounter with Markus and now his head is swimming with feelings. Jitters is a rigorous dissection of teenage life and has been likened to an Icelandic version of Skins.
AUGUST
THE SEMINARIAN
August tells the story of two former lovers who reunite after a long ago breakup. After spending several years in Spain, Troy returns to LA and decides to phone Jonathan and meet for coffee. A seemingly innocent rendezvous turns into an attempt to revive passions past.
A story about Ryan, a closeted gay student in his final semester of seminary studies. Despite his school’s hostile stance towards homosexuality, Ryan has two gay classmates. As he enters into a troubled relationship, he begins to question everything he had known about God and love.
Friday 27 July @ 7pm
Friday 31 August @ 7pm
Friday 28 September @ 7pm
Friday 26 October @ 7pm
Screenings at the CSIRO Discovery Centre Nth Science Road Acton • www.bentlenses.org CANBERRA’S VERY OWN QUEER SCREEN CULTURE GROUP, OPERATED BY & FOR OUR COMMUNITY
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TRANS* NEWS Transsexual Daniel Walter Alvarez shows his police credential outside Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentina’s Congress recently approved the Gender Identity Law, which allows citizens to change their gender in public records, including birth certificates and national identity cards.
By Gabrielle Hitch
ARGENTINA GENDER RIGHTS LAW
A NEW WORLD STANDARD ‘THIS IS TRULY A HUMAN RIGHT: THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS.’ THESE WERE SENATOR MIGUEL PICHETTO’S WORDS DURING A PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE IN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE TOPIC BEING DEBATED WAS THE NEW ‘GENDER IDENTITY LAW’, WHICH WAS SHORTLY THEREAFTER VOTED INTO LEGISLATURE BY A MEASURE OF 55 TO 0. The Gender Identity law allows any adult citizen to change their name, gender and identifying imagery simply because they want to, through a simple administrative process. The new law means that all these changes and decisions can, for the first time, be made without the approval of a judge, psychiatrist, doctor, or any other gatekeeper that has historically been tasked with meting out these rights like they’re privileges. The law also legally compels health care providers to deliver hormone therapy and/or surgery options on the clients’ demand. For so many people, this law does so much to live up to Pichetto’s words: the right to happiness indeed. This, obviously, is a sunrise on the philosophy of self-determination and liberty, and makes a loud statement that the country shares a priority of supporting healthy, happy trans lives. High 5, gang! Senator Osvaldo Lopez had some illustrative words to share in the celebratory moments after the debate. ‘There are many people in this country who also deserve the power to exist,’ he said. ‘The power to exist’ is an important choice of words, and speaks directly to the fact that trans* people do on some level challenge the broader community to consider the constructedness of all those apparently indisputable rules that determine the ways we are ‘supposed’ to live our lives. Any law that works to hand more choice over to trans* people adds to an ability to self-determine the direction of one’s life It supports a real, pragmatic, power to exist. Australia has already had some success in this area. Now, in order to obtain a passport reflecting one’s self-identified gender, one no longer has to submit to any unwanted medical procedures. Of course that is tres, tres fab, and we still cheer for this hard-won victory. However, Argentina has truly set its own standard in this area, and it gives us a new barometer by which to gauge the openness of our own sex and gender legislation.
Let’s have a little peek into our own backyard, where are we up to in the ACT? In the ACT, trans* people are still unable to change their legal sex without providing medical evidence that they have been surgically sterilized. This is despite the fact that in 2003 the government undertook to remove all legislative discrimination against trans and intersex people. And despite the fact that in February 2010, the ACT Human Rights Commission (ACTHRC) provided advice to the government advising that there was need for ‘immediate rectification’ of this requirement because it clearly imposed ‘unjustifiable requirements’ on transpeople. In March 2011, the government undertook its third round of consultation in eight years. The outcome of this consultation has not been made public, and the government has not yet indicated whether, how or when it intends to respond. It’s just common courtesy to RSVP, guys. So, while we raise our glasses and toast to our sex and gender diverse family in Argentina, let’s hang onto this take-home message of self-determination. You probably take for granted your right to freely make choices about what happens to your own body, but there are many many trans people, right here in the ACT whose lives and bodies have had these rights held ransom for so long. The Argentinian changes are precisely what we have been requesting and working for in Australia. The passage of this law, with no impending Armageddon, proves that our government has nothing to lose by following suit. To quote Argentinian Vice President Amado Boudou, ‘TODAY IS A DAY WHEN THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF ARGENTINIANS HAVE NEW RIGHTS, WITHOUT ANYBODY ELSE LOSING AN OUNCE OF THEIR OWN RIGHTS’. Can I get a ‘whoop whoop’?! 9
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COMMUNITY
By Andrew Barr ACT Deputy Chief Minister Minister for Sport and Recreation
The benefits of being able to participate and be involved in sport can have a profoundly positive impact, as inclusive sport provides a way of connecting with the community and offers the opportunity to belong. Being part of a sporting club is a great way to achieve this and we need to do all that we can to ensure that every club provides a welcoming and inclusive environment. It is great to see that Hockey ACT and Volleyball ACT have both jumped on board and will work with Sport and Recreation Services to deliver a pilot program beginning later this year.
COMBATING HOMOPHOBIA IN SPORT THE ACT LABOR GOVERNMENT WILL ESTABLISH A NEW PROGRAM TO EQUIP SPORTING CLUBS AND ORGANISATIONS WITH THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO APPROPRIATELY MANAGE HARASSMENT, BULLYING AND HOMOPHOBIA. The two-year program will be run by Sport and Recreation Services working closely with the ACT Human Rights Commission to develop a suite of resources to assist clubs and organisations to promote a culture of inclusiveness and prepare them to manage instances of discrimination should they occur. The ACT Government has provided $272,000 over the next two years to fund the operation of the program and employ a full-time project officer for this initiative. Incorporating aspects of the successful “Fair go, sport!” program run in Victoria, there will be a focus on identifying the barriers to participation in sport by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLTBI) people and developing ways to break those barriers down. GLBTI PEOPLE CONTINUE TO FACE WIDESPREAD DISCRIMINATION, WHICH CAN PREVENT THEM FROM PARTICIPATING IN SPORT GENERALLY AND CAN AFFECT SOCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING.
This program aligns with the ACT’s Active 2020 Sport and Recreation Strategic Plan and the Inclusive Sports Program, which seek to increase participation in sport and recreation activities at all levels in the ACT. Active 2020 is a long term strategic plan for sport and active recreation in the ACT and Region. It provides a blueprint upon which sport and recreation will be nurtured and promoted over the period 2011-2020. It promotes partnerships between industry and government and investment in long term sustainable outcomes. Importantly Active 2020 allows for long term planning by sport and recreation associations in the ACT and Region. The primary objective of the Inclusive Participation Funding Program is to increase participation opportunities in sport and recreation for the identified targeted population groups. This can be achieved in the following ways: •
through financial assistance to eligible organisations in the ACT to create new, or improve existing programs, to increase the participation of the target population groups such as GLBTI Canberrans;
• through the provision of specialised non consumable equipment to enhance the capacity and usage of sport and recreational facilities by the GLBTI community; and •
through improved education and training programs for those assisting in the development and delivery of sport and active recreation programs and services for the GLBTI community.
Australian sports have a responsibility to provide an open and welcoming environment for all — irrespective of gender, sexual preference and cultural background. The goal of this new program is to ensure people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex have equal opportunity to participate and be involved in sport and recreation. 11
ENTERTAINMENT
By Tony Hamlyn
BUZZ ! SOMETHING ABOUT A HAT The Ultimate Collection of Hot Shirtless Navy Guys Climbing a Monument Covered in Lard.
DARLING DARREN Secret Codes and Battleships. You’ll be thrilled to learn a fourth single from Darren Hayes’ new album Secret Codes and Battleships has been released, entitled ‘Stupid Mistake’ and the video is a camp extravaganza. Darren takes on this sort of clown drag persona, exactly like if Liza Minnelli’s and Robbie Williams’ lovechild was raised by Tim Burton and hung out too much with Dakota Fanning’s sister. It’s Fosse. It’s Madonna. It’s Fellini. It’s brilliant! If you weren’t lucky enough to catch his gigs from the end of last year you might be happy to know that the single features live versions of ‘Black Out the Sun’ and ‘Siren’s Call’ from those shows, as well as a Wayne G remix of ‘Bloodstained Heart’. You’ll find the clip at: fusemagazine.com.au
There’s always something fun floating around the Internet. The other day a good friend (hi Cris!) sent me the most glorious meme doing the rounds at the moment, and I just felt that I had to share it with all our readers. It’s a photo essay from the Buzzfeed simply titled ‘The Ultimate Collection of Hot Shirtless Navy Guys Climbing a Monument Covered in Lard’. And, as you might have guessed, it’s pics of hot shirtless navy guys as they climb over each other to get to the top of a monument that is indeed covered in lard. Arguably the greatest homoerotic photography since Herb Ritts’ ‘Fred with Tyres’, this is the kind of stuff that would make Robert Mapplethorpe blush, were he still alive RIP. There are fifty Annapolis Naval Academy freshman in total, it’s like all your Top Gun fantasies come to life. Check it out, and thank me later. You’ll find all the goodness on our website: fusemagazine.com.au
WHITNEY LIVES ON… The Houston Family Chronicles. Whitney Houston is barely cold, but US cable network Lifetime has announced they are making a reality series entitled The Houston Family Chronicles. Because what could be more entertaining than watching a teenager grieve for her celebrity mother? Lifetime is a tad more highbrow than a network like Bravo, who were responsible for the Real Housewives franchise as well as Houston’s other reality series, Being Bobby Brown, which in 2005 laid bare the drug addled destructiveness of her marriage to the former hip-hop superstar. But regardless, this new show will most likely wind up this year’s very best kind of bad TV. If all that isn’t enough posthumous Whitney to whet your whistle, Cissy Houston, Whitney’s mother has negotiated a book deal and will be penning her daughter’s definitive biography before the end of the year. Just how ‘tell-all’ this is going to be remains to be seen. 12
Every year the Annapolis Naval Academy freshman class, known as ‘Plebes,’ climb a monument covered in lard to retrieve the Sailor’s hat and replace it with an officer’s hat. The tradition is one step in marking the end of wearing freshman headgear and moving up to headgear more like a U.S. Naval officer.
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BUZZ ! PRADA’S REVENGE I didn’t like the film The Devil Wears Prada. I felt it sent the wrong message to women about work life balance and sacrifice. And I remember thinking her boyfriend was a douche, essentially mocking her career but expecting her to be supportive of his. What’s that about? Except he was Adrian Grenier, who’s so good looking, so that was nice. I loved Meryl Streep’s performance and it was gay and fashion and bitchy, so I guess I did like it sort of. Maybe I need to reassess how I feel about this film…
RULE BRITANNIA The UK is going through a renaissance of epic proportions. It’s like 1964 all over again, what with One Direction and Helen Mirren and the Jubilee and the London Olympics. The Brits are hotter than a Brighton summer right now. On the subject of those Olympics, the next big Brit thing will be whoever from the pantheon of Brit Pop history, ancient and recent, gets to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies. All we know for sure is that Paul McCartney is confirmed for the opening, but that’s simply one of at least a dozen spots still yet to be filled. Take That and Robbie Williams are surely on that list of potentials, and with their longtime tour creative designer Kim Gavin wearing the title of Artistic Director and choreographer for the Olympic closing ceremony one would assume that the Take That boys might just be making an appearance somewhere. But then there’s your George Michaels and your Annie Lennoxs, not to mention your Paul Wellers and your Lily Allens, your Eltons and your Lulus. The Spice Girls have been rumoured, as has Adele, as has Blur and even Susan Boyle. Being a diehard British Pop fanatic, I have to tell you my head spins just thinking about the possibilities! On top of all that, the other major British happening is of course the final installment of the Absolutely Fabulous reunion. Having pulled out two corker episodes already this year, Jennifer Saunders and the Ab Fab cast have been saving all their best bits for the Olympic episode due to air the week before the Games begin towards the end of July. The ABC were on top of things with fast tracking those earlier episodes only hours after they’d aired in the UK, so expect more of the same for this one too. And talk of a 2013 Ab Fab movie is starting to take serious shape, with confirmation coming from Saunders only a few weeks ago, depending apparently on everybody’s schedule. But until then it’s all London — Top Shop and Marks & Spencers, and it’s Carnaby and Old Compton Streets, it’s the Tube, it’s Soho, it’s the West End and the RVT, it’s Union Jack and “Tally-Ho” and “Rah-Rah-Rah” and Ronnie Corbett and Nelson’s big phallic Column and bloody Viva bloody Britannia darling!
In any case, the author, Lauren Weisberger, revealed she has now finished a sequel entitled Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns. It’s centred once more around perky writer Andy, now working in the bridal magazine industry and planning her impending nuptials. Sure to deliver the same fabulous hackneyed rubbish we’re all desperate to get our hands on again, I’m okay with this literary sequel as I thought the original hackneyed rubbish was a bloody good read. Also, who doesn’t love a good wedding romcom? If they do a second movie it will mean more of that delicious Adrian Grenier. Revenge Wears Prada has been slated for release early next year.
YOU’RE THE VOICE Channel 9 Hit! When I was compiling last issue’s Buzz, I considered doing a piece on the upcoming Channel 9 talent show, The Voice. I’d seen the US version and wasn’t confident the Aussie one would take off, so decided not to mention it. Well colour me misguided, because here we are only weeks later and no one remembers life before Seal, Joel, Keith, Delta. Those swivel chair episodes were jaw-dropping entertainment; Seal being obnoxious and nobody wanting to go near sad old Delta. And what about “legally blind” singer Rachael Leahcar doing her blind audition? I mean, that moment could only have been more perfect if she’d been blind drunk or selling venetian blinds, right? By the time this goes to print it will all be over and we’ll have moved on to the next big thing (Channel 9 are bringing back Big Brother, so gird your loins for that one later this year). But in the meantime those mentors are cashing in as best they can. Most interestingly, Joel and his gorgeous twin Benji have new material ready for release that will be a separate entity from Good Charlotte. This new stuff is under the banner The Madden Brothers and produced by none other than urban aficionado Pharrell Williams. Such a curious direction for the boys to take, and an exciting prospect indeed, expect to hear it on your radio in July. 13
BUZZ !
ENTERTAINMENT
HOMO HERITAGE
WE LOOK BACK AT A SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL PHENOMENON FROM OUR BIG GAY PAST…
CELEBRATING
HARVEY FIERSTEIN’S 60TH BIRTHDAY!
It’s that voice. That freakishly rasping, unforgettable tone unlike anything else you’ve ever heard from any other person. Some regard it as ugly, but Harvey Fierstein has used that voice to create some of the most brilliant and beautiful gay characters the world has ever heard. Coming from a background of experimental theatre and drag cabaret in New York City during the mid-late 1970s, Fierstein developed an autobiographical one-act show about his own experiences as a man searching for love in a world prevalent with lust. The International Stud became an off-off-Broadway hit, spawning a sequel of sorts the following year called Fugue in a Nursery. Adding a final part, he combined all three to create Torch Song Trilogy, a show that earned a cult following, a Broadway run, and the Tony Award for Best Play in 1983. It’s was Torch Song’s success that inspired producer Alan Carr to approach the then 29-year old Fierstein to write the book for a new musical he was working on based on the French farce La Cage aux Folles. Working with Broadway heavyweights Jerry Herman and Arthur Laurents, Fierstein helped to create what was to be the first gay family unit ever portrayed on the American stage. Legend has it that Fierstein came in with an emotional scene where drag mother Albin, disappointed to learn of the shame her son feels towards her, cries out, ‘I am what I am!’ Herman, the show’s songwriter, took the words to create the song that would go on to close Act I and become one of the most recognisable gay anthems of all time. Also around this time Fierstein narrated the awardwinning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk, which of course served as the influence for the 2008 Gus Van Sant biopic, Milk, with footage from the 1984 doco actually interwoven into Van Sant’s film. The Times of Harvey Milk went on to win the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature and earn Fierstein a News and Documentary Emmy. Fierstein got to develop Torch Song Trilogy into a 1988 film co-starring himself, Anne Bancroft and a very young and gorgeous Matthew Broderick. The opening is a remarkable scene, with the great Harvey Fierstein seated at a vanity in a silk kimono delivering to camera a monologue about his search for true love. Honest and hilarious, he bears his soul all the while applying a mask of drag makeup to his face. He tells a rambling stream of anecdotes involving past relationships, identity politics, sign language and self-harm. 14
And through those rough, raspy tones and self deprecating humour you are drawn into what is arguably gay cinema’s greatest film ever, and the most fabulous, heartbreaking story of the life and loves of a drag queen with a loud mouth and a big heart. Small roles in big films followed over the years, including Mrs Doubtfire and Independence Day, and more recently he has appeared in TV shows like Nurse Jackie and The Good Wife. But probably his most memorable foray into the wider pop culture vernacular was when he voiced Homer’s self-sacrificing PA Karl in the season 2 episode of The Simpsons titled ‘Simpson and Delilah’. That is until 2002 when he originated the mother of all drag mother roles, playing Edna Turnbladd in the original Broadway production of the musical Hairspray. Flawless and fabulous, Fierstein won his fourth Tony Award for the role, and the only time in Tony’s history that a man has won for playing a woman. Because he’s worked mostly on the fringe or just a step out of the mainstream he’s not an instantly recognisable star in the same way that someone like Jane Lynch or Neil Patrick Harris might be. But as an actor and a writer and an artist, Harvey Fierstein has been paramount in recreating the gay sensibility in a warm and authentic way. His gift is in normalising the nature of gay relationships, whilst never sacrificing a unique gay voice. And what a voice — a magnificent, throaty rasp as gay as the day is long! This June we celebrate Harvey Fierstein’s 60th birthday and salute someone who has done as much, if not more, for the visibility of LGBT characters as anyone else in the entertainment industry. WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
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FASHION FEATURE
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TOP TEN WINTER FASHION TIPS FOR THE TOMBOY OR GIRLY-GIRL WHETHER YOU’RE A TOMBOY OR A GIRLY-GIRL, AS WE MOVE FROM AUTUMN TO WINTER, DECIDING WHAT TO WEAR IN THE MORNINGS CAN TAKE A LITTLE MORE THOUGHT. Whilst in the warmer months it is easy to just throw on a dress or a pair of shorts, the winter requires consideration on which pieces of clothing will not only look stylish and suit your style, but will also provide the right amount of warmth, but not be too warm when in a centrally heated building. There is also the need to co-ordinate trousers, skirts, tops, tights, shoes and accessories in order to look great wherever you are. So weather your butch, fem or somewhere inbetween — here are my top ten women’s fashion tips for winter.
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LOOK FOR BEAUTIFUL WINTER COLOURS Winter is definitely all about rich colours and deep tones. If you usually wear black think about navy instead. Not only is it really on trend and just as slimming as black but it is also less harsh and draining than black. Also look for clothes in camel which is an incredibly flattering colour and try combining with rusts, brown, black or reds.
2 By Chris Garrington
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ADD SOME TEXTURE Thick winter clothes are particularly good for adding texture to outfits. Try adding interest to a monochrome outfit by combining ladies fashions with different textures. Chunky knitwear, lace and velvet are all great ways of adding some texture to an outfit. WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
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PICK OUT THE STYLES TO SUIT YOUR BODY SHAPE Each season there will be a range of ladies fashion to suit all body shapes. The trick to looking really stylish is to pick out the key dress, trousers, skirts and jacket styles to suit your body shapes. So, you don’t have the perfect shape. Not many of us do — in fact apparently only something like 2% of the population are “perfect”. You can create the illusion of a perfect body however by choosing clothes to create the appearance of perfect proportions. It’s all about balancing your perceived shape to the “perfect” shape (or moving your appearance in that direction anyway). For example, if you have long legs and a short, rectangle torso you can create the illusion of a longer, leaner, inverted triangle torso. Do this by choosing tops that emphasize your shoulders and that flow through the waist, with a hemline between the lower hip to the tip of your fingers and with no horizontal seams across your torso.
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CHOOSE A VERSATILE COAT
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INVEST IN A GREAT PAIR OF BOOTS
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With the weather getting colder, a great coat is a vital part of any winter wardrobe. By choosing a versatile colour and style, you can ensure that your coat goes with all sorts of different outfits. Investing in a well made coat means that it will last you for many years to come.
Another important piece of outdoor wear, a pair of winter boots, will look great with lots of different outfits and also keep your feet stylishly warm and dry throughout the autumn and into the winter.
LAYER YOUR CLOTHING Layering is not only a great way to keep warm and also adapt your outfit to the warmer temperatures inside, it is also very stylish and a key part of ladies fashions for winter. Choose thin clothing to avoid the layers looking too bulky and think carefully about the colour, texture, length, necklines and sleeves of each layer and how they will work together.
Fashion label Tomboy lives up to its name with a chic, masculine twist on winter fashion. Lensed by Seung Yeop Lee, Irina Magda models the latest wares from Tomboy’s winter line up. With hot knits, knee-high boots, gloves, vibrantly coloured outerwear — the label delivers a range of stylish, practical options for the colder months to come.
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MAKE A STATEMENT WITH TIGHTS Over the last few years, statement tights have become increasingly popular again. Wear tights in bright colours and patterns for a fun and stylish winter look.
BALANCE THE OUTFIT Whatever clothes and accessories you choose to wear, make sure that you consider the finished look to ensure that it is well balanced. Too much bulk, olour or pattern can be overpowering.
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ACCESSORIES Choose your accessories carefully. Scarves make great winter accessories as not only do they give a bit of warmth but they also add colour, pattern and texture. Belts are also great for adding shape to loose fitting clothes and defining the waist.
PICK AND CHOOSE THE TRENDS TO SUIT YOU There are so many different fashions available this winter. So no matter what kind of woman you are, there is definitely something to suit everyone. Pick and choose the trends that suit you in terms of your body shape, colouring, lifestyle and personality. 17
DID KN YO 1 INOW U PEO 14 CHLHAVPELE AM YDI A
GET TES TING TE IS Q AN UICD DE K ASY
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHLAMYDIA Getting tested is very simple. All you need to know about symptoms and where to get a test is at socproject.net
CANB E R RA HO S P I TAL A division of ACT Health
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DID YOU KNOW? Chlamydia is the most common Sexually Transmissible Infection (STI) in Australia, and affects 1 in 14 sexually active young people. Chlamydia affects both men and women and is easy to catch, but usually doesn’t have any symptoms, so many people don’t think to get tested for it. Find out more at socproject.net
socproject.net WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
FASHION By Tom Corliss
ARE PYJAMAS BACK IN STYLE? REAL MEN DON’T WEAR PYJAMAS AND THEY MOST DEFINITELY DON’T WEAR ONESIES! At least that is what we’ve been led to believe. There has long been a stigma attached to men wearing pyjamas. Today, what most consider as the official hip sleepwear for men are boxers and a white tee… or nothing at all. Part of the reason is men’s pjs have long signified sexlessness — plus let’s face it they can look pretty daggy. There is only two phases in a guy’s lifetime when pjs are acceptable: under 12, when they look super cute; and when you’re over 60 and your sex appeal has ‘apparently’ been lost forever and you don’t care anyway.
Perfect for keeping warm on those chilly Canberra nights and the one-piece feels as good as it looks. The pouch area even features a sexy buttoned fly for easy access. By ES Collection $120.00 at LaJock.com
Nothing sus... an advertisement for Wilson Wear Faultless Nobelt Pajamas 1940s
READ OUR PINK UNDIES FEATURE ONLINE These drawstring lounge pants from Timoteo are perfect for hanging out at home or hitting the sheets in style. These stretch cotton lounge pants have an easy to wear relaxed fit. The fabric is extra soft and light weight, making them the ultimate in comfort. Hero Lounge Pant by Timoteo $38.00 at timoteo.net
But it wasn’t always that way — pyjamas were sexy once. Fifty’s heartthrobs like Cary Grant wore pjs. But that was a time when anything slightly suggestive was sexy. Seeing Grant in his pyjamas made viewers think of sex and nudity and wonder what lay beneath. These days, with nudity always a click away online, little is left to the imagination. Times are changing. It’s taken half a century for it to happen but pyjamas are fighting their way back ‘in’ — thanks to some of today’s leading underwear designers. One thing these new pyjamas have in common: they’re not what your Grandpa would have stepped outside in to pick up the morning paper from the curb. These new jammies are sexier than ever. They may even bring back the pyjama party — for men. 19
GROOMING At some point most guys experiment with ‘manscaping’. This is the term given to the grooming of one’s body hair. It’s not unusual for a man to manage hair from the neck up, but today it has become increasingly common for guys to manscape their whole body. This isn’t a new phenomenon however as men have shaved their entire bodies for centuries. Only within the last decade has it become popular again for the everyday male to trim, shave, wax and use depilatory creams.
If you are like me, your father taught you how to shave and probably realised through trial and error that shaving your chin is very different than shaving elsewhere. Whether it be chest, back, legs or genitals there are some simple precautions to learn before you start hacking away. When it comes to ‘manscaping’ you do not have your father’s advice to guide you and it is hard to find helpful advice on the topic. I am going to share with you some things I have learned on my quest to figure out the complexity that is ‘manscaping’.
MANSCAPING THE ART OF
TRIMMING: This step is especially important if it is your first attempt at manscaping and is perfect for smaller delicate areas. Carefully use grooming scissors or clippers to remove any unwanted hair. I recommend doing this in front of a mirror before you shower. If you are only trimming things up, it is easier to do whilst dry. Do not ever rush the process — sharp objects can be dangerous. For most guys, trimming is as far they go. SHAVING: If you want to remove all of your body hair, you will need to use a razor. Chest and leg areas are pretty easy to shave but below the belt it can be quite complicated and hazardous, but gets easier with practice. After you have trimmed all of the longer and thicker hair off with clippers, you can get a closer shave with a razor. This is most easily done in the shower. You should always be sure to use a new razor blade for best results with the least amount of irritation. Doing this in the shower with warm water softens the skin and hair follicle making it easier to remove. It is also important to generously lubricate the skin and hair with shaving cream. When you shave your chin, you are taught to shave against the growth of your hair. This is not the case with other areas. Always shave in the direction the hair is growing to avoid irritations and the dreaded bumpiness.
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By Colby Kern Morrell
DEPILATORY CREAMS AND WAXING: Although depilatory creams that dissolve hair are fine for legs, back and chest areas never use them on your genitals. The skin in these places is way too sensitive… I cannot think of anything worse than a chemical burn down there. If you want to wax, which is a great way of dealing with large areas of hair, I suggest you see a professional as a home job may end in disaster. Oh and never, never wax your testicles [immature giggle] the skin is very thin and will tear. Enough said. DEALING WITH IRRITATION: Any skin from you head down is much more sensitive and will mostly get red or even bumpy after shaving. This usually goes away in a couple of days. In the meantime it can be quite uncomfortable. It sounds a bit old fashioned but keeping the area dry with powders can be a lifesaver. This will soothe the skin and help with the horrible itching we are all too familiar with. Manscaping is all about preference and differs between people. For most guys, depending on how much hair your body has over all, a light trim does the trick. Deciding on what works best for you is a personal choice that you need to make on your own. The next time you are considering body grooming, remember these tips and I promise you will have a far better result. You can thank me later.
For more fashion advice from Colby visit colbykern.com
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2012 Annual AIDS Action Council
Saturday 25th August 07:00pm for 07:30pm start The Canberra Labor Club, Chandler Street Belconnen
Tickets $200 for table of 8 Single tickets for $25
Great prizes, raffles and auctions to
win
For more information www.aidsaction.org.au/trivia 21
REACHING FOR THE CHOCOLATE YET AGAIN?
Foods for
Moods
YOU’RE NOT ALONE. CHOCOLATE IS ONE THE WORLD’S FAVE FOODS, WITH THE AVERAGE AUSTRALIAN CONSUMING 6KG PER YEAR AND A MASSIVE 3.6 MILLION TONNES WORLDWIDE. Chocolate contains anandamines which stimulate the brain in a similar way to marijuana. Combine this with the stimulant effect of theobromine and caffeine, high fat content and the luscious texture and taste. It’s no wonder the desire for chocolate exceeds most other food cravings. While it does have some nutritional merits — namely antioxidants — with its high fat and sugar content, it’s a bit like saying cola is good for you, as it contains water! The Western diet has seen greater dietary changes in the past 70 years than in the previous 100,000 year history of humanity. We thought the shift to eating grains with the agricultural revolution was huge; nope, not compared with trying to digest plastic, pesticides and processed fats. Our bodies are starving for nutrients while we pile in the faux food. ‘We are what we eat’, but often people don’t realise we think and feel what we eat as well. Our food choices impact dramatically on brain biochemistry and hormones which all affect our moods and mental state. It’s simplistic and patronising to say that changing your diet will cure your mind of all diseases, but it can help considerably. Diet is one of my naturopathic frontline approaches for any person with mood swings, anxiety, depression or fatigue. When hormones and sugar levels get more balanced and liver and gut function improves, then often the mood can be balanced and anxiety and irritability drops. I have one client who will start to get rising panic after one cup of green tea, for her that’s too much caffeine. With a coffee, she’s climbing the walls, as she puts it, for two days.
By Jacqui Bushell
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Neurotransmitters are protein rich chemicals usually produced in the brain and nervous tissue. To make them and in the right amount, we need a lot of nutrients like zinc (of which Australian soils have zilch), essential fatty acids and plenty of minerals and vitamins. Of course, we need to be able to digest and absorb all of these properly as well. High sugar and fat and low protein diets, as well as causing digestive and liver problems, impact on the production and function of these crucial brain hormones. Ever had a heavy night with rich food, desserts and maybe alcohol and felt heavy, lethargic, flat and irritable the next couple of days?
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FEATURE
HAS YOUR FOOD TAKEN OVER YOUR BRAIN? WHAT’S YOUR DRUG? CHOCOLATE? CRISPY CHIPS? CHOC CHIP ICE CREAM? LUSH FRENCH CAKES? Some foods exert an addictive affect on our body, triggering opiate like feel good endorphins in the brain. If you stop eating this food you literally go into a withdrawal state and start craving it. This is one of the commonest signs I see with food sensitivities like dairy, wheat or corn. Two litres of milk per day is an addiction, not a health habit. If we continue to eat the food we are reacting to it has long term inflammatory effects, damaging our gut, immune system and joints, as well as a huge emotional impact: mood swings, anxiety, panic and depression. Have you ever gone totally sugar free? It can be as tough as giving up smoking. Our mood can also influence what foods we reach for. Fats and sugars are emotional soporifics, eat enough and we become ‘numbed’ out and high on an unstable sugar rush. Often we eat when we’re stressed, bored, miserable, want to suppress feelings, procrastinate or are tired. Eating those familiar comfort foods: creamy pasta, ice cream, chips and pizza creates a reward or gratification effect, which triggers off the same pleasure centres in the brain as sex and drugs.
WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN — FAST! SIMPLE CARBS TURN OFF OUR SATIATION OR ‘I’M FULL’ FEELING SO WE DON’T REALISE HOW MUCH WE’RE EATING. So we over eat, which really stresses out our digestive system. Ever noticed how much more of a pasta a creamy dish or bread you can eat compared with high protein or beans and vegies? That initial euphoria winds down very rapidly, within an hour generally. Eating simple sugars and processed foods provides hardly any nutrient content, so there’s nothing to sustain the body and mind. There’s a quick burst of energy then we crash. Our body tries to make up the nutrient deficit by craving more food. Some food, like sugar actually causes nutrient depletion and then there’s the negative effect that preservatives and colourings have on mood changes. When the body burns through its available energy due to high insulin from processed carbs, our cells start starving and demanding immediate energy. We reach for the quick hit and the cycle of swings continue. These yo-yo swings are exhausting to the body and very destabilising to our mood and clear thinking. Junk foods are depressing — literally. Drinking one can of soft drink per day for five days gives you 55 teaspoons of sugar, about a quarter kilo; this much sugar will increase anxiety, lessen stress coping, reduce immune function, play havoc with your energy levels as well as inflaming your tissues.
Skipping breakfast or having a bowl of sugary commercial cereal means more fatigue and anxiety throughout the day. A low GI, high protein breakfast is best to hold your blood sugars more stable throughout the whole day and give more energy than muesli or toast. Are you a carbs person or a high protein person? If you eat a bowl of porridge for breakfast how long before you’re hungry again? If it’s two hours or less then the food isn’t holding your sugar levels stable and a higher protein breakfast is better. If you can’t face eggs, lentils or fish for breakfast then go for a good quality porridge and add a handful of nuts, chia seeds, soy milk, linseeds, and some yoghurt or try cooking it from high protein quinoa not oats.
HORMONES AND THE MIND WHAT WE EAT, OR DON’T EAT CAN REALLY EXACERBATE STRESS AND MOOD SWINGS. Combine this with a poor liver and digestive function and for women in particular, this can lead to an altered progesterone to oestrogen ratio and severe premenstrual syndrome with anger, irritability, mood swings, swollen breasts, teariness and painful periods. Ovarian hormones also influence Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and B vitamins absorption. Cholesterol makes steroid hormones, so if your cholesterol is low then your hormones will be too. Usually cholesterol increases as we get older, but with statins being the number one prescription drug, I often see folks whose cholesterol is dropping far lower than it should for health. When we’re stressed the body can ‘steal’ the precursors to hormones to make cortisol to balance the stress response. With low cholesterol and high stress we end up deficient in testosterone, oestrogen, aldosterone and DHEA and become cranky, depressed, not coping people. High cortisol levels shrink the hippocampus in the brain which is why we can’t think properly when we’re stressed and our moods swing worse than a boot-scoot boogie queen. The other main hormone influence on our moods is the thyroid gland which influences our whole metabolism. Thyroid dysfunction is incredibly common. With low or hypothyroid we feel fatigue, lethargy, can’t think and may be depressed. When it’s over stimulated, hyperthyroid, we get more anxiety, palpitations, panic, rage, and irritability. Classification of the normal range of thyroid hormones in Australia is much more lenient than in Europe and the US. I’ve often seen clients who have an obvious thyroid issue with ‘normal’ tests results, where overseas they’d be medicated for the same results. 23
A HIGH PROTEIN BREAKFAST WILL HOLD YOUR BLOOD SUGARS MORE STABLE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE DAY
LOW FAT NOT NO FAT WITH ALL THE ‘FAT IS BAD’ MARKETING, SOMETIMES WE CAN BE DANGEROUSLY LOW IN USEFUL OILS. Good oils are essential for all cell membranes, tissues, brain and for the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). Don’t ever go ‘no fat’! Healthy oils are in nuts and seeds, fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, avocado, and olives. Coconut is a fabulous fat, it’s good for irritability and anxiety, heals the gut, and stabilises blood sugar. Try adding some coconut milk to your smoothies.
FOODS FOR BALANCING MOODS REACH FOR FOODS HIGH IN CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND ZINC. You’ll find these in organic pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, green leafy vegies, peanuts, oysters, sesame seeds and tahini, and dare I say it? Dark chocolate!
EATING FOR DEPRESSION DEPRESSION CAN BE TRIGGERED AND EXACERBATED BY A RANGE OF PHYSICAL ISSUES AS WELL AS EMOTIONAL. Check your thyroid, your liver, Vitamin D, glucose tolerance and cholesterol. Depression is aggravated by a high sugar and processed food diet, food allergens, low B vitamins, blood sugar imbalances, any inflammation, allergies, hormone dysfunction and ‘sugar free’ soft drinks. Serotonin is made from the protein amino acid tryptophan. It’s one of the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters that helps lift and stabilise mood and makes us feel more joyful. Serotonin is most commonly linked with depression, but it also regulates mood, appetite, sleep, memory, learning and controlling impulses; ‘put the spoon down, and step away from the Nutella jar’. Ninety per cent of serotonin is produced in the gut. If you don’t absorb well, have bloating and not enough nutrient co-factors (Vitamins B6, B9 and B12, some carbohydrates, zinc, magnesium and calcium) then you won’t make enough serotonin and your mood will plummet. This will trigger sugar cravings. Try to avoid reaching for the biscuits, however complex carbohydrates like whole grains, beans, lentils and vegetables will improve neurotransmitter production. A healthy gut makes a huge difference to our energy levels and brain function. If you have chronic inflammation, you will probably have some level of depression. If you’re eating foods you’re sensitive to then serotonin levels get depleted and more adrenaline is produced as a stress response. After the adrenalin buzz then histamine, a depressant is triggered.
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Steer clear of the caffeine and alcohol and keep yourself well hydrated with plenty of water and calming herbal teas: passionflower, skullcap, chamomile, lemon balm. Oats are great for healing stressed out nerves. Tryptophan rich foods include: banana, plums, eggs, spinach, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, walnuts, almonds and dairy. Fish oils and flaxseed oil help reduce stress, aggression, anxiety, inflammation and improve memory and brain function. The cheap oils haven’t been screened for heavy metals so take the better quality ones, 3 capsules per day or 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil. Fish is great mood food; eat sardines, salmon or white fish at least three times weekly. Make sure you’re having a palm sized amount of protein twice daily, whether it’s meat, soy, yoghurt or lentil sourced. Eat lots of vegies, green leafies or spirulina, avoid the processed garbage and cook for yourself — the food will be fresher and more vibrant with less additives and preservatives. How calm, optimistic and alert do you feel after a night with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s, some coffee and alcohol? What we consistently eat has a profound effect on our mind and emotions. If we’re well nourished then we are more confident, happy, and tolerant and can jump off the emotional roller coaster, look good and have energy to spare. Jacqui Bushell ND, DBM, DRM is a Naturopath and Herbalist. Jacqui works with many locally grown, wild crafted herbs, Flower Essences, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Hot Stone Massage and Spiritual Healing. These modalities support and heal our body and mind, inviting us to a more inspirational way of living, to connect on a deeper level with ourselves and our environment. For more information on improving your life visit Jacqui’s website at puretherapies.com.au WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
WHOLISTIC BODYWORK NATURAL THERAPIES AND WEEKLY YOGA PHYSICAL AND ENERGETIC HEALING Gregory has been working in Canberra as a highly qualified Natural Therapist and Yoga instructor for over 16 years. He’s successfully treated a wide range of common physical problems such as: soft tissue injuries, digestive problems, muscle aches, painful joints and post-operative scars. He’s also had great success in treating various mental and emotional problems such as: stress-induced anxiety, relationship problems, depression, sleep disorders, phobias, lack of motivation and fatigue. BECOME MORE RESILIENT TO LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS Gregory also runs weekly Yoga classes in a supportive and friendly enviroment, classes are tailored for all stages of life and fitness. • GENERAL YOGA CLASSES (open to everyone) • NUDE YOGA CLASSES (men only) • TANTRIC YOGA CLASSES (men only) Meet like-minded people and enjoy the social side of Yoga while learning postures, breathing and philosophy. Gregory Barnes, Dip. Shiatsu, Dip. Yoga Teaching, Cert. Massage, Cert. Tantric Yoga Teaching, Reiki Master. Health Fund provider. Based in Red Hill.
0419 694 991
FOR MORE DETAILS CALL GREGORY ON WWW.NATURALTHERAPYPAGES.COM.AU/THERAPIST/32614
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♥
FREE ENTRY & HAPPY HOUR
There is nowhere else you should be! Come and join us at Cube nightclub. We do free entry and happy hour every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night until 11pm.
OPENING HOURS • THURSDAY 9PM-5AM • FRIDAY 9PM-5AM • SATURDAY 10PM-5AM • SUNDAY 10PM-LATE 33 PETRIE PLAZA CIVIC, CANBERRA CITY WWW.CUBENIGHTCLUB.COM.AU
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KEEP ON CUBING
This year’s Masqueerade Ball was an absolute hit. Big thank you to all the people who attended this unforgettable night. We loved all the great masks and costumes. From the moment the doors opened the club had an amazing vibe and all of our patrons partied hard until the early hours of the morning. DJ Matt played an unbelievable set, which kept us all in party spirit until after 5am. Don’t miss Cube’s very own Christmas in July Party. We hope to see you all there and to once again bring you a wonderful night to remember. Drag Indulgence has been a great hit so far this year, with more come. The success has been highlighted with drag queens like, Laydee kineme, Lola del Arte, Conchita Grande, Felicity Frockaccino, Nikita van der Kamp, Prada Clutch and Skye Blue. Wow can it get any better than this? The names keep on coming with every event, and we have been busy booking in shows well into the end of the 2012. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and checkout our web page cubenightclub.com.au to keep updated on drag shows, events and photos. Let us know what you think because we love to hear from you and your thoughts on Cube — this helps us bring you a much more enjoyable experience next time we see you. So keep on Cubing.
MASQUEERADE BALL @ CUBE
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OP.ED
THE CONSCIENCE VOTE By Simon Copland Simon is the current convenor of the ACT Greens
We need to be wary of building campaigns that although gain short-term successes build on the idea that one can be queerphobic and still have a conscience. If by fighting for a conscience vote we buy into conservative ideas that homosexuality is an issue of conscience is it really worth it?
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Deputy Leader Wayne Swan and Attorney General Robert McLelland vote for a conscience vote for Federal MP’s on the issue of same-sex marriage during the National ALP Conference in Sydney, 3 December 2011. Conference delegates passed a motion to change the Labor’s party platform on same-sex marriage and allow MP’s a conscience vote.
WHAT IS IT WITH OUR OBSESSION WITH CONSCIENCE VOTES? WHENEVER BIG SOCIAL POLICY CHANGES ARE MOOTED, CONSCIENCE VOTES ARE BROUGHT UP FROM THOSE ON THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT AS A WAY TO DEAL WITH THEM. This is happening in the marriage equality debate now. In the lead up to the ALP conference last year many marriage equality campaigners advocated for a conscience vote as compromise solution. Now, instead of demanding that the Coalition change their formal position on equal marriage many are instead using a conscience vote as the main point of campaigns. For example, in February this year Australian Marriage Equality (AME) began a campaign pushing the Coalition for a conscience vote on the issue. AME national convenor said of the campaign, ‘Soon their (the Coalition’s) party room will debate whether they should have a conscience vote on marriage equality, which is essential if marriage equality is to pass Parliament.’ Yet, when looking at these sorts of campaigns, it is really important to ask the question, are conscience votes actually a good tactic for social justice activists to pursue? 28
The idea of a conscience vote seems to be synonymous with social change. Even though they often have a bigger impact than social issues we never demand conscience votes on major economic reforms or environmental regulations. This is primarily based on conservative religious thought where the idea that these sorts of social issues are somehow a matter of ‘personal conscience’, whilst other issues are based around political ideology and Government management. And this is where problems arise. By pursuing conscience votes on major social issues, we let politicians get away with the idea that they can vote against social policies and still have a conscience. Instead of saying it is simply unconscionable for people to vote against these sorts of changes, we are giving politicians an ability to save face. But, I hear you say, ‘you’re being unrealistic. Conscience votes are our best chance of success.’ That of course has to be a consideration, but at some point we have to ask ‘what is the cost of our short-term success?’
I’m not saying that we never engage with debates around conscience votes. Sometimes we are stuck with the reality of them and we often have to deal with the parameters set by those in Parliament to get the wins we need. Yet, to think that a conscience vote is a good result, or even worse to demand it as the first point of call, we can really be screwing our movement over. When we start demanding conscience votes what we are doing is saying ‘it’s okay homophobes/racists/misogynists etc., you’re allowed to vote against us and we’re even giving you an out in the public by letting you say it’s a matter of conscience’. In running campaigns it is important to think about the bigger picture as well as the short-term goals. Whilst legislation such as marriage equality may be seen as an important next step, we need to ensure we don’t throw everything out to ensure its passage. Given the ‘out’ conscience votes give politicians and in turn the community, to be socially conservative, we need to question their use in our campaigns. Instead of advocating for a conscience vote, we should instead be saying that voting against these issues is simply unconscionable. WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
IN THE MOOD!
ANOTHER FANTASTIC SELLOUT YEAR AT THE QUEANBEYAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
K CHEC FULL R U OUT O EASON AT S 2012 Q.NET.AU E H T
MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL 14 - 19 AUGUST
THE IMAGINARY INVALID 11 - 21 JULY
Argan is sick, deathly sick, or so he’d like to think. He wants his daughter Angelique to marry a doctor, so that he’ll have free health care. But Angelique already has a lover. Will she get to marry the man she loves? Will Argan survive his doctors? Will Argan’s wallet survive his new wife? Will anyone survive the antics of the madcap maid Toinette? This play is fun and very, very funny, while still managing to contain a theme as relevant today as it was when first performed in 1673. We are constantly being bombarded with the message that we may have this illness or suffer from that allergy; if we just take this potion or that tablet we can stay young and healthy. The remedies may now be more complicated than a bleeding, an enema and a purge, but society’s reverence of the medical profession remains as strong as ever. ‘A triumphant carnival of colour, crazy characters and clever business and one of the most authentic interpretations of Moliere’s scintillating comedy that you are likely to see.’ Peter Wilkins - The Canberra Times, May 2011
253 CRAWFORD STREET QUEANBEYAN
TICKET BOOKINGS 6285 6290 WWW.THEQ.NET.AU
A hilarious, musical journey about being a mum. Climbing the emotional mountain only to find that there’s laundry at the top. Discovering how powerful your love can be. Helping your kids find their way while not losing yours. The laughing, crying, craziness, calm, smiles and tears... and all before breakfast.
‘Motherhood The Musical has it all. If you saw the funny side of the change of life in Menopause The Musical, then this is the show for you.’ Jason Blake - Sydney Morning Herald
CHASING THE LOLLYMAN 29 - 30 AUGUST
Have you ever wanted to find your inner Aboriginality? What about an episode of Getaway that takes us on a true blue Aussie holiday to a Queensland Aboriginal mission? Doesn’t that just scream ‘Classic Aussie Outback?’ This one man show is devised and performed by one of Queensland’s most dynamic and funny Indigenous performers Mark Sheppard. It’s a joyous sharing of poignant and thought provoking stories. ‘Chasing the Lollyman is about celebrating the talents of Mark Sheppard - and there is a lot to admire, from his evocative dancing to his wry commentary about growing up black and gay in Australia.’ The AGE 29
TIM FREEDMAN’S F I R E S IDE C HAT
“… a hint of Nina Simone with extra growl…” Media Culture
Friday 3rd August 8pm
Paul Capsis
MAKE ME A KING
with special guest
BERNIE HAYES W I N T E R S O L O T O U R 2 012
FRIDAY 27 JULY 8PM BOOK
NOW
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WITH each Make Me a King ticket purchased enjoy a glass of complimentary Champagne
90+ players, 10 days of all things jazz.
3–12 AUGUST 2012 For full program go to
6247 1223 WWW.THESTREET.ORG.AU
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MONEY SHOT By Scott Malcolm Scott is the Director of Money Mechanics
DIGITAL CURRENCY UPDATE YOUR FACEBOOK STATUS TO: INVESTED… MAYBE NOT JUST YET... Friends of mine will know that ‘Facebooking’ is a pastime of mine (as a shameless plug check out the Money Mechanics fan page and ‘like’ us for exciting finance and money updates all year round: facebook.com.au/moneymechanics). Some readers might have heard that Facebook listed on the US share market (NASDAQ) on the 18th of May this year; however from an investment perspective my professional view is that I would not be parting with my hard earned cash to invest into this company, not just yet anyway. When a company lists onto the share market it is usually done via an Initial Public Offer (IPO). This process means that the company moves from being privately owned (we all may know of Mark Zuckerberg, he also has some other private equity investors in the case of Facebook) to being publically owned by investors who have a share (or shares) in the company. The IPO process is a boost to the company or the existing private investors as they are taking back some of their capital by selling it publically to others in the market. So when an IPO occurs initially the private investors are the ones making the money. As with all shares, the benefits back to the shareholder are any income and capital returns from the profitability of the company, the risk being that if the company does not perform from a profit perspective (or has a reduction in profitability such as in the case of Facebook) its listed share price may come down in value.
Facebook makes most of its revenue from advertising and I don’t know about you, but I have never clicked on a Facebook advert. They also make some other income from ‘digital currency’, which the fans of FarmVille and other Facebook based games (which I regularly shudder at the thought of) may be familiar with but this only makes up about 18 per cent of their overall revenue. If you are looking for some quality investment action in the US Market then my bet at the moment would be on my other favorite products and that is Apple. Not the fruit but the IT Company. Even with the loss of Steve Jobs this company has good earning expectations and my other little tip is investment along side Warren Buffet (the world’s most successful share investor) into his company Berkshire Hathaway. There are plenty of interesting ways you can access these companies from here in Australia so if you want to review your investment strategy or get some insights into your current arrangements give me a call but most importantly start your journey to being free around your money and creating wealth with understanding. Scott is a specialist financial life planner in the areas of superannuation, wealth creation and financial education. His financial life planning approach brings together technical expertise and the human touch to create a tailored solution. For more details email scott@money-mechanics.com.au or call 02 6257 5557.
b
If would like to ask Scott any questions, you can email him at scott@money-mechanics.com.au or call 02 6257 5557. Visit money-mechanics.com.au Scott Malcolm is Director of Money Mechanics who are authorised to provide financial advice through PATRON Financial Advice AFSL 307379. The information provided in this article 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.
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END OF FINANCIAL YEAR TAX APPEAL Every cent of every dollar you donate to the Trevor Daley Fund goes directly to support local people affected by HIV* The TDF assists men, women and children in our region directly affected by HIV to improve and maintain a better quality of life through the provision of financial assistance, financial counselling and personal development. Living with a chronic and unpredictable condition has its short and long term challenges and difficulties. The costs of treatments, health practitioners, returning to employment, retraining and maintaining independence are just a few examples.
This year, make your annual donation count and receive a tax deduction Visit Westlund House or www.westlundhouse.org.au/donate to make a real difference. If you have any queries about the Trevor Daley Fund or the work of the AIDS Action Council, don’t hesitate to contact us. *The Trevor Daley Fund is managed by the AIDS Action Council of the ACT and all administrative and banking costs are fully absorbed by this agency. The AIDS Action Council is a Deductible Gift Recipient under Australian Tax Office legislation and all donations above $2 are fully tax deductible.
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TOP QUEER
By Stuart Poole
Caravanning Why rough it when you can go
Our friends were camping at Jervis bay — which is only a short trip from sunny Canberra — so we decided to join them, but with a twist. We borrowed Dad’s beloved Falcon and caravan for the weekend, meaning we minimised set up and pack up times and slept above the ground — with the current unpredictable weather that’s a major plus in my books. The best thing about a caravan is that it’s always good to go. My parents leave their van packed with essentials ready to roll — all you need is food and clothes. But you will need a big car or a 4WD, don’t expect to hook your caravan up to a Nissan Micra and run up the Clyde Mountain with it! It will only end up in tears and probably another excess as you plummet backwards off the edge somewhere. The Ford Falcon was an excellent tow car. It barely felt the van on the back, the main tell-tale being the increase in fuel consumption. A Commodore or a 4WD around the size of an X-Trail or above should do the job too. For big vans, you are going to need a big tow vehicle — think Cruiser or Patrol, which is why the Grey Nomads love ‘em. Of course there are really small vans and camper trailers available for small cars, but lie down in one first, at 6’2” I find I can’t fit in most of them. So, it was very nice to have a stove and fridge at our disposal, and a bed that was up above the creepy crawlies, but then the real bonus came when it decided to pour down with rain in the middle of the night. Here we were in utter comfort and warmth, while our tent dwelling friends were battling leaks and floating pillows. A solid roof is a real bonus. When the time came to pack up we were the first ready to go, while our friends folded up wet tents that they would have to dry out later at home. We just backed up the car and hooked it all up. Too easy!
AUNT DOROTHY’S MOTORING TIP Whilst I enjoy holidays away in my duck–egg blue 1984 Toyota Corolla, I would not dream of towing a van without experience. There are plenty of commercially available courses to teach you the skills you need before you head off. Check with your local van club, or caravan retailer before setting off. It’s not as hard as you think, but not as easy as parking at the supermarket either!
TRAPS FOR NEW PLAYERS INCLUDE: Jacks: The van is supported by jacks in each corner, you will need to use these to level the van if the ground is uneven, as the fridge probably won’t work on an angle and you might fall out of bed! Don’t forget to put them away again before driving off either! Overtaking: Your car is now twice (or more) as long as it was before you attached the van, so be careful overtaking. Mirrors: Standard mirrors won’t usually let you see around the van, so a set of extended mirrors are a must — they are available at any auto parts outlet and remember the old story applies; you get what you pay for! Towing: Check the towing capacity of your car and state laws in the areas you intend to travel in. They do vary, and a fine won’t enhance your holiday. If you aren’t sure if a caravan is for you, then why not hire one and find out. You won’t have to store or register it, and chances are, it will be the latest model too. 33
OP.ED
By Lachlan Keddie
A YOUTH PERSPECTIVE ON HIV ON MAY 20, AN IMPORTANT EVENT WAS COMMEMORATED — THE 29TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL. I am on the tailing end of generation Y and came of age in the late 2000s; new to the GLBTI community, many of my friends are just becoming sexually mature now. After having talked to many of my peers after the event, it became apparent that many people of my generation have little knowledge about HIV and think it’s something of a bygone era. But a recent study by the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looking at rates of HIV among gay, bisexual and other men-who-have-sex-with-men found that since the early 1990s, new infections have been steadily increasing among this category of people, and represent just over half of all people with new cases of HIV in the United States. The highest rates, according to the report, were white men aged 30 to 39, and among black men aged 13 to 29. In Australia, according to a 2011 report by the Kirby Institute, new cases have been slowly rising from 1999, but appear to have somewhat stabilised. Despite this, the rate of new cases still has about 1000 new people a year living with HIV in Australia, and the rates among men who have sex with men is at 63% of all new cases, as well as an extra 3% who use injected drugs.
Not since the early 1990s has HIV been a major issue in mainstream society. As treatments have improved and new cases have fallen dramatically since their peak in Australia at more than 2000 cases a year, the issue has gradually been placed on the back burner — particularly for young gay and bisexual men. While it is great that people living with HIV today have much better prospects, it is alarming that there is complacency among the younger generations about HIV/AIDS. With the recent funding cut to Queensland’s only LGBT health organisation, it’s vital that we don’t let the Government forget that HIV and safe sex education is as important as it has ever been and that community services like the AIDS Action Council are still supported.
I was born in 1992; in that year there were around 1200 new cases of HIV in Australia. It was following a huge drop in infections after major awareness campaigns launched by the Australian government and a subsequent greater public awareness of how HIV is transmitted. One of my closest friends was notified by his doctor that he was HIV positive the day after his 18th birthday. He was not promiscuous, and had only had a couple of sexual partners. It was only after this that he realised how easy it is to contract HIV. My friend had not received much education about HIV at a young age, and when he came out, he and his friends did not really think about the consequences of having unprotected sex. We are a luckier generation than our forbearers and with current medical advancements he is well and is a happy and motivated person. Despite the social stigmatism from un-educated folk, he’s completely open about being positive. He has told me numerous times he is astounded at how many young gay and bisexual men seem to think of HIV as something primarily among older men, or an African problem. 34
29th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Ceremony at the National Gallery of Australia. It honours the memory of all people affected by HIV and reignites community activism.
WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
Supporting someone who is feeling suicidal
If you are thinking of suicide
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Be a friend Listen, keep in touch Give them time
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MUSIC
By Tony Hamlyn
EAR CANDY SINGLES KARMIN
BROKENHEARTED These guys are super talented and uber pop; two traits I beg for in all potential music purchases. I’ve been following their YouTube account since seeing them on Ellen about a year ago. They’ve been doing covers mostly, but their talents are remarkable and their shtick is kind of irresistible. They’re young and hip and gorgeous and married to each other, so it’s like Abba by way of Glee. The word you are looking for here is POP with a capital everything! ‘Brokenhearted’ is the most whoooo-hands-in-the-air-oh-I-love-this-song-turn-it-up party fodder to happen so far this year. This song is so infectious you will need Amoxicillin to get you through it. But that’s not a bad thing. Don’t bother pretending you’re too cool for this. Just let go and allow the pure pop to wash over you.
KYLIE MINOGUE
TIMEBOMB
Back (waaaay back!) when I attended Narrabundah College in Canberra it was a somewhat “artsy” place of learning where only the likes of Morrissey and U2 were held in high esteem. So me brazenly flaunting my newfound Kylie obsession – her golden perm and striped polyester beaming eagerly from underneath the freshly contacted surface of my school folder – caused quite a stir. Heckled by the Hipsters and Goths, I was ridiculed and mocked incredulously. But I didn’t care. I bathed defiantly in my adoration and fearlessly defended her as a talent to be reckoned with. I don’t know exactly what it was that captivated me, and seemingly every other gay man of that generation, to Kylie but we knew somehow that this gal was a keeper. And right about now we’re all feeling so smug it’s sickening. Because here we are twenty-five years later, and having earned the respect of her peers, the nation, the world, perhaps even those Narrabundah Hipsters and Goths, we celebrate K25; twenty-five years of Kylie Minogue’s music career. ‘Timebomb’, this first single release from the K25 campaign, is no disappointment. A flawlessly catchy piece of dance/pop that sits among her best work to date, the hot guitar sample and electro vibe invites you in, but it’s the “Whoop!” and the “D’ya wanna wanna” that has you buckling up as it hits the accelerator. While Madonna and Gaga compete over who’s most relevant, Our Kylie sidles up with ‘Timebomb’ proving who’s really got the smarts. And right she is. 36
SPARRO SONGS You might’ve caught our interview with the loverly Sam Sparro last issue, but since then there’s been an album and a new single release to keep up with. Both said products are deliciously disco and well worth a look-see, especially the remixes of ‘I Wish I Never Met You’ which have been doing the rounds since the end of April. If you haven’t yet heard them you really, really need to. Like now! The song by itself is one of the album’s standouts, but these remixes push it that little bit closer to perfection. The Devil’s Gun remix in particular will take you exactly where you need to be going on a Saturday night. Oh yes.
CAN CRUISE CUT IT The movie version of Rock Of Ages is finally unleashed this month and the question everyone is asking is can Tom Cruise sing? Well, having heard the film’s soundtrack I can tell you that the results just might surprise you. He’s actually very good. And while it’s mostly head-banging anthems and cock-rock swagger, there are some okay vocal moments from him on some of the more tender ballads too. Some reviewers are even saying this role will be the one to give Cruise his long-awaited Oscar. It would be a Best Supporting Actor award, but if you’ve seen the film then you know this really is Tom Cruise at his scene-stealing hell-raising hot-bodied best.
GOSSIP WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
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Copyright © 2012 Dry July Founda�on.
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EAR CANDY
ALBUMS B IS FOR BACK! After winning over the nation as the “honest” mentor on the Aussie X Factor, Melanie B is now setting her sights on music again. Having signed on the dotted line with EMI, Scary Spice is eager to get back to the recording studio and make magic happen. It’s true that poor old Scary and Posh were the two Spice Girls whose music never quite took off in the same way that Melanie C, Geri Halliwell and Emma Bunton’s did, but people often forget it was Mel B’s debut single ‘I Want You Back’ that actually gave any of the Spice Girls their first taste of solo success. It will be interesting to see what direction she takes musically, so keep your eyes and ears pealed later this year. As she declares in her press release: ‘Love me or hate me, Scary Spice is back, hahahaha!!!’
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
OUT OF THE GAME I’m new to the world of Rufus. In fact, I can say with all honesty that until this album I hadn’t heard a single thing he’d done. I’d heard of him of course, just never heard him. I mean, who is he anyway? I feel like I should know him by now, but he’s a bit like that fabulous person at the party whom everyone wants some time with, but who sticks tight with his own entourage and then leaves early. Seemingly coming out of nowhere in the late 90s, this indie chanteur suddenly seemed to be the gay everyone was talking about. But the infamy didn’t translate into record sales until 2007’s Release the Stars when finally the UK took notice, and now he’s recorded with hipper-than-hip Mark Ronson, and the time has come apparently for us all to get better acquainted. Out Of the Game is a remarkable album, masterfully produced by Ronson. Quite a chilled-out acoustic pop affair, this sounds a little like if kd lang were to sing the songs of Radiohead. The songs evoke a Sunday afternoon hangover reading the papers and avoiding the cold outside. This is not music for the gym – this is for a relaxed inner-sanctum. Wainwright himself sings like a marvelous, lazy, gin-soaked angel and as a songwriter he sources the personal. It’s all snippets of vague, quirky stories, intentionally ambiguous but ultimately revealing. The final track, ‘Candles’, is a gorgeous tune inspired by the 2010 loss of his mother, and easily the highlight of a lot of good stuff. I’m glad I’ve at last been introduced to the world of Rufus. I’ll be back for more.
GARY BARLOW & THE COMMONWEALTH BAND
SING YUMMY GAY JAY A friend of mine introduced me to Jay Brannan’s music a few years ago and I have to say he’s been high on my list of priorities ever since. You might’ve seen Jay in the fabulous John Cameron Mitchell film Shortbus, or maybe you’re familiar with his folksy storytelling melodies and perfectly bow shaped lips. He’s sort of like Jewel, only gay and hot, and sincere instead of annoying. He’ll be back in Australia at the end of June for a very small tour to promote his brand new album, which is particularly good and is called Rob Me Blind. No Canberra dates unfortunately, which is a shame cos an artist like Jay Brannan is simply made for a venue like Tilley’s, but he is playing at The Standard Hotel in Sydney on Saturday 30 June. Trust me, those lips alone are worth the trip up!
GOSSIP
If you watched the recent Diamond Jubilee concert on Channel 9 then you might remember the big world choir anthem led by Gary Barlow. Chief singer/songwriter for Take That, both during and after the Robbie Williams era, Barlow is little known here but in the UK has superstar status due mostly to Take That, but also his current turn as head judge on X Factor UK. He wrote ‘Sing’ with Andrew Lloyd Webber and performs it with what can only be referred to as a diverse group of artists. Diverse might actually be an understatement. Wanting performers from throughout the Commonwealth, Barlow spent almost a year travelling the world armed with a melody, a laptop, and a set of headphones, collecting an eclectic assortment of sounds. It’s all African Youth Choirs and British Army Wives, Kenyan Slum Drummers and Scottish Bagpipers, to name just a few. The Aussie contingent is made up of Aboriginal guitarist Gurrumul and the Sydney Symphony recorded at the Opera House. But while in theory it might sound like a World Music trainwreck, the song is actually quite a beautiful piece of work that comes together very nicely indeed. This EP includes the version from the Jubilee Concert as well as Barlow’s solo version of the song, and also his fabulous cover of The Beatle’s ‘Here Comes the Sun’ which was used in a UK advertising campaign at the end of last year. Cheesy, but weirdly irresistible, this highly Brit-centric collection may not win over any staunch Republicans but it just might appeal to all those Anglophiles who liked what they saw of Gary Barlow and might perhaps be interested in hearing more. 39
of HIV negative respondents hadreceived a HIV test within the last 12 months, the highest rate since the survey began in 2000 There has been a decrease over time in the proportion of men reporting only casual partners and an increase in those reporting monogamous sexual relations Since 2003 there has been a significant downward trend in the proportion of participants reporting the use of marijuana and ecstasy Awareness of PEP continues to increase with the current figure being of those surveyed
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STARGAZER JULY & AUGUST
By Melisa Paz
YOUR HOROSCOPE
By mid July Mercury and Uranus will retrograde, and that means that everyone will have to try to finish their projects and close big deals before the second week of the month. Since Mercury deals with communication and technology, its retrograde motion might make everything slower and a bit more problematic, so we all better hurry up with our goals or take a little break from them by July. Uranus is the planet of invention and creativity, so its retrograde might put us in a place where creating new things may become a little bit harder — but don´t worry, everything happens for a reason and this might be the way the planets tell us to take a break and stop working so hard on everything, at least for a while.
Aquarius
January 21 – February 18 With Uranus retrograde, by middle July, you might feel like your life needs some novelty. It’s a good time to change your routine, take a nice break and do things you enjoy. Tip: The first week of August you might have a big discussion with someone you love, be careful with what you say.
Taurus
April 21 – May 21 By the first week of August you might feel a little confused about certain things in the love area, but don’t worry, it won’t last long and you will be able to take the best from it. Tip: Buy a book and read it, it will help you to get clear about what you want to do by the last week of August.
Leo
July 23 – August 23 By middle July you might feel a little bit impatient about something in the work area; take it easy, the Moon is going to make everything right for you. Tip: Do some exercise; your body needs physical activity to keep you away from stressing.
Scorpio
October 24 – November 22 Saturn is going to be make you confront some ideas you have about what you do and what you are, take the best out of it and try to get to know yourself a little better. Tip: Go out and have some fun the first weekend of July. You will not regret it.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20 Thanks to Mercury the last week of August is going to be great for you in the work area. It seems you’ll have a lot of energy to work on any important goals. Tip: By mid July wearing blue is going to help you canalise a lot of energies and it will make you feel a lot better.
Gemini
May 22 – June 21 New wonderful things are going to find you by the first week of July, and Saturn will be there giving you all its energies so you can make the best out of what the universe is giving you. Tip: Keep a nice attitude at work by middle August; don’t let things stress you out.
Virgo
August 24 –September 23 By early July you might have some problems at home, try having a pleasant attitude and be careful with what you say while having any kind of argument. Tip: By August 2nd you will have a nice surprise at work, so try to dress up for the occasion.
Sagittarius
November 23 – December 22 By the last week of August, Mercury will be back helping you to achieve what you want in the work area, so you will have a lot of energy and selfconfidence to do everything you want regarding work. Tip: Stop worrying so much, let the universe do its job.
Aries
March 21 – April 20 It seems that by the last week of July Mars will help you to go to that special place you have been wanting to go to for so long, so pack your bags and enjoy it. Tip: Mercury is telling you to stop taking things too seriously, so work on chilling out a bit Aries.
Cancer
June 22 – July 22 Sun and Mars is in your third house of communication so let it guide you through any situation that may appear by August 9th. Tip: Spend some serious time relaxing. July is going to be a great time to get away for a break, at least for one weekend.
Libra
September 24 – October 23 Jupiter is telling you to save some money, be careful with you finances as you might need some extra money by the first week of July. Tip: By the first week of August try getting in touch with that old friend you have been thinking about.
Capricorn
December 23 – January 20 Uranus will make you feel like you lost your inspiration by middle July, but don’t worry, just take a little break and the inspiration will come back sooner than expected. Tip: Stop thinking so much about that thing that has been bothering you in the love area. Everything will be fine. 41
DAVID W ROSS DISCUSSES HIS NEW FILM ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
‘ I DO ’ IT’S A DIFFICULT PROSPECT FOR ANY WORKING ACTOR TO BE JUST THAT: WORKING. For every Tom Cruise or Julie Roberts there are thousands of hopefuls who just can’t catch a break, or for whom a big-screen acting career simply doesn’t happen. So what do you do if you are in that position? How do you turn it around and make it happen? Well, if you’re British actor David W Ross you go out there and write the screenplay yourself. And produce it. And star in it. “There was an actor’s strike, and the economy had just collapsed. And I just saw very clearly that someone like me, who didn’t have much of a resume, the only way I’m going to get noticed is if I put myself in my own film.” And so that’s what he did. The resulting film is called I Do, and it’s the story of a gay Brit living in the US who marries his lesbian best friend in order to get a green card. This original drama looks closely at the marriage equality debate and the way the current legislation takes it’s toll, not only on couples but on their family and friends as well. “The main character is this English gay guy who ends up looking after his brother’s daughter and his sister in law. When he loses his work visa he has to do what he can to stay in the country, not only for him but for them as well. It’s about how this situation affects not only same sex couples, but everyone around them. It’s very timely.”
By Tony Hamlyn
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Timely indeed. With Obama just last month speaking publicly in support, same sex marriage is a hot topic and slowly becoming a bigger part of the political agenda in various countries around the world, including here in Australia. WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
FEATURE “I was talking to some high up people in the studio system and it just slowed the process down. I really wanted it to come out this year, for obvious reasons. I really felt that there would be a huge discussion, leading up to the Presidential election, about same sex marriage so I just thought in my head ‘I want to make this film’. I’ve heard so many stories about scripts being held up in the system for two, five, ten years. I mean, finding money is so difficult but I use Kickstarter.com and got some other investors involved, and here we are finishing the film tomorrow.” The film’s budget came from a rather unorthodox source. Undoubtedly this comes with some interesting stories to tell. But how do you get this kind of film made in mainsteam Hollywood? “There’s a lot of homophobia here. I mean, I’m making generalisations of course and it’s definitely changed over the last two years or so, but I still think it’s very difficult for gay actors.” Ross made the decision to come out publicly in May 2011. “I just couldn’t make a movie about marriage equality and not come out. It seems a bit stupid really, doesn’t it?” Not an easy decision for anyone, let alone a foreigner living in LA and trying to make a name for himself in show business. Has it had an effect on how the industry players perceive him? “I mean, you still get offered roles but they’re not the kind of roles I would be able to base a long-term career on. Nine times out of ten it’s the gay casting directors that won’t bring you in. Even though they’re gay themselves.”
I Do is interesting in that it’s not exclusively a gay story. It depicts the adverse consequences that anyone, regardless of sexual identity, might suffer at the hand of these discriminatory laws, which will hopefully widen its appeal to a broader audience. It has some familiar and credible faces in the form of co-stars Alicia Witt and Jamie-Lynn Sigler. Witt you might recall from a million different TV and film appearances, including recent turns on Two And a Half Men and Friday Night Lights, while Sigler famously played mob daughter Meadow Soprano in the HBO drama The Sopranos and also featured in Entourage for four years playing herself. How was it for an up-and-comer like Ross to work with a more experienced ensemble? “Jamie and I met over coffee after she’d already signed on to the film. She was just amazing, a sweetheart. I was definitely nervous to work with people of her calibre. My first scene was with her and she was great. She knows her stuff. ” “Alicia and I thought it was better that we didn’t talk very much on set. We have a very intense relationship in the film and we just had to figure out how we both wanted to make that work. When you see the film you’ll understand why. We chatted a lot afterwards and she’s been great. ” Not only was he on board as an actor, but also served as the film’s producer and writer. A daunting list of credits for a relative unknown. “On any given day I was being pulled in multiple directions for multiple reasons. It was nuts. But it was amazing.” Finishing a good quality screenplay is no easy task, particularly one that is so topical. Did he just get lucky, or has Ross been honing this craft for some time? “This is the first screenplay that I’ve finished and then pursued in making. I’ve written like two or three different scripts. One of them I’m putting out as my next feature that I would like to direct. But this has definitely been a long time coming.”
“I got an email from a friend who sent me a link to Kickstarter. He was trying to raise one-hundred thousand dollars for his own project. I just thought, ‘I can do this’.” Kickstarter, according to it’s website, is “the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects”. It’s a simple process: You set up your project details, you market it through online media, and people who believe in what you are trying to do donate money to get it done. With governments no longer spending on arts, websites like Kickstarter are becoming an increasingly more viable option. “Within three months we had over fifty-thousand dollars, which is pretty nuts.”
And how has that money helped? “It has paid for everything. It’s incredible. This could not have happened without the people online supporting me and the film. It’s really odd to look online and there’s five-thousand dollars from a complete stranger that believes in your project. Ten-thousand from one person! It’s really amazing how people all around the world have given money to make this happen because they believe in the story.” I ask him about an Australian release. “We want to come for Mardi Gras!” he tells me eagerly. The film began showing at festivals in the US and has been met with some high praise already. Ross is confident his small film will get a bigger audience. “I’ve got a lot of work cut out for me, as producer of the film. I do have to see this through the whole festival circuit.” David W Ross, tired of waiting for an offer and inspired by an issue he felt passionate about, decided to take the leap and just make the film he wanted to make. I suggest to him that not only is this film dealing with an important topic, but that in its making Ross could serve as an inspiration to other artists who might be doubting the future of their own work, whatever that may be. “I just knew this story had to be told, and I figured it out. The only thing stopping you is yourself. There is really no excuse. If you really believe that your story can be told you’ll find a way.” 43
Board Membership Open We are a not for profit community-based organisation whose purpose is to eliminate further transmission of HIV and minimise its personal and social impacts. We receive funding from the ACT Government and we work closely with specific priority populations, including men that have sex with other men, sex workers, and people who come from or travel to countries where HIV has a high prevalence. We are governed by a Board of Directors, which we ensure is as representative as possible of the communities we serve. We particularly seek to ensure that representation of those affected by HIV is maximised. Opportunities exist for new Board members to be elected at our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 10 October 2012. Register your interest in attending an information session about the role and responsibilities of a Board Member by email to: andrew.burry@aidsaction.org.au or by calling Andrew on 02 6257 2855
WESTLUND HOUSE RESOURCE CENTRE
qnet queer youth canberra
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WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
OUT & ABOUT It was a real honour to be invited to speak at the Canberra Equal Love Rally on 12 May. It couldn’t have happened in a more timely week. Barack Obama came out in support of same-sex marriage the day after North Carolina voted to ban it. On top of that, Argentina passed laws that removed a lot of the discrimination that trans* folk face. But we don’t have to look overseas to see queer rights being rolled back as the newly-elected Queensland Premier “Can Do” Newman uses his supermajority to tell queers what they can’t do, namely, have a civil union or have Healthy Communities (like ACT’s AIDS Action Council) properly funded.
♥
NATIONAL N DAY OF ACTIO E G FOR MARRIA EQUALITY
The moral of the story is that to win we need strong social movements on the ground, and responsive, GLBTI allies in our Parliaments. That’s why it was an honour for me to be invited to speak at the Equal Love rally, and why I’m running for the ACT Assembly for The Greens. James Higgins ACT Greens candidate for Ginninderra
EQUAL LOVE RALLY : CANBERRA : SATURDAY 12 MAY 2012 — PHOTOS BY DOUG ROBINSON
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COMMUNITY DIRECTORY AIDS Action Council The AIDS Action Council provides information, support and services. More info: www.aidsaction.org.au A Gender Agenda A resource for transgender, intersex, gender queer and gender variant people. www.genderrights.org.au ACTQueer A free email list for LGBTI people in Canberra and surrounding region. groups.yahoo.com/group/actqueer Bent Lenses Canberra’s very own queer film culture group. Check out movie times online at www.bentlenses.org 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. More info email: bit_bent@hotmail.com Canberra Gay & Lesbian QWIRE Want to be involved with Canberra’s own gay and lesbian choir? Singers and non-singers encouraged. More info: canberraqwire@yahoo.com.au Dyke Dinner & Movie Group More info on FUSE website or see Canberra Lesbians on Facebook. Fruits in Boots A social and support network for rural GLBTI members outside the ACT. Email: fruitsinboots@gmail.com Gay ACT Squash Group Wednesdays 6.30pm–7.30pm. National Sports Club, Mouat St, Lyneham. groups.google.com/group/gayactsquash PFLAG-ACT A support and friendship group for parents and friends of LGBTI people. More info email pflag.act@gmail.com
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Long Yang A friendly social club for Asian and non-Asian gays and their friends. Canberra: lyccanberra.org Sydney: sydney.longyangclub.org Pink Tennis Gay & Lesbian Tennis Group meets Mondays 6pm–9pm at Turner Tennis Club, Cnr McCaughey & Condamine Sts.
✪ Come and play at CUBE Nightclub! CANBERRA HANGOUTS
Qnet — Queer Youth Cyberspace Qnet is an online community for GLBTI people under the age of 25. www.qnet.org.au
Cube Nightclub Canberra’s premier gay nightclub venue. 33 Petrie Plaza Civic, Canberra City. www.cubenightclub.com.au
Queanbeyan Youth Support Group Make new friends and discuss issues. Mondays 4pm–6pm at Axis Youth Centre, Campbell Street, Queanbeyan Park.
Phoenix Pub The Phoenix is a chilled out friendly pub where everyone is welcome to drop by for a beer or some Drag Bingo! 21 East Row, Canberra City. www.lovethephoenix.com
Queer Scientists of the ACT For queer scientists of all disciplines for networking, support, socialising, and to combat discrimination. Email damien.huffer@gmail.com for more info. Radio Q Canberra LGBTI community radio show on 2xx 98.3FM, 8.30pm–11pm on Thursdays or online at 2xxfm.org.au Rainbow Bubs A playgroup and support group for same sex parents and their kids. Email: hoogied@yahoo.com Rainbow Bowlers ‘Gay Bowling’ Sunday nights. Belconnen Bowling Alley. 1 Emu Bank from 7pm. South Coast Pride NSW From Wollongong down to Merimbula come out, come out, wherever you are! Email: southcoastpride@live.com Uni of Canberra LGBTI group A social group for all LGBTI students and staff. Queer Space is located at the UCSA building 1 at the Uni of Canberra. Info email: sexuality@theucsa.org.au
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. To reserve your favourite table or booth call us on 6247 7753. Cnr of Wattle & Brigalow Sts, Lyneham. Bar32 Bar32 is a 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 Ranch Men’s Lounge Canberra’s mens’ space. They are located at Unit 19, Molongo Mall in Fyshwick ACT. A safe venue for men who want to meet men. See ad p47.
Want to know ‘What’s On’ or be listed here, then visit us at www.fusemagazine.com.au
WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
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DEAR ROSE
‘‘
By Rose Pappalardo
Dear Rose, My boyfriend recently broke up with me but now, after a few months of dating another guy, he wants to get back together. I really do care for him but I’m worried that if I take him back, he’ll just leave again when someone else comes along. Fall Back Guy
Fall Back Guy, @ Dear The grass is always greener — or is it? Maybe he has come to his senses and realises that you are the one for him? Or maybe you have in fact become his fall guy?
You are right to be concerned about the risk in taking him back when he may do exactly what you say, leave when someone else “better” comes along. I personally belive that once you leave someone, things are never the same again. In this case you need to think about your own happiness first. I have seen plenty of people who have taken back their ex after a sabbatical with someone else and most often the person that they go back to becomes insecure, suspicious and even resentful which leads to an unhealthy situation. If you decide to throw caution to the wind and have another try at this relationship, be very clear about what your boundaries are. Open the lines of communication and work out what you both can do to stop this situation happening in the future.
‘‘
Dear Rose, I’m a bi girl and I live with my GF of two years. I’ve recently met a man I really like and now I’m totally torn and confused. What should I do, I want my cake and I want to eat it too. Bi Girl
Bi Girl, @ Dear Marie Antoinette wanted her cake and ate it as well and
look what happened to her! My question: is all well in your relationship? Are you approaching that two-year mark, where boredom may have set in? Even I have met boys who I have thought… maybe, and I am a die-hard lesbian! The fact is there are some pretty terrific guys around, who are sexy, charming and funny and sexual tension can build, especially if your bi-sexual — it’s pretty potent stuff. If your GF is not into polyamorous relationships, where you can in fact have your cake and eat it, you need to work out the pros and cons of leaving one for the other. But before you do a dash to a new person, ask yourself, why you are attracted to this man? If you feel that you can be genuinely happy with this other person, then sit the GF down and have the hard conversation, who knows, you may find that she is not happy either.
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If you would like to write to Dear Rose email her at: dearrose@fusemagazine.com.au
‘‘
Dear Rose, I’ve recently started dating an older woman. I’m 23 and Jo is 45. We’ve been going out for about six months now. My friends (and parents) think she is too old for me. I’m actually very happy, but I’m also concerned that they may be right. KJ
KJ, @ Dear It is absolutely normal for your friends and
family to be concerned at the age difference and kudos to them for talking to you about how they feel. Anyone would have concerns about a large age difference, however having dated younger and older women in my life I have learnt one thing, there may be a risk that it may not work out, but then again she may be the love of your life! I am a huge believer if a person makes you happy and you both engage in a healthy relationship that is fulfilling, I say go with it. The cautionary tale though is: at different stages of the relationship there will be differences in life experiences that will become obvious and how you deal with them at that time will determine whether age is really an issue or not. That’s usually around the time when you want to go to a Gaga concert and she is hanging to see Indigo Girls. When and if that time comes, you should both sit down and decide whether the relationship is working or not. It sounds as though this relationship is early days for you both so I say enjoy and see where the road takes you both.
‘The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love heterosexuals. It’s just that they need more supervision.’
Lynn Lavner American Jewish Lesbian comedian and musician. WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
Tilley’s
Devine Café Gallery
TILLEY’S IS NESTLED IN TREE LINED LYNEHAM For over 26 years Tilley’s has been a gathering place for the gay and lesbian community. It’s famous for its breakfasts, lunches, dinners and 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.
THE CALL IS YOURS! TILLEY’S CAN DO IT FOR YOU! CORNER OF WATTLE & BRIGALOW STREETS, LYNEHAM Serving you breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days • Monday to Saturday: 9am – 10pm Sundays: 9am – 6pm • To reserve your favourite table or booth phone us on 6247 7753
Authorised by Indra Esguerra for the ACT Greens 8-10 Hobart Place, Canberra City, 2600
www.act.greens.org.au
Answer: It doesn’t matter. All Greens representatives will fight & vote to remove discrimination for LGBTIQ Australians. Unlike the other major parties, the Greens are not split on issues of LGBTIQ equality. This October vote for the party that is united in bringing a fair go for all Australians regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.
Which of the 2012 ACT Greens Candidates are members of the LGBTIQ community?
Question: