MADE IN AUSTRALIA FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU JUL / AUG 2017
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LIFE LOVE EQUALITY
5
myths
ABOUT DE FACTO RELATIONSHIPS
AN INTIMATE INSIGHT INTO HOW HE SLEEPS
+ GAY LOVE LETTERS OF WWII THE RISE OF QUEERAZ PrEP TRUTH AND LIES
> THE KEY TO HAPPINESS : KNOW YOURSELF
THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND WORLD WAR I ANECDOTES OF A DISABLED GAY BEING LGBTIQ AND CHRISTIAN
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THE ART OF PERFORMANCE
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FIRST GAY AND FEMALE PRIME MINISTER IN SERBIA
> THE KEY TO HAPPINESS : KNOW YOURSELF
AN INTIMATE INSIGHT INTO HOW SHE SLEEPS
AN INTIMATE INSIGHT INTO HOW HE SLEEPS
BEING LGBTIQ AND CHRISTIAN
FREE
+
THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND WORLD WAR I
GAY LOVE LETTERS OF WWII
ANECDOTES OF A DISABLED GAY
THE RISE OF QUEERAZ
BEING LGBTIQ AND CHRISTIAN
PrEP TRUTH AND LIES
> THE KEY TO HAPPINESS : KNOW YOURSELF
FREE
FUSE REGULARS 02 04 06 09
EDITOR Alexander Thatcher ASSOCIATE EDITOR Linda Djumlija
Editor’s Rant What’s On : Movies What’s On : Events & Shows Round Up : News & Politics
17 FUSE FEATURES 17
PHOTOGRAPHERS Scavenger Photography
One of WW1’s most enduring legacies is largely forgotten — it’s said to have sparked the modern gay rights movement of today.
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Fab Things : Stuff We Love Homo History : Gay Love Letters FUSE Interview : It’s QueerAz FUSE Interview : Disabled Gay Op.Ed : PrEP Truth & Lies
24 24 Sleep is a major part of our lives. Find out what sleep says about him, her and you.
PUBLISHER Published + designed by Lithium Innovation Pty Ltd lithium.net.au ISSN 1836-8387 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 dietary 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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myths
ABOUT DE FACTO RELATIONSHIPS
ANECDOTES OF A DISABLED GAY
THE RISE OF QUEERAZ
LIFE LOVE EQUALITY
ABOUT DE FACTO RELATIONSHIPS
THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND WORLD WAR I
GAY LOVE LETTERS OF WWII
FUSE MAGAZINE MADE IN AUSTRALIA JUL / AUG 2017
CONTACT FUSE 0412 309 992 hello@fusemagazine.com.au fusemagazine.com.au PO Box 844 Belconnen ACT 2616
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FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
CONTRIBUTORS Dwayne Lennox Scott Malcolm Rose Pappalardo Danny Corvini Joanne Falvey Robert Edward Smith Laurie Marhoefer Rachael Scharrer Mark Jennings Wayne Herbert
LIFE LOVE EQUALITY
myths
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR Christopher Powell
MADE IN AUSTRALIA FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU JUL / AUG 2017
MADE IN AUSTRALIA FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU JUL / AUG 2017
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Even though gay and lesbian partners still can’t marry in Oz, same-sex couples often don’t realise that being in a de facto relationship means the rules of ‘marriage’ still apply.
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With 40% of same-sex couples in Australia identifying as Christian, Mark Jennings asks what it’s like to find yourself welcome but not affirmed.
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Money Shot : Time to Think Tax Couch Potato : Film & TV Out & About : Gay Cliché Out & About : Big Gay Breakfast
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47 Stargazer : Your Horoscope 48 Dear Rose FUSECONTENTS
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❂ KNOW YOURSELF, KNOW OTHERS THE WINTER OF MY DISCONTENT Some people love the cold wintery weather. I’m not one of them. As I sit here all rugged up in our office, uncertain if summer will ever come again, I suddenly realise how blessed I am to have these simple first world problems. Although we still have a way to go in Australia in regards to equality, we can live our lives in relative peace and safety. Sadly, for many gay men elsewhere in the world, their lives are cold and uncertain on a whole different level to mine.
FUSE ONLINE Check out the FUSE Magazine website and our social media sites for daily news, videos, special online features, what’s on listings, the latest community updates on our popular message board, the LGBTIQ business & community directory and more!
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In the past six months we have all watched in horror as ISIS beheaded numerous gay men, while pushing others off buildings. In April over 100 gay men were rounded up and thrown in concentration camps in Chechnya. Queer men have been stoned to death en masse in Syria and Iraq, while only recently others were publicly whipped and beaten in Indonesia. These are only just a few examples of the absolute horror that some gay men are currently facing around the world. It seems as far as we have come, religious fundamentalists have stepped up their crusade to punish LGBTIQ people in the most cruel and severe ways, all in the name of God. If God does exist I reckon he is pretty pissed!
SCAN ME! Read FUSE Magazine on your smartphone, tablet or computer.
It makes me realise just how fragile any equality we have actually is. In the developed and undeveloped world, ultra-conservatism continues to be on the rise. Encouraged by this, religious fundamentalists are getting more outspoken and can be found in every country, including Australia. The danger they pose is a real one. Although I have a pretty positive feeling about the future, I do think we need to stay vigilant and not take any equality we have for granted. With this in mind, I’m going to end with my top ten things you can do to support LGBTIQ rights here and around the world. 1. Speak out against bullying — it’s a serious matter affecting our community and can lead to mental health issues and suicide. 2. Check out Change.org and sign as many petitions as you can that concern LGBTIQ rights worldwide. 3. Write to politicians and religious leaders — tell them your story. 4. Boycott businesses and companies that support anti-gay groups. 5. Use companies like Qantas that actively support LGBTIQ rights. 6. Choose not to holiday or support countries like Indonesia, Egypt and Russia, just to name three. There are 76 countries where homosexuality is still illegal — look them up! 7. Educate and inform others about LGBTIQ issues — over lunch, at the footy match, with your work colleagues, on social media. 8. Support gay marriage, even if you don’t personally want it. 9. Watch and support LGBTIQ films, documentaries, theatre and art. 10. Lead by example. Be open-hearted, willing to listen and always compassionate. Be loud, be proud and know yourself. Alex 2
EDITOR’SRANT
2017 LGBTIQ BUSINESS & COMMUNITY DIRECTORY OUT NOW! The FUSE LGBTIQ Business & Community Directory is an easy way to find businesses and organisations who choose to support our community. The directory also includes an extensive range of essential community services and LGBTIQ social and sporting groups. directory.fusemagazine.com.au
Scan this QR code to jump straight to the directory online FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
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MOVIES
DID YOU KNOW? In 1942, Wonder Woman was banned for not wearing enough clothes, when the US National Organisation for Decent Literature blacklisted the comics for indecency.
WONDER WOMAN OPENS 1 JUNE It’s been a long time coming — too damn long, really! — but we finally have a female superhero film. Debuting in the comics in 1941, and brought to life on TV in the 1970s by Lynda Carter, Wonder Woman finally gets the big screen treatment — and with a female director at the helm (Patty Jenkins, Monster). Like the first season of the TV show, Wonder Woman takes place during war, but this time WWI, when the Amazonian princess, Diana (Gal Gadot), rescues US pilot Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) and is drawn away from Paradise Island and into the wider, more dangerous world of man.
FUSE MOVIE PICK OF THE MONTH!
ROUGH NIGHT OPENS 15 JUNE After Bridesmaids and Bachelorette comes possibly the darkest yet bawdiest pre-wedding female comedy yet. Five best friends from college reunite 10 years later for a wild bachelorette weekend in Miami, but their hard partying takes a hilariously dark turn when they accidentally kill a male stripper. Amid the craziness of trying to cover it up, they’re ultimately brought closer together when it matters most. Scarlett Johansson heads up a posse of girl power that includes Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters), Ilana Glazer, (Broad City), Jillian Bell (22 Jump Street) and Zoë Kravitz (Big Little Lies).
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING OPENS 6 JULY Young Brit Tom Holland (The Impossible) becomes the third actor (after Tobey Maguire and fellow Brit, Andrew Garfield) in 10 years to pull on the Spider-Man suit in this reboot of the superhero franchise. Having debuted the precocious and eager-to-please adolescent Peter Parker in last year’s Captain America: Civil War, Holland now has to prove he can carry the weight of this Marvel-Sony franchise on his young shoulders (although he does have Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man to help him out). Marisa Tomei stars as Aunt May and Michael Keaton (somewhat ironically given his role in Birdman) plays the villain, Vulture.
ATOMIC BLONDE OPENS 3 AUGUST One for the girls! Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) isn’t the only kick-ass lady kicking German butt at the movies this winter. In this adaptation of a graphic novel serial, Charlize Theron plays Lorraine Broughton, lesbian bad girl and undercover MI6 agent, who is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents. James McAvoy (Split) and Sophie Boutella (The Mummy) are along for this action-packed ride behind the Berlin Wall, directed by David Leitch (John Wick), who knows a thing or two about stylish violence.
By Dwayne Lennox
FREE DENDY MOVIE TICKETS : Email us and tell us what you think of FUSE, comment on an article or sign up to the FUSE eNews and you could win free tickets to these fantastic movies. hello@fusemagazine.com.au
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WHAT’S ON
LGBTIQ BUSINESS & COMMUNITY DIRECTORY Head over to the FUSE LGBTIQ directory where you’ll find friendly LGBTIQ owned businesses, community groups, sporting, social and support services. directory.fusemagazine.com.au
29+30 JUL
2-6 AUG QUEEN — IT’S A KINDA MAGIC
SYDNEY 29 JULY & CANBERRA 30 JULY Queen — It’s A Kinda Magic recreates Queen’s 1986 World Tour concert featuring more than twenty of the band’s greatest hits such as ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘We Are the Champions’, ‘Under Pressure’ and ‘Fat-Bottomed Girls’. Painstaking attention has been paid to the music — the iconic voice of Mercury, the amazing guitar solos of May and the ground breaking rock harmonies. With state-of-the-art sound and lighting as well as authentic costumes, this is as close as you’ll ever get to the real thing! Saturday 29 July : State Theatre Sydney Sunday 30 July : National Convention Centre Canberra Tickets: queenitsakindamagic.com
CINEMA FIASCO PRESENTS TROLL 2
2 JULY 2017 @ 5.OOPM : THE Q THEATRE Need a good laugh? Come and watch what is quite possibly the funniest and worst horror movie ever made — TROLL 2. Admit it, it’s the guilty pleasure we all have — sitting at home and laughing at crappy movies. Well, it’s time to go public and join a bunch of like-minded film-goers as you chuckle along with the Cinema Fiasco team. You’ll be encouraged to behave in a distinctly un-cinema-like fashion. More details and tickets at: theq.net.au 6
WHAT’SON
78 REASONS TO STAY THE NIGHT
SPRINGOUT XMAS IN JULY TRIVIA
There was a time when Malcolm could attract a boy with the wink of an eye, but these days even having his usual rent boy replaced at the last minute can put a spanner in the works. So when Billy turns up, the night really doesn’t look like it’s going to end well.
A fabulous fun night and special fundraising event for Canberra SpringOUT in preparation for the 2017 SpringOUT Pride Festival. A cash and credit card (Visa and Mastercard) bar will be available for guests. Come along and show your support.
2 – 6 AUGUST CANBERRA THEATRE COURTYARD STUDIO
Against the odds, Malcolm’s stories break the ice, and two people who appear to have barely a thing in common find themselves sharing more than just a bed.
2 JUL
15 JUL
As we approach the 40th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the respective experiences of gay men growing up then and now are profound. Trevar Alan Chilver’s poignant script brings these differences to life like never before.
78 Reasons to Stay the Night premieres at the Canberra Theatre Centre’s Courtyard Studio this August 2017 for a strictly limited season. Book now to avoid disappointment! More details and tickets at: canberratheatrecentre com.au
SATURDAY 15 JULY 7.00PM – 11.00PM MAJURA HALL DICKSON
Tickets online $20 per person or only $140 for a table of eight. Details at: springout.com.au
5 AUG SUNRISE TODAY SHOW
FRIDAY 5 AUGUST 2017 THE STREET THEATRE Join your Sunrise Today Show hosts for a riotous romp as they guide you through an episode of morning television…at night. This tongue in cheek parody will cleverly poke fun at all the classic elements of morning television that we love and hate. Details at: thestreet.org.au FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
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Hathaway Real Estate is adding more to Property Management in Canberra.
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“It’s a pleasure to watch. Jules Verne’s famous story is a kinetic, boisterous, joke-fuelled treat. Travellers of all ages should hop aboard for a frantic romp spanning an ever-shrinking globe.” The Reviews
WHAT A DELIGHT THIS IS! THE GUARDIAN
Theatrical storytelling, inventiveness and madcap silliness!
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BOOK NOW • 2 - 5 August 2017 • Adult $52 • Conc. Groups 8+ $47 • U25 $25
AN ORIGINAL BALLET BASED ON THE CLASSIC SWAN LAKE
ARCHÈ! MELBOURNE BALLET COMPANY’S
“EQUISITE IS THE ONLY WORD TO DESCRIBE MELBOURNE BALLET COMPANY’S LATEST PRODUCTION ARCHÈ!”
Concept and direction by Simon Hoy
The Melbourne Observer
TROLL
BOOK NOW • 25 - 26 August 2017 • Adult $49 • Conc. Groups 8+ $44 • U25 $25
Summer of the Seventeenth Doll AN QUINTESSENTIALLY AUSTRALIAN STORY BY RAY LAWLER IT PACKS A POWERFUL PUNCH, AND LAWLER’S WORDS HAVE A LOT OF SWING LEFT IN THEM.
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BOOK NOW • 20 - 30 September 2017 Adult $52 • Conc. Groups 8+ $47 • U25 $25
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BOOK NOW • Sunday 2 July 5pm Adult $30 • Conc. Groups 8+ $27 • U25 $25
BOOKINGS
BOX OFFICE OPEN
FINDING US
02 6285 6290 theq.net.au
Mon to Fri 10.00am – 4.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 2.00pm
The Lowe Street Car Park Queanbeyan
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78 MILLION The number of people who have become infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic, while 35 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the first reported infection (end 2015).
ROUND UP
TWO GAY VULTURES HATCH AN EGG AFTER IT WAS ABANDONED Two male griffon vultures in a long-standing relationship have successfully hatched an abandoned egg at an Amsterdam zoo. The vultures, which have been a couple for years, took turns sitting on the egg until it finally hatched. The zoo released a statement saying that the two unlikely fathers were ‘taking good care of the chick’. They said it is not unusual for animals, particularly birds, to form samesex couples, but it is the first time such a pair has hatched an egg at the Dutch capital’s zoo.
Thou shalt discriminate against LGBTIQ people and those with disabilities... that’s odd, can’t seem to find that anywhere.
THE AIDS GARDEN OF REFLECTION OPENS The AIDS Garden of Reflection is now open to the public at the National Arboretum in Canberra. The garden is a living tribute to those lost to AIDS and in support of those living with HIV. Designed as a place of contemplation, the garden provides an opportunity for families, friends and supporters to honour those lost to HIV and AIDS, and to heal, reflect and develop hope. It has been designed to provide a sense of calm and comfort, a special haven featuring a curving arbour with red flowering climbers and a shallow rock pond. A series of benches and rock seating arranged throughout the garden enable visitors to reflect individually, or in small gatherings. The garden was made possible through years of fund raising and advocacy by a group of people living with HIV, their families and friends, and the support of the AIDS Action Council and their patron John Mackay AM. You can visit the garden seven days from 6.00am-8.30pm at the National Arboretum Canberra on Forest Drive. More details at: aidsgardenact.com.au
CALL FOR BAN ON LGBTIQ PEOPLE AND THE DISABLED FROM CHURCH A South Australian church has announced its intention to ban LGBTIQ people, as well as people with disabilities, from its congregation, saying people with illnesses or disabilities could disturb the church’s “sacred space”. “For very good reasons, a religion may not wish to engage a person who has a mental illness and displays disturbed behaviour,” the church wrote in a submission to a federal parliament enquiry into freedom of belief. Such behaviour would adversely affect a church service, which is sacred in nature.” The national Christian group is lobbying for the Disability Discrimination Act to be changed so that it can force it’s new rules, arguing it interferes with freedom of religion.
MEN WITH HIV ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO DIE FROM SUICIDE The latest UK statistics on suicide and HIV comes from a fifteen year study of almost 90,000 people diagnosed with HIV. The new data shows that while HIV/AIDS related illnesses accounted for 58% of deaths among people living with the virus, the rate of suicides in this group, at 2%, was twice that seen in the general population. The study showed that suicide is most likely to occur in the first year following a HIV diagnosis, with four in ten suicides occurring during this time. The recently diagnosed men’s suicide rate is five times that of the general population, while women’s suicide rates were not higher than those in the general population. NEWS&POLITICS
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ROUND UP
DID YOU KNOW? Alfred Charles Kinsey — an American biologist, professor of entomology and zoology, and sexologist — reported “at least 37% of the male populatiogn has had some homosexual experience.”
INDONESIA’S GAY CRACKDOWN
MAN POSSIBLY CURED OF HIV
Less than two years ago being gay in Indonesia was widely tolerated. However with a recent unprecedented wave of police raids, vigilante attacks and calls for the criminalisation of homosexual acts, being gay in Indonesia just got dangerous.
A British man might be first person in the world to be cured of HIV after ‘breakthrough’ treatment.
Gay sex is not illegal in the majority of Indonesia, except in the conservative province of Aceh. Last month, West Java Police Chief Anton Charliyan announced that he would create a special taskforce to crack down on LGBT people. “They will face the law and heavy social sanctions. They will not be accepted by society,” he said.
Tests showed the virus had become undetectable in the blood of the previously HIV-positive man, after he was treated with a pioneering new therapy designed to eradicate the virus. Researchers have cautioned that it is too early to tell if the treatment has really worked but said the man, a social worker, had made “remarkable progress”. The new therapy is unique in that it tracks down and destroys HIV in every part of the body — including in the dormant cells that evade current treatments.
LEO VARADKAR, GAY INDIAN MAN BECOMES NEW IRISH PM The son of an Indian immigrant who came out as gay in 2015 is now the Irish Prime Minister, after he was voted leader of the country’s main governing party. As well as becoming Ireland’s first gay Prime Minister, at 38 Varadkar will also become the country’s youngest leader, and the first from an ethnic minority background. When he came out in 2015 in an Irish radio station interview, Leo Vradkar said, “It’s not something that defines me. I’m not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician, or a gay politician, for that matter. It’s just part of who I am. It doesn’t define me. It is part of my character, I suppose.”
MCDONALD’S RAINBOW BOXES McDonald’s has introduced a rainbow box for fries as a “fun” way to support national equality in the USA. Cathy Martin, chair of McDonald’s PRIDE Network said “We are proud to honour and celebrate the LGBTQ community, including our employees, customers and beyond, each and every day. The rainbow fry boxes are a fun way to show our support using one of McDonald’s most iconic and recognisable items; however, these fry boxes are ‘small potatoes’ in the grand scheme of our commitment to this community”. 10
NEWS&POLITICS
THAILAND MOVES ON GAY RIGHTS & MARRIAGE EQUALITY The Government of Thailand has responded favourably to a petition calling on it to act on a gay rights bill and marriage equality. Almost 60,000 people signed the petition calling on the Ministry of Justice to take action. The bill will ensure same-sex marriage and equal rights for LGBTI people across the board. Forbes reported Thailand was highly likely to be the next country to pass marriage equality.
FIRST GAY & FEMALE PRIME MINISTER IN SERBIA A 41 year old woman, Ana Brnabic has been appointed Prime Minister of Serbia. She is both the first woman and first lesbian PM in the country. Her appointment, which came in the same week that Leo Varadkar was formally elected as Ireland’s first gay PM, is all the more remarkable given that virulent homophobia is still widespread in the Balkans. FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
STARRING
GILES TAYLOR AS FREDDIE MERCURY
SATURDAY 29 JULY State Theatre SYDNEY 1300 139 588 | ticketmaster.com.au
SUNDAY 30 JULY
The tribute show endorsed by Freddie Mercur y’s assistant and biog rapher
PETER FREESTONE “I’ve not seen another act in the world do it better”
Royal Theatre CANBERRA Ticketek 13 28 49 | ticketek.com.au 11
Important change to Canberra Bushdance ticketing After 33 years the Canberra Gay and Lesbian Tennis Club is making a major change to the annual Bushdance at the Yarralumla Woolshed. A pre-purchased ticket is now essential for entry.
Tickets are limited and this will be enforced. Anyone turning up at the Woolshed without a ticket will be refused entry.
Yarralumla Woolshed, Cotter Road Saturday 25 November 2016. 7:30pm – 1:00am
Tickets can be purchased at pinktennis.org.au/events/bushdance The use of pre-purchased tickets and enforcement of a maximum number of attendees is required to ensure compliance with the conditions of hire of the Woolshed, and with the conditions of the liquor permit. There will be a mobile ATM onsite.
Canberra Bushdance is an R18+ event so please make sure you bring photo ID. Canberra Bushdance is a community fundraiser co-ordinated by The Canberra Gay & Lesbian Tennis Club. Media supporter FUSE Magazine.
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FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
CANBERRA DRAG RACE... WE HAVE A WINNER!
Interview by Danny Corvini
FAVE SONG TO PERFORM?
THE FIRST EVER CANBERRA DRAG RACE (CDR) COMPETITION HAD ITS CLIMAX AT MANUKA’S POLIT BAR IN MAY WHEN SHENEEDA BEVERAGE SLAYED THE COMPETITION. THE CAPITAL’S NEWEST DRAG QUEEN TOLD DANNY CORVINI WHAT WE CAN EXPECT NEXT.
I’d have to say ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor. That should be in every young or wise queen’s song list, as there is so much soul, passion and drive. More than that, I love upbeat body-moving songs.
WHAT MADE YOU ENTER CDR?
HOW WAS THE CDR EXPERIENCE?
Some friends messaged and called when CDR was posted on Facebook saying that I’d have a blast and maybe win.
In a word, fantastic. The hurdles I faced were the reads; yes, there were some brutal reads by the judges but I’ve grown as a performer thanks to the critiques of the judges.
HAD YOU DONE ANY DRAG BEFORE? I had done drag — though not performing — for three to five years. My first ever outing as a drag queen was with advice and strict training from Toki Oh, heaven rest her beautiful soul. I’ve come a very, very long way from there, with a little help along the way. WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS AS A DRAG QUEEN? As one of Canberra’s newest drag queens, I want to be able run my own shows and performances and involve the audience. I’d like to be known as Canberra’s most influential Tupperware Queen. I’ll be performing at the Polit Bar again at the end of June; and at the Courtyard Studio in August I’ll be supporting the cast and crew of 78 Reasons to Stay the Night. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? Unique — just like other queens out there, but more fun-loving and with a strong grounding in acceptance of individuality. My style has changed and grown a little with competing and I’ve come into my own as to who I am as an individual. WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES? Too many to name! I have taken a lot of inspiration from local talent, past and present. I have some of the attitude of a younger Mrs Brown, and a lot of Dame Judy Dench, with a bit of Edna Mode thrown in: “Darling, luck favours the prepared”. I wouldn’t have even entered this local competition had one particular individual not started teaching me — and by teaching, I mean thrust on with a firm hand of love!
Could they have been less cut-throat? Maybe. If I felt flat from not being able to pull off a look or particular song choice that was given to us, I always had the other contestants to bounce off. WERE YOU SURPRISED TO WIN? Honestly, I had so many costume malfunctions, thoughts and ideas just didn’t pull together over the week, it was like I was working on Plan F! It’s always good to have a backup plan, and a plan on top of that, and that’s the reason I believe I won. I’d been dying to do a proper reveal to really make it a show, so much so that I did it twice! WHAT’S NEXT FOR LA BEVERAGE? Shows, shows and more shows hopefully. I’m focused on my role in 78 Reasons to Stay the Night in August at the Canberra Theatre Centre, where I’ll be playing the role of a bar wench extraordinaire. FUSEINTERVIEW
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thIngs
DID YOU KNOW? The first known underwear dates back almost 7000 years, when prehistoric man used leather to cover and protect his loins while running prehistoric errands.
BARDI ARTIST CREATES ‘BARNAMBOO’ PRINT
AIR SELFIE HANDHELD DRONE If habitual selfie-taking is beginning to take a toll on your arm then listen up, AirSelfie have launched one of the coolest, high-quality pocket sized flying cameras for your smartphone. So prepare to ditch the selfie stick, give your arm a rest, and never worry about having to ask a stranger for help ever again. $300 @ airselfiecamera.com
STAR TREK COMMUNICATOR For the coolest geeks only! This working Star Trek Communicator lets you make and receive calls just like a Starfleet commander! It’s not a phone in its own right, but when paired via Bluetooth you can make and receive calls. You just flip it open to call or answer and yes, it even makes the classic Star Trek chirp with flashing lights. $230 @ yellowoctopus.com.au
CRYING UNICORN CANDLE Whether this crying unicorn is a sign of impending doom or a hint that there is more to be done for all our LGBTIQ brothers and sisters in the world we don’t really know. But if you are going to cry why not cry rainbows tears? We’re not really sure how we are supposed to feel about this. $25 @ firebox.com
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COOLSTUFF
Aussie swimwear brand Funky Trunks has collaborated with Bardi artist Ashley Hunter to create an iconic aboriginal print. The Barnamboo, which means stingray in Bardi, is inspired by stories of the Indigenous elders. A native of One Arm Point on the Dampier Peninsular 200km north of Broome, Ashley grew up seeing his own grandmother painting in oils and listening to stories of the elders. “I’ve always had a strong belief in learning, passing on and recording the stories of the elders,” explains Ashley. “Kids should be taught about culture and how our elders grew up so that the knowledge isn’t lost forever.” Barnamboo depicts the Dreamtime story of two friends Lool Lool & Marrgalinje. The two men lived together, shared food, hunted and told stories. One day Marrgalinje became angry when he found Lool Lool had been hiding turtles from him. They had a big fight with their spears and shields that lasted all day. Marrgalinje was hit in the back with a spear, stumbled into the ocean and became the sting ray and swam away. Lool Lool was hit by a boomerang, fell into the ocean and turned into shark. “Creating the Barnamboo print with Funky Trunks will ensure the story of Lool Lool & Marrgalinje lives on,” added Ashley. Proceeds will be directed to Indigenous community programs. Available now.
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By Laurie Marhoefer Assistant Professor of History, University of Washington
WORLD WAR
1
and the gay rights movement ONE OF WORLD WAR ONE’S MOST ENDURING LEGACIES IS LARGELY FORGOTTEN: IT SPARKED THE MODERN GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT. Gay soldiers who survived the bloodletting returned home convinced their governments owed them something — full citizenship. Especially in Germany, where gay rights already had a tenuous footing, they formed new organisations to advocate in public for their rights. Though the movement that called itself “homosexual emancipation” began in the 19th century, my research and that of historian Jason Crouthamel shows that the war turned the 19th-century movement into gay rights as we know it today.
A DEATH IN RUSSIA In the winter of 1915, a German soldier died in a field hospital in Russia. The soldier, whose name is missing from the historical record, had been hit in the lower body by shrapnel when his trench came under bombardment. Four of his comrades risked their lives to carry him to the rear. There, he lay for weeks, wracked by pain in the mangled leg and desperately thirsty. But what troubled him most was loneliness. He sent letters to his boyfriend whenever he could manage it — in his final letter he wrote:
“I CRAVE A DECENT MOUTHFUL OF FRESH WATER, OF WHICH THERE ISN’T ANY HERE... THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO READ; PLEASE, DO SEND NEWSPAPERS. BUT ABOVE ALL, WRITE VERY SOON.” This soldier, who had to keep his relationship hidden from those around him, was just one of the approximately two million German men killed in World War I. His suffering is not unlike what many others experienced. What his loved ones made of that suffering, however, was different, and had enormous consequences. His boyfriend, identified in surviving documents only as “S.,” watched the man he loved go off to serve in a war that he did not fully endorse, only to die alone and in pain as S. sat helplessly by hundreds of miles away. S. told their story in a letter to the Scientific Humanitarian Committee, which published it in April 1916. The Scientific Humanitarian Committee was then the world’s leading homosexual emancipation group, boasting a membership of about 100 people. The soldier’s story took a cruel twist at its very end: S.’s loving replies were lost in the chaos of the war and never reached the soldier. “He died without any contact from me,” S. wrote.
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DEMANDING THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS After the war, many believed the slaughter had been for nothing. But S. saw a lesson in his partner’s suffering and death. “He has lost his bright life … for the Fatherland,” wrote S. That Fatherland had a law on the books that banned sex between men. But the sodomy law was just the tip of the iceberg: S. and men like him generally could not reveal their love relationships in public, or even to family members. Homosexuality meant the loss of one’s job, social ostracism, the risk of blackmail and perhaps criminal prosecution. S. called it “deplorable” that “good citizens,” soldiers willing to die for their country, had to endure the status of “pariahs.” “People who are by nature orientated toward the same sex … do their duty,” he wrote. “It is finally time that the state treated them like they treat the state.”
A NEW PHASE OF GAY RIGHTS Many veterans agreed with S. When the war ended, they took action. They formed new, larger groups, including one called the League for Human Rights that drew 100,000 members.
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WORLD WAR
1
and the gay rights movement
RESPECTABLE CITIZENS
Ideas of citizenship led activists to emphasize what historians call “respectability.” Respectability consisted of one’s prestige as a correctly behaving, middle-class person, in contrast to supposedly disreputable people such as prostitutes. Throughout the 20th century, gay rights groups struggled for the right to serve openly in the military, a hallmark of respectability. With some exceptions, they shied away from radical calls to utterly remake society’s rules about sex and gender. They instead emphasized what good citizens they were.
In addition, as I argue in my book, the rhetoric of gay rights changed. The prewar movement had focused on using science to prove that homosexuality was natural. But people like S., people who had made tremendous sacrifices in the name of citizenship, now insisted that their government had an obligation to them regardless of what biology might say about their sexuality.
In 1929, a speaker for the League for Human Rights told an audience at a dance hall, “we do not ask for equal rights, we demand equal rights!” It was, ironically, the ghastly violence and horrible human toll of the World War I that first inspired such assertive calls, calls that characterized gay rights movements around the world in the 20th century.
They left science behind. They went directly to a set of demands that characterizes gay rights to this day — that gay people are upstanding citizens and deserve to have their rights respected. “The state must recognize the full citizenship rights of inverts,” or homosexuals, an activist wrote in the year after the war. He demanded not just the repeal of the sodomy law, but the opening of government jobs to known homosexuals — a radical idea at the time, and one that would remain far out of reach for many decades.
It would take nearly a century for these activists to achieve one of their central goals — the repeal of sodomy laws. Germany enjoyed a 14-year period of democracy after World War I, but the Nazis came to power in 1933 and used the sodomy law to murder thousands of men. A version of the law remained in force until the 1990s. The United States struck down its sodomy laws only in 2003.
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IN PART FOUR OF CELEBRATING GAY LOVE LETTERS THROUGHOUT HISTORY WORLD WAR II SOLDIERS EXPRESS THEIR LOVE IN A HEARTBREAKING LETTER
Celebrating
gay lovethroughout letters history
s l ove i e v o L
The following heart-rending love letter was written by American World War II veteran Brian Keith to Dave, a fellow soldier he met and fell in love with in 1943 while stationed in North Africa. It was penned on the occasion of their anniversary and reprinted in September of 1961 by ONE Magazine, a groundbreaking pro-gay magazine first published in 1953. The original letter is held by the Library of Congress in the US.
Dear Dave, This is in memory of an anniversary — the anniversary of October 27th, 1943, when I first heard you singing in North Africa. That song brings memories of the happiest times I’ve ever known. Memories of a GI show troop — curtains made from barrage balloons — spotlights made from cocoa cans — rehearsals that ran late into the evenings — and a handsome boy with a wonderful tenor voice. Opening night at a theatre in Canastel — perhaps a bit too much muscatel, and someone who understood. Exciting days playing in the beautiful and stately Municipal Opera House in Oran — a misunderstanding — an understanding in the wings just before opening chorus. Drinks at “Coq d’or” — dinner at the “Auberge” — a ring and promise given. The show 1st Armoured — muscatel, scotch, wine — someone who had to be carried from the truck and put to bed in his tent. A night of pouring rain and two very soaked GIs beneath a solitary tree on an African plain.
A borrowed French convertible — a warm sulphur spring, the cool Mediterranean, and a picnic of “rations” and hot cokes. Two lieutenants who were smart enough to know the score, but not smart enough to realize that we wanted to be alone. The happiness when told we were going home — and the misery when we learned that we would not be going together. Fond goodbyes on a secluded beach beneath the star-studded velvet of an African night, and the tears that would not be stopped as I stood atop the sea-wall and watched your convoy disappear over the horizon. We vowed we’d be together again “back home,” but fate knew better — you never got there. And so, Dave, I hope that where ever you are these memories are as precious to you as they are to me. Goodnight, sleep well my love. Brian Keith
During World War II romance and passion was playing out — usually in secret — between men on all sides. HOMOHISTORY
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By Joanne Falvey
queeraz.com was founded by Ineke Hodge
IT’S LAST YEAR I SAID “STOP THE WORLD — I WANT TO GET OFF”... AND I GOT OFF IN CANBERRA! I had lived in the capital as a teenager and like many of us growing up queer* in what felt like a giant country town, I fantasised about escaping it. A one-way ticket to the USA when I hit 18 was just what the doctor ordered. Following a 25 year stint living in America and later Sydney, I returned to Canberra in 2016 with a kid in-tow and a desire to feel more connected to the local LGBTIQ+ community. As it happened, my old school buddy/coming-out comrade Danny Corvini was also in town for a spell. The Canberraborn citizen of the world was bursting with stories about Amsterdam and a new global LGBTIQ+ website based there there he’d become the chief editor of queeraz.com Rather than scoring hook-ups, queeraz is about orienting yourself in new surroundings, finding like-minded mates and spending your pink dollars on, well.. pink businesses. It’s like an LGBTIQ Facebook where you can post whatever you want without your born-again friends or relatives throwing you shade. That’s combined with a travel directory, where you can find all of the LGBTIQ businesses and events from every corner of the globe as well as the latest news, reviews and interviews.
Ahead of the worldwide launch happening in the middle of this year, I was granted special access to queeraz.com so I could write this article. The first thing I noticed when I logged on was the ease of moving from Canberra to the whole of Australia and onto the entire world feed just by moving a bar at the top of the page. You can filter what appears in your feed by choosing tags, so I set my profile to show articles about ‘rainbow family’, ‘drag’ and ‘writing’. And when you’re travelling, you can change your profile to that new location to find the local queer attractions, opt to meet locals and/or other travellers and see what they’re talking about on the local feed. The site was founded by Ineke Hodge, an Australian woman who ran a Sydney burger chain until she moved to Amsterdam in 2009. Ineke set out to create a site that connects global queer communities like they’ve never been connected before. She describes the moment that she was inspired to create it: “I was on a remote island in Thailand with my partner. Everyone around us was straight and after a few days we were desperate for a bit of ‘gay’,” she laughs. “We wanted to meet up with queer travellers for a drink and find the cool things the locals were doing. I started thinking about life at home and I realised that there are often great things I miss out on because I’m not following the right people. I don’t just mean parties, but art exhibitions or local queer things, like gay tango, sport or community initiatives.” That sounds familiar! Joanne Falvey is a Canberra-based writer whose latest story ‘No Ticket… Nevermind’ is out now on Amazon. This is her first time writing for FUSE.
FUSECOMMUNITY
23
sleep
WHAT
SAYS ABOUT HIM, HER...
YOU
IF YOU WANT TO GET AN INTIMATE INSIGHT INTO A PERSON’S PERSONALITY AND HOW THEY MAY BE FEELING DEEP DOWN — LOOK CLOSELY AT THE WAY THEY SLEEP. Researchers, psychologists and sleep scientists alike have been studying common sleep patterns to get an inside scoop about what they might mean. It turns out there are many different ways we sleep, and they can tell us a lot about the sleeper’s personality, mental state and even the state of your relationship, if you’re in one. Let’s take a look.
THE FETAL POSITION In this position, the back is curved, the head is bowed, and the limbs are bent and drawn up to the torso. The fetal position is when you’re tucked into a safe little ball — it’s the way you sleep in your mother’s womb. In a study done by Chris Idzikowski, Director of the UK’s Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, 41% of the sleeping participants adopted this position. Double the amount of women slept in the fetal position compared to men in this experiment. Those who find comfort in this natural position can be described as being tough on the outside, but a huge softy on the inside. They are often shy when you first meet them, but quickly open up and relax. Fetal sleepers are conscientious, ordered and like things in their place. They can over think problems and worry unnecessarily.
BACK SLEEPERS (THE SOLDIER OR STARGAZER) Sleeping on your back — The Soldier — is the medically-recommended position to sleep in, since it promotes spinal health. Apparently it can even stop acne that may develop from putting your head on a pillow. Natural back-sleepers are likely to stand up straight both because they are confident and because it wards off undesirable people. They have high expectations for themselves and others. They can be quiet, reserved, bossy and a little stubborn, but always dependable. If the arms drift above the head — The Stargazer — there’s a good chance the person is open and always ready to listen to and help others. They make their friends a priority and do anything to help those they hold dear to them. People who sleep like this tend to have a positive, “happy-go-lucky” outlook on life.
STOMACH SLEEPERS (THE FREEFALLER) This is when you’re lying on your stomach with your arms wrapped around your pillow and head turned to the side. Sleeping on your stomach is something many people find uncomfortable, but those who enjoy this position wouldn’t have it any other way as it feels safe and comforting. Because of the way the spine is aligned while sleeping on your stomach — these people might tend to slouch, which makes others underestimate them from time to time. Freefalling sleepers are bold and sociable on the outside but often feel quite vulnerable deep down. Although they portray a free spirit, freefall sleepers are secretly nervous and can have an over-sensitivity to criticism because of this state. 24
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SIDE SLEEPERS (THE LOG) Log sleepers can be very sociable and usually love to engage with others. They are often very trusting and open which can sometimes leave them vulnerable. They are usually popular people that are friendly and carefree. If the person sleeps with both arms stretched out in front, they are likely to have an open nature — but may also may be yearning for more in life. According to doctors, side-sleeping can cause nerve compression in the arms and legs, which can lead to chronic pain. Research also shows that acid reflux can worsen when you sleep on your side, particularly if you tend to roll onto your right side. To combat these issues, sleep next to a body pillow (or close up to a partner) to help support the back and neck. A good mattress is also key.
THE FLEXIBLE RANDOM SLEEPER Whether it’s an airport terminal or the desk at work, the flexible random sleeper can fall asleep literally anywhere at anytime. Their ability to fall asleep no matter the condition shows their adaptability and flair to go with the flow. They’re the easy-going friend of the bunch and very flexible in any situation with their ‘it’s all good’ attitude. Of course there are some folk that are just sleep deprived and may need to organise their life differently, for example, a more balanced approach to work or partying may need to be considered. People with narcolepsy can fall asleep without warning, anywhere and anytime as well. When they’re awake again, often they don’t remember the episode. You’ll probably (hopefully) know if you have this already!
THE HUGGER While not a sleep position as such — since sleepers in any of the positions can either hug their stuffed toy, pillow or partner all night long — this action does reveal the deeper nature of the person. Huggers usually place high importance on the bonds in their lives, in terms of lovers, friendships, family, and relationships in general. They tend to be real people pleasers, and will often put the needs of others before their own. They are tactile, homemakers and like all the comforts of life. Huggers are usually sweet loving people who enjoy touch, however prefer a partner rather than a random hookup. If they are feeling unloved they can sometimes become a bit needy and insecure.
THE FREE FORM SLEEPER A mix of all the sleeping positions, they often end up splayed on the bed like road kill. With a restless soul, free form sleepers tend to be unpredictable. They often have vivid dreams and busy minds — and are easily distracted. They love sharing ideas but don’t necessarily like being the centre of attention. When they do fall asleep it’s so deep that a zombie apocalypse would not wake them. They tend to be social creatures, mysterious and adaptable, floating from social group to social group — less like a butterfly and more like a chameleon. This sleeping style is also associated with people who tend to be less satisfied with their lives and may only be a temporary nocturnal state. It could indicate that the person has something on their mind that needs to be resolved. FUSEFEATURE
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TOP
MYTHS ABOUT DE FACTO RELATIONSHIPS DEBUNKED
By Rachael Scharrer Founder of DivorceAnswered.com.au
SINCE 2009, DE FACTO COUPLES ACROSS AUSTRALIA HAVE HAD SIMILAR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AS MARRIED COUPLES. Even though gay and lesbian couples still can’t marry in Australia, what same-sex couples often don’t realise is that by being in a de facto relationship the rules and regulations of a ‘marriage’ still apply. Section 4AA of the Family Law Act 1975 defines a de facto relationship as when you and your partner (of opposite or the same sex) are engaged in a relationship as a couple living together on a mutual, genuine and domestic basis. The exception to this definition is if you are legally married or if you are related to your partner.
MYTH 1 WHEN THE RELATIONSHIP ENDS, YOU ARE NOT OBLIGED TO SPLIT ASSETS There is a de facto living together rule in the Family Court for financial settlements. However, it is recommended that you consult a family lawyer in regards to your particular situation. Just because assets may be in one person’s name, it doesn’t disqualify your ex-partner making a claim upon those assets. If you don’t make formalised financial settlements, your ex-partner can claim on the asset pool. Similarly, at the end of a de facto relationship, assets aren’t split equally at 50/50 either.
MYTH 2 IF WE DON’T GET MARRIED, THEN WE DON’T HAVE TO GET DIVORCED You still have to legally prove the end of the relationship with your ex-partner and that can be just as costly as being married and divorced. De facto relationships follow the same rules as marriages and can experience the same complexities.
MYTH 3 SAME-SEX COUPLES AREN’T RECOGNISED IN FAMILY LAW Marriage equality is closer than we think. Even though the Government hasn’t legally permitted marriage for same-sex couples, they do qualify for the laws surrounding de facto relationships. As de facto relationships qualify for marriage laws, ironically this means that same-sex relationships are recognised as a form of marriage in the Family Court. FUSEFEATURE
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5
TOP 5 MYTHS ABOUT DE FACTO RELATIONSHIPS
MYTH 4 A COUPLE NEED TO LIVE TOGETHER FOR SIX MONTHS TO QUALIFY AS A DE FACTO RELATIONSHIP There isn’t a timeline for being considered de facto and there is no minimum time period. Provided that you or your partner live together, consider yourselves in a committed relationship and friends and family recognise this, then you may be in a de facto relationship. For a relationship between two parties to be classified as de facto, it must be ‘marriage like.’ To determine whether a relationship is ‘marriage like’ there are a number of factors the court must consider. This includes the degrees of financial dependence, whether there are children involved and the ownership, use and acquisition of property.
MYTH 5 THE FAMILY COURT CAN’T MAKE ORDERS REGARDING CHILDREN OF A DE FACTO RELATIONSHIP This isn’t true. Although different legislation applies to nuptial and ex-nuptial children, the Family Court has the ability to make such orders if it is considered to be in the best interest of the children, including parental responsibility and with whom a child lives and spends time with. Not everyone knows if they are in a de facto relationship. Below is a list of items that are considered in determining if you are part of a de facto relationship: 1. Combined finances, an element of financial dependence or interdependence, or a financial agreement or arrangement 2. Commitment to each other in a relationship and the roles each person takes within the relationship 3. Registration of a de facto relationship in a state or territory that requires relationships to be registered 4. You consider yourself in a de facto relationship 5. Your family and friends consider you in a de facto relationship 6. You are engaging in a sexual relationship 7. You are living together 8. You have children or support children together 9. The ownership, use and acquisition of property 10. The reputation and public aspects of the relationship There is also a type of relationship that is not commonly known, which is ‘De Facto By Distance.’ This means that even though you aren’t living together, you exclusively stay at each other’s place when you are together and qualify for other elements of the de facto relationship (in social, commitment and sexual natures). As soon as your partner’s mail arrives at your address, they can legally make a de facto claim. You have to apply for de facto financial orders within two years of the breakdown or end of the relationship. One way to protect yourself against any financial claim or ‘messy aftermath’ is to create a Binding Financial Agreement. This can be written up either before the commencement of the relationship or during the relationship. This agreement will outline the distribution of assets and liabilities and how and whether any maintenance is required. The agreement will need to be lodged at the Family Court and must be done with the advice of independent lawyers. If you think you are in a de facto relationship or ending one, depending on your exact circumstances, it may be worth getting some legal advice! Rachael Scharrer, Founder of DivorceAnswered.com.au
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WAYNE HERBERT WROTE A BOOK, BUT NOT ANY ORDINARY BOOK... HE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT BEING GAY AND DISABLED.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR LGBTIQ PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY? There are many and vast challenges. It is so hard to identify just one. I feel my book was an important way to ensure we recognise people with disability are highly skilled, capable, talented individuals. I wanted to use the book to take the focus off the negative labels we so often see used by policy makers, government, and the media to describe people with disability such as:
As a writer myself I know that when you write from a personal perspective it’s always going to be better and more engaging for the reader. Local Canberra gay boy Wayne Herbert did exactly that. Based on real-life events, Anecdotes of a Disabled Gay is a collection of the shit people say to a thirty-somethingyear-old disabled gay man. Wayne says his book will change the way you think about disability and sexuality, one pair of ‘magic shoes’ at a time! We had a chat to Wayne to find out more about him and his book. WHY DID YOU WRITE ‘ANECDOTES OF A DISABLED GAY’? Having worked for many years in the disability sector, I wanted to shine a light on the many and varied attitudes and perceptions of me, a thirty-something year old gay man with disability. I also felt it was important to challenge some of the stigma around sexuality, disability, and particularly mental illness. My book does this by drawing the reader’s attention to what I describe as “the shit people say”. These anecdotes are at times funny and some have had a lasting impact, mostly positive but some negative, on my life. I want my stories to reach the widest audience possible in the hope that my book provides others with a different perspective and promotes further discussion, acceptance, and understanding of our diverse communities. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO WRITE? Six months before working with my publisher. The book also includes several pieces of original art by local artist Lexi Keelan artbylexi.com.au. Lexi worked tirelessly with me over many months to bring my book to life. 30
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gay
DISABLED
WHAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISING THINGS YOU LEARNED WHILE WRITING YOUR BOOK? I was surprised to learn just how lasting the impact of acts of discrimination, homophobia, and experiences of both depression and anxiety were for me as a young person. At the time, these experiences were certainly painful. However, I believe very strongly in using what are indeed difficult experiences and events in my life positively.
• Impairment • Reduced capacity • Limitation • Inability • Deficit Just to highlight a few. Far too often, the focus is on what a person with disability is perceived not to be able to do. I am often confronted by this, as these descriptors are not how I have ever seen myself and would never use to describe myself. My work in Disability Employment Services shows me just how talented and skilled people with disability are. To work in the sector amongst so many highly skilled professionals is an amazing privilege. I also see many employers everyday working hard to create diverse workplaces, supporting the employment and professional develop of staff with disability and members of the LGBTIQ community.
I can now reflect within the book on the many and varied interactions with people using humour. This is not to make light of my experiences in any way but to start a conversation about a range of personal and social issues. I do this quite deliberately in the hope that it shows I am not afraid to laugh at myself and it allows others to perhaps explore what may be confronting and difficult topics using humour. This approach also allows the book to reach a wider and more varied audience. FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST MYTHS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT BEING GAY AND DISABLED? There is no doubt in my mind that both people with disability and members of the LGBTIQ community are both marginalised groups. In my experience, we do have a tendency to desexualise people with disability. I fully believe that this occurs irrespective of the sexual orientation of people with disability.
Wayne Herbert
DO YOU FIND DISCRIMINATION A DAILY ISSUE FOR YOU? Personally, I have been faced with discrimination; however, thankfully this is not on a daily basis. I have certainly too often confronted homophobia and discrimination because I have a disability and am openly gay. I am known for saying that sometimes I forget I have a disability and just get on with things. I am busy. I have got shit to do. Often the community reminds me I am a person with disability. There is indeed at times an undercurrent of discrimination and bigotry that I hope my book explores in such a way to allow people to gain a better understanding of these issues in particular. DO YOU THINK IT IS HARDER BEING GAY AND DISABLED THAN IF YOU WERE HETEROSEXUAL? I think it is important that we acknowledge and respect diversity in all forms, irrespective of ones sexuality, gender, or any other individual attributes. I hope my book displays a willingness to share my personal story although at times recounting these events was difficult, I fundamentally believe it is important that we be treated equally. Sadly, in Australia it is clear that both people with disability and the LGBTIQ community are still not treated equally to other members of our community.
I believe it is important to recognise that people with disability have a right to experience meaningful relationships. It is vital that we do not stereotype or make assumptions about people with disability. My experience is that I always sought intimacy and connection. People with disability want and need satisfying sex lives just like the ones many of us take for granted. WHAT DOES YOUR PARTNER AND FAMILY THINK OF YOUR WRITING? My family and friends are my biggest supporters. Those close to me know I am deeply committed to equality. I want to be part of ensuring that people with disability get an improved deal in our community. They also know I focus on the positive contribution I can make by sharing my story. They too however, recognise we are not equal in Australia. I have their full support in highlighting the inequalities faced by me and all other members of the LGBTIQ community. I do not think they were surprised at all to discover I was working on a book. All my friends and even my Nana love it. I could not have done it without the support of my family, my partner Luc, and close friends. I have been very fortunate to have amazing support from them in everything I do. Also, I could not be where I am without a small group of very close friends including Rosa, who wrote the foreword of my book and who has supported and mentored me over many years. I also have my #squad all of whom I acknowledge in the book for always being there every step of the way.
WERE YOU SURPRISED ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF YOUR BOOK? Yes, I have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from the community. I have also received many messages of support. I am so grateful for the positive attention my book has received and am excited by the success of it to date. I think the use of humour and my ability to laugh at myself has been key to the books success. As Rosa says in the foreword it is a book you can share with your friends and enemies too. The book has also allowed me the opportunity to give back to other important community groups and projects in the ACT. This is something I am particularly proud to be able to do. SO WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU? I continue my work in Disability Employment Services promoting the importance and the success of our program in assisting people with disability to move to long-term sustainable open employment. I am looking forward to further opportunities to share my story with people and organisations both here in Canberra and around Australia. I am currently working as a member of the LGBTI Advisory Council supporting the range of work being done to support the LGBTIQ community.I am excited to be part of the council, as I know the Barr Government are committed to making Canberra Australia’s most LGBTIQ friendly city. I have been appointed recently to the ACT Government Disability Reference Group. I look forward to working with other members and with Minister Stephen-Smith on a range of social and policy issues continuing to build on the great work being done by the ACT Government to support people with disability in the ACT. To get in touch with Wayne, buy his book, keep up to date with what he is doing and his coming events, you can visit wayne-herbert.com or follow him at facebook.com/ wayneherbertofficial or on Instagram @waynecjherbert
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AIDS GARDEN OF REFLECTION THE AIDS GARDEN OF REFLECTION IS A LIVING TRIBUTE TO THOSE LOST TO AIDS AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE LIVING WITH HIV. Designed as a place of contemplation, the garden provides an opportunity for families, friends and supporters to honour those lost to HIV and AIDS, heal, reflect and develop hope. The garden provides a sense of calm and comfort, a special haven featuring a curving arbour with red flowering climbers and a shallow rock pond. A series of benches and rock seating arranged throughout the garden enable visitors to reflect individually, or in small gatherings. Major sponsors include: • ActewAGL • AIDS Action Council Patron John Mackay • AIDS Trust of Australia • ACT Government • John James Foundation • King O’Malley’s • National Arboretum • The Snow Foundation VISIT THE AIDS GARDEN OF RELECTION AT THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM CANBERRA Forest Drive, Canberra ACT 2601 Open 7 days 6.00am - 8.30pm
aidsgardenact.com.au
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AIDS ACTION COUNCIL OF THE ACT Havelock House, 85 Northbourne Avenue (Gould Street entrance) Turner ACT 2612 PO Box 5245 Braddon ACT 2612
02 6257 2855 contact@aidsaction.org.au
aidsaction.org.au FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
By Robert Edward Smith
PrEP
&
TRUTH LIES
FIRSTLY I WANT TO BE TOTALLY FRANK AND ADMIT THE OBVIOUS — PrEP IS A GROUNDBREAKER AND A GAMECHANGER FOR THE MSM (MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN) COMMUNITY.
Yet what if that stallion on Grindr who says he’s on PrEP — isn’t? What if that luscious power bottom in perfectly tailored tight-fitting jeans claims he’s been on PrEP “for ages” — but isn’t?
Its efficacy is unrivalled (when the daily Truvada regimen is adhered to) and the swathe of studies showing its potential to dramatically reduce and possibly eliminate new HIV infections (other than when a participant has been infected by a PrEP-resistant strain of the virus however) is incredibly impressive.
For a small percentage of people the drug just isn’t tolerable, the effect on the kidneys may be profound and/or side-effects inhibit enjoyment of everyday life, thus PrEP isn’t for everyone. Then there may be another group of men who just don’t want to take a daily medication, hence why not all of the MSM community are taking PrEP, and that’s OK.
That’s not what I’m debating, this is not an article undermining PrEP, it’s about underscoring a trend in the community that is worrisome and troubling to say the least. LYING ABOUT BEING ON PREP. Adhering to the daily blue pill of prevention has revolutionised dating and sex in the community like nothing I’ve ever seen before and HIV rates have stagnated as a result. Yet as a good friend recently said to me, when two ‘preppers’ collide, the latex love gloves come off. And we’ve seen attitudes change in relation to casual sex and condoms — they’re no longer seen as ‘compulsory’ now that PrEP has proven 99%> efficacy from studies such as iPrEx, Partners PrEP and VOICE. The power of this petite pill has enabled people to have unprotected sex without the substantial risk of HIV infection looming over them.
Yet it’s not OK to tell people you’re on PrEP simply to get them to drop their guard and engage in unprotected sex. And on the flipside of that, men who aren’t on PrEP need to be more vigilant when asking prospective partners about their PrEP usage. Small details like the study they’re on and/or how they acquire the drug (through a GP yet via a clinic for example) and even down to querying how many pills are in the bottle each refill. Shining a light on sexual health has and always will be a focal passion of mine, I understand ‘condom-fatigue’ has been plaguing our community for years, and PrEP is somewhat of a solution to that problem. But if you’re not on PrEP yourself and you don’t know for sure that a potential partner is (even if he claims to be) then keep your guard up. That way you can ensure you’re doing your part to end new HIV infections by 2020 — a goal we all share. OP.ED
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By Scott Malcolm Director of Money Mechanics
TIME TO THINK SUPER THE TOP 5 THINGS TO UNDERSTAND
NOW THAT THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR IS HERE, IT’S TIME TO REVIEW AND UNDERSTAND THE CHANGES IN THE SUPERANNUATION SYSTEM AND HOW THEY WILL IMPACT YOU. AS LONG AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT USES THE SUPERANNUATION SYSTEM TO BALANCE THE FEDERAL BUDGET YOU WILL NEED TO KEEP A FLEXIBLE APPROACH. SO WELCOME TO THE NEW SUPER SYSTEM AND MY TOP 5 THINGS TO UNDERSTAND. 1. REVIEW SALARY SACRIFICE If you are salary sacrificing to superannuation you need to ensure you are within the new $25,000 Concessional Contribution limit. This limit includes your employer Super Guarantee Contributions as well as any Salary Sacrifice. If you have extra savings before 30 June you could put up to $30,000 (if you are under 49) or $35,000 if you are over 50. For those in the Public Sector Defined Benefit Schemes (PSS, CSS, MilSuper and DFRDB) you will need to review as new ‘notional employer contributions’ will apply and limit what you can salary sacrifice into other super accounts. 2. UNDERSTAND THE TRANSFER BALANCE CAP The new $1.6 million Transfer Balance Cap kicks in from 1 July. This means there is a limit on the total amount of tax free super than an individual can keep in “Pension Phase”. The transfer balance cap will apply to those already retired and then those who retire from 1 July. If you have a balance over $1.6 million in Pension Phase you will need to reduce this balance. You can either transfer the excess amount back to Accumulation Phase or remove the excess amount. The impact is an increase of 15% tax on earnings. Review your numbers now and do not make any decisions without the right advice. The Australia Tax Office will apply penalties to amounts over $1.6m in Pension Phase after 30 June.
3. REVIEW AND UNDERSTAND THE NON-CONCESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION LIMITS The annual limit of $180,000 per person of tax free contributions will reduce to $100,000 from 1 July. You can also access the bring-forward rule of $540,000. This reduces to $300,000 after 30 June 2017. 4. REVIEW EXISTING TRANSITION TO RETIREMENT STRATEGIES The assets in your super fund used towards Transition to Retirement Pensions will no longer be tax exempt from 1 July 2017. If you are using this strategy consider whether a transition to retirement pension is still appropriate. It is important to run your numbers and review the strategy as it may still be viable! 5. REVIEW YOUR BINDING NOMINATIONS AND ESTATE PLANNING The Superannuation System was never designed to be an Estate Planning vehicle! As part of the changes some binding nominations and reversionary pension benefits become invalid. This is a good time to check your estate plan. Make sure your Wills, Enduring Power of Attorney and Binding Nominations are all up-to-date and represent your wishes. Seek out further advice and start your journey to being free around your money and creating wealth with understanding.
Scott Malcolm has been awarded the internationally recognised Certified Financial Planner designation from the Financial Planning Association of Australia and is Director of Money Mechanics. Money Mechanics is a fee for service financial advice firm who partner with clients in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney to achieve their life and wealth outcomes. We are authorised to provide financial advice through PATRON Financial Advice AFSL 307379. For more information email scott@money-mechanics.com.au or call 1300 772 643. 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 financial goals, objectives and personal circumstances.
MONEYSHOT
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I N J U R Y
Relationships Australia also delivers support services for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants, and survivors of child sexual abuse who take part in or are affected by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. To find out more contact us on
1300 364 277 or visit racr.relationships.org.au
FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
By Mark Jennings Lecturer in Religious Studies, Murdoch University
BEING GAY AND
CHRISTIAN WELCOMING, BUT NOT AFFIRMING
IT MAY SEEM LIKE LGBTIQ PEOPLE AND CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS INHABIT TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS. BUT WITH 40% OF SAME SEX COUPLES IN AUSTRALIA IDENTIFYING AS CHRISTIAN, LGBTIQ PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO BE A SIGNIFICANT, IF COVERT, PRESENCE IN CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. So, what is it like for people who are bothLGBTIQ and Christian? How do LGBTIQ Christians see their place in conservative Christian churches? And how do pastors care for LGBT people in their congregations, and include them in the life of the church? To answer these questions I spoke to LGBT people, and pastors of LGBTIQ people, from Pentecostal-Charismatic churches in Australia. Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity, which emphasizes a personal experience of faith, together with ecstatic phenomena such as speaking in tongues and divine healing, is a fast growing global phenomenon. While there are many different denominations, Australia’s largest Pentecostal-Charismatic denomination, the Australian Christian Churches, boasts over 280,000 followers in over 1,000 member churches, including some of the largest “mega-churches” in the country, such as Hillsong Church in Sydney (20,000 attendees) and Paradise Community Church in Adelaide (6,000 attendees).
For most of the Pentecostal-Charismatic pastors I spoke to, a conservative approach to interpreting the Bible led them to be “welcoming, but not affirming” of LGBTIQ people in their congregations. This means that LGBTIQ people are welcome to attend, but their sexuality cannot be “affirmed” by allowing them to volunteer or minister. As one pastor I interviewed said: “At the moment our position is that if you’re going to volunteer here that we would hold to a fairly orthodox position of scripture… So yeah, we do have a line, and that line is drawn at volunteering.” A ‘welcoming but not affirming’ approach prevents many LGBTIQ Christians from being actively involved within the Church community. Several pastors permitted LGBTIQ people who committed to remaining celibate to volunteer for leadership roles within the church, such as leading Bible studies or small groups, or even preaching. Nevertheless, the LGBTIQ people I spoke to felt understandably rejected by this position. As one put it: “I couldn’t even take up the offering. I was simply looking to be actively involved and become a member of the church… Because I was gay, that was sufficient for [them] to turn around and say no. And by then, I thought...
That’s just not right!
> FUSEFEATURE
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BEING GAY AND CHRISTIAN There really is no self respect in staying inside a community that holds up a banner saying ‘welcome home’, while simultaneously rejecting your very presence by silence. The silence was like thunder to me.
A GENERATIONAL SHIFT All of the pastors I spoke to recognised that the position they were offering LGBTIQChristians was less than ideal. Many had seen LGBTIQ people have undeniable spiritual experiences. To Pentecostal-Charismatic pastors, these spiritual experiences can only have their source in God’s Holy Spirit, and they are what qualify a person for ministry, rather than ordination.
Hillsong Church in suburban Sydney gets over 20,000 attendees each Sunday. Volunteering is not only symbolic of acceptance and inclusion by the church community, it’s also a pathway to ministry and leadership. In fact, several of the pastors I spoke to began as volunteers. Therefore, this barrier to volunteering prevents LGBTIQ Christians from moving into more senior roles in Pentecostal-Charismatic churches, where they could promote a more inclusive position. The injustice of this position was keenly felt by both LGBTIQ people and some of the pastors themselves. One pastor articulated this: Being part of a Christian community is … The body, everyone’s got a part and a role to play. But all of a sudden, ‘Oh, but now you say you’re gay, you can’t do that any more’. So people’s natural response is, ‘Well, I don’t feel like I’ve changed. I’m the same person.’ Some LGBTIQ Christians who come out in non-affirming churches make the wrenching decision to leave their congregations. One pastor described what happened when a leader at their church who “grew up at church, went to Christian college” took a same-sex partner: Then she had to step down … So she’s left, and rightly so. It’s so sad, because for her, it’s her space of belonging. All her formation happened there. Faced with the moral conservatism of many PentecostalCharismatic congregations, LGBTIQ Christians who stay may live closeted lives. Recent research strongly suggests that LGBTIQpeople who continue to identify as Christian experience heightened “homonegativity” – negative and shame-filled feelings about their sexuality – compared to non-religious, or even formerly Christian, LGBTIQ people. LGBTIQ Christians in Pentecostal-Charismatic churches may still be confronted with services entirely geared to heteronormativity, with few concessions to the LGBTIQ members, who are silenced in their midst. One LGBTIQ person said: 38
FUSEFEATURE
This leaves pastors of LGBTIQ people with theological questions. Do these spiritual experiences qualifyLGBTIQ people for volunteering and ministry in the church? Or are they disqualified by their sexuality? This theological tension led several pastors to express the view that the current exclusive positions of many Pentecostal-Charismatic churches are untenable and unjust. One pastor summed up the “welcoming but not affirming” position in this way: It’s almost like with one hand you’re shaking them by the hand, and with the other hand you’re slapping them in the face. Others believed that this position will be abandoned by future generations: Most people under 30 doesn’t have an issue with LGBTIQ people, and so we’re going to see a generational shift… It might take 10 or 20 years, but I think there’s definitely a progression in that way.
LOOKING BACK TO LOOK FORWARD In looking for a way towards a more inclusive future, Pentecostal-Charismatic leaders could perhaps look to their own history. When the movement began in the early 1900s, it was years ahead of its time in its inclusivity, celebrating the ministry of African Americans and women long before many of the established churches. One former pastor pointed this out: Modern Pentecostalism by and large has lost its way a little bit… if you’re reading the history… it was very much a movement on the margins… people who were oppressed, the poor… I don’t think they value the margins anymore. I think there’s been a dramatic shift, and I find that quite sad. Although it seems change is likely to come, it appears that in relation to LGBT inclusion – unlike their early ethnic and gender inclusiveness – Pentecostal-Charismatic churches will bring up the rear-guard of cultural and social progress, rather than taking a leading position. The author would like to acknowledge the assistance of Dr Jennifer Carson of Ghost Media, who helped with the writing of this piece.
FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS SERVICE
PROVIDES SUPPORT TO MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITHIN THE ACT • Crisis Intervention • Crisis Counselling & Referrals • Court Advocacy & Case Tracking • Emergency Accommodation • Safety Planning • Community Education & Training • Support Groups • Young People’s Outreach Program • Interpreter Service Available
24 HOUR CRISIS LINE
02 6280 0900 TTY: 02 6228 1852 Email: cw@dvcs.org.au (8am to 11pm daily) Online: dvcs.org.au FB & Twitter: @DVCSACT
CANBERRA MENOPAUSE CENTRE
SEXUAL HEALTH AND FAMILY PLANNING ACT
shfpact.org.au
Based at Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT the Canberra Menopause Centre is a specialist service for women seeking information, support and/or medical management of menopause symptoms. Appointments call 02 6247 3077
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}potato
DID YOU KNOW? According to a poll by the Pew Research Center, 16% of white evangelicals in the USA said they felt interracial marriage was bad for society. Among religious groups, evangelicals remain the most opposed to interracial marriage.
LOVING
DENIAL
Although Ruth Negga received an Oscar nomination (and deservedly so), Aussie Joel Edgerton is equally impressive in this true life story of love overcoming prejudice. Telling the story of Richard and Martha Loving’s decade-long battle to have their inter-racial marriage recognised by the State of Virginia in the 1960s, director Jeff Nichols (Midnight Special) dispenses with melodrama and courtroom grandstanding to quietly focus on the couple at the heart of the battle. And Negga and Edgerton give beautifully understated performances in one of the year’s best films.
Although set in the 1990s, this courtroom drama couldn’t be more prescient in these ‘post-truth’ times. When historian and author, Deborah Lipstadt (Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener), publishes a book about the Holocaust, she finds herself in a legal battle for historical truth to prove those events actually occurred when David Irving (Timothy Spall, Mr. Turner), a renowned Holocaust denier, sues her for libel. A fascinating look at the peculiarities of the British judicial system, and just how dangerous those spouting ‘alternative facts’ can be.
THE FAMILY LAW : SEASON 2
PERSONAL SHOPPER
Like Malcolm in the Middle or Fresh Off The Boat — you know, if those series’ protagonist was a young gay boy in suburban Brisbane — The Family Law is a sit-com about family dysfunction as seen through the eyes of a kid.
Since the completion of the Twilight franchise, Kristen Stewart has flourished — both on and off screen. And her second collaboration with French director Olivier Assayas (after the terrific Clouds of Sils Maria) produces arguably her best performance yet. Maureen (Stewart) is a personal shopper for a celebrity; she is a also a medium, and she is in Paris awaiting a sign from her recently deceased twin brother. But is he the one sending her mysterious text messages? Or is a less supernatural, more sinister force at play? Personal Shopper is a mesmerising mystery.
EONE ENTERTAINMENT
MADMAN ENTERTAINMENT
Unlike a lot of Australian sit-com’s The Family Law is funny. Very funny. It’s also awkward and heartfelt, as young Benjamin (Trystan Go), based on the adolescence of its creator, Benjamin Law, navigates his way through high school, separated parents and a slowly awakening sexuality.
By Dwayne Lennox
40
FILM&TV
EONE ENTERTAINMENT
REEL DVD
You’ll find all these titles at JB HiFi, online or at all good DVD outlets. Check out fusemagazine.com.au for DVD giveaway details. Reviewed for FUSE by Dwayne Lennox — thelennoxfiles.blogspot.com.au FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN ENGAGING IN
ONLINE HOOKUPS • Meeting in a public place • Text, e-mail or tell a friend where you are going and check in with them afterwards • Provide a friend with with the name, address and mobile number of the person you plan to meet • Leave a note with the address of where you are going or any other details • Don’t give anyone your personal address • Always trust your instincts and leave immediately if it doesn’t feel right • Have your own transport or cab fare • Exercise caution before being restrained by a partner you don’t know well or have not met before If you want to talk to a counsellor or peer worker call the AIDS Action Council 6257 2855 Phone counselling is available through Qlife 1800 184 527 or Lifeline 13 11 14 If you are in danger or the situation is urgent and police are required immediately call 000 Canberra Police assistance 131 444 Criminal activity can be reported anonymously to crime stoppers 1800 333 000
ONLINE SAFETY FOR MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AIDS ACTION COUNCIL OF THE ACT Havelock House, 85 Northbourne Avenue (Gould Street entrance) Turner ACT 2612 PO Box 5245 Braddon ACT 2612
02 6257 2855 contact@aidsaction.org.au
aidsaction.org.au41
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GAY CLICHÉ {RAISING MONEY FOR SAFE & INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS}
Photos by: Scavenger Photography
OUT&ABOUT
43
Tilley’s Devine Café Gallery
Est. 1984
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THE SAFE PLACE
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CALL 6247 7753
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BIG GAY BREAKFAST {TILLEY’S DEVINE CAFE}
You’re invited to mobilise in support of the most significant advance against HIV since the introduction of HIV treatments nearly 20 years ago.
WE CAN END HIV BY 2020 2020 marks the end of the decade and it can also mark the end for new cases of HIV in Australia. Visit the website >
OUT&ABOUT
45
HAIR
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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.”
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YOUR HOROSCOPE JULY & AUGUST 2017 Our life choices are rooted in knowing ourselves and in trust. It’s not just matter of how much we trust the people around us, but how much we trust ourselves. The next couple of months are excellent for self-reflection and getting in touch with what you want from life and discovering who you really are. It’s the true pathway to trust and happiness.
Aquarius
January 21 – February 18 Professional development and any studies you have undertaken will be slow during July — be patient and wait for things to pick up again next month. Tip: You may have to make some changes to your diet and exercise routine as energy levels may be low.
Taurus
April 21 – May 21 Start July with an open mind and a smile in your heart. Be direct and clear about verbalising whatever it is you’ve been longing for in life and you’ll succeed! Tip: Your energy levels will be high over the next few months so make the most of it.
Leo
July 23 – August 23 July is all about new. Go to a new cafe; try a new hairstyle; change your look and approach things from a brand new perspective — it’s time for Leo 2.0 Tip: Surpise someone you love in August — add a dash of excitement, a pinch of adventure and stir with love.
Scorpio
October 24 – November 22 It’s time for some self-reflection and ask yourself if you are happy, what do you want, and where you should be heading. If you’re in a situation that isn’t working for you, it’s time to change things up. Tip: Don’t let changes outside your immediate circle influence your decisions.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20 You may find that some bold moves in conjunction with some solid groundwork will result in success. The next few months may be taxing, so some extra self-control will be required if you want to stay healthy. Tip: July and August are good month’s to start new enterprises.
Gemini
May 22 – June 21 The next few months are a good time to carefully think about just what kinds of relationships make you the happiest and make decisive moves. Tip: It’s time to let some negative things go, do it deliberately, because if you decide you want it, you’ll need to work for it!
Virgo
August 24 – September 23 Family and friends may take the front seat during July — it will be important that you can be there for those that need you the most — flexibility and an open heart is the key. Tip: If you have wanted to have a serious talk with your boss or a teacher, now is the time to do it.
Sagittarius
November 23 – December 22 Be kind and patient with friends, family and lovers during July, after all, nobody is perfect. Be prepared to walk a thin line this month as things may go a little crazy. Tip: You are what you eat and unhealthy choices may impact your sex life if you’re not careful.
Aries
March 21 – April 20 If you find yourself feeling more emotional than usual in early July don’t worry as it’s not necessarily a bad thing, and will include a wide range of feelings. Tip: If you feel emotional, don’t repress, keep friends and family close and make time for yourself.
Cancer
June 22 – July 22 Over July and August give yourself permission to do some day dreaming as it can be a very productive activity in finding out what you really want from life. Tip: Tell the people you love exactly how you feel — they may know already, but it never hurts to say it again.
Libra
September 24 – October 23 Go with the flow and stop fighting with the universe and you could make all kinds of wonderful discoveries about life and yourself. It’s important you don’t give up on what’s really important to you. Tip: If your body is telling you it’s tired, go and sit in the warm sun and relax.
Capricorn
December 23 – January 20 Stress might be heading your way during July. Take good care of your health or it could affect more things than you may expect — exercise and good food is the key. Tip: If you’re feeling restless in your romances it might be time to change things up.
STARGAZER
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EMAIL DEAR ROSE WITH YOUR PROBLEM
By Rose Pappalardo
Dear Rose, My boyfriend and I have been living together for six months now — I love him. The problem is his dog. Not only does it bark constantly but when we get close it nips at my leg. He loves that dog but I can’t stand the bloody thing…. what do I do? Jai
Dear Rose, I’m totally in love with my room-mate. He’s gay also but seems to be oblivious to all the signals I’m sending. We’ve been friends for so long it seems wrong to come out and say it. Tim
Dear Jai, Imagine being a dog, where your master lavishes most of their attention on you and suddenly someone else comes into the picture with the attention shifting from you to this new person.
Dear Tim, Many people spend a long time on a quest to find their perfect match, whilst all the time overlooking the person that’s right in front of them. There are plenty of romances out there that have blossomed from long-term friendships. The great thing is being friends first, means you know each other’s attributes and imperfections.
It’s not surprising your BF’s fur baby is “acting out”. He is basically telling you get in line behind him. This is a common issue and can be fixed with a bit of time and patience. There is a ton of information to read on this subject and lots of ideas of how to resolve the issue, check out shows like “It’s me or the dog”. Your first move should be to talk to your BF and together seek an expert that can help with some practical solutions.
Dear Rose, My GF who is 30 has never had a PAP test and said she never will as they are gross and lesbians don’t need them. I’m really worried about her health, what can I do to change her mind. LJ
Dear LJ, This lesbian myth drives me insane and it is completely wrong. Early detection in the form of regular testing is our defence on preventing cervical cancer. I am the first to agree it is the yuckiest process and dread my reminder. There are lots of choices on how women can get their cervical test, I personally prefer either a female doctor or nurse in a sexual health clinic or women’s health centre. The clinics are much more empathetic to how sensitive women can be, as this test is generally their core function. Also, the National screening programme is a Federal Government initiative and tends to be cheaper than going to a doctor’s surgery. I suggest if you can’t talk your GF around, send her some links to articles about the subject or get her to talk to a medical professional as often the raw facts can be enough to sway someone in the right direction. Good luck.
There are two paths that you can take. One, you can decide that your friendship with your room-mate is too important to risk. Or two, you decide to seriously put it all out there and tell him exactly how you feel. When it comes to these matters I tend to prefer the band-aid method where I blurt out my revelation all in one hit. Your style maybe more refined than mine, by planning an evening with the two of you in opening a conversation. My cautionary note is to keep in mind the possibility that your room-mate may not feel the same way as you do right now. However, having the discussion plants a beautiful seed.
They say if you know and love thyself, there is no stopping your path to true happiness and wisdom. “Man know thyself: then thou shalt know the universe and god” Pythagoras “By doing the work to love ourselves more, I believe we will love each other better” Laverne Cox “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” Aristotle
Need help or someone to talk to? Support is available for anyone in distress by phoning (24 Hours) QLife 1800 184 527, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or AAC counselling services on 02 6257 2855. If you require relationship support or services call Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277
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