WHAT’S ON

LGBTIQ Directory

Head to the FUSE LGBTIQ Directory where you’ll find LGBTIQ friendly and owned businesses, support pathways, community groups, sporting, social & support services. lgbtiq.directory

NATIONAL ARTIST CALL OUT! SHOW YOUR PRIDE THROUGH ART

Kaleidoscope Ii

BELCONNEN ARTS

ENTRIES DUE 1 AUGUST 2023 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Following the success of the inaugural Kaleidoscope exhibition in 2022, we are once again celebrating what it means to be part of the LGBTIQ+ collective through art. Belconnen Arts are inviting LGBTIQ+ artists to create and share what being queer means to them. Entry submissions are due 1 August, and the exhibition will run from 13 October until 26 November 2023.

FRIGHT NIGHT : CULT CLASSICS WITH VENUS MANTRAP

ROBOCOP

NATIONAL FILM & SOUND ARCHIVE

FRIDAY 28 JULY @ 9:00PM

Gather your tribe of rowdy rebels and misfits and join Venus Mantrap — local Canberran drag artist and culture warrior — for Fright Nights at Arc Cinema. If you’re a sucker for nostalgia or curious about forgotten film gems, join Venus as we venture into the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond. Evenings include special guests, surprise performances, trivia, best-dressed contests and, of course, a fun cult film!

Assistance With Legal Matters

FREE LEGAL CLINIC MERIDIAN PRIDE HUB

QR CODE FOR DATES _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Legal Aid ACT has partnered with Meridian to offer a free LGBTIQ+ legal drop-in service for those in need.

WOMEN’S MOVIE & DINNER GROUP

SOCIAL GROUP CANBERRA

TUESDAY EVENINGS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

A casual friendly group that welcomes all like-minded women in Canberra to meet weekly for coffee, a movie and dinner.

Battle Of The Super Divas

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QUEER CRASH TRANSIT BAR

FRIDAY 14 JULY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

It’s a Diva vs Diva Battle Royale! Whether you’re a Little Monster or a Britney Stan, you don’t want to miss this party!

Burlesque Act State Final

MX BURLESQUE

BELCONNEN ARTS

SATURDAY 22 JULY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

By Maxwell Elliff

ROUND UP DID YOU KNOW?

The world’s first passenger tram was horse-drawn and started operating in England from 1807. It was converted to steam in 1877 and then in 1929 to electric until its closure in 1961.

RIDE WITH PRIDE, CANBERRA TRAM GOES RAINBOW!

Everyone is welcome on board the Light Rail! Transport Canberra has launched a special ‘Ride with Pride’ campaign with a tram decked out in all the progressive rainbow flag colours, promoting diversity and inclusion. In a statement from Canberra Metro operations, they said, “We are proud to stand together with our LGBTIQ+ employees and customers. Pride Month is an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to an authentic workplace culture where everyone is welcome. We strive to promote acceptance, quality and encourage our staff to be the best version of themselves”.

SYDNEY’S GAY PENGUIN DUO CELEBRATE PRIDE

Sea Life Sydney’s gay penguin power couple, Magic and Sphen, took centre stage at the Darling Harbour Aquarium during the recent WorldPride festival. The sub-Antarctic enclosure was adorned with rainbow flags and featured a miniature version of the Sydney skyline. The gentoo penguins even marched across their own Sydney Harbour Bridge replica, alongside bisexual polyamorous throuple Neptune, Arthur and Aurora, as well as king penguin same-sex couple Forest and Nog. Magic and Sphen went viral after their relationship was announced in 2018 and have since hatched two chicks together. Gentoo penguins typically lay multiple eggs at once but can only care for one — so giving spare eggs to gay penguins has become the norm at Sea Life.

COOK ISLANDS SCRAPS ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY LAWS

In a major win for LGBTIQ+ rights in Oceania, the Cook Islands have decriminalised homosexuality. The Crimes Act 1969 had a provisional clause of up to 5 years in prison for men who commit ‘indecent acts’ with other men, and up to 10 years for anyone hosting such acts on their premises. In 2019, the legislation was extended to include women, sparking major public backlash. In response, the Te Tiare Association — the nation’s leading queer community group — launched an online petition amassing 5000 signatures. Sonya Temata, creator of the petition, stated, “these nations cling to anti-gay laws enacted under colonial rule and the influence of conservative Christian missionaries… my sexuality does not define who I am”. The changes to the legislation will also provide greater protection for victims of sexual assault and spousal rape.