SUPER QUEER PLAYLIST
SUPPORTING FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE
CORSETS & RIPPED
FISHNETS ARE GO! LET’S THROW TOAST
LOCAL HEROES INKBITS: GLITTER, GLAM & SOME SERIOUS SPUNK
WE ALL FALL OVER MAKING
FAILURE OUR FRIEND
ROBYN ARCHER
MUSICAL LEGEND & QUEER ICON
DRAG ATTACK! LIBRARIES, SMOKESCREENS & AGENDAS
FUSE MAGAZINE MADE IN AUSTRALIA
JUL / AUG 2023
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Alexander Thatcher
CREATIVE DIRECTOR & ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Christopher Powell
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Maxwell Elliff
CONTRIBUTORS
David Blanco
Dwayne Lennox
Scott Malcolm
Rose Pappalardo
Braden Hill
Bep Uink
Shakara Liddelow-Hunt
Sian Bennett
PHOTOGRAPHERS
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Pierre Toussaint
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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. Some articles in this publication may have first appeared on theconversation.com. Submissions of text, photographs or any other material will be taken as consent to publish said material.
AUTHENTIC LISTENING IS AN ACT OF KINDNESS; IT BUILDS TRUST AND CAN HEAL WOUNDS. IT’S THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE.
We often hear others making desperate pleas, “Will you listen to me, please; just hear me out; I’m trying to tell you something”. It’s an attempt to grab the listener’s attention when we are not heard.
Listening used to be more natural to us humans when life was slower, and people had simple lives with fewer distractions.
Nowadays, we are constantly on the go and our heads are packed with thoughts. We listen (sometimes) but don’t hear; what we will say next becomes more critical. I believe that, because no one feels heard, talking has become the priority for most of us — this builds frustration, resentment and the twisting of truth. This can have severe ramifications for individuals and communities.
With this in mind, before the end of the year, we’ll be asked to vote on The Voice to Parliament, a concept that has come from Indigenous people that allows for a mechanism where our First Nations people can be heard.
It seems a ‘fair ask’ from a people who have held custodianship of Australia for over sixty thousand years, and have frankly been treated incredibly badly in the short 250 years since the white man arrived. The clash of cultures and the force by which Australia was colonised has left Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a severely compromised position. For many years they have been asking to be heard and for the truth to be told.
Personally, what I find heartbreaking (like with the same-sex marriage plebiscite) is that we even have to vote on someone’s basic call to be validated and to be heard. It looks all too familiar as the NO camp and right-wing media use fear, misdirection and lies to try and stop social progress and healing. Like the plebiscite, those tactics cause psychological stress among already vulnerable communities. I don’t think it is OK, and it’s not kind. We forget (or don’t care) that words are powerful things and can cut like the sharpest sword.
The sky did not fall when Australia voted YES for same-sex marriage equality, and it won’t if we let Indigenous people have a voice.
On page 43, you will find an article supplied by The Conversation, ‘What can we learn from the marriage equality vote about supporting First Nations people during the Voice debate?’. It’s a good read if you would like a more in-depth understanding of why this is important.
Big stuff, but this issue is not all about the serious side of life. We also talk to some inspirational community trailblazers, like local hero Jolene Mifsud; they discuss what it means to be non-binary and their commitment to building safe spaces p35. Gay icon Robyn Archer, who muses about her unapologetic queer manifestations and the menopause blues p19; and the talented Loredo Malcolm about his upcoming role in The Rocky Horror Show p27.
We also delve into all the drama around drag queens and libraries p17, the art of failing and letting go p22, plus don’t forget to check out all the awesome photos from FreshOut and the Mardi Gras Film Festival p48. Stay safe and be kind, Alexander.
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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Did you know that Barbie has had more than 200 careers since she was introduced in 1959? A pilot, astronaut, doctor, chef, rock star, president, firefighter, engineer, and so much more.
It’s been 10 years since writer-director Nicole Holofcener and Julia Louis-Dreyfus teamed up to deliver the wonderful Enough Said, a romcom about second chances. Their latest collaboration sees Louis-Dreyfus as Beth, a novelist already struggling to follow up her successful memoir when she overhears that her seemingly supportive husband, Don (Tobias Menzies) doesn’t like her new book. Meanwhile, Don, a therapist, is struggling to even remember, let alone care about the problems of his patients. This comedy brings laughs with a pang of recognition.
It’s been more than a decade since Jennifer Lawrence won her Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook, but she makes her return to the romcom genre with No Hard Feelings, albeit of a somewhat bawdier nature. At the risk of losing her childhood home, the fun-loving Maddie (Lawrence) needs money fast. When she spies a job listing for someone to ‘date’ an awkward teen before he heads off to college, Maddie feels it’s a slam dunk, but Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), the intended paramour, proves to be no sure thing.
After the billion-dollar-grossing Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise is back, reprising the role of secret agent Ethan Hunt for the seventh Mission: Impossible film. A franchise that seems to get bigger and better with each new entry, as Cruise — literally — puts his body on the line to entertain us. Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson and Simon Pegg are also back as part of Hunt’s team, who will no doubt be travelling the world at breakneck speed in an attempt to prevent the bad guys from destroying it.
Four years after her fresh take on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, writer and director Greta Gerwig takes on another classic: Barbie. Although a childhood icon of the 20th century, something suggests Gerwig’s take on the toy doll isn’t child’s play. With Margot Robbie in the titular role and Ryan Gosling as Ken (or one of them), Barbie promises to be a very meta, Dayglo-coloured trip into the world of arguably the most famous doll on the planet as she and Ken, take a trip from Barbie Land into the real world — there in for some adult trouble.
CHECK OUT ALL THESE GREAT FILMS, LGBTIQ+ MOVIE REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS AND MORE ON THE FUSE WEBSITE
By Dwayne Lennox Follow Dwayne
Twitter @TheLennoXFiles
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
FUSE BIG GAY BREAKFAST
90 STOCKDILL DRIVE, HOLT
SUNDAY 30 JULY : 9AM — NOON _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The FUSE Big Gay Breakfast is back with a special winter get together. This July, we will all be meeting at the Stepping Stone Café at Strathnairn Arts in Holt. It’s an LGBTIQ+ and everyone-in-between event! Eat, drink and be merry with all your fabulous friends. Buy your own breakfast. There are lots of delicious options, plus vegetarian and gluten-free. This is a BYO venue so feel free to bring some champers if you like.
ROBYN ARCHER CANBERRA THEATRE
7 — 8 JULY 2023 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Renowned signer and proud member of the LGBTIQ+ community, Robyn Archer, has wowed audiences across the globe with her soulful interpretations of European and American classics. But now she’s bringing her formidable talents back home to uncover the hidden gems of Australian music. From convict lament to Bon Scott, Kate Miller Heidke and First Nations’ songwriters, Robyn takes us on a melodic journey, exploring and celebrating the many rhythms and voices that are woven into the unique sonic fabric of this country. Read our interview with Robyn on p19.
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UNCHARTED TERRITORIES
CANBERRA : VARIOUS LOCATIONS
7 — 16 JULY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Uncharted Territory is Canberra’s new arts and innovation festival celebrating creativity, experimentation and groundbreaking ideas. Across 10 days, artists, entrepreneurs and researchers will intersect to push the boundaries of what is possible. From 7-16 July you’ll discover new, uncharted territories in innovation, art and science. The festival will showcase some of Canberra’s most formidable minds and talents, share what is unique about this place, and tell the story of our contributions to national and international discourse. Immerse yourself in a captivating ten day program of new possibilities, where creativity, experimentation, and groundbreaking ideas take centre stage.
You will be forgiven for absolutely losing yourself in this show!
Don’t miss out on the acclaimed tribute to a global superstar putting the Boom Boom into your heart!
Elvis
The Greatest Hits
David Cazalet will transport you back to the 60s & 70s when The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll reigned supreme!
Featuring smash hits like Jailhouse Rock, Blue Suede Shoes, Love Me Tender, Suspicious Minds, It’s Now Or Never and more.
Jibber Jabber Jamboree
One of comedy’s greatest marvels, Ross Noble returns to Australia with his 21st solo stand-up tour!
What’s it about? What will we learn? How will it change the world? Are all pointless questions to ask when Noble is off on one of his tangents.
8 July
22 July
27 July
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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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!
MX BURLESQUE
BELCONNEN ARTS
SATURDAY 22 JULY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
By Maxwell Elliff
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.
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”.
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.
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.
According to a research study published in Psychosomatic Medicine, people who routinely exude positive emotion are less likely to come down with the common cold. Additionally, our stress hormone cortisol levels are drastically lowered which improves our health as well.
After overcrowding issues and hundreds of complaints over the past few years, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras after-party could move to Allianz Stadium following a plan by the NSW Labor Government to increase the number of events that can be held there each year. NSW Premier Chris Minns slammed the years-old cap on Sydney events each year, commenting that the cap meant that NSW was missing out on millions of dollars a year in economic activity and the tourism and jobs it brings with it. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger said there were no plans to move next year’s 2024 after-party to Allianz Stadium, but that after discussions with the government, if Mardi Gras organisers wished to relocate the event, they could. Allianz Stadium can accommodate 55,000 people.
A new study done in the United Kingdom by Just Like Us — a young people’s charity organisation — has identified a link between a lack of LGBTIQ+ support in childhood and negative outcomes for mental health, wellbeing and career prospects in early adulthood. The report surveyed 3,695 people aged 18 to 25 across the UK, including a pool of 1,736 queer young adults. When compared with queer people who grew up with support, both at home and in school, the survey found those who lacked it were half as likely to say they are happy in adulthood (43 per cent compared with 85 per cent).
Amy Ashenden, the CEO of Just Like Us, described the findings as heart-breaking, saying the impacts of a lack of support were prolonged and devastating.
The ACT Assembly has passed legislation introduced by Andrew Barr, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (pictured left), to protect the human rights of people with innate variations of sex characteristics in medical settings.
The Variation in Sex Characteristics (Restricted Medical Treatment) Bill 2023 will implement mechanisms to regulate non-urgent medical care to encourage child participation in medical decisions, establish groundbreaking oversight mechanisms and provide transparency on medical practices and decision making.
“There’salottocelebrate.Therewillneverbeanothertimewhereajurisdiction is the first in Australia to pass laws that protect intersex children. It brings me immense joy and peace to know that it happened in my home town Canberra. This is the moment where positive change has been demonstrated, and our challenge to other states and territories is clear. This can be done; when will you step up, in turn, to protect children against harm and trauma?”
Cody
Smith, Training and Communication Officer Intersex Human Rights AustraliaEmperor Ai of Han, who ruled China from 7 to 1 BC, is considered the first-ever out gay politician. Known to have had a male lover, his same-sex relationship was documented in many Chinese historical accounts. While Emperor Ai is not typically referred to as a ‘politician’ in the modern sense, he was a significant political figure of his time.
Latvia, a former Soviet country that has not yet recognised same-sex marriage, has elected Edgars Rinkevics as its first openly gay president. No stranger to making political firsts, in 2014 Rinkevics became the first Latvian member of parliament to publicly come out, which he did on Twitter.
He received 52 votes, one vote more than required to win. Incumbent Egils Levits, Latvia’s head of state since 2019, didn’t seek re-election. While socially conservative views remain strong in Latvia, despite this, Rinkevics proved to be popular with the general public. Rinkevics has been a long-serving and popular foreign minister in Latvia; he is also a strong backer of Ukraine.
Latvia’s Presidency is largely ceremonial, and the head of state acts as an opinion leader and uniting figure. The president represents the country on the world stage, acts as the supreme commander of the armed forces, and signs bills into law.
In a shocking development, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has given his stamp of approval to a new anti-gay bill. The law legislates, among other things, a ten-year jail term for attempted same-sex acts, a 20-year jail term for promoting homosexuality, a life sentence for the offence of homosexuality and a death penalty for aggravated homosexuality. Previously there has been historical surveillance and targeting of queer people in Uganda, but no penalties nearly as harsh as this. This is reflective of a spate of new laws happening across Africa. Their proponents argue that the laws protect African family values and are a rejection of ‘unhealthy Western norms’.
Canadians who have been convicted of outdated discriminatory laws can now have their criminal record destroyed. These include not only anti-abortion laws unfairly targeting women, but also indecency laws targeting the queer community. Canadian Police have historically used such laws to raid queer safe spaces such as saunas and nightclubs, charging customers, employees and performers. For instance, in 1981, some 286 men were charged with indecency breeches at a Toronto brothel. Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, said past laws were unjust and that, “Canadians deserve non-discriminatory policies that put their safety first”. Those with prior convictions can apply for a free expungement order allowing for permanent erasure of ‘historically unjust records of conviction’. If deceased, family members can acquire expungement orders on behalf of their loved one
Researchers in a joint study between the CDC and University of Northern Carolina have made major breakthroughs in AIDS prevention with the development of an injectable slow-release PrEP implant. The latest results have shown that their formulation can provide up to 6 months protection against HIV for non-human primates.
The research involved exposing macaques (a primate with similar immune systems to humans) to HIV, but of the six test subjects, none contracted the virus. Rahima Benhabbour, associate professor and one of the leading minds of the study said, “Our goal with this technology is a once or twice yearly injection that could be self-administered”. The team are awaiting further funding to advance to human trials.
Librarians at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) have been ordered to take down rainbow flags, sparking outrage from staff and students. An email was sent to staff telling them not to display rainbow flags or stickers across ACU’s multi-state campus libraries stating, ‘It is not considered appropriate at ACU’ Staff and a group of students retaliated by writing an open letter to Vice-Chancellor Zlatko Skrbis declaring, “You have decided to… send a message that LGBTIQ+ people are not welcome at your university”.
ACU spokespeople defending their position said they did not believe in promoting one group over another and that they already had certain flags approved for display — including state, national, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Vatican flags — and that staff could display personal flags of their choice at their private workstations. The fight continues.
In a world first, scientists in Japan have created mice with two biological fathers, sparking intriguing possibilities for the future of human reproduction. Under the leadership of Katsuhiko Hayashi, a pioneer in the field of lab-grown eggs and sperm, a team of scientists at Kyushu University succeeded in transforming a mouse skin cell carrying the male X-Y chromosome into an egg carrying the female X-X. Male sperm was then used to fertilise the eggs.
The resulting mice were healthy, had a normal lifespan and even went on to have their own offspring as adults. Hayashi presented the results at the Francis Crick Institute in London, stating his belief that the research could be replicated with human cells within the next decade. If deemed safe, Hayashi is in favour of using the technology to allow same-sex couples to have biological children.
Popular social media stars Gela Gogishvili and Haoyang Xu were arrested in April for breaching Russia’s so-called ‘gay propaganda’ laws, which bar any LGBTIQ+ content from advertisements, films, music and websites. Russian-born Gogishvili and Chinese national Xu met on a dating app in 2021 after Xu moved to Russia to study abroad. Since then, the young couple has lived in the city of Kazan and share their daily life online — amassing almost 80,000 followers on YouTube.
Russian police said that their videos in which they kiss, hug and show them sleeping together are considered an inappropriate demonstration of ‘homosexual intimacy’. While Gogishvili was eventually released on bail, his boyfriend was sent to a migrant detention centre and threatened with deportation. After Xu’s eventual release and months of continued persecution, threats, trials, and prison, the couple has since fled to Turkey, where their difficult love story continues.
Drag Queen Storytime events first started in 2015 by author and activist Michelle Tea in San Francisco with the goals of promoting reading and diversity.
Fortunately, in Australia, most people don’t believe these distortions of the truth and are accepting and welcoming of LGBTIQ+ people, celebrating diversity in our community. It’s sad that some humans haven’t yet embraced contemporary community standards of respect, inclusion and general decency.
The fight is far from over for LGBTIQ+ rights, with research showing that the uptake of homophobic and transphobic messaging has serious mental health impacts on LGBTIQ+ people in Australia and across the world.
A STRING OF DRAG QUEEN EVENTS HAS BEEN CANCELLED OR MOVED ONLINE, INCLUDING RAINBOW STORYTIME AND DRAG SINGALONGS, FOLLOWING SERIOUS CONCERNS OF THREATS OF VIOLENCE BY NEO-NAZIS AND ULTRA-RIGHT-WING CONSERVATIVES.
It’s been unsettling seeing drag queens in Australia (and worldwide) being attacked, abused and threatened based on outlandish claims that they are predators and that drag queen storytime and other inclusive events are used to groom or ‘turn’ children gay.
This recent right-wing narrative about the dangers of LGBTIQ+ people is unfortunately typical in the history of weaponising language and abuse blame-shifting. Tactics involve mistruths and moral panic, instilling unfounded fear and distracting from the actuality of things. Claims that drag queens and gay men are paedophiles are always worrying. Decades of research has shown that LGBTIQ+ people are no more likely of being an offender than any other member of society. In terms of the environment in which these crimes occur, young people are actually most at risk of sexual victimisation in their own homes, an institution or church (not drag shows and libraries).
These false narratives are carefully designed and propagated to confuse and anger people by shifting the perceived threat to children outside of the home. Unsurprisingly, there is a long history of attaching the LGBTIQ+ community to paedophilia and indecency.
The idea that young people are vulnerable to transference and being groomed is not a new tactic; it is based on the notion that queerness or transness is somehow transmissible and that LGBTIQ+ people are mentally ill, have low morals or are hypersexual. It’s completely bizarre that anyone still believes that everyone has the latent potential to become gay simply by exposure.
It seems clear that a minority of vocal and visible dissenters are attempting to poison people’s views about LGBTIQ+ people. Felicity Marlowe from Rainbow Families Support service, said that she believes that hate campaigners are not just focusing on drag events and that these attacks are a smokescreen for a broader anti-LGBTIQ+ agenda. “It’s insidious what they are doing, and it has got to stop!”, she said.
The truth is, drag storytimes have proven to be popular with the general public and are a fun way to encourage reading. They are a joyful and age-appropriate way to celebrate diversity. They benefit all children’s growth with education about diversity, respect, consent, human dignity, self-determination and human rights.
In a message of support, The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) condemned any intrusion of any event and stated that they fully support any Australian library hosting Drag Queen Storytime.
ALIA President Robert Knight, OAM, has said, “library collections, programs and services cater for all members of our communities, and their content is accordingly diverse. A number of libraries across Australia present Drag Queen Storytime as part of their commitment to inclusive programming, and it is completely unacceptable to see the disruption of activities in libraries on the basis of bigotry”.
“THE CURRENT CLIMATE OF HATE TOWARDS THE TRANS COMMUNITY AND DRAG PERFORMERS, THROUGH RISING MISINFORMATION AND HARASSMENT, IS ALL TOO FAMILIAR TO MANY OF US.”SAB SAMUEL AKA AIDA H DEE VOLUNTEERS HER TIME AT DRAG STORYTIME.
AUSTRALIAN MUSICAL THEATRE LEGEND AND QUEER ICON, ROBYN ARCHER AO, IS RETURNING TO THE STAGE WITH HER HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW PRODUCTION, ‘AN AUSTRALIAN SONGBOOK.’
Since the 1970s, Robyn Archer has captivated audiences nationally and around the world with her memorable interpretations of the cabaret works of German composers including Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht and her unforgettable one-woman shows such as A Star is Torn. Archer has produced memorable works for theatre and television, including the adaptation of her ground-breaking cabaret revue, A Pack of Women, which screened on the ABC.
In addition to performing and writing, Archer has been the Artistic Director of major arts festivals across the country and was the first woman Artistic Director of The Adelaide Festival of Arts in 1998. She has strong connections to the Canberra arts scene and was Director of the Centenary of Canberra and the National Festival of Australian Theatre. In short, Robyn Archer is a pioneer of Australian musical theatre and a bonafide LGBTIQ+ national treasure.
With An Australian Songbook, Archer and her band take audiences on a melodic journey through our nation’s history, with each song offering a personal and political snapshot of Australia’s identity.
The show’s lovingly curated setlist avoids the expected Australian music ‘standards’ and instead features works from First Nations’ songwriters right through to convict era laments and songs from contemporary composers, including Bon Scott and Kate Miller Heidke.
David Blanco from the FUSE team spoke with Robyn about family, music and her upcoming tour of her brand new show, An Australian Songbook
Can you share with us what being a musical performer means to you?
For me performing is a joy and, at times, a hard task. My dad was a singer and stand-up comedian, so I grew up alongside music, and from a young age apprenticed myself to Dad. I sang in my great grandparent’s pub from the age of four. My first real performance was when I was about 12 in one of Dad’s variety shows. So, performing is in my blood. It’s a combination of discipline, hard work and ingenuity and you must train for it, the same way an athlete does.
I think lots of people look at performing from the outside and view it as glamorous, thinking how wonderful it is to be publicly appreciated. I often point out that tradespeople, for example, carpenters or seamstresses, do their creative work mostly in private. As a performer, however, you are under scrutiny.
People in other professions toil away at their craft and if they make a mistake, it’s generally not made public. As a live singer, you take your life in your hands every time you get on the stage. For me, performing is hugely pleasurable, but not without challenges.
What can audiences expect when they come to see you perform your Australian Songbook?
First and foremost, great music. It’s a show with an alternative viewpoint and lots of laughter, drama and emotion. I’m working with wonderful musicians on this show. All my band members sing, which adds to the show’s musical richness. I’m accompanied by George Butrumlis, a very fine accordionist who has played with The Black Sorrows and Zydeco Jump. Cameron Goodall founded The Audreys and is also a great actor. My pianist, Enzo Pozzebon played the role of Gareth Evans in Keating the Musical
The show has a range of styles reflecting my eclectic musical tastes. There are art songs, musical theatre, country and some folk music. I also sing some of my own compositions. The oldest song I perform dates to 1827 as well as works by contemporary songwriters including Kate Miller Heidke and Rob Davidson, who has crafted a song from Julia Gillard’s legendary misogyny speech. Another standout is Lou Bennett’s beautiful song “Jaara Nyilamum,” which I sing in language.
How did you choose the show’s songs?
I approached the selection process from various angles. First, I considered composers. For example, there is a song included that I composed with Paul Grabowski twenty years ago and I have recently refreshed its lyrics.
I also had to consider the musical quality of each piece and whether our little quartet would be able to perform it effectively. We don’t have a rhythm section or use bass or drums, but we can boom it up for a rock and roll sound!
It was important for me to have a balance of male, female, and other composers, as well as some of my own material. There are some terrific voices in there; really interesting voices.
I also visit Australia’s settler period and it would have been easy to include the standard, lyrical pioneer songs but I chose one by man called John Magarvie, a Presbyterian minister who did a huge amount of research on the Aboriginal people living near the Hawkesbury River. His song is a convict lament in which he mourns the people he left behind in the ‘old’ country.
The show’s songs may seem unrelated because they cover different genres, historical periods and subject matter, but ultimately, they land in the same place. I wanted these songs to make the audience feel they took a journey full of humour, politics and emotion.
Could you comment on how you see the current state of Australian music and songwriting?
Clearly, songwriting continues enormously in this country. There’s an enormous amount of music being written, but the outlets for getting it heard are different now. I have a songwriter in my family, a young man of twenty-two, who makes music with his mates in his bedroom. They release it online and don’t perform at all!
I hope that with the recent focus on women’s issues along with increasing incidences of discrimination against the LGBTIQ+ community, that Australian songwriters continue to write about important issues.
At age 15, I was earning money in coffee lounges, singing largely from the American protest repertoire. So the ability of song to carry social issue messages was instilled in me from a young age and my first album had my own lesbian and feminist songs on it.
When I was thirteen and coming out to myself, I had absolutely no role models and anybody my age would say the same thing. When I started to be flown to Sydney for appearances on Bandstand, the network would put me up in Kings Cross and I accidentally came across drag queens.
I returned to Adelaide knowing there are other people that are like me. Even though things have changed vastly since then and there are role models and kids at school who are proud and brave to come out, we can’t ever get too complacent.
My hope is that Australian songwriters will continue to use their skills to bring social issues to the fore in that strange way that artists can. I know that now since the lockdowns, venues and presenters are trying to make up their losses. I feel this has led to an emerging trend to play to the middle ground. I hope Australian songwriters aren’t suffering too badly and remain inspired to keep writing on the more difficult issues in entertaining and enlightening ways. Does the show include songs that you consider address the Australian LGBTIQ+ experience?
I have memories of cross-dressing when I was nine; and apart from my own unapologetic queer manifestation on stage, there are pertinent references to ‘queerdom’ in the show. I released my first album in 1977 and it included lesbian-themed songs. My Australian Songbook includes songs from that record.
There are also songs with a feminist bent. I do “The Menstruation Blues” and “The Menopause Blues”. There’s a song inspired by my mother’s wartime tales called “The Backyard Abortion Waltz” about a friend of hers who tragically died from a backyard abortion in Adelaide in the 1940s. And of course, a highlight is the song of Julia Gillard’s misogyny speech as well songs by Australian female songwriters. My show definitely speaks to the LGBTQIA+ community as a political ‘other.’
Robyn, do you have an Australian song that you consider to be a ‘guilty pleasure’ that didn’t make it into the show? Mine is Slim Dusty’s “Duncan”. What’s yours?
Look, I don’t know that I can answer that because many of my guilty pleasures did end up the show! “Gymkhana Yodel” is undoubtedly one of them.
I have such admiration for Joy and Heather McKean, who I almost met when I was fourteen when we were recording in the same studio. They were married to Slim Dusty and Reg Lindsay respectively — and because they were married to these two famous male country singers, their careers were overshadowed. Their music, in particularly their yodelling, has since been rightfully elevated.
I don’t feel guilty about my pleasure in yodelling. When I yodel, babies squeal and dogs come and kiss me! Doing the “Gymkhana Yodel” with the boys is definitely a guilty pleasure.
Given my voice’s natural range, if my parents had sent me to classical singing training, I could have been a very good mezzo soprano. But it would have ironed out the crack between my chest voice and my head voice and I wouldn’t have been able to yodel. So that was a blessing in disguise!
There were three pages left blank on my FUSE layout with only a few days to go before my editorial deadline — they were labelled ‘Alex to write a spiritual article’. I’ve been struggling and kept telling myself, “How can I possibly share any wisdom when I’ve fallen over again”. So, the pages remained blank. What could I possibly share?
My ego had firmly taken the reigns and lapped up all those delicious negative feelings it loves so much. As I lamented my failures to my partner Christopher and filled the room with reasons why I could not possibly write a ‘spiritual article’, he kindly pointed out that the best stories are personal ones, and what could be more personal than what I am experiencing right now? Start where you are. He was right, of course, and had unknowingly also helped me back up off the floor. Love is pretty powerful stuff. I spent the next few days thinking about what it means to fail and fall, what I had forgotten, and why it is often difficult to get back up again.
Those stories we create in our minds are universal. We have all been affected by what we label as failure, whether it’s a commitment to something important, an exercise routine, breaking a bad habit or losing our way on a spiritual path. There are so many things in our lives that we can struggle with.
Our egos often have us thinking that it’s just ‘you’ that fails and takes particular delight in keeping us down and hiding the truth from us. The reality is that everyone crashes, and it’s OK — in fact, it might be a good thing.
The term ‘fallen over’, interestingly enough, gives us a hint of the metaphysical reasons behind it.
Literally, when we all stumble, the severity of the result can vary from a little shake-up to life-threatening event. In most instances, it’s not enough to seriously put you out but enough to send a shock wave through your system — it’s a reminder to be more mindful of the path before you.
The universe talks to us in many ways. It seems to me that figuratively tripping or falling over is a shake-up for the spirit. The universe has a way of helping and, if necessary, forcing you to realign things by creating opportunities to bring us back from our zombie state. Often, I’ve found that my failures are lessons not learnt and a chance to grow — it’s why I think the ego is so quick to attach gloomy labels to it.
Failure is like candy to the ego, and it’s rich with negative emotions — we hate it, fear it, and dread it; and when it does happen, we hold onto it, allowing the pain to dictate our path.
Understanding defeat is essential if we want to move past those dark feelings and start asking the bigger questions. It becomes clear that failing is not the problem here — it’s the resulting negativity that’s doing the real damage.
So, knowing all these things, what can we do when we find ourselves in the thick of it? I won’t lie and tell you it’s easy because it’s not, but here are a few things that I found helped me, and maybe they can help you too.
Learning from failure can be the key to success. Asking yourself why you have fallen is a good place to start.
You’ll probably come up with things like: I’m too busy, I’m too tired, it’s the kids, the dog, work, the weather — the list goes on. It’s a great start, but I can assure you these are not the reasons — these are excuses. What you’re looking for is deep, honest answers to your question “why?”. Maybe you are doing something because you think you should, not because you really want to. Perhaps you’re just not motivated. Maybe it’s something else deeper. It’s critical that you’re absolutely honest with yourself. It will help you decide what actions to take.
TO ‘FALL OVER’ IS A POPULAR EXPRESSION TO CONVEY THE IDEA OF NOT ACHIEVING THE DESIRED OUTCOME OR NOT MEETING EXPECTATIONS IN A PARTICULAR ENDEAVOUR.
MANY SPIRITUAL LEADERS, BUSINESS TYCOONS AND SPORTS STARS WILL TELL YOU THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY AN EPIC FAILURE THAT WAS THE CATALYST TO THEIR AWAKENED SPACE.
Something to remember when you’re next face down in the mud!
Acceptance helps us stand back from those damaging and mostly untrue stories that run through our minds.
After you have an understanding of what has happened, it’s time to accept where you are on your path. Make peace with the failure, let it go, and move on. Holding onto the past and the negative stories associated with it will only bring more suffering.
At this stage, it’s good to do some selfpampering to lift your spirits and give you time to rest and refuel. Give yourself time to heal and feel OK again.
Set yourself easy goals because your purpose here is to build a new habit, not to become a guru or champion sports star by next month. Often, we set ourselves up to fail by creating lofty targets and unrealistic expectations.
You don’t need to meditate or exercise, for instance, for an hour each day; start with five minutes a day for a week, then ten the next week — slow and easy. Enjoy the process.
The good news is that humans are quite susceptible to forming habits, which I’m sure you’re all too well aware of. I am.
Just like puppies, we respond well to rewards. Treat yourself when you complete milestones, like a week, a fortnight, a month, or a year.
Three important things to note here: make sure your rewards are not counter to your intentions, follow through with your rewards and make them proportional.
You will be impressed with how well a reward system can actually work.
You will still fail and fail and fail again. Thomas A. Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Becoming more comfortable with failing will mean that the negative feelings associated with it will have less hold over you.
As you try new things and push your boundaries, you will certainly encounter failures — some big, some small, and that’s OK! Keep working towards what you want; eventually, you will succeed, and if you don’t, there will probably be an opportunity to learn.
Challenging assumptions and asking questions about what things actually are can help ensure we are not stuck in habitual fixed thinking.
Things are rarely what we think they are. Is failure bad? Is success or perfection something that can really be achieved? I think the answer to both of those questions is no.
I like to remind myself that falling over is an integral part of life. Being kind is more important than success. Change happens in small increments, and often not usually flashy ones.
“SUCCESS IS SOMETIMES THE OUTCOME OF A WHOLE STRING OF FAILURES.”Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theo. The Hague 1 October 1882
FALLING OFF THE PATH IS NOT A FAILURE.
IT’S A NATURAL PART OF ANY JOURNEY, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFLECTION, GROWTH AND REEVALUATION.
“The Rocky Horror Show defies categorisation. It is a work of juvenilia that really shouldn’t have enjoyed the longevity that it has but continues to delight audiences both old and new.
My writing is driven by the sole purpose of entertainment and, as I am not an intellectual, it would be foolish and pretentious of me to attempt to introduce heavyweight themes into my offerings.”
Richard O’Brien, writer of The Rocky Horror ShowONCE UPON A TIME WARP, A MUSICAL EMERGED IN THE WORLD OF CULT CLASSICS THAT DEFIED CONVENTIONS AND PUSHED BOUNDARIES THAT HAD NEVER BEEN PUSHED BEFORE. IT WAS TO BECOME A CULTURAL QUEER GENDER-BENDING PHENOMENON THAT CONTINUES TO CAPTIVATE AUDIENCES TODAY.
THIS IS THE STORY OF THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.
Considered a flop when the film was first released, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has since gained a fervent global fan following. At midnight showings worldwide, gender bending disciples in corsets and ripped fishnets have congregated to chant, throw toast and sing along as if attending some gloriously queer midnight mass. It continues to be a rite of passage for newcomers and diehard fans alike today.
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR At the time of the movie’s release, ‘transvestite’ was a commonly used term. The term was often used to refer to men who dress femininely for sexual pleasure, which is vastly different from someone who is transgender. Although popular with many members of the LGBTIQ+ community, we do understand that the film is a problematic favourite and has flaws that some people may find hurtful. With those flaws recognised, historical context considered and the knowledge that Frank-N-Furter was a fictional alien and NOT representative of our loved transgender community, I hope people can enjoy this cult classic in spite of its issues.
IT ALL BEGAN IN 1973 WHEN ONE MAN UNLEASHED HIS IMAGINATION TO WRITE A WONDERFULLY FUN CAMPY TRIBUTE TO B-GRADE SCIENCE FICTION AND HORROR FLICKS.
It was Richard O’Brien’s love for low-budget genre films that was the driving force as his musical vision took shape, with catchy tunes and flamboyant characters written with a liberating spirit that celebrated nonconformity and diversity. The Rocky Horror Show first debuted in London’s West End, captivating audiences with its fusion of fun, rock‘n’roll, sci-fi, and unabashed sexuality and queerness.
After only two years on stage, The Rocky Horror Show received the silver screen treatment. The film adaptation, called The Rocky Horror Picture Show, was released by 20th Century Fox in 1975 and featured writer O’Brien himself as the mischievous Riff Raff.
Like most cult classics, the film’s release received mixed reviews from critics and was largely considered a flop; but despite this, its unique blend of drag, humour and musical extravagance saw the movie quickly become a worldwide cultural phenomenon with a huge fan base of enthusiastic participants.
By Alexander Thatcher
Audiences began flocking to late night showings, dressing up as their favourite characters and embracing the interactive nature of the experience. The film also proved popular with queer fans and created a sense of community that allowed moviegoers to connect with the film’s themes of self-expression, sexual liberation and embracing one’s inner queerness.
In a 2020 interview with the BBC, Larry Viezel, president of The Rocky Horror Picture Show Official Fan Club, a man who takes his responsibility very seriously, said:
“I KNOW OF A LOT OF PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES WERE SAVED BY THIS MOVIE. ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE IN THE LGBTIQ+ COMMUNITY, IT’S A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN BE THEMSELVES AND FIND PEOPLE WHO ARE THEIR FAMILY.”
alive.
At the heart of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the compelling tale of Brad and Janet, whose lives take a wild turn when they stumble upon the strange mansion of Dr Frank-N-Furter, played by the legendary Tim Curry. Frank-N-Furter reigns as the ‘sweet transvestite’ from planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, orchestrating a bizarre and seductive spectacle that challenges societal norms.
The musical numbers have become loved classics, with iconic tunes like “Time Warp” and “Sweet Transvestite” that have swept into the pop culture consciousness. The musical’s infectious energy, outrageous costumes, and campy performances have created an unforgettable experience that have invited audiences to dance, sing and embrace their inner and fabulous weirdness.
A testament to unconventional storytelling, The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s themes of self-acceptance, gender and sexual exploration is a true celebration of individuality and what it means to be yourself.
2023 MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW AND TO CELEBRATE, A NEW PRODUCTION IS TOURING THE COUNTRY THAT IS GUARANTEED TO THRILL AUDIENCES EVERYWHERE.
Featuring three-time Olivier Award-winning star David Bedella as everyone’s favourite gender-bending alien scientist Dr Frank-N-Furter. In this cult classic, naive sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of the coercive and hypersexual Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy handyman after revenge. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named ‘Rocky’.
Over thirty million people worldwide have seen O’Brien’s enduring classic, with performances in over 30 countries, cementing its standing as the world’s most loved cult classic rock musical.
The Rocky Horror Show Australian cast: Ellis Dolan, Henry Rollo, Loredo Malcolm and Ethan Jones Photo by Pierre Toussaint By David BlancoIN THE LEAD-UP TO THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR, DAVID BLANCO FROM FUSE SPOKE WITH LOREDO MALCOLM, WHO PLAYS THE TITULAR ROLE OF FRANK-N-FURTER’S BEAUTIFUL CREATION ‘ROCKY’, A CHARACTER YEARNING TO BE MORE THAN HIS MAKER’S BRAWNY PLAYTHING.
Loredo boasts an impressive pedigree in musical theatre and dance, including stage roles in The Lion King, Hairspray, Wicked, and Chicago. On Television, Loredo was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance and was a member of The Voice Australia’s dance troupe. He is the owner and Director of the LOcREaDO Dance Company and performed alongside Kylie Minogue on her Aphrodite Les Folies tour.
FUSE: What can audiences expect when they come to see this production of The Rocky Horror Show?
Loredo Malcolm: A fun night of theatre with what I think is one of the best casts of The Rocky Horror Show ever. You’ll laugh, cry and probably be up on your feet doing the Time Warp!
The show is known for its wild audience participation, is that encouraged?
Oh yes, we encourage audience participation, but it’s not something that everyone has to do. In fact, to really know how to participate, you would have to be a diehard Rocky Horror Picture Show fan. We also ask it to be done respectfully so that the show is not disrupted. All in good fun, I say! As for how? Well, the fans will know exactly how, when and what to say!
Tell us about your character, Rocky.
Rocky is created by Frank-N-Furter as a beautiful creature to love him. He is born as a man with no life knowledge. However, when I auditioned for this role, I wanted to bring something different; I wanted my version of Rocky to be smarter and more aware. He picks up mannerisms quickly and is witty, cheeky and likes to play with his friends. Rocky is also seen as just a ‘body’, so my physical appearance is important for the role. I think Rocky’s favourite number would be “I Can Make You a Man” with Frank-N-Furter.
Rocky has relatively little dialogue and is more of a ‘presence’ in the show. Does this present a challenge?
My version of Rocky combines his lines and his time on stage as a journey, not just moments. Rocky has the least number of lines, but he has a lot of featured moments that have as much impact as spoken dialogue. The role itself is difficult to play because his presence must command the stage without the spoken word. He must engage the audience with his energy and his spark alone. Added to this, Rocky is the most physically exposed character in the show, and this brings another layer of challenge. Ethan Jones, who plays Brad Majors, has told me he would find this more difficult than working with dialogue.
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW HAS MANY FAMOUS FANS (TIM CURRY AND MEAT LOAF MET ELVIS PRESLEY AT A LOS ANGELES PERFORMANCE OF THE STAGE PRODUCTION), BUT PERHAPS NONE MORE IMPRESSIVE THAN DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES. ONCE, WHILE DOING A SHOW IN AUSTRIA, CURRY WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRINCESS WANTED TO MEET HIM. WHEN THEY MET, SHE TOLD HIM THAT THE FILM “QUITE COMPLETED MY EDUCATION”, APPARENTLY FLASHING A ‘WICKED SMILE’ AS SHE DID SO.
Of course, my favourite number is “Sword of Damocles” because it’s my first appearance on stage and it’s a big one!
I’m sure our readers would also love to hear about your experiences working with Kylie Minogue on her “Aphrodite Les Folies” Tour. Tell us more!
Working with Kylie was great. She is a beautiful human, she treated us well, and it was a wonderful opportunity to dance with her when she was in Australia. My favourite number in the show with her was “All the Lovers”.
The Rocky Horror Show is currently touring the country and will be showing at The Canberra Theatre this September. For more details visit: rockyhorror.com.au
It’s a fun night of dancing with people of all flavours. There is a bar, BBQ and a live band to lead you through those dances that you might remember from primary school – like Strip the Willow, The Waves of Bondi, crazy polkas and some more genteel promenades. By the end of the night you’ll have danced with everyone, caught up with old friends, made some new ones and helped raise cash for the LGBTIQ+ community. Have fun with your Bushdance outfit. It’s a night of singlets, jeans, twirling dresses, chaps, check shirts, rhinestones, akubras, hats and boots.
Saturday 18 November 2023 • 7:30pm – 1:00am
Anyone turning up at the Woolshed without a ticket will be refused entry!
Tickets are available at the Turner Tennis Club the first four Mondays in August, 6:00-8:00pm or online — scan QR code below for details!
Please note: Tickets are limited and 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.
TICKETS DETAILS
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.
FROM OUR NEWEST FAVES TO CLASSIC HITS AND A FEW SURPRISES, THIS IS OUR FUSE 2023 PRIDE PLAYLIST!
After coming out with her debut single “Only a Girl” in 2016, Gia Woods newest single “Lesbionic” is an uplifting pop song you just must have.
Get in your own lane, queer! Channel your fabulous inner drag runway model with Saucy Santana’s fierce rap single “Walk”.
“Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petrase made history as the first song by openly trans and non-binary artists to hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100!
In a colourful statement about self-worth, queer prince of pop Isaac Dunbar wants you to love yourself, with or without makeup!
’Cause you’re free... to do what you want to do! It’s the ultimate gay dance anthem of freedom by Ultra Nate that you should all have!
Released in 1995, no pride playlist is complete without the worldwide hit and dance party anthem, “Free, Gay and Happy” by Coming Out Crew.
Songwriter Nile Rodgers confirmed this song was for the LGBTIQ community, and inspired after seeing ‘Diana Ross’ drag queens.
Loaded with symbolism of gay life, Russia, war and escaping to a better place, The Pet Shop Boys’ dance cover of “Go West” is more relevant now then ever!
With her disco smash hit “Young Hearts Run Free”, Candi Staton took a cautionary tale about freedom and turned it into a call for LGBTIQ+ liberation.
Nothing is more beautiful than loving someone for their true colours. Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colours” is the perfect song to slow dance to.
A heartbreaking ballad detailing teenage angst, “The Story” is also undoubtedly one of the most beautiful songs you’ll ever hear.
Check out the rest of our LGBTIQ+ music picks by downloading our full pride playlist on Spotify — it’s free, gay and happy!
WE LOVE OUR LOCAL LGBTIQ+ HEROES, AND OVER THE YEARS FUSE HAS FEATURED MANY QUEER AUSSIES, INCLUDING POLITICIANS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, DRAG QUEENS, DANCERS, SINGERS, ARTISTS AND MORE. So many amazing people are living regular lives but doing extraordinary things; it really does warm our hearts and top up our inspiration. This issue we are super excited to have local hero Jolene Mifsud, AKA InkBits (they/them), gracing our cover.
Having spent their 20s in Sydney, coming out and leaving home, Jolene moved to our glorious capital Canberra in 2015, and since then has been an advocate for supporting queer people and creating safe spaces and events that are inclusive and welcoming to everybody.
We spent some time with Jolene to ask about all the cool things they do, what it’s like being non-binary, music and politics, all mixed in with some glitter, glam and serious spunk.
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us. Is this the first time you’ve been a cover model?
Thank you for having me. Many years ago, I was on the cover of a local Newtown paper that did an article with a music company I was signed with, but not like this! It feels rad to be a cover model for FUSE, and an honour to be gracing the cover as the beautiful, proud queer human I am… thank you for featuring me as a local LGBTQIA+ hero.
You have some pretty cool tattoos, including the words they/them on your fingers. Can you tell us how they came about, and for those who may not know, what it means to be non-binary?
Ah, thank you. I have been getting inked since I was 17. I absolutely love collecting art on my skin. Just like the majority of my tattoos, my pronoun tattoos came after a lot of thought processing.
I have been identifying as non-binary for about six years now, and I am really proud of this identity and wanted to take a step up from badges and t-shirts that are adorned with my pronouns, so I thought, well, they fit on my knuckles… let’s do that.
I like that it sparks many conversations with people that read them and also gives a visual representation every time I introduce myself with my pronouns.
The term non-binary is used for people whose gender identity sits outside the gender binary. People might be identifying as neither a woman nor a man or a combination of both. They often use they/them pronouns, sometimes in conjunction with gendered pronouns. Trans people can be non-binary. A non-binary person does not have to be trans.
What does being non-binary mean to you personally?
So, being non-binary for me means that I don’t feel or see myself fitting into the categorised gender binary of female or male. I have always felt rather masc, but I still feel a feminine side to me. I am inherently myself and don’t really vibe with traditional notions of existence.
What was your experience of coming out as non-binary?
I discovered my gender identity through my art. When I started performing as InkBits, a lot of my acts were really gender fluid, going from masc to fem (or vice versa).
It was one of my besties, Bambi Valentine, that started using they/them pronouns as she thought I was already using them, and when I heard this, it just clicked. It felt so right. So I “came out”. It wasn’t an easy thing to do.
I guess my coming out as gay when I was younger wasn’t the best experience, and I still had internalised phobia, which made it super tricky to feel valid as a trans non-binary human. After a couple of years of identifying as non-binary, I finally came out at school (where I was working), and it was very liberating.
By living this truth, the amount of education I have been able to impart has been so damn wonderful, and I have had countless young people “come out” to me. That’s really special.
What do you feel are the main issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community right now?
Whilst we have come a long way, there is still so much hate and fear that we face just for existing.
Our community deals with twice as much abuse and violence than the hetero community. We have higher numbers of anxiety and depression, substance abuse and isolation. I mean, religion has a lot to answer for, and I say this from a personal perspective. I grew up in a Catholic family, and when I came out, all hell broke loose. I left home at the age of 20 and struggled with addiction for many years, all because I felt so ashamed that I was different and I truly didn’t belong.
I am blessed that I made it through, and this is one of the main reasons I am so proud and fierce about being queer!
Pronouns are pretty big news on both sides of politics right now. Why do you think they are so important?
It comes back to the gender binary thing. Everything is gendered, and people will gender someone or something based on their view and idea of them. In life, he/him pronouns are so commonly used even when the gender of a character in a book or an animal has not been identified. It’s so ingrained in our culture. Introducing pronouns that have no gender open the world up to less stereotypical views and give people the freedom to explore and see themselves through a different lens.
When I get misgendered, and it happens very often, it can be real dysphoric because that’s not who I see when I look at myself.
What’s your advice in dealing with negative reactions to pronouns and gender affirmation?
Share your pronouns as it helps to normalise them. Surround yourself with community that will have your back, will love and support you and see you for who you are. It can be super exhausting to keep fighting on a daily basis, so a great support network can hold you when things get too much.
Talking about gender, you have a band called nonbinarycode, tell us more about that.
We started out as predominantly a cover band but recently decided to go full band and do original songs.
Most of the songs I wrote back in my 20’s, when I was freshly out and didn’t feel I belonged in the world, and I found sanity through writing. These lyrics are still rather fitting today, and I have just updated a few songs to have they/them pronouns.
Steve, one of the original band members, and I wrote a new song that we will be recording soon, called “Gender Revolution”, which is about breaking down binaries.
How would you describe the band’s sound?
We are punk/grunge/rock and someone mentioned to me recently, “... would you be offended if I called your music pop-punk?”.
Pop-punk does sound like a solid music genre. You also started GlitterBox at Flazeda; tell us about it and how it began.
Jazida had opened Flazeda and asked me if I was interested in producing a queer party there. After moving to Canberra eight years ago, I noticed a lack of queer parties and wanted to bring a space that was safe and inclusive for our community. Producing at Flazeda also meant I could support a queer POC-run venue. I also wanted to give a platform to all the amazing queer, trans, BIPOC artists we have in Ngunnawal country. For me, GlitterBox is all about freedom, love and kindness and self-expression!
You volunteer with Meridian, tell us a bit about that gig.
I have been blessed to work with Meridian — they do such great things! I have done performances, MC gigs, videos and, of course, FreshOut. It was so exciting to be asked to host this year’s FreshOut!
You’re involved with ‘Acting Out’ for queer youth at Rebus Theatre. Have you always been interested in youth work, and what do you think the program brings to young people?
I changed careers about six years ago and started working with young people in education support. It became evident to me that I wanted to take this further, work with young people, and be the person that I needed when I was young. After struggling with neurodivergence*, being queer and struggling with drugs from a young age, I feel very passionate about guiding young people to a better way of life.
The program is great for bringing young people together and finding new friends. It also gives them a cool art project to do in the school holidays, and they get to share their thoughts and lives with like-minded people, as I mean, school and society is still a bit of a tough existence for LGBTQIA+ youth.
Being queer is much more widely accepted now here in Australia, but do you think LGBTIQA+ youth still have significant hurdles.
Absolutely. I see it in school all the time. There is still not enough visibility in diversity, and there are still families that don’t understand and accept their own children’s identities. There is still ignorance and hate, and fear projected onto these kids. I think there is also a great lack of education in sex, relationships and gender binaries. There are still lots of hurdles.
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us. Before we finish, from your own life experience, what’s a piece of wisdom that you would like to share with the world?
Thank you for having me! I am honoured! Ummmm… keep being you. Be true to yourself, stand strong and bright, and help others to see that it’s okay to be unashamedly yourself. Stand up for others, be honest, respectful and kind, and live with love. We are all uniquely diverse. Embrace it all!
* Neurodivergent is a non-medical term that describes people whose brains develop or work differently for some reason. This means the person has different strengths and struggles from people whose brains develop or work more typically.
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170 HAYDON DRIVE BRUCE ACT
10%
A recent poll by the multinational market research company Ipsos found that globally, Australia ranks in the top half of countries with an out LGBTIQ+ population, with a net 10% of adults aligning with a queer identity in some way. Brazil ranks highest at 15% (giggidy), followed closely by Spain at 14% and Switzerland at 13%.
88
A commission into gay hate crimes is due to deliver its finding to the NSW governor in June. It will include details of 88 men that have been murdered in NSW between 1976 and 2000.
91%
10,898m
Plastics are now officially everywhere! Scientists have found a plastic bag 10,898m below the ocean’s surface at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, while another team recently discovered plastics on the top of Mount Everest at 8,849m above sea level.
90sec
World Doomsday Clock is now at an alarming 90 seconds to midnight. It’s the closest to global catastrophe it has ever been set to.
25%
According to a new survey, Australian guys are enthusiastic ‘sitzpinklers’, with a quarter of male respondents saying they prefer sit down to take a whizz. That was the highest figure behind Germany at 40%, where signs telling men to sit down to pee are common in public bathrooms.
A study by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation found that 91% of Fortune 500 companies have policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, and 83% have policies protecting gender identity. This demonstrates an increasing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
40%
Some experts believe that America is a democracy in decline and is in a state of mortal threat. 2 in 5 Americans fear (or hope) that a second civil war could happen in the next 10 years.
“Statistics are used much like a drunk uses a lamppost: for support, not illumination.”
Vin Scully American sportscaster
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Anne Rice famously considered rewriting the gay character Louis de Pointe du Lac as a woman in the screenplay of Interview With the Vampire, fearing that America’s ingrained homophobia at the time would stop the film from being made.
AN EPIC TALE OF GAY LOVE AND IMMORTALITY
ABC IVIEW
An update of (or corrective to) Neil Jordan’s 1994 film adaptation of the Anne Rice novel (which famously starred Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise), this series version sees Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson, Game of Thrones) reach out to a journalist to retell the story of his life as a vampire, a life shared with his creator Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid, The Newsreader); Anderson’s Louis gleefully sinks his teeth into the scenery. A major, welcoming difference in this adaptation is the homoeroticism of the novel (all but absent from the film) is very much present here: Spoiler: they f*ck!
BINGE & PRIME
Set during the 1820s, Gina Prince-Bythewood’s historical drama takes place in the Kingdom of Dahomey, a powerful African state, and focuses on the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who defend the kingdom. The Agojie are led by General Nanisca (Viola Davis) whose leadership begins to falter with the arrival of new trainee Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), as well as the kingdom’s growing political dilemma over whether to continue its slave trade. While the Academy may have overlooked the film for Oscars last year, The Woman King is a rousing historical drama well worth your time.
It’s been a long time between drinks for local fans of this comedy series which now, in its third season, seems to have finally found a home on Australian streaming. For the uninitiated, the titular two are Cary (Drew Tarver) and Brooke (Heléne York), siblings who find their own struggles for entertainment careers in New York City waylaid when, first, their kid brother becomes a viral music sensation, and then their mum (Molly Shannon) becomes a celeb as a TV chat show host. All three seasons are now available, so you can follow Cary and Brooke’s ups and downs, professional and romantic, as the show takes hilarious pot shots at celebrity culture.
Throughout the 1990s, many a gay teenage boy had a crush on Hollywood heartthrob Brendan Fraser; the George of the Jungle VHS getting a solid workout. But after the success of The Mummy franchise, Fraser’s career waned. However, 2022 was the comeback year for Fraser, culminating in his Best Actor Oscar win for The Whale; Darren Aronofsky’s tale of a morbidly obese gay man who hopes to reconnect with his adolescent daughter (Sadie Sink) before it’s too late. Hong Chau (The Menu) also received an Oscar nomination for the film that audiences seem to either find highly emotional or emotionally manipulative.
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If you have a cervix, are between 25 and 74 and have ever been sexually active you should have a regular Cervical Screening Test. This includes people who are same sex attracted, and people who identify as trans, non-binary or intersex.
The Cervical Screening Test can be done with a speculum examination, or can now be self-collected. Talk to a nurse or doctor about which option is suitable for you.
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In recent months in Australia, we have seen vigilante racism in Rockhampton, booing, abuse and vitriol directed at First Nations footy players, and the appalling treatment of First Nations children jailed in adult prisons. Racism is a major issue in the debate over the proposed First Nations Voice to Parliament — and it will likely only continue to get worse.
Regardless of how First Nations people intend to vote, racist public commentary has a harmful impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people and their communities. Stan Grant’s decision to step away from his role with the ABC is a high profile example of this.
Recognising these likely impacts, the federal Labor government has committed $10.5 million to support mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the lead-up to the referendum vote later this year.
This is a welcome initiative that will enable Aboriginal communitycontrolled organisations to provide further support for their respective communities.
We can also learn from the experiences of LGBTIQ+ people during Australia’s marriage equality plebiscite how a national vote like this can affect the mental health of a historically marginalised community.
Studies found that increased exposure to the “no” campaign messaging in the lead-up to the marriage equality plebiscite, as well as the harmful public debate, led to greater levels of psychological stress, depression and anxiety among the queer community.
Our research focusing on the wellbeing of Indigenous and LGBTIQ+ communities suggests the Voice to Parliament debate will also disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
We have found that while people who identified as both Indigenous and LGBTIQ+ experienced frequent sex and gender discrimination, the impact of racism was more profoundly felt. As a result, it’s important to protect Indigenous people against racism in the very public debate over the Voice.
During the marriage equality plebiscite, mental health services catering to LGBTIQ+ clients saw a dramatic increase in demand. This led to longer wait-lists and increased stress on the healthcare system. The mental health of LGBTIQ+ people in electorates recording a high “no” vote was also more affected than people in electorates voting “yes”.
THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS SAYS SELF-DETERMINATION IS CRITICAL FOR MENTAL WELLBEING.
This would suggest that funding support for Indigenous people in communities associated with higher levels of racism is a priority. Pre-polling and post-referendum analysis would help establish which areas require this.
A supportive community also matters. LGBTIQ+ people with a close social circle they perceived as supporting marriage equality suffered less severe negative mental health outcomes from the “no” campaign.
For those who didn’t receive support from their friends and family, public messages of support helped.
Unfortunately, not all Indigenous LGBTIQ+ peoples have access to social supports.
According to various surveys, a majority of Indigenous people support constitutional recognition. But unlike the 1967 referendum, the Voice to Parliament referendum faces an organised “no” campaign.
There is opposition to the Voice from some media and social media sources that purposefully confuse the case for constitutional recognition. This makes the task ahead more difficult for “yes” campaigners and Indigenous people more broadly.
Racialised stressors that come with the referendum are an additional burden to First Nations communities. One example of this is the opposition’s repeated insistence about “insufficient detail” on the Voice, particularly from the more conservative side of the “no” campaign. This invalidates and distorts the work, expertise and experience of Indigenous people over decades on all sides of the debate.
This vote will have little adverse impact on the lives of non-Indigenous Australians. However, supporting Indigenous family members, friends and colleagues is important. Like the marriage equality plebiscite, a minority community will face the greatest impact from the vote, not the majority with power.
Being supportive of Indigenous people firstly requires an understanding that we, as First Nations people, are entitled to diverse political views.
We are not here to educate or carry the burden of raising awareness on the referendum. We are also not interested in experiencing increased racial violence under the guise of political debate.
SIMILAR TO THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY VOTE, MENTAL HEALTH GROUPS, INCLUDING BLACK DOG AND BEYONDBLUE HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF THE REFERENDUM, CITING THE IMPACT OF RACIST LANGUAGE OR FEELINGS OF REJECTION THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN.
THE RANZCP* SAID INDIGENOUS PEOPLE STILL EXPERIENCED IMPACTS OF COLONISATION, DISPOSSESSION, AND SYSTEMIC RACISM AND INEQUALITY AND HAVE BACKED THE VOICE AS A WAY TO ADDRESS SOME CONCERNS.
This debate is one that non-Indigenous people can walk away from, but will remain felt by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Sustained mental health support for Indigenous people after the referendum will hopefully lessen the harm from the racism that will probably follow, irrespective of the outcome.
In order to combat racism and misinformation, it is vital for non-Indigenous people to have informed conversations about the referendum — around the kitchen table, at work, and even at your infamously racist uncle’s house.
Dr Elizabeth Moore Coordinator General Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Australian Capital Territory GovernmentWithin our respective organisations, non-Indigenous colleagues are also educating themselves and others around them. They are taking the opportunity to elevate the voices of their Indigenous peers and proactively considering ways to support Indigenous communities throughout the campaign and afterwards.
This article has been republished from The Conversation under the Creative Commons license. Written by Braden Hill, Edith Cowan University; Bep Uink, Murdoch University; Shakara Liddelow-Hunt, Telethon Kids Institute; and Sian Bennett, Edith Cowan University. *RANZCP — The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF DETERMINATION CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED. BEING HEARD, LISTENED TO AND RESPECTED IS VITAL TO OUR MENTAL HEALTH.
We are a free, friendly, non-judgemental and confidential specialist sexual health centre.
To help maintain social distancing across the clinic, we now have an appointment system.
Please do not come to the clinic if you do not have an appointment as you may not be able to be seen.
and one of our sexual health nurses will discuss your needs and book an appointment as necessary.
> You can get PrEP prescriptions at Canberra Sexual Health Centre
> Condoms and PrEP are the most effective ways of stopping HIV
> Syphilis and Gonorrhoea diagnoses are going up!
> Condoms are still the best protection against most STIs
> Sexually active men should consider STI checks every 3-6 months
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HEADING ON HOLIDAY IS ALL ABOUT CREATING UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES AND HAVING A (PLEASURABLE) BLAST. BUT LET’S FACE IT — NOBODY WANTS TO WORRY ABOUT UNEXPECTED HEALTH ISSUES RUINING THE FUN. THAT’S WHERE INSURANCE COMES IN HANDY, IN THE FORM OF AN MPOX VACCINE. While the number of mpox cases in Australia has subsided, it’s important to stay informed. Recent cases in New South Wales remind us that mpox is still out there, and community transmission is still occurring internationally.
Now, more than ever, it’s the perfect time to safeguard yourself, your mates, and your lovers by getting vaccinated — especially if you’re heading overseas. mpox vaccines are safe and effective and are provided free of charge for all eligible people.
It is possible for any person who has come into close physical contact with a person infected with mpox to become infected. The virus spreads mainly through close physical contact if a person is exposed to infectious ulcers, lesions, or sores on the skin or in the mouth or throat.
Remember, maximum protection requires 2 doses, given at least 28 days apart, and it takes 2 weeks for a dose to reach the highest level of protection in your body. That means that it will take at least six weeks to reach full protection. So, don’t delay, book your vaccination now and ensure you’re fully covered before the party starts! Contact Canberra Sexual Health Centre, Interchange Health Cooperative, or Ochre Medical Centre Bruce to book in for a vaccine.
For more details about mpox, including diagnosis, prevention and vaccination, visit health.act.gov.au/mpox
FUSE was thrilled to be this year’s regional sponsor for the 2023 Mardi Gras Film Festival on Tour, which was screened at the National Film and Sound Archive in Acton. This year’s film lineup included In from the Side, The Venus Effect, MGFF23 Shorts and the Stephen Cummins Retrospective Gala
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a medication that can be used to prevent HIV negative people becoming infected with HIV. When taken correctly it is highly effective.
PrEP needs to be prescribed by a doctor. Once you are taking PrEP you need to see your doctor every three months for routine checks. If you are interested in PrEP contact our team today.
To find out more or to make an appointment call SHFPACT on 6247 3077. We are located at Level,1 28 University Avenue Canberra City.
FUSE was proud to be this year’s official FreshOut media sponsor as Meridian and SpringOut teamed up with Enlighten Festival to bring Canberra’s biggest, boldest and most exciting pride event yet. Taking place in Glebe Park, the day included delicious food, market stalls and some of Australia’s most talented performing artists.
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Over the next few months, we will feel stronger connections to family and community as the universe encourages us to focus more on our relationships. It’s a good time to enrich our personal connections with loved ones and also to heal old wounds. Spending more time on personal growth and with close friends will bring positive outcomes.
January 21 – February 18
The next couple of months will bring a burst of new energy and fantastic adventures for you. During July you may feel a strong desire to change things up in your life. TIP: This is an excellent time to set new goals and make plans for your future.
Taurus
April 21 – May 21
You are being called to focus more on finding balance in all areas of your life — especially between your work and personal schedules, where you have been feeling some competition for your time. TIP: Create some space to nurture your important relationships.
Leo
July 23 – August 23
As your birthday month approaches, you may notice an increased sense of enthusiasm and vitality as Leos will naturally shine more brightly. TIP: Use your positive energies to deepen your connections with loved ones and create lasting and memorable experiences.
October 24 – November 22
The winter months will bring a mix of challenges and opportunities that will push you to dig deep within yourself and make significant decisions about your life. TIP: You’ve got lots to digest, so don’t hesitate to give yourself permission to rest when necessary.
February 19 – March 20 Aries
You may feel deeply introspective as we move into the second half of the year. During this period, try to engage in selfcare practices that promote your inner peace and emotional stability. TIP: Take time to reflect on your deep desires, dreams and aspirations.
Gemini
May 22 – June 21
You may experience unexpected shifts in your social circles. Try to embrace these changes with courage, as solid personal growth may come from them. TIP: Stay adaptable and open-minded so you can make the most of situations that are out of your comfort zone.
Virgo
August 24 – September 23
You may feel new urges to dream big and take charge of your life more proactively as the universe encourages you to open up the frontiers of possibility. TIP: Be brave dear Virgo, and embark on a new adventure with a go-get-em no-holes-bared attitude.
November 23 – December 22
Get ready for an adventurous and transformative time ahead as a wave of new experiences comes your way that will greatly expand your horizons. TIP: Inner exploration will enhance your wellbeing and provide valuable insights and clarity about your life path.
March 21 – April 20
The universe encourages you to trust your intuition and embrace new experiences as winter brings exciting possibilities for personal growth and development. TIP: If you have faith in your abilities and stay true to your heart, you’ll find success.
June 22 – July 22
As our sun enters Leo in late July, the universe may bring news of intriguing opportunities that you were not expecting, so keep a lookout with a flexible attitude. TIP: This is a good time to put some energy towards your budget and future financial plans.
Libra
September 24 – October 23
Winter brings harmony for Libras, who can learn to let go of expectations with a kind and warm heart. TIP: The next couple of months hold potential for personal growth and overall wellness, but you’ll need to make time in your busy life to fully realise any universal gifts.
December 23 – January 20
Some significant new developments and strong transformational energies are about to enter into your life. TIP: Increased seductive powers will bring romantic opportunities for those on the hunt or anyone wanting to spice up their love life at home.
Dear Rose,
I’m a country bloke, and I’ve recently started dating a city guy, and I want to introduce him to my family. They’re not openly homophobic but often very insensitive. Do you have any advice on handling this? Joey
Dear Joey,
Often country and city folk hold very different views on things. If you are worried that your family may act insensitively, I suggest you talk to them first — this will give you a good indication of how they may behave when you bring your BF home to meet them. Hopefully, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Also, give your man the heads up so he knows what lies ahead. I think it’s also important to note that it’s OK if your partner does not want to proceed if he feels things may not go well. Good Luck and practice self-care.
Dear Rose,
After many difficult years, I have recently come out as a trans woman, and I’m finally starting to feel comfortable in my body. Being a person over 60, I’m struggling with isolation and loneliness. Where can I get some help? Tiffany
Dear Tiffany,
Congratulations on this significant new life chapter; you have already taken big steps to be an authentic version of yourself.
I suggest you start by taking some time to pause after the huge mountain you have just climbed. Permitting yourself the space to consider what you want now will help build a path to a fulfilling life.
Dear Rose, I’m a bi woman in a long-term heterosexual relationship. I’m out to my partner, but I’ve never actually been with another girl. I’ve recently started thinking about women again, but I’m worried that after three kids and not having talked about it for over 15+ years, it seems silly to bring it up again. Your thoughts. Kim
Dear Kim
Given your current situation, it does sound challenging to know what you should do. There is probably no wrong or right answer here. On the one hand, you are in a successful partnership with children, which comes with certain responsibilities. On the other hand, having a relationship with a woman is clearly something that has been on your mind for a while.
With the stakes high, I would be inclined to be cautious, and I would recommend you take the time to unpack how you feel with a counsellor; this will give you the tools to understand what’s really going on and how you want to proceed. It may seem silly after more than 15 years; however, if having a relationship with a woman is something that you feel will bring happiness, then as with all my advice, honest, open communication is key.
If you are struggling with feelings of isolation and loneliness, I also suggest seeing a professional counsellor and connecting with your local transgender support group.
Trans Pride Australia is a great place to start. They hold events throughout the year, and also host a network of Facebook groups and other online spaces.
In Canberra, connect with A Gender Agenda — they offer social support, information, advocacy and resources along with a regular calendar of social events with like-minded people.
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 Meridian’s counselling services on 02 6257 2855. If you require relationship support or services call Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277
If you need help or have a question email : dearrose@fusemagazine.com.au
I’ve been searching for ways to heal myself, and I’ve found that kindness is the best way.”
Lady Gaga American singer, songwriter and actress.
