PADAM PADAM
THE RISE OF AUSTRALIA’S POP QUEEN
CELEBRATE YULE LIKE A PAGAN THE AFTERMATH OF OPPOSITION TO EQUALITY
DIPPING INTO SANTA’S SACK
SLEIGHING YOUR FESTIVE BUDGET
COMEDIAN
JACKIE LOEB
NSW EQUALITY BILL PASSES
2024 SPRINGOUT FESTIVAL GUIDE
> KYLIE’S 2025 TENSION TOUR COMES TO OZ! FREE
FUSE
MADE
EXECUTIVE
Alexander
CREATIVE
Christopher Powell
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Maxwell Elliff
CONTRIBUTORS
David Blanco
Dwayne Lennox
Rose Pappalardo
Scott Malcolm
Nelida Contreras
James E. Shields III
Joshua Wrest
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Nathan J. Lester
Erik Melvin (cover)
Laura Johansen
Douglas J. Robinson
CONTACT FUSE 0412 309 992
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YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT AFTER 16 YEARS OF PUBLISHING, THIS IS OUR FIRST ISSUE WITH ONLY ONE COVER! WELL... THAT’S BECAUSE... KYLIE!
We all have watershed moments in life. One of mine came a few weeks ago when I found out Kylie Minogue was touring Australia again, and her promotional team from Frontier Touring wanted her to feature on the cover of FUSE. Like, YES! I was more excited than a twink at their first gay dance party!
Like many of you, I’m a huge fan, and to celebrate our Kylie cover, you’ll find our special feature, ‘The Rise of Australia’s Pop Queen’, where we delve into all things Kylie and look back at her amazing journey from soap star to, undoubtedly, our greatest gay pop icon, p12. You’ll also find details about her upcoming 2025 Tension Tour, which will kick off in Perth before making stops in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, on p28 — our centre spread.
This issue also features other things we celebrate and love. Over on p16, we write about reconnecting with Christmas and how discovering the true roots of Yule can bring back real meaning to this over-commercialised time of year. In our efforts to support handmade, local businesses and poor starving LGBTIQ+ artists, we have a bunch of great gift ideas to make your present buying a whole lot more interesting this year. See Santa’s Sack p26. And, for those wanting to save this holiday season, our money guru Scott Malcolm explains how you can ‘sleigh’ that Christmas budget. He unwraps some helpful tips to help keep your finances merry and bright this holiday season, p30.
It’s also pride in Canberra during November, and FUSE is proud to be an official media partner again this year. We’re great supporters of SpringOUT and are thrilled to include our 12-page Festival Guide packed with great events so you don’t miss a thing! Check it out on p33.
We also have an interesting read about the aftermath of opposition to equality and its health implications on LGBTIQ+ communities. In some worrying results, new research has shown that objection to marriage equality and the stress that came with the 2017 plebiscite is still making some Australians in same-sex relationships unwell today, p47.
On a lighter note, on p51 you’ll find some great social photos from the opening of Kaleidoscope III, which is showing at Belco Arts until 1 December. On p53, the fabulous Phish and Phreak queens and their adoring fans kick up their heals at 88MPH and Blackbird. Plus, don’t forget to check your horoscope out on p55 and our queer advice column by Rose on p56.
I’d like to finish up this year by congratulating Canberra’s out and proud Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who has led ACT Labor to their seventh consecutive election win in the territory. It’s a great result for the LGBTIQ+ community as Canberrans return Labor and the Greens to power in the ACT, resigning the conservative Liberals to more than a quarter of a century in the political wilderness. We are incredibly fortunate to have a progressive leader and champion of LGBTIQ+ rights as our Chief Minister. Andrew Barr is also the longest-serving political leader in the country.
I hope you enjoy this issue of FUSE — it may become a collector’s item, so keep it somewhere safe. Everyone on our team here at FUSE wishes you all a safe and joyous pride month, holiday season and Yuletide.
Warmly, 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! fusemagazine.com.au facebook.com/fusemagazine twitter.com/fusemagazine instagram > @fusemagazine
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The apocalyptic vehicles of Mad Max and the bus from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert were designed by the same person, Colin Gibson, who collaborated with film designer Owen Paterson.
FUSE
MOVIE PICK OF THE MONTH!
After his gay cowboy short Strange Way of Life (on Binge), Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar makes his first English-language feature, adapted from a novel by Sigrid Nunez. Writer Martha (Tilda Swinton), suffering with cancer, has decided to take her own life. But not wanting to be alone, she invites an old friend, Ingrid (Julianne Moore), to come stay with her during her final days. Winner of the Venice Film Festival’s top honour, the Golden Lion, Almodóvar’s film is both mournful and hopeful, with two terrific performances at its centre.
The major prize winner at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, the latest film by writer-director Sean Burns (Tangerine; The Florida Project) is a Pretty Womanlike tale of a sex worker who lands her Prince Charming. Unlike Julia Roberts, Anora (Mikey Maddison), whose prince (Mark Eidelshtein) is the very sexy son of a Russian oligarch, may not get her happily ever after. And while Screen Daily calls it a “modern-day screwball comedy”, like most of his films, Burns chooses to champion rather than ridicule his underclass protagonists.
The long-awaited film adaptation of the blockbuster stage musical finally hits the big screen this November. Directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) and boasting an all-star cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey. What the trailers for this Wizard of Oz prequel have been less boastful about is that this film is actually the first of two parts — sigh. The trailers have also been somewhat coy about the fact that Wicked is a musical, but if you don’t already know that, well, that’s on you.
Much like Chloe Zhao (Nomadland) did with The Eternals, Disney are hoping Oscar-nominated director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) can bring some gravitas to Mufasa, a prequel to the 2019 ‘live-action’ version of the classic 1994 animated feature. As a prequel, we witness how Mufasa rises from lowly lion cub to become ruler of the Pride Lands. Originally voiced by James Earl Jones (RIP), the lead character here is voiced by Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge) who, in a fun piece of trivia, was born in the year and month the original The Lion King was released.
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MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM OUTDOORS AT THE Q THEATRE 29 NOVEMBER 15 DECEMBER
Gather your friends, bring a picnic and celebrate the beginning of summer as Echo Theatre transports you to the enchanted forest, where they bring Shakespeare’s famous comedy to life in the great outdoors.
THE TERMINATOR (1984) ARC CINEMA NFSA FRIDAY 13 DECEMBER
Come and celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Terminator, an evening presented by drag artist and culture warrior Venus Mantrap. The Terminator boasts robust action with an unstoppable Arnold Schwarzenegger as our villain.
SPRINGOUT QT TEA PARTY QT CANBERRA SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER
Sip on our ‘Kiss my Sass’ cocktails and enjoy free-flowing bubbles at the exclusive QT Lounge at QT Canberra, while you experience Canberra’s highest high tea with breathtaking lake views and performances by the queens from Phish and Phreak!
WORLD AIDS DAY NATIONAL ARBORETUM SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER
Meridian will host an early morning event at the AIDS Garden of Reflection, followed by tea and coffee. This event will provide an opportunity to gather and show solidarity as we remember those we have lost to an AIDS-related illness.
American artist, Vietnam War veteran and drag performer Gilbert Baker designed the original rainbow flag. He was put to the task by openly gay politician Harvey Milk. The flag was first displayed on 25 June 1978 in San Francisco during the Gay Freedom Day Parade.
Victoria is facing a record-setting mpox outbreak, with over 330 cases reported since April 2024 and 27 hospitalisations. The ongoing mpox outbreak is mostly among men who have sex with men, although cases in the heterosexual community have also been recorded. Mpox is a zoonotic viral disease similar to smallpox, with symptoms like rashes, fever and muscle aches. States and territories throughout Australia are all facing surges, so vaccination is recommended for gay men, high-risk groups and healthcare workers. Authorities stress the importance of vaccination to reduce transmission and severity of symptoms. Free vaccines are available Australia-wide.
Meridian, in partnership with Canberra Sexual Health Centre, is currently hosting a pop-up mpox vaccination clinic at their Turner location. See page 46 for more details.
In a recent interview on the popular American We Can Do Hard Things podcast, Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz defended the transgender community against Republican attacks, particularly those highlighted in Donald Trump’s latest campaign ads. Walz emphasised the harmful effects of anti-trans messaging and its role in fostering hate. He recounted his experience sponsoring a gay-straight alliance in the 1990s, linking it to current efforts to protect LGBTIQ+ rights, including appointing judges who uphold marriage equality and access to medical care.
Vice President Kamala Harris echoed Walz’s sentiments, adding that most Americans see trans issues as a distraction from more pressing concerns.
The Western Australian Government has announced that it will delay introducing legislation to ban conversion therapy practices until after the 2025 state election, drawing criticism from LGBTIQ+ advocates and survivors.
Despite a commitment made in 2022 to outlaw conversion therapy, the government has conceded that “there will not be enough time” to introduce the legislation before the March 2025 election. Attorney General John Quigley’s office cited a heavy legislative agenda and limited remaining sitting days as reasons for the postponement.
Peter Abetz from the Australian Christian Lobby told media outlets that a ban was not necessary, saying, “I don’t believe that any coercive type of activity is happening.”
Western Australia, along with Tasmania and South Australia, remains one of the few Australian states where damaging conversion therapy is not yet outlawed.
In 1966, the now famous New York Stonewall Inn was bought and turned into a gay bar by “Fat Tony” Genovese, a member of one of the prominent Italian-American mafia families. The Stonewall Inn later became the site of one of the most pivotal moments in the gay rights movement, the 1969 Stonewall Riots.
Italy’s parliament recently passed a controversial law making it illegal for couples to seek surrogacy services abroad, a move that has sparked debate across Europe. The legislation, which extends an existing domestic ban on surrogacy, imposes penalties of up to two years in prison and fines of up to one million euros for those who travel overseas to pursue surrogacy.
LGBTIQ+ activists argue that the law disproportionately affects same-sex couples, who often rely on surrogacy as a path to parenthood. In Italy, gay couples are already prohibited from adopting children or accessing IVF. Alessia Crocini, president of Rainbow Families in Italy, noted that while 90% of Italians using surrogacy are heterosexual couples, the new law is likely to have a greater impact on gay couples who cannot easily conceal their parenting arrangements.
Several other European countries also have varying degrees of restrictions. France, Spain and Germany prohibit all forms of surrogacy. In the United Kingdom, surrogacy is allowed, but with strict regulations on compensation and parental rights. Greece permits surrogacy but requires a woman to be part of the relationship, effectively excluding gay male couples.
The law is seen as part of a broader conservative social agenda championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party. Meloni has previously described surrogacy as “inhuman” and likened it to treating children as commodities.
Protesters recently gathered near the Italian Senate to voice their opposition to the law, arguing that it unfairly targets the LGBTIQ+ community and undermines those wishing to become parents. Franco Grillini, a veteran queer rights activist in Italy, criticised the legislation as “outrageous”.
The new Italian law highlights the complex and varied landscape of LGBTIQ+ family rights all across Europe. While some countries have made great strides in recognising same-sex partnerships and expanding access to adoption and fertility treatments, others maintain restrictive policies. The disparity in laws has led many European couples to seek surrogacy services in more permissive countries, a practice that Italy’s law aims to prevent.
In Australia, altruistic surrogacy — where the surrogate mother does not make a profit from the arrangement — is legal but the specific eligibility requirements vary depending on the state and territory.
Poland has taken a significant step towards legalising civil partnerships in a new draft bill. The minister responsible for the legislation described it as a “historic day” for LGBTIQ+ rights in the country. The new pro-European coalition government, led by Donald Tusk, came to power largely due to younger progressive voters who were eager for social progress after years of nationalist rule.
Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula said in a news briefing, “Our voters expect us to introduce these changes to human rights. I believe this is an absolutely reasonable solution that can provide a feeling of security for many people who live in informal relationships.”
LGBTIQ+ activist Bart Staszewski said the proposed new law was a “good sign”, but the LGBTIQ+ community had also been promised legislation to prevent discrimination against them, which had not yet been delivered.
The proposed bill would grant gay couples in civil partnerships rights related to inheritance and access to medical information. It does not allow for adoption rights, which was dropped as a compromise to gain support from the Polish Peasants’ Party (PSL). The legislation still requires parliamentary approval and the signature of the current conservative President, Andrzej Duda, who is likely to be reluctant; his term ends next year.
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The world’s largest penis is attached to Matt Barr, who lives in the UK. A recent scientific study measured his appendage, referred to as macrophallus, at 14.2 inches while erect, which is nearly three times the global average of 5.1 inches.
Human rights group SK SOS in Chechnya has alleged that Russian authorities have been blackmailing imprisoned gay Chechen men into joining the fight for the homeland in the war against Ukraine. SK SOS say that men have been threatened with fake criminal cases and outing. There are at least seven instances reported so far of gay men being forced into service, with one of the men sent to Ukraine already killed in action. The alternative option is to pay a 1.5 million ruble ransom (23,000 Australian dollars) to help with the war effort. Unfortunately, this amount is beyond the reach of most inmates or their families. Human rights groups claim that LGBTIQ+ Chechens have fled the Russian Republic en masse and that hundreds of gay men have been imprisoned and tortured.
A giant sculpture of a penis has been erected in Piazza Municipio, Naples, igniting a wave of outrage among locals and tourists. Standing at 11.8 meters high, the colourful and veiny statue, titled “Tu sì ‘na cosa grande”, which means “You’re a big thing”, has become a focal point of controversy since its installation.
Reactions to the sculpture have been sharply divided. Some loving it, and others labelling it as “disgusting” and an “eyesore”, arguing that such a bold representation is inappropriate for a public space frequented by families. In contrast, Naples’ Mayor Gaetano Manfredi defended the installation, emphasising its role in sparking dialogue about art and culture. He acknowledged the initial shock but pointed out that the passionate discussions surrounding the piece indicate that it has fulfilled its purpose as a work of art.
The sculpture, which also lights up at night, will remain in Piazza Municipio until December as it continues to provoke conversation about public art and its boundaries in contemporary society.
New South Wales has passed an equality bill that allows people to change their birth certificates without surgery and non-binary will now be a gender option.
Independent MP Alex Greenwich, who introduced the bill, called it a win for dignity and equality. Concessions were made, however, to gain the support of conservative MPs, including the removal of protections for LGBTIQ+ teachers and students in private schools. Despite opposition from the Coalition, the bill passed with support from the government and some independent MPs.
Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown thanked community members who shared their stories and all those who campaigned to garner support for the changes.“These new laws will have no impact on the lives of most people in our state, but for a small number of people it will make their lives immeasurably better,” she said after the bill passed.
By Alexander Thatcher
SWEETHEART AND GAY ICON KYLIE MINOGUE WILL ONCE AGAIN RETURN HOME TO DAZZLE AUDIENCES WITH HER UPCOMING ‘TENSION TOUR’, REPRESENTING YET ANOTHER MILESTONE IN KYLIE’S DECADES-LONG REIGN AS AUSTRALIA’S POP QUEEN. HERE’S HOW IT ALL BEGAN.
I bet it was a crisp, clear evening filled with stars. Kylie Ann Minogue Jones was born on a magical night on 28 May 1968 in Caulfield South, Melbourne. As a young girl, she attended Camberwell Primary School and then Camberwell High School. At the age of 11, she began her childhood career on Australian television, appearing in The Sullivans and Skyways. In 1985, she was cast as one of the lead roles in The Henderson Kids
Written out of the The Henderson Kids after only two seasons, Kylie made a demo tape for the hit ’80s kids’ music variety program Young Talent Time, which already featured her sister Dannii as a regular performer. Kylie gave her first television singing performance on the show in 1985, but she was not invited to join the full-time cast.
I grew up watching Kylie as Charlene Mitchell, a schoolgirl turned garage mechanic — and her love interest Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan), my secret 5:30 boy crush ;-) — as her journey to stardom started on the set of Neighbours in 1986. The hit Aussie soap would go on to create many memorable TV hours. After two years, however, and keen to focus on her music career, Kylie filmed her final scenes in 1988. She went on to become the first person to win four Logie Awards in one year, including the Gold Logie, for her portrayal of Charlene.
After 37 years and 8,903 episodes, in 2022, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan made their epic return to Neighbours, arriving back on Ramsay Street for the soap’s final episode singing their ’80s hit ‘Especially For You’, a song that will bring nostalgic tears to your eyes; it’s cheesy and fabulous!
It seems I’m not alone in my love of ‘Especially For You’ as to this day it remains producers Stock Aitken and Waterman’s biggest seller and Kylie’s second biggest behind ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’.
After an impromptu performance at an Australian Rules football charity event with the cast of Neighbours, it was Kylie’s decision to cover Carole King’s ‘The Loco-Motion’ in 1987 that would kick off a decades-spanning pop career and one of music history’s most passionate fan bases. The song quickly reached #1 in Australia and remained there for seven weeks. It debuted at #80 on the US Billboard Hot 100 before climbing to #3, and in the UK, it spent four weeks at #2.
Her self-titled debut album, Kylie, was released a year later; a collection of dance-oriented pop tunes that spent more than a year on the UK Albums Chart, including several weeks at #1, becoming the best-selling album of the 1980s by a female artist.
Kylie’s rise to stardom was fast and invited comparisons to fellow Aussie legend Olivia Newton-John, and with the help of her second hit single ‘I Should Be So Lucky’, she quickly became an unstoppable sensation and pop goddess.
The ’90s saw Kylie shed her girl-next-door persona and embrace a more experimental side. Albums like Impossible Princess showcased her artistic growth and willingness to push boundaries, cementing her gay icon status with her fearless approach to love, self-expression and reinvention.
With her glamorous image, unwavering support and infectious dance anthems, Kylie’s connection with the gay community has become a cornerstone of her career. Her performances at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Party in 1994, 1998, 2012 and WorldPride in 2023 are legendary. Kylie says her gay fans have been with her through thick and thin, although she was never specifically marketed to that audience when she was starting out.
Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright summed it up nicely: “She is the gay shorthand for joy”.
KYLIE IS NO STRANGER TO PERFORMING AT PRIDE EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD, BUT 2023 WORLDPRIDE IN AUSTRALIA WAS TRULY SOMETHING SPECIAL. IT DEEPENED THE MOST DURABLE OF HER RELATIONSHIPS WITH A COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN DANCING WITH HER FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.
To everyone’s delight, the noughties brought the return of pure pop disco. Kylie said that with the release of the album Light Years, she had come ‘full circle’.
Returning to classic pop certainly paid off for the princess as her hit dance anthems came back with a vengeance, peaking with the highest-selling single of her career, ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’, which sold more than five million copies worldwide and took her back into the US Top 10 for the first time since 1988.
By the turn of the century, Kylie had evolved into a true performance artist, blending provocative fashion with camp, edgy pop. A styling partnership with clothing designer William Baker led to her infamous gold hot pants, navelgazing jumpsuits, sequined leotards and thigh-high boots.
With all that glamour, there is no wonder she is one of the most enduring and loved gay icons of our time. She is even included on Wikipedia’s ‘Gay Icons’ page, alongside others like Cyndi Lauper, Bette Davis and RuPaul. When asked about her gay fan base. Kylie told the New York Post:
“I THINK THEY FEEL A BIT PROTECTIVE OF ME. THERE’S NO JUDGEMENT — JUST SUPPORT.”
2025 will mark Kylie’s return home with her Tension Tour and it’s set to be her biggest since 2011. The tour will kick off in Perth on 15 February 2025, before making its way through Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
Kylie released her #1 album Tension in September 2023, which has now surpassed 500,000 sales worldwide and nearing half a billion streams. The Tension Tour promises to be a celebration of Kylie’s illustrious career, focused on her latest album — but you can also look forward to hearing her classic hits, all delivered with Kylie’s signature style and energy.
Kylie hinted at what’s to come, saying, “I can’t wait to share beautiful and wild moments with fans all over the world, celebrating the Tension era and more! ... get ready for your close up because I will be calling Lights, Camera, Action ... and there will be a whole lot of Padaming!”
As Kylie prepares to embark on this tour, her status as a gay icon and pop music legend remains stronger than ever. From her early days on Neighbours to her recent Grammy win for ‘Padam Padam’, Kylie continues to captivate audiences with her talent, charisma and undeniable star power.
The Tension Tour is more than just a series of concerts; it’s a celebration of Kylie’s enduring relationship with her fans, particularly those of us in the LGBTIQ+ community. We all love Kylie. As she takes to stages across Australia, Kylie will undoubtedly remind us why she’s been a beloved figure in pop, music and queer dance culture for over 35 years.
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By Alexander Thatcher
Like many kids, I enjoyed decorating our house and tree with tinsel, sparkly things and lights. I remember eating way too much delicious food, getting cool gifts, hanging out with friends, and spending long summer days at the beach. Although my family were not churchgoers, like most people, Christmas was a big deal.
As time went on, however, “Christ Mass” and I grew apart. As a non-Christian, I found myself feeling hypocritical and empty, while wondering how to approach this highly commercialised celebration in a more authentic way.
In our modern world, Christmas traditions have been strangely distorted, and seem to defy logic and meaning when trying to connect them back to Christianity.
I’m not just talking about our need to listen to Bing Crosby or Mariah Carey’s festive sing-along albums for an entire month. No, I also found myself wondering what fir trees, Yule logs, holly and kissing under the mistletoe all have to do with the birth of Jesus thousands of years ago.
The answer to this was, of course, nothing. In fact, Christmas is not mentioned in the Bible at all. But all these traditions do have significant meaning if you celebrate Christmas, or its traditional name Yule, authentically like a Pagan.
In Scandinavia, they don’t use the word Christmas. Instead, they have retained the original name for the Yuletide celebrations, which they call Jul (pronounced Yule). Yule followed the midwinter solstice (usually around 21 December) and celebrated the return of the northern hemisphere sun as the days started to get longer again.
The festivities involved music, singing, dancing, feasting and a lot of drinking. Gift giving was only a small part of the celebrations which lasted up to twelve days, hence the twelve days of Christmas.
The solstice was particularly inauspicious as it was the night when Odin was said to ride through the skies on a wild hunt collecting the souls of the dead. So, understandably, everyone stayed indoors feasting and drinking, afraid to go outside lest they be caught out alone and abducted in Odin’s hunt.
The pre-Christian winter solstice festival would eventually be subsumed, along with many other Pagan celebrations, into the Christian Christmas we know today. Yule became the name for this festival around the 9th century, and in many languages, Yule and its cognates are still used to describe modern Christmas in some parts of Europe.
Rituals like decorating trees, giving gifts, singing and feasting all have deep Pagan origins that predate Christianity and were practised by the Germanic peoples for thousands of years. The path to an authentic Yule celebration seems already laid out. It’s just a matter of getting back to basics, buying less stuff and understanding where these long-held traditions came from in the first place.
GINGERBREAD’S HISTORY GOES BACK TO THE PAGAN FESTIVALS SATURNALIA AND YULE. GINGER SYMBOLISES PASSION, CINNAMON LOVE AND PROSPERITY, AND NUTMEG WARMTH.
Nowadays, we spend a lot of money on Christmas gifts; it can be a frantic affair and buying them for everyone can be incredibly stressful and unnecessarily costly. We may not realise it, but it’s the exact opposite of what we should be doing if we want to celebrate the true nature of gift-giving. Unlike today, Pagans exchanged modest handmade items and food with only those closest to them. The gesture of giving was considered sacred, emphasising the exchange of small tokens for prosperity and good luck.
Dried fruit and Yule treats with flavoured spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger, along with holly wreaths symbolising luck, were popular choices. Over time, gifting has become an expectation, with the getting becoming more important than the giving. As a multi-billion dollar industry, we have essentially ripped the heart out of its true meaning.
Going small and giving gifts from the heart is most definitely a way to honour the true meaning of gifting.
Here in Australia, it is way too hot to set a fire in the house at Christmas time. However, we do like a good summer barbie, and in many ways the Yule log tradition suits our outdoor holiday BBQ culture well, especially if you’re a meat lover.
Throughout Europe, the burning of a special log for luck and fortune was a tradition long before the arrival of Christianity. Lit on the shortest day of the year, the Yule log was very big and in some instances a whole tree trunk, large enough to burn all twelve days of Christmas. It was also often burning while Pagans cooked their sacrificed animals — goats were a favourite. In England, oak was the wood of choice, Scotland preferred birch, and France used cherry wood. The log was often sprinkled with wine or herbs before burning, filling the air with delightful aromas. The ashen remains were saved and used during the year to ward off evil spirits and other misfortunes, and often added back into the subsequent Yule fire, honouring the cycle of death and rebirth.
This sacred tradition was eventually adopted by Christianity, which says it can also represent the birth and death of Christ.
As for the poor goat, it has been at the top of the animal sacrifice list by religions the world over for centuries, but Swedish Pagans also believed the Yule goat to be an invisible spirit that would appear before the festival to ensure that the holiday preparations were done correctly.
Ever wondered about the correlation between mistletoe and kissing? The tradition goes back to the Romans, Celts, Druids and the Norse who all considered mistletoe a highly sacred plant. Mistletoe honoured the god Saturn, and to keep him happy, followers would perform fertility rituals underneath sprigs of mistletoe. And yes, that’s exactly what it sounds like! Sex was a popular solstice activity, so be grateful the tradition has been toned down somewhat and your great aunt just wants a kiss when she arrives on Christmas day. >
In the world of the ancient Druids, mistletoe represented tranquillity and joy. During times of war, if enemies met underneath woodland mistletoe, they would put their weapons down and form an evening truce so they could drink and feast together until the next day.
Kissing under the mistletoe beautifully symbolises peace, love and a deeper connection to others. It can also be used as a modern-day ritual of truce as friends and family gather together. Now, that sounds like a worthwhile exercise.
Today’s Santa Claus — also not mentioned in the Bible — was actually developed by Coca-Cola as a marketing campaign in the 1930s to sell, you guessed it, Coke! The image above and associated text certainly make a strong comment on American society and the massive commercialisation of Christmas.
The idea of an old man giving gifts is a familiar story in many cultures, with similar Santa-style characters found in folklore worldwide. Our current well-known giver of gifts is based on Saint Nicholas who, interestingly enough, was the patron saint of children, toymakers, unmarried people, brewers, pawnbrokers, repentant thieves, prostitutes and the poor. An odd mix of job titles, to say the least. Saint Nicholas, who lived during the 4th century in Myra (Turkey), was known for his great generosity and kindness, which gave rise to legends of miracles he performed during the festive season.
Santa’s true roots, however, date back to the Vikings.
The god Odin, who was worshipped by Germanic Pagan tribes, was also portrayed as an old man with a long, white beard. It’s told he would ride through the night skies on his 8-legged horse called Sleipnir. Kids would fill their boots with carrots and straw, and leave them by the chimney for Sleipnir to feed on. Odin would fly by and reward the children by leaving little presents in their boots, much like we do with Christmas stockings today.
So if you have younger children (or a pawnbroker) at home, stockings are a great way to honour the memory of Saint Nicholas, Odin and Sleipnir, the 8-legged horse.
The iconic fir tree is probably our strongest Yule symbol and one with the deepest roots. Adorned with glittering ornaments and lights, it originates from early Germanic folklore and Roman customs. Plants, fruit and herbs have been used for thousands of years to honour the gods, encourage and promote fertility, bring luck and celebrate new beginnings.
The tradition of decorating tree branches is said to have emerged from Norse mythology and stories of the great tree. Yggdrasill, also called the world tree, is said to be a giant ash supporting the whole universe. It is closely related to the Tree of Life from Celtic Culture, and its motif is found across many cultures and appears in almost all religions worldwide.
Decorating a tree, or even a simple branch, is a ritual thousands of years old and a harmonious way of connecting to nature and the greater universe. Trees are symbols of knowledge, abundance, strength, calmness and growth that remind us of the interconnectedness of everything. These ancient and rich concepts can make Christmas and Yule a deeper and more fulfilling celebration of life.
Yule and the end of the year is also a natural time for introspection. Rather than religious observance, we can use this period to reflect on the year gone by and set intentions for the one ahead. I like to spend time in my garden and nature reflecting on what I’m grateful for and the personal growth I’ve experienced. It helps me enter the new year with a sense of perspective and purpose.
Ultimately the festive season can be whatever you choose to make of it, but by focusing on values like kindness, generosity and connection, we can create a meaningful celebration that aligns with our beliefs. So, deck your hall with holly, kiss under the mistletoe, raise a glass of mead with family and friends, and spread love wherever you can. Happy Yule.
By Alexander Thatcher
SINCE THE ’90S, JACKIE LOEB HAS BEEN DELIGHTING AUDIENCES WITH HER HIGHLY ORIGINAL BRAND OF COMEDY AND HAS PROVEN HERSELF TO BE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN THE WORLD OF STANDUP.
With a reputation as a gifted comedian, Jackie has won praise as a corporate MC, actor, vocalist, musician, voice-over artist and writer. She is also considered the original and best Julia Gillard impersonator.
Her talent has taken her all over Australia and the world, with appearances at the Edinburgh and Hollywood Fringe Festivals, and comedy clubs in San Francisco, New York, London, Malaysia and Singapore. She has appeared in hit American TV shows like Superstore, think The Office but in a shop, and Better Things, a comedy-drama about a single mum with no filter.
Fans with kids at home might also recognise Jackie’s voice as the wise and worldly Australian rat in the Emmy nominated Netflix children’s animated series Trash Truck
Jackie has also appeared on ABC’s Thank God It’s Friday, The Today Show, Good News Week, Spicks and Specks, The Playlist and Australia Versus. She was a cast member and writer on the award-winning Australian television series Full Frontal in the ’90s, and has appeared in all three series of the Comedy Channel’s Stand up Australia Critics have raved about Jackie’s performances over the years, with the Los Angeles Times describing her as an Australian comedian who “fires off smart one-liners at a breakneck pace”. As for her musical abilities, a review by Time Out in New York said Jackie played the guitar as well as any rock star and had the best vocal chops they have ever heard from a comic.
As well as being a talented musician, Jackie Loeb also has the unique ability to make people laugh, and sometimes cry apparently, while still being lovable.
In the lead-up to Jackie’s SpringOUT show at The Street during Canberra pride, we asked her a few quickies!
You have performed standup all over the world, how do you adapt your material for different cultural audiences?
I have performed in countries where it was required that I sign a government contract stipulating that I would not make references to drugs or sex. So, my priority when adapting my material for an overseas audience is to make sure I don’t end up in prison. The main thing has been eliminating Australian references from my act. Unfortunately, not all cultures are familiar with colloquialisms such as pash-off, bushpig and ciggie.
As both a comedian and musician, how do you integrate these two aspects of your performance?
I try to sprinkle music as much as I can throughout my comedy act. I love the challenge of expressing a comedy idea through song. I am the typical comedian that wants to be a rock star, so the guitar comes out at any given, or even not given, opportunity.
You’re the voice for a rat in the kid’s animation show Trash Truck, tell us a bit about that and what you bring to the character.
I was called in for another voice-over audition, and while I was waiting to record it in the booth, my agent asked me if I was interested in auditioning for a new Netflix series playing an Australian rat. I had five minutes to look over the script and, sure enough, that was the job I booked. I based the character on my best friend’s mother. Despite being a rat, the character was very polite, knowledgeable and domesticated. All the things I am not.
It was the most joyous experience working with a very talented team of writers and actors.
Having won the Mo Award for Best Live Comedy Act, what do you think sets your style apart from other comedians?
I’d say the music differentiates me from other comedians. Also, I’m older. So many comics that I work with on the circuit are young, so my material and experiences are very different. In terms of my style, my comedy tends to be disjointed. I very rarely talk about one subject for more than a couple of minutes, and then I’m onto the next thing.
Can you share an unexpected moment from your career?
Very early in my career, I got a call out of the blue asking if I would be interested in joining the cast of Full Frontal. It took me by complete surprise. At the time, I was just your average twenty-something comic performing at open mics, broke and still living at home. It was one of the best phone calls of my life.
How has your experience as part of the LGBTIQ+ community influenced your comedy and performances?
The LGBTIQ+ community has its own unique and nuanced culture. It’s diverse and eclectic and eccentric and brash and unapologetic. For the first decade of my career I rarely talked about my sexual orientation as I was working the mainstream comedy clubs, and professionally I was still a bit of a closet-case and worried about alienating a predominantly straight crowd.
Once I got over myself and fully embraced who I was and stopped giving a shit, comedy became so much more fun for both me and the audience. I love talking about being gay and I am inspired by my community.
What is your favourite life quote?
A friend once relayed a famous quote to me… “Comparison is the thief of joy”. When I first started, I would be like, “Why am I bothering? I can’t compete with that. They have billion-dollar microphones in their fancy studios”. I had to stop comparing myself to others and believe in my work and abilities.
What can the audience at The Street expect from your show during the SpringOUT Festival?
I know this sounds simplistic but... fun!!! I want everyone to have a joyful and memorable time. I can be silly, thought-provoking, inappropriate, offensive, sensitive, left of field, obvious and insightful. I love interacting with the audience. I love hearing laughter and I do my upmost to create a super fun environment where everyone feels like they’re part of a weird-assed family.
Jackie takes the stage at The Street Theatre Friday 29 November @ 7:30pm. This special one-night-only performance is part of the Canberra SpringOUT Festival and promises to be a night of hilarity and musical fun! See more Jackie at instagram.com/jackieloeb
by Laura Johansen
By Dwayne Lennox
Actress and comedian Jennifer Coolidge says she is so allergic to glue that whenever she needs fake fingernails for a movie or TV role, they have to be attached with sticky tape.
A FUNNY TAKE ON QUEER SCHOOL POLITICS DISNEY+
Perhaps best known for the YouTube series The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo, Brian Jordan Alvarez is also the creative force behind this new comedy series where he plays Evan, the titular educator in an Austen, Texas high school. Despite being in one of the most progressive city’s in a red state, Evan, an openly gay man, struggles to navigate between conservative school parents and his possibly too-woke students. Stephanie Koenig, Sean Patton and Enrico Colantino provide plenty of laughs as Evan’s equally hapless colleagues.
A cross-country road trip between longtime best friends becomes a complicated, educational and inspiring experience in Josh Greenbaum’s documentary. Former Saturday Night Live colleagues comedian Will Ferrell and scriptwriter Harper Steele hit the road to get reacquainted in the wake of Harper’s coming out as a transwoman, exposing hard truths about themselves, as well as America’s understanding and acceptance of trans people. Ferrell gets to ask the questions many people have, providing a necessary antidote to the bigotry surrounding trans rights and lives.
A MODERN SPORTS FILM — GAME, SET, LOVE! PRIME VIDEO
Doubles partners and best buds Partick (Josh O’Connor; God’s Own Country) and Art (Mike Faist; West Side Story) have their friendship altered in all manner of ways when they meet fast-rising tennis prodigy Tashi (Zendaya; Dune).
Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name), Challengers cuts back and forth across several years to witness how this trio reached their current status: Patrick barely scraping by on the tennis circuit, and Art, a grand slam champ now married to and coached by Tashi, in career decline. Tennis has never been sexier.
When it comes to queer Christmas films on streaming, it’s more like leftovers than a buffet. You’ll most likely have to rent a Hallmark romcom or revisit Happiest Season (Binge). On Netflix you’ll find Single All the Way, which sees Peter (Michael Urie; Ugly Betty) bring a pretend boyfriend home for the holidays to avoid questions about his non-existent love-life. Of course, romantic complications ensue when he meets cute local James (Luke Macfarlane; Bros). Kathy Najimy (Sister Act) and everyone’s favourite gay aunt, Jennifer Coolidge, who delivers our favourite line “The gays just know how to do stuff!”, also star.
Cam Michael is an emerging mixed media artist interested in social inclusion, working with themes of redefining value and potential, and relationships between personal identity and perception in our spaces. His work is broadly informed through life experiences of disability, being a carer and support worker for others, living in Australia but growing up elsewhere, and identifying as part of the Canberra LGBTIQ+ community.
You can purchase Cam’s work at the Belconnen Arts gift shop belcoarts.com.au and from cammichaelart.com
Qweer was started by Joshua Bouman, who goes by the pronouns he/they. The Qweer clothing label started in Joshua’s tiny, tiny, tiny New York apartment before the pandemic — like literally the week before. Their clothing label is now based in Newtown, Sydney. Qweer is still a super small business where all the merch is hand-dyed, embroidered, and hand-screen-printed in small batches.
Atlas of Identity was created by a queer and neurodivergent goofball hailing from Melbourne who makes unique jewellery, bracelets, keychains, chokers and digital art that celebrates and empowers with pride. Buy direct online at atlas-of-identity.square.site
THE FESTIVE SEASON IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, SO IF YOU’RE FRANTICALLY GOOGLING ‘GIFT IDEAS’, WE’VE PULLED A FEW THINGS FROM SANTA’S SACK TO HELP OUT. Before you rush out to buy another scented candle, more socks or that vegetable spiralizer you saw on the internet, consider buying from a talented LGBTIQ+ artist and maker this year. Buying Australian and handmade is an environmentally friendly way to support artists, small businesses and our queer community, while you get to choose a unique gift that has real meaning for your friends and loved ones.
You can purchase Joshua’s fabulously queer clothing from markets and pop-up events and online at qweer.com.au
Sleepy Gay Club creates fun cross-stitch pieces and pins with band lyrics and pop culture references. Artist Declan is a 26-year-old non-binary trans masc from Melbourne. You can buy their creations online from etsy.com/au/shop/sleepygayclub
Rustic Rainbow is based in the Hunter Valley. Self-taught artists Marcela and Ash work with wood and glass, passionately creating vibrant stained glass sculptures that reflect the beauty of nature’s patterns. Let them colour someone’s world.
Email contact@rusticrainbow.com for commissions or follow @ instagram/rusticrainbow.art
Angus Comyns is a screen print and stencil artist. His artistry seamlessly blends vibrant hues with a mix of hand-sketched and photographic visuals, often punctuated with poignant text. His work is a feast for the eyes and makes the perfect gift with a difference.
You can buy and see more of Angus Comyns’ screen print and stencil art online at anguscomyns.com.au Follow @ instagram/anguscomyns
Little Tree Studio by artists (and FUSE publishers)
Alexander Thatcher and Christopher Powell create distinctive, handmade tableware and sculptural pieces while embracing a wabi-sabi style (beauty of imperfection). They create organic, free-form ceramics in their Canberra studio, where every item is always 100% handmade,100% unique and made with love.
Buy direct online at littletree.studio or at outlets in Canberra. Follow @ instagram/littletree.studio
Shop local at these handmade outlets in Canberra. w belcoarts.com.au
, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen w canberrapotters.com.au
, 1 Aspinall Street, Watson w craftanddesigncanberra.org
, Level 1, 180 London Circuit, City w handmadecanberra.com.au
, Exhibition Park, Canberra
w thelittleburleymarket.com.au
, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes w obdm.com.au
, Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston w popcanberra.com.au
, Shop G12/27 Lonsdale Steet, Braddon w splatter.biz
, Shop 156 Westfield, Belconnen w strathnairn.com.au
, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt w trovecanberra.com.au
, Shop G4a, Dickson Place, Dickson w tuggeranongarts.com
, 137 Reed Street, Greenway
Before you hit the shops, take a moment to jot down everyone you need to buy for. Set a realistic budget for each person; remember, it’s the thought that counts, not the price tag. Consider setting a total holiday budget that includes gifts, decorations, food and travel expenses. This clear picture can help prevent those “How did I spend so much?” moments come January.
Suggest a Secret Santa or gift exchange with your family and friends. It’s a great way to ensure everyone gets a gift without breaking the bank. Set a reasonable price limit that works for everyone in the group. The fun is in the guessing and giving, not necessarily in getting the most expensive gift.
Christmas stockings can be a creative way to make inexpensive gifts for those drop-ins you may not have been expecting. Buy a few pairs of fancy-looking long socks and fill them with things like wrapped homemade treats, biscuits, chocolates, condiments, specialty tea or hot chocolate, candles... the possibilities are endless. And by adding the second sock to the bottom means the ‘stocking’ also becomes a nice gift. Think healthy treats and eco-friendly presents that bring joy and encourage mindful shopping that’s good for the environment.
Try your hand at making your own gifts this year. Homemade treats, crafty things, or even a fun “coupon book” are more meaningful (and budget-friendly) than mass-produced store-bought presents. Extend this creativity to your decorations by getting crafty with lights, candles and natural elements from your garden to create a festive atmosphere without a price tag. Wrapping on the cheap is often more environmentally friendly. Think recycling, potato-printed butchers or craft paper, or even fabric cutoffs or tea towels.
Support small businesses and handmade when you can. Many makers and artists offer unique gifts that you won’t find in big box stores. Think boutique shops, weekend markets, craft fairs, or buy direct thought artists’ websites. The real upside is that you’ll be putting your money back into the community. I’m positive you’ll discover some hidden gems while supporting local artisans in the process. Check out the FUSE Christmas guide on p26.
Instead of exchanging physical gifts, consider giving experiences. A cooking or art class, a massage, or tickets to a show can create lasting memories without cluttering up someone’s home. You can also find great deals on experience gifts through sites like Red Balloon, Adrenaline, Groupon, Class Bento and others.
By Scott Malcolm Director of Money Mechanics
’TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY, NOT BROKE! I’M HERE TO HELP YOU DECK THE HALLS WITHOUT DECKING YOUR CREDIT SCORE. LET’S UNWRAP SOME FABULOUS GIFTING TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FINANCES MERRY AND BRIGHT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
Credit can be a killer at Christmas, but if you must use your card, have a solid — and honest — plan to pay it off as quickly as possible. Using a debit card for your holiday shopping to avoid overspending should always be your first choice. If you do use credit, keep track of what you spend and keep your gifts thoughtful, creative, cheap and cheerful.
If you’re hosting a dinner or lunch, consider making it a potluck. Not only does this reduce your financial burden, but it also takes the pressure off hosting a Christmas event and allows friends and family to contribute their favourite dish or snack. Potlucks are a great way to celebrate diversity and share cultural traditions.
Your nanna probably had one of these, but an old fashioned Christmas savings account is still a great option for having some extra cash in December. January is the perfect time to get it happening for next year. Small regular contributions throughout the year can add up to a tidy sum come next Christmas.
If you are organised and savvy, you can save a ton of cash by planning to do your Christmas gift shopping at the beginning and during the year at sales like Boxing Day, Black Friday, January and EOFY sales!
The holiday season can be stressful, especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget, so remember to take care of yourself. I know you’ve heard it before, but we all seem to forget that Christmas is not all about gifts and spending money. Set aside time for relaxation — it doesn’t have to cost a fortune or anything for that matter. A quiet night in with a good book, a long bath, a walk around the park or a movie marathon are all free, and can be just as rejuvenating as an expensive spa day or night out.
Remember, the true spirit of the season isn’t about how much you spend, but about celebrating with the people you love. Focus on creating memories, not debt. With these tips, you’ll be able to jingle all the way to the New Year without your bank account singing the blues. Happy holidays, and here’s to a prosperous new year!
taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before
situation and needs.
WHERE BELCONNEN ARTS CENTRE
118 EMU BANK, BELCONNEN WHEN
18 OCTOBER 1 DECEMBER
MORE DETAILS
BELCOARTS.COM.AU
In its third year, Kaleidoscope III is an open exhibition where LGBTIQA+ artists in Canberra and Australia-wide can express their experiences of queerness, sexuality, gender and unique individuality through art. Painting by Jamie Cole, Visibility in the Tropics. FREE EVENT
WHERE GLEBE PARK
CORNER OF AKUNA & BUNDA STREETS, CITY WHEN
SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER
11:00AM 5:00PM
MORE DETAILS
SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Canberra’s largest LGBTIQA+ community event, Fair Day, kicks off the annual SpringOUT Festival program. Come and connect with your queer tribe in Glebe Park while you enjoy a free fun-filled day with music, song, dance and drag. Fair Day will also include a market village filled with stalls representing our diverse community and local businesses, plus heaps of delicious food and drinks to keep you fed and happy all day. FREE EVENT
WHERE CUBE NIGHTCLUB 33 PETRIE PLAZA, CITY WHEN SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 6:30PM MIDNIGHT TICKETS
$15 SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go! This SpringOUT celebration party at Cube Nightclub will take you on a journey through George Michael’s illustrious career spanning more than 30 years, from his days in Wham to his iconic songs of today! Presented by Stun, you can expect live acts from drag icon Sexy Galexy, Sparklemuffin and Magnus Magnum, Guy Alias, nonbinarycode, Icky, The Andrew Ridgeley All Stars, Zapp Backagain, Ty Zahn and DJ Meethod.
WHERE NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE MCCOY CIRCUIT, ACTON 9:00AM 6:30PM WHEN THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER TICKETS
$50 | $35 CONCESSION SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
A multifaceted one-day conference for everyone curious about expansive LGBTIQA+ screen storytelling. Panels and masterclasses will cater to all creators in the film industry.
LATEST EVENT UPDATES!
See What’s On—page 7 and the FUSE website for the latest additions to the SpringOUT 2024 Festival program and other happenings.
WHERE BOOKFACE GUNGAHLIN
33 HIBBERSON ST, GUNGAHLIN WHEN THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER
6:00PM
Join MARION, Bookface Gungahlin and Canberra region authors for a celebration of queer literature. This informal event will be full of queer book recommendations, literary discussion and connection.
WHERE
MERIDIAN
85 NORTHBOURNE AVE, TURNER WHEN FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER
4:00PM 6:00PM
Meridian provides a wide range of services and support for LGBTIQA+ communities and is home to the Canberra Pride Hub. Join them for the afternoon to say hello, meet the team, and learn more about the services they offer and opportunities to get involved.
WHERE SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE 76 ALINGA STREET, CITY WHEN FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER 6:30PM FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 7:00PM TICKETS
$5 | $10
SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Would you like to play D&D. Join ‘Roll for Intelligence’ and queer Dungeon Master Luka Musicki in a safe space to learn the art of this epic game.
WHERE
SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE
76 ALINGA STREET, CITY WHEN SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER
6:30PM 9:30PM TICKETS
$25 | $20 CONCESSION SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Laugh with queer comedians Nick Starkey, Suma Ayer, Laura Johnston, Nathan Hillman, Will Devine, Chris Knight and Brent Thorpe.
WHERE KING O’MALLEY’S 131 CITY WALK, CITY WHEN SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER
7:00PM 9:30PM TICKETS
$30 | $25 CONCESSION SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Queer comedy in the pub with MC Holly Hazlewood and comedians Sarah Stewart, Marie Anagnostis, Laura Johnston, Chris Knight, Nick Starkey and Nathan Hillman.
WHERE SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE 76 ALINGA STREET, CITY WHEN WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER 6:30PM 8:30PM MORE DETAILS
SPRINGOUT.COM.AU TICKETS
$45
SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Join us for an evening of painting and rainbows with our surprise guest artist.
1 NOVEMBER1 DECEMBER
REBUS THEATRE PRESENTS QUEER IMPROV FOR ADULTS & ELDERS
WHERE WODEN LIBRARY (TBC)
FURZER STREET & CORINNA STREET, PHILLIP REGISTRATIONS
SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
IMPROV THEATRE BASICS FOR LGBTIQA+ ADULTS & ELDERS
WHEN WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER
7:00PM 9:00PM
A workshop to learn the basics and build confidence in performance and presentation skills. Explore techniques related to stage presence, connecting with an audience, delivering text and handling nerves.
IMPROVISED MOVEMENT & EXPRESSION FOR LGBTIQA+ ADULTS & ELDERS
WHEN SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER
1:30PM 3:30PM
A workshop to explore physicality and expression through gentle theatre exercises in body language, tempo and space. Suitable for all bodies. No experience necessary.
PERFORMANCE SKILLS WORKSHOP FOR LGBTIQA+ ADULTS & ELDERS
WHEN THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER
7:00PM 9:00PM
Build confidence in performance and presentation skills with this workshop. Explore techniques related to stage presence, connecting with an audience, delivering text and handling nerves. All welcome!
BOOK LAUNCH : JUST HUMAN
WHERE & WHEN
BELCONNEN YOUTH CENTRE, CHANDLER STREET
THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER 5:30PM
This first event is for LGBTIQA+ young people and is run in collaboration with Bit Bent LGBTIQA+ youth group.
WHERE & WHEN
THE BOOK COW, 47 JARDINE STREET, KINGSTON SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER 3:00PM
Hear from local queer author Angel Hellyer about their new urban fantasy novel, Just Human, a story about supernatural classmates, mysteries and homework. Angel will read the first chapter and share their inspiration, followed by a Q&A.
WHERE
NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA PARKES PLACE, PARKES WHEN FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER
DOORS OPEN 5:30PM | PROGRAM 6:30PM TICKETS
$10 | $9 CONCESSION NGA.GOV.AU
Join us for a night of performances, talks, laughter and tears to mark the 30th anniversary of the landmark exhibition, Don’t Leave Me This Way: Art in the Age of AIDS.
LATEST EVENT UPDATES!
See What’s On—page 7 and the FUSE website for the latest additions to the SpringOUT 2024 Festival program and other happenings.
DIVERSITY IN RUGBY & PRIDE SPORTS FESTIVAL
WHERE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE WHEN SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2:00PM MORE DETAILS SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Catch all the excitement of queer gridiron, rugby, touch football and more thrills and spills at Duntroon. FREE EVENT
QUEER CHEERS & HUMOUR : ALL-FEMALE COMEDY NIGHT
WHERE KING O’MALLEY’S 131 CITY WALK, CITY WHEN SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER
7:00PM 9:30PM TICKETS
$30 | $25 CONCESSION SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Join us at King O’Malley’s for a night filled with laughter and cheer as our cast of all-female comedians will have you busting at the seams.
WHERE YARRALUMLA WOOLSHED WHEN SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER 7:30PM 1:00AM TICKETS SOLD OUT
Pink Tennis invites you to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Bushdance. A night of crazy fun and non-stop dancing with 600 of your friends.
SCINIGHT : REFRACTION PROUD TO BE CURIOUS WHERE QUESTACON KING EDWARD TERRACE, PARKES WHEN FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER 6:30PM 9:30PM MORE DETAILS SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Experience Questacon after dark for a vivacious celebration of science and pride! There will be performances that enchant, activities that provide connection, and science demonstrations that inspire.
1 NOVEMBER1 DECEMBER
WHERE CANBERRA THEATRE CENTRE, CIVIC SQUARE WHEN BITE CLUB SHOWS: 21, 22 & 23 NOVEMBER 8:00PM BRIEFS BOOZY BRUNCH: 23 NOVEMBER 11:00AM TICKETS
$79 | $69 CONCESSION | $110 BRUNCH CANBERRATHEATRECENTRE.COM.AU
Bite Club features Brisbane’s award-winning cult-cabaret mischief-makers, circus stars and heart-stopping hooligans, Briefs Factory, as they join forces with much celebrated and sainted songbird Sahara Beck. In an event sautéed in a hedonistic haze, guests will be treated to a shotgun wedding and table settings of music, circus, drag, burlesque, theatre and comedy.
WHERE
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS CLUNIES ROSS STREET, ACTON WHEN 22, 23 & 24 NOVEMBER 11:30AM BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Enjoy a free guided walk through the Australian National Botanic Gardens exploring the diversity of Australian native plants. Discover incredible facts about plant pollination and the wonderful way plants have evolved.
WHERE THE MARION ACT PARKS DEPOT, BARRINE DRIVE, PARKES WHEN SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 11:00AM 2:00PM
MORE DETAILS
SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Join MARION for an exclusive SpringOUT edition of our ‘Come & Write’ session. MARION are hosting a cute, spring picnic on the lawn by the lake. Bring a rug or a chair and join us for a free, informal writing session.
OUT & LOUD RAINBOW PICNIC WHERE
DIVERSITY HUB 8 LAIDLAW PLACE, KAMBAH WHEN SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 11:00AM 3:30PM MORE DETAILS DIVERSITYACT.ORG.AU
Diversity ACT is a community-based registered charity run by volunteers that provides a service hub, social worker, support networks, groups and community resources to assist the LGBTIQ+ community of the ACT region. Come and enjoy a picnic lunch on the lovely grounds of our Pride Hub, with markets stalls, queer food stalls, live performances and activities for the kids.
EXHIBITION: 18 OCT - 1 DEC BELCOARTS COM AU
LATEST EVENT UPDATES!
See What’s On—page 7 and the FUSE website for the latest additions to the SpringOUT 2024 Festival program and other happenings.
WHERE NATIONAL FILM & SOUND ARCHIVE MCCOY CIRCUIT, ACTON WHEN SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER
7:00PM TICKETS
$20 | $17 CONCESSION NFSA.GOV.AU
Don’t miss Velvet Goldmine at NFSA’s Arc Cinema. Seventies icons David Bowie and Iggy Pop loom large in this musical exploration of sexuality and glam rock. Includes pre-screening glam rock performance by local artist Pass/Fail (Nick Delatovic).
OUTSPOKEN & OUTRAGEOUS
WHERE
SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE
76 ALINGA STREET, CITY WHEN
SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER
8:30PM TICKETS
$30 | $25 CONCESSION SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Everything is f*cked fabulous showcase!
WHERE PEACE PARK LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN BRIDGE TO BRIDGE WHEN SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER
9:00AM REGISTRATIONS
SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Join us for our epic annual Pride Stride! It’s a free event for everyone — run, walk, ride or strut. This event is all about having fun and a chance to meet other amazing individuals. Let’s celebrate love, diversity and community together! We build inclusion and diversity through safe and welcoming walks and runs for LGBTIQA+ people and allies.
WHERE SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE 76 ALINGA STREET, CITY WHEN
SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER 12:00PM 2:00PM TICKETS
$10
SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
FREE EVENT 1 NOVEMBER1 DECEMBER
Do you want to see some D&D experts and everyday comedians join for fun comedy storytelling? Imagine a dyslexic bard dressed like a blue suited businessman and other crazy characters. Head over to Smith’s Alternative for the adventure that nobody asked for, but your imagination and humour will take you on.
WHERE
LLEWELLYN HALL, WILLIAM HERBERT PLACE, ANU WHEN SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER
3:00PM TICKETS
$44 | $34 CONCESSION | $20 JUNIOR CANBERRAQWIRE.ORG.AU
Following their 30th anniversary concert last year, Canberra Qwire, proudly LGBTIQA+, invites you and your loved ones to an afternoon of uplifting choral music, expressing through song our identities and the stories of our community.
WHERE SALTHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE HAIG PARK, HENTY STREET, BRADDON WHEN WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 5:00PM
FREE EVENT
JACKIE LOEB : ONE NIGHT ONLY!
WHERE THE STREET THEATRE 15 CHILDERS STREET, CITY WHEN FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 7:30PM TICKETS
$35 | $30 CONCESSION THESTREET.ORG.AU
Winner of the Australian Mo Award for Best Live Comedy Act, Jackie Loeb is a stand-up comic, actor, singer and musician.
A free community event to introduce ACT Policing’s new LGBTIQA+ liaison officer, providing an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the liaison officer’s role.
WHERE SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE
76 ALINGA STREET, CITY WHEN
THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER
6:30PM 9:00PM TICKETS
$30 | $25 CONCESSION SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Join us for a hilarious comedy night at our SpringOUT Pun Slam competition with a star-studded cast of Canberra’s best and wittiest comics.
WHERE THE VAULT
1 DAIRY ROAD, FYSHWICK WHEN SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER
8:00PM 5:00AM TICKETS
$55 | $44 CONCESSION SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
Heaven Nightclub Canberra 1993–2001 reunion. Expect past Heaven DJs to be playing all night long! Plus drag queens and kings, performance art, tributes to the past, hot performers, gay anthems, handbag houses, club bangers, techno-house, and explorations of the heavenly rave beginnings of the carefree ’90s and noughties. Put your hands up in the air, party and celebrate with two generations of clubgoers.
WHERE BLANK CREATIVE CO.
15 MOORE STREET, CITY WHEN
SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER
6:00PM 9:00PM TICKETS BY DONATION SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
A performance gig night celebrating our Queer BIPOC community and allies. A collaboration with Queer Food, Blank Creative Co. and our talanted queer artists and allies.
WHERE
SOUTH CANBERRA SQUASH CLUB
4 LAUNCESTON STREET, PHILLIP WHEN
SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER
1:00PM 3:00PM REGISTRATIONS SPRINGOUT.COM.AU
This is a chance for you to meet new people, have a hit and learn what squash is all about. Free coaching is available. No experience or racquet required.
FUNDING PARTNER
MEDIA & LAUNCH PARTNERS
Agency 9
Canberra Wekly
FUSE Magazine
Star Observer
Stun
FAIR DAY PARTNERS
A Gender Agenda
Bentspoke
Capgemini
Deloitte
Northside
Rainbow Fertility
FAIR DAY PRESENTING PARTNER
Meridian COMMUNITY & EVENT PARTNERS
ACT Veteran’s Rugby
Angel Hellyer
Belconnen Arts
Bookface Gungahlin
Canberra Drag
WHERE TILLEY’S DEVINE CAFÉ BRIGALOW & WATTLE STREETS, LYNEHAM WHEN SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER 9:00AM NOON BOOKINGS NOT REQUIRED | BUY YOUR OWN BREAKFAST
Join us for the last SpringOUT event of 2024 and the first day of summer! The FUSE Big Gay Breakfast is now in its 16th year; it is an LGBTIQ+ and everyone-in-between event. Eat, drink and be merry on a beautiful summer morning with all your fabulous friends and a few new ones. Champagne is generously supplied by Tilley’s.
Canberra Frontrunners
Canberra Qwire
Canberra Theatre Centre
Capital PUNishment
Capital Region Community Services
Collective On Anti Racism
CUBE
Deloitte
Diversity ACT
Everyman Theatre
FUSE Big Gay Breakfast
Guy Alias
Kaleidoscope III
King O’Malley’s
Llewellyn Hall
Localjinni
MARION
Meridian
National Botanic Gardens
National Film & Sound Archive
National Gallery
Northside
Pink Tennis
QT
Questacon
Rainbow Fertility
Rainbow Racquets
Rebus Theatre
Reclink Australia
Roll for Intelligence
Salthouse Centre
Screen Canberra
Smith’s Alternative
The Book Cow
The Hub
The Street
The Vault
Tilley’s Devine Café
Tranz Australia
Woden Library
By Alexander Thatcher
OPPOSITION TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND THE STRESS THAT CAME WITH THE 2017 PLEBISCITE IS STILL MAKING SOME AUSTRALIANS IN SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS UNWELL, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH.
Led by Research Fellow Karinna Saxby at The Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, a new study has been released using data from the 2017 marriage equality postal vote and the 2021 Australian census. The research explores the link between opposition to marriage equality and people’s health in the years after the plebiscite saw marriage equality become law in Australia.
The results revealed that individuals in same-sex relationships who lived in areas with stronger opposition to marriage equality had higher rates of chronic health issues compared to those living in areas with less opposition.
It’s a stark reminder of how negative community attitudes can magnify stigma and have long-term consequences for people’s health.
The study concluded that community-level opposition to marriage equality increased, and long-term health conditions were more common among Australians in same-sex relationships compared with those in different-sex relationships.
56%
In areas with the lowest opposition to marriage equality (about 13-26% ‘No’ vote), individuals in same-sex relationships had 56% higher odds of reporting any long-term health condition compared to individuals in different-sex relationships.
63%
In contrast, however, in the areas with the highest opposition (about 34-55% ‘No’ vote), this increased to a worrying 63%.
The health of young people, gay men and people living in areas with more socioeconomic disadvantage were particularly affected, according to the results. Same-sex couples were among those with higher rates of mental health, respiratory and heart-related conditions. It’s important to note that all of these have been strongly linked to stress. This suggests community-level attitudes, in this case votes against marriage equality, are likely to represent stigma towards sexual minorities.
Backed up by international studies, research shows that LGBTIQ+ people who are living in stigmatising environments are more likely to experience stressors due to their sexual orientation. This includes harassment or bullying. Studies also show that in these non-friendly environments, LGBTIQ+ folk are also more likely to turn to risky behaviour, such as smoking and drinking, to help cope with stress, which in turn causes significant stress-related health conditions.
A lack of available inclusive health care or past experiences of discrimination could also deter LGBTIQ+ people from accessing necessary health care services.
LESS PREVENTIVE AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS LIVING IN AREAS WITH LESS OPPOSITION.
It seems that delayed access to preventative health care and heightened social stressors could lead to the deterioration of health and, eventually, the development of long-term conditions. Such chronic conditions can be costly for the health system. This means the health disparities highlighted in the study are not only a human rights issue but also an economic one.
Unfortunately, discrimination that affects the health of sexual minorities and queer communities remains an issue. For instance, religious organisations can still discriminate against LGBTIQ+ people and staff if they decide to, and conversion practices, which try to change or suppress someone’s sexuality or gender identity, are also still legal in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
A new study by The Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research revealed that individuals in same-sex relationships who live in areas with stronger opposition to marriage equality have higher rates of chronic health issues compared to those living in areas with less opposition.
In some good news, last year the Australian Federal Government committed to a ten-year action plan for LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing. However, Karinna Saxby said despite this, “There is an urgent need for additional funding for LGBTIQ+ community controlled health organisations that could help support sexual minorities to access necessary and valuable culturally appropriate health care.”
In particular, she said their research suggests resources should be targeted to areas with higher opposition to marriage equality and also for young queer people living in more socioeconomically disadvantaged regions.
Karinna also noted that she feels more data is needed so better decisions can be made, saying, “Our research only explores health inequities for Australians in same-sex relationships. We cannot draw any conclusions about the health of non partnered sexual minorities nor any effects among the broader LGBTIQ+ community. We don’t have reliable, comprehensive data. We support recent calls for better and more inclusive data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity, including in the 2026 census.”
It seems that better data would allow researchers and health support services to pinpoint which policies and interventions can reduce stigma and, in turn, reduce the health inequalities LGBTIQ+ people in Australia still face every day.
INCLUSIVE AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE TESTING FOR TRANSGENDER, NON-BINARY, AND INTERSEX PEOPLE
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.
Seeing so many people come along to the Kaleidoscope III opening at Belconnen Arts Centre was amazing. The exhibition is impressive and shows us just how much creative talent there is in the LGBTIQ+ community.
Kaleidoscope III will run all the way through the Canberra SpringOUT Pride Festival from 18 October – 1 December 2024.
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.
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.
Call 02 5124 2184 and one of our sexual health nurses will discuss your needs and book an appointment as necessary.
To book a Mpox (monkeypox) vaccination call us on 5124 2184
DO YOU KNOW!
> 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
IfEMERGENCY beenyouthinkyouhave exposedtoHIV, asPEPshouldbestarted maysoonaspossible,but betakenupto72hoursafterthe exposure. MPOX
> Sexually active men should consider STI checks every 3-6 months
Building 8, Level 4, Canberra Hospital Call 5124 2184 or check our website for opening hours at health.act.gov.au/CSHC
health.act.gov.au | act.gov.au
Enquiries: Canberra 13ACT1 or 132281
Canberra
Mercury begins another retrograde on 25 November and will remain so until the full moon on 15 December. Getting your holiday shopping done early might be a good idea to avoid the potential confusion retrograde can bring into our lives. Despite a little craziness, however, Venus in Aquarius means you can expect harmony in relationships, opportunities for growth, and of course, love.
January 21 – February 18
Your communication and intuition skills are supercharged, so use this gift to improve your relationships or forge new ones. A trip may result in new friendships or possibly romance. TIP: Don’t be a stubborn Aquarius if someone tries to help you this month.
April 21 – May 21
November paves fertile ground for implementing and cultivating new directions, so use this time wisely Taurus. A financial windfall may present itself in December. TIP: In a matter of the heart, honest, open communication will serve you best.
July 23 – August 23
Summer will enhance your spiritual connections and bring opportunities for transformation. You may find something dear that you lost come back to you. TIP: Embracing the spirit of adventure in unexpected ways will lead to new growth and enrichment.
October 24 – November 22
It’s been a very busy year for Scorpios. Prioritise your wellness; the universe encourages you to rest and establish routines that nourish both body and soul. TIP: While this time of year makes you want to really lean into life, be aware that you can be prone to burnout.
February 19 – March 20
Financial matters are in the spotlight for Pisces, so consider things carefully and trust your instincts when buying or selling over the next few months. TIP: Look out for an unexpected opportunity that may be precisely what you have been wishing for.
May 22 – June 21
With your social calendar buzzing, an event or gathering could reignite an old, long-lost connection that may blossom into something extraordinary. TIP: Your tendency to be impulsive could work to your advantage when building a new relationship.
August 24 – September 23
Virgos can expect intense feelings and deep emotions during the summer months, making it an ideal time for heart-to-heart conversations. Trust your intuition and take things slow. TIP: One of the most important things for a Virgo to remember is to relax.
November 23 – December 22
Your natural optimism will attract positive experiences, Sagittarius, so expect creative projects and romance to flourish over the coming months. TIP: Decluttering physically and emotionally while making space for new developments will benefit you.
March 21 – April 20
Significant life changes may head your way as a chance meeting, new friendship or romantic encounter leads to exciting beginnings for you. TIP: A disagreement may upset a gathering; use your friendly, cheerful disposition to disarm and calm things down.
June 22 – July 22
Dearest Cancer, be prepared for amplified feelings of tenderness and vulnerability over the next couple of months. This is an excellent time to nurture yourself and your relationships. TIP: For the next little while, self-care should be your number one priority.
September 24 – October 23
The influence of Venus presents a unique spiritual opportunity for significant transformation, making this is an excellent time for Libras to indulge in an array of enriching experiences. TIP: You have to let old things go to make room for new ones.
December 23 – January 20
Although home family matters may demand extra attention as the holiday season approaches, Venus will offer support to bring joy and harmony to your love life. TIP: Vulnerability, although scary, can lead to deeper intimacy with those closest to you.
By Rose Pappalardo
Dear Rose,
I’m an older lesbian with a pretty low sex drive. I’ve found myself in a new relationship with someone special who is always keen to play. How can we bridge this gap in our libidos and maintain our growing and happy partnership? Kay
Dear Kay,
We all have different levels of desire. As I have gotten older, menopause, trauma and stress have had an enormous impact on my sexuality. At times, I did not engage with my partner in any form of intimacy. Ultimately, the relationship failed because I had avoided the issue. The lack of physical intimacy can end relationships if not addressed. Only now do I recognise that I should have discussed it with my partner or sought professional help. I encourage you to think outside the box and talk with your partner, exploring ways that give you both what you need to build a solid and happy relationship.
Dear Rose,
I’m a trans person struggling to find a spiritual community that accepts me. My faith is important to me, but I feel unwelcome in traditional religious spaces. Any advice? M
Dear M,
It is an unfortunate truth that many religious spaces are not welcoming. It’s been my experience that finding a spiritual space to practice your faith starts from within and can be done anywhere. You don’t necessarily need a church or even an organised religion to practice your faith successfully.
However, the good news is there are LGBTIQ+ friendly churches and spiritual communities all over Australia. Finding your queer-friendly religious tribe may take some time, trial and error, but it is now possible to find a welcoming and inclusive religious environment.
I know that faith is important for some of us as it can frame who we are, our existence, our values, our hopes, and often our dreams. Spiritual communities can be incredibly important; you just need to find the right one. I encourage you to continue to search for your spiritual community; it just may not be where you originally thought it was.
Dear Rose,
My husband and I have been invited to a family wedding. The bride’s parents are known to be actively homophobic. Should we attend and risk confrontation or politely decline? Not Sure
Dear Not Sure,
It’s hard to reconcile that there are still people who feel the need to treat others in a derogatory or unfriendly way. I see two clear options for you guys. One, you do politely decline and more than likely disappoint family members. You may also find yourself regretting not sharing their special day. Or two, you decide it’s not the ‘parents’ wedding, that you and your husband are invited guests just like everyone else, and you want to share this couple’s special day.
I would chat with the wedding couple and open up about your concerns and hesitation on accepting the invitation. The couple will more than likely talk with the parents prior to the day to ensure they minimise any issues. It’s my guess that the couple wants you to come and they don’t want a problem during the day. I have always believed that if we want people to change attitudes, LGBTIQ+ people should step up and advocate for themselves in everyday circumstances. I say go!
“
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Describing himself as a simple Buddhist monk, born in 1935, the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet.
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
DO YOU IDENTIFY UNDER THE UMBRELLA AND FIND IT DIFFICULT TO ACCESS MAINSTREAM EXERCISE SERVICES?
All In! is an inclusive exercise space for LGBTQIA+ and/or Gender Diverse People with personalised programs catering for your health goals.
Led by two queer passionate Exercise Physiology Students from the University of Canberra, All In! aims to provide a safe exercise setting to assist some of our community’s most marginalised individuals.
We understand the barriers to accessing mainstream healthcare services for LGBTQIA+ and Gender Diverse people and thus our goal is to address these barriers to help you manage any acute/chronic health condition/s, rehabilitation after surgery or maintain general physical fitness.
