Man2Man#13

A HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE RESOURCE FOR MEN IN2 MEN ISSUE#13: SPRING 2012

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BISEXUALITY – THE ISSUES? • Latest social research • Australian Bisexual Network • BeProud Project

From The Editor:

Bisexuality: Myths An

Welcome to the 13th edition of Man2Man. This issue, the team has focused on the issues surrounding bisexuality.

We cover recent important Australian social research, highlighting data and findings specific to bisexual men. For those unfamiliar with the organization the Australian Bisexual Network (ABN) has a long and fascinating history, and soon, during the TasPride Festival, will be coming down to Tassie to host some events.

Updates on the BeProud Project are also covered in this issue, plus we are proud and excited to announce a new addition to the Man2Man Program in the form of a new blog site, as well as a social media revamp.

Until next time, take care and play safe.

Brian Morris – Editor Man2Man 03 6234 1242 m2m@tascahrd.org.au GPO Box 595, Hobart Tasmania 7001 www.m2mtas.com Facebook: Man2Man Tasmania www.twitter.com/Man2ManTas

Blog: http://man2mantas.wordpress.com/

Myth #1 Bisexuality is just a phase. Nobody stays bisexual.

Views expressed in Man2Man are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of TasCAHRD.

Sexual orientation is not defined by a person’s actions, but rather by their feelings.

The Man2Man magazine is produced

by David Williams on behalf of TasCAHRD. For production enquiries, please call 0459 786 285 or email dkqwilliams@gmail.com

Many people believe that if a bisexual is in a straight relationship, they become straight and vice versa.

Bisexuals are not straight half the time and gay half the time; they are bisexual all the time.

ISBN:978-0-646-55617-8 Even if a bisexual ends up in a monogamous, straight relationship for the rest of their life, they may remain attracted to men and women.

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Myth #2 Bisexuality is only a transitional label used by those who aren’t fully out of the closet.

It’s true that some people who are still exploring their sexual identity temporarily label themselves “bisexual” before they come out, but many people remain attracted to men and women for their entire lives.

Because some use “bisexual” as a transitional label, real bisexuals feel as though no one believes that a person can be truly bisexual.

In fact, research involving bisexual women (Diamond, 2008) shows that although partners may change, a bisexual woman’s capacity for attraction to men and women remains stable throughout their lives.

nd Facts

Myth #3 Bisexuals are promiscuous.

Bisexuals are no more likely to cheat, have one-night stands, or have multiple partners at a time than gay men, lesbian women, or heterosexuals. Although the media, certain celebrities, and pornography would have us believe that bisexuals are prone to promiscuity, many bisexuals strive for committed, monogamous, stable relationships the same way gay, lesbian, and straight couples do.

Myth #4 Bisexuals need to be with both a man and a woman in order to be happy.

As stated above, bisexuals are no more likely to cheat on their partners than

anyone else is. The capacity to form attractions to two genders does not equal a need for two partners at once.

Myth #6: BisexualscausedHIVtobetransmitted to the straight population.

Myth #5 People only say they’re bisexual to double their chances for a date.

In reality, unsafe sexual practices and needle-sharing spread HIV, not bisexuals.

There is no research supporting the idea that bisexuals are to blame for bringing HIV to the straight community. The reality is that HIV does not discriminate based on sexual orientation.

Not only is this not true, but coming out as bisexual may have the opposite effect.

Due to stereotypes and myths about bisexuality, many people don’t trust bisexuals to remain monogamous and won’t date them.

People who do end up dating bisexuals often have the fear that their partner will suddenly and without warning leave them for someone of another gender.

References:

The Bisexual Resource Center (biresource. net) The American Institute of Bisexuality (bisexual.org). Bisexual Index (bisexualindex. org.uk).Diamond, Lisa M. (2008) Female Bisexuality From Adolescence to Adulthood: Results From a 10-Year Longitudinal Study.

Developmental Psychology, Vol. 44 (No. 1). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ releases/bisexuality108.html.

Article sourced from bisexuality resource produced by the GLBTA Pride Center

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Inbetween Sexuality And Gender: The Men There’s a growing body of research documenting increased rates of mental ill-health among bisexuals compared with heterosexuals and same-sex attracted people. Much of the research assumes that this is due to the added pressures bisexuals face to conform to a narrow model of human sexuality.

Angelides[1] argues that bisexuality is the unacknowledged third term in a binary system that divides sexuality into two opposing camps: heterosexuality and homosexuality.

He argues that bisexuals are under pressure to deny their bisexuality, and to pass as straight in the mainstream (heterosexual) community and as gay or lesbian in the queer community.

However, the results of Private lives 2 (PL2), the second national survey of the health and wellbeing of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Australians, released earlier this year, paint a more complicated picture.[2] While PL2 confirmed that bisexual Australians are at increased risk of a range of mental health problems compared to people who are exclusively hetero or homosexual, it also documented significant variations in rates of depression and anxiety between bisexual men and bisexual women.

For example, bisexual men self-reported higher levels of psychological distress than both the national average (men and women) and the average for gay men[3].

However, they reported markedly lower levels of psychological distress than bisexual women.[4] Similarly, while bisexual men’s level of self-reported general mental health was poorer than that of men in the national sample and gay men in the PL2 sample, it was markedly higher than that of bisexual women.[5] What the PL2 data suggest is that differences in rates and patterns of mental ill-health between bisexual men and bisexual women are not simply an effect of the dominance of narrow conceptions of sexuality: rather, they are an effect of the interaction between sexuality and gender. PL2 shows marked differences

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in the behaviours of bisexual men and women and in particular their willingness to be open about their sexuality.

For example, in the PL2 sample, bisexual women were more likely than bisexual men to report being open about their bisexuality at home and with family members[6].

Furthermore, bisexual women were more likely than bisexual men to be a member of one or more GLBT community organisations and to report that most/ some of their friends are GLBT.[7] The data suggest that bisexual men may be under greater pressure than bisexual women to hide or mask their bisexuality.

Perhaps this reflects men’s greater social power and privilege relative to women and the possibility that men’s power depends on their much closer adherence to dominant and narrow constructions of both sexuality and gender.

Some bisexual men may fear the loss of power and social privilege that comes with not being thought of as exclusively heterosexual. These men may expend a lot of energy in hiding their bisexuality and rejecting any gendered behaviours and associations that might suggest gay or homosexual tendencies.

We know that for many gay men and lesbians the pressure to hide their sexuality takes a severe toll on their mental health and wellbeing. However, the PL2 data suggest that this may not be the case for bisexual men.

While bisexual men in the PL2 survey were less likely than bisexual women to be open about their sexuality, they reported higher levels of general mental health and wellbeing.

This suggests that for bisexual men (compared with bisexual women) not being out may be a protective factor against increased risk of mental illhealth.

ntal Health And Wellbeing Of Bisexual Men He is also the lead author of Private lives : The second national survey of the health and wellbeing of GLBT Australians (2012).

[1] Angelides, S. (2001) History of Bisexuality. University of Chicago Press, Chicago Illinois.

[2] Leonard, W., Pitts,M., Mitchell, A., Lyons,A., Smith,A., Patel, S., Couch, M. and Barrett, A. (2012) Private Lives 2: The second national survey of the health and wellbeing of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Australians. Monograph Series Number 86. Melbourne: The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society, La Trobe University.

[3] PL2 used the K10 scale which measures non-specific psychological distress. The scale ranges from 0 to 50 with a higher score indicting increased psychological distress. The average or mean K10 score for bisexual men in the PL2 sample 20.48 compared with a national average of 14.50 and an average of 18.83 for gay men.

[4] In PL2 K10 bisexual men had a K10 score of 20.48 and bisexual women 21.79.

This raises complex issues for bisexual men’s health and wellbeing. The PL2 data suggest that bisexual men may have a greater investment in hiding their sexuality from health professionals than either bisexual women or gay men.

This may involve an unwillingness to acknowledge or discuss with health professionals sexual relationships or encounters they have had with other men.

the risk of a range of mental health problems.

It may also involve bisexual men overplaying traditional male gender roles in an effort to ensure that no-one questions their assumed heterosexuality.

Furthermore, the data suggest that bisexual men are less likely to engage with GLBT community networks and key sources of health information.

The results of PL2 suggest that a better understanding of the relationship between sexuality and gender may be vital to the development of GLBT and men’s health policy, programs and training more attuned to the needs of bisexual men.

Finally (and perhaps more problematically) the data raise the possibility that adherence to conservative notions of gender and masculinity may actually protect bisexual men from

Clearly, those with a genuine interest in improving bisexual men’s mental health and wellbeing cannot afford to look at sexuality in isolation from gender.

Perhaps what is needed is more research on the relationship between the two and the impact of this relationship on bisexual men’s mental health and wellbeing.

Author Bio: William Leonard is Director of Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (www.glhv. org.au) and Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University.

[5] PL2 used the SF36 mental health subscale which is scored from 1 to 100 with a higher score indicating better mental health. In PL2 the means SF36 score for bisexual men was 68.25, compared with 75.3 for men in the national sample, 71.63 for gay men and 64.67 for bisexual women.

[6]74.6 per cent of bisexual women reported that they never hid their sexuality at home compared with 40.5 per cent of bisexual men, while 45.7 per cent of bisexual women reported they never hid their sexuality from family and friends compared with 28.9 per cent of bisexual men.

[7] 41.8 per cent of bisexual women compared with 25.0 per cent of bisexual men reported that they were a member of one or more GLBT community organisations, while 67.3 per cent of bisexual women and 53.2 per cent of bisexual men reported that most/some of their friends were GLBT.

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Bisexuality in Australia

1. Introduction: Bisexuality in Australia Bisexuality is a broad term which may include people who see themselves as: attracted to both men and women; mostly attracted to one sex but recognise this is not exclusive; having a sexuality that is fluid and changeable over time; and people who dispute the idea that there are only two genders and that people are attracted to one, the other, or both.

Bisexuality is a real sexual identity, not just a stop on the way to figuring out your sexuality .

Extent of Bisexuality in Australia.

The ASHR study of over 19,000 Australians in 2001-2 asked about their sexual attraction, sexual behaviours, and sexual identity. 1.1% of respondents identified as bisexual, almost exactly the same number as identified as gay/lesbian/ homosexual (1.2%), and yet bisexual people are comparatively invisible in ‘LGBTI’ politics.

‘Greedy fence-sitters who can’t make up their minds’ Biphobia is alive and well on both sides of the ‘fence’. Which helps to explain why bisexual people have poorer mental and physical health than people who identify as samesex attracted or heterosexual. Stigma, PAGE 6

prejudice and discrimination create a hostile and stressful environment that causes health problems – this is known as Minority Stress.

65% of the younger bisexual women (aged 22 – 27 years) reported having experienced abuse.

2. Bisexuality and Mental Health

They also had the highest levels of stress, and the lowest levels of social support.

Studies comparing the health and wellbeing of sexual minorities with that of heterosexuals routinely show that Bisexual, Lesbian and Gay people have worse health outcomes due, at least in part, to heterosexist discrimination and abuse.

Nearly 75% of the older bisexual women (aged 50-55 years) reported having experienced abuse, and bisexual women in this age group had much higher odds of reporting deliberately hurting or attempting to kill themselves in the past six months.

Bisexual people have been found to have even worse mental health than lesbians and gay men, including high rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidality, and this has been strongly linked to experiences of biphobia and bisexual invisibility. The Private Lives 2 (PL2) study used an online survey conducted in Australia in 2011 with 3,835 GLBT participants, 11.8% of whom identified as bisexual. Bisexual people reported the second highest levels of psychological distress (after transgender people); bisexual women had the lowest resiliency, and the highest rate of frequent episodes of anxiety (more than twice as high as bisexual men).

Another longitudinal study conducted in Canberra also looked at two different age groups, 20 to 24 year olds and 40 to 44 year old, both male and female.

Using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, McNair and colleagues found that nearly

Bisexual participants had the highest measures of anxiety, depression and psychological distress, and were high on suicidality.

Bisexual people also had more current adverse life events, greater childhood adversity, less positive support from family, more negative support from friends, and a higher frequency of financial problems.

Factsheet adapted with permission from bisexuality health information sheet produced

by National LGBTI Health Alliance

Women Partners of Bisexual Men unless they’ve been in this situation.’

Women talk about the challenges, and often judgements of others, as people find out about their relationship and their partner’s sexuality.

New women often ask whether there are couples that work through the issues and stay together? Yes, there are. The common recipes for staying together appear to be the honesty and integrity in the relationship, equality in decision making, and a mutual willingness to pursue the relationship and face the issues.

We would recommend a clear, understood agreement about behaviour, communication, safe sex, and even a review date to check-in and update the agreement.

It adds some spice to story lines in television soaps and, increasingly, in movies. The man, or woman, who is having a secret fling with someone of the same sex. Viewers are on tenterhooks at the complexity of the issues faced in this human story, particularly if there’s a chance that the character’s partner of the opposite sex is likely to find out. It can add colour to an otherwise routine plot.

But for many Australian women this is their life. The Women Partners of Bisexual Men Service (WPBM) has been providing support to women whose male partners are same sex attracted, for over 20 years.

It’s the only government funded service of its kind in Australia, and since 2000 has been located at Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre in Sydney and has provided support to over 1,800 women.

Each year there are at least 100 enquiries from new women, 200 counselling sessions conducted and over 1,700 visits to the website.

The Women Partners Service is funded

by NSW Health and services are free of charge. Most years there are at least two support groups running in Sydney and a get-together for women from all over NSW and Australia.

When women first contact us they’re usually in crisis. The majority of our clients are in (what they have thought are) ‘usual’ heterosexual partnerships – most are married. Then, along the way, they have found out their male partner is attracted to men.

It can be foolish territory to simplify human lives, but generally speaking the women’s male partners fall into one of three categories.

Their male partners/husbands are: • In a process of coming out as gay or bisexual • Privately living a gay life and not wanting their female partner to know, or • Participating in sexual behaviour with men but identify as straight The issues women raise for support or counselling will be determined by her unique situation, including what she feels about her relationship, her values and responsibilities (eg. children), her experiences, and her partner’s wishes.

One of the most common comments we receive is, as one woman who attended a support group said – ‘I walked in the room and can’t describe the relief at seeing seven intelligent, attractive women. Friends and family are supportive but no one really understands

It can also be helpful for both people in the relationship to be seeing a good relationship counsellor (and ideally someone who is experienced in sexuality issues).

Along with receiving individual support, it can be useful to also see a counsellor as a couple. Whether the decision is to stay or to separate, counselling and carefully looking at the issues, while sometimes difficult, can be a positive experience for the relationship into the future.

Article by Roxanne McMurray, Manager, Women Partners of Bisexual Men Service For more information: www.womenpartners.org.au T:1800 787 887, (02) 9560 3011 E: info@lwchc.org.au While the Women Partners Service is funded by NSW Health, women from Tasmania and all around Australia contact us. We will always do what we can to support women who are living outside NSW. Most often this includes telephone counselling, staying in touch via email, sending written resources and linking women with counsellors and sexual health services close to where they live.

Women from interstate often attend the annual one day get-together held in Sydney and meet other women with similar experiences.

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Birth and ReBirth: Austra In 1990, a small group of men and women carried a banner declaring “Bisexuals Are Everywhere” in the first Pride Parade to be held in Perth. In 1991, the group participated in the first Stonewall Day march and the 2nd Pride Parade in October.

Before the close of that year, the Western Australian Bisexual Network (WABN) was born. In March 1992, WABN started a newsletter, Biways.

During the 1992 Perth Pride Festival, WABN held the 1st Australian National Bisexual Conference. At this conference the Australian Bisexual Network (ABN) was established.

Following the Conference, Sydney and Adelaide bisexual people formed groups. An ABN banner was displayed for the first time at a gay and lesbian community protest in Adelaide in December 1992.

The first National Biways newsletter appeared in February 1993, released in time for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The Sydney group, Love Is Boundless, entered a small float in the Parade and the ABN banner was flown by Sydney members and the ABN coordinator - the first identifiable bisexual participation in Mardi Gras.

In July ‘93, ABN attended a HIV/AIDS Conference at Macquarie University, Sydney - the first occasion ABN had a presence at any conference.

By early 1994, Bi groups exist in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Melbourne – with members from all groups on the Sydney Bi float at Mardi Gras.

ABN and the Brisbane group set up Australia’s first Bisexual Resource and Drop-In Centre in rented Brisbane premises in October ’93.

Sadly, unable to obtain funds, the Centre was forced to close in October 1994.

Represented at the 2nd International Bisexual Conference and at ILGA’s 16th World Conference, both in New York, and ABN becomes only the 2nd PAGE 8

bisexual group voted full membership of ILGA. The ABN banner is carried on two major marches through the streets of New York.

A new Brisbane Bisexual Community Centre opened in January 1995 and QBN/ABN received funding from State government for office equipment and books. While it does much good, it’s forced to close in October because the owner needs the space back.

ABN youth representatives attended queer youth and national queer students

conferences, both in Melbourne.

An ABN rep presents a workshop at ILGA’s 17th World Conference in Rio de Janeiro, marches with ABN banner in the Pride Parade, is interviewed by Brazilian media and also appears on Argentine news.

ABN was represented at four major conferences in Sydney in 1995. A brochure - Women, Bisexuality & Sexual Health - launched at NSW HIV/ AIDS Health Promotion Conference, in November - was the first produced in Australia specifically targeting bisexual women.

alian Bisexual Network In 1996 ABN was at the 1st NSW Rural HIV Conference in Dubbo, launching a brochure, Safe Sex for Swingers. In late May, 550 bisexual people and friends gathered in Berlin for the 4th International Bisexual Symposium. ABN Coordinator presented at the Conference – one of just three Antipodeans to attend.

The 1997 highlight for bi Australians was the 2nd Australian Conference on Bisexuality. A load of enthusiastic, friendly people arrived in Sydney from around the world.

The keynote speaker was Robyn Ochs from the Bisexual Resource Center in Boston. International attendees participated in Mardi Gras.

Post-9/11, very few attended the 7th International conference in Sydney the following February. Perhaps because of this, Australia’s Bi movement fractured and ABN’s national network lost impetus.

With people able to meet online, group and event attendances declined, with several folding. Sydney remained a focus for large events, dance parties and Mardi Gras floats, but others struggled over the next 10 years. ABN attended the ILGA World Conference in Manila in 2004 at which the Board position went to a Fijian. As ABN moves into its third decade, Australia is again facing conservative governments, campaigns

for LGBTI rights such as Marriage Equality or stopping the removal of Civil Unions in Queensland. It is time for bisexual people to reassert themselves, to start organising again. You can find us on Facebook as Friends of the Australian Bisexual Network or the AusBiNet e-group on Yahoo Groups.

Join us for TasPride in Hobart in November when ABN, with the local Bi community, hosts a range of events and activities. Make a commitment to be there, tell friends, spread the word.

Wayne Roberts Australian Bisexual Network

Also in 1997, ABN launched Bar Bi in Brisbane – a first bisexual bar, open twice a month but sadly closing in the early 2000s.

The 3rd Australian Conference on Bisexuality took place in Sydney in February 1998, opening at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Pride Centre.

The late Fritz Klein, renowned USA author and researcher, was special guest speaker.

Famous UK Bi rocker, Tom Robinson, sang at the opening and again at the Good Bi Party. As we have each year since 1993, bisexuals participated in Mardi Gras.

In mid 1998, ABN members attended the 5th International Bisexuality Conference in Boston - with ABN committing to host the 7th in Sydney in 2002.

In 1999, ABN’s coordinator was voted onto the Board at the Johannesburg ILGA World Conference, the first openly Bi male elected.

2001 started well both locally and internationally, with Mardi Gras again and groups continuing to hold meetings and social events. ABN reps attended both the 3rd North American Bisexuality Conference in Vancouver, and the ILGA World Conference in California. Arriving back in Australia just before 9/11 hit and the world changed.

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ABN 20 Year Celebrations at TasPride Festival The Australian Bisexual Network (ABN) is celebrating its 20th Birthday this October and is doing so in Tasmania during the TasPride Festival. The Festival is on from November 16 to 24 and will be jammed packed with loads of fabulous queer events.

ABN will run some events to celebrate and to bring the Bi community from around the country together. We plan to hold a Bi Talk Fest, Burlesque show, a recovery brunch and an historical queer walk around Hobart.

Of course the Burlesque show, recovery brunch and the historical walk are open to everyone.

The Bi Talk Fest will provide a chance for Bisexuals, Pansexuals, those who don’t identify with any boxes and those that support the Bi community to gather together to discuss issues impacting on the community, find out what groups around the country are up to, share information and resources and discuss the future.

This event will be on Saturday November 17 between 10am – 3pm in the Founders Room, off Wooby’s Lane, Salamanca Arts Centre. Registration closes on October 19 and costs $20 or $12.50 concession.

The Burlesque show ‘Bi-lesque’ will be an erotic night of Burlesque and Fetish.

Irish performance artist, Panti, will host the night featuring mainland and local burlesque acts.

Mainland performers include Boylesque and So You Think You Can Dance Australia, Rhys Bobridge, and drag queen Little Miss Ditzi. Local acts include Bebe Sparkles, Scarlett Jezebel, Miasma, Missy De Meanour and Atari Playa.

Patrons will, for a little extra, be permitted to view slightly more risqué performances in an intimate environment. Flamingos is the venue for the show and patrons at the event will be welcome to stay on and party at no extra cost. Bi-lesque will be on Saturday November 17 starting at 8pm at Flamingos Dance Bar. Tickets will be available from Marmalade Café or the TGLRG stall at Salamanca Markets.

A recovery Brunch after ‘Bi-lesque’ will be held at Marmalade Café on Sunday PAGE 10

November 18 from 11am to 1pm. RSVP

by November 9.

ABN will also host a walk highlighting Tassie’s queer history. Join queer historians Miranda Morris and Rodney Croome, on an evening stroll around Hobart.

Learn of Hobart’s early queer history and more recent events responsible for shaping this state. It will also be a fabulous opportunity to show off our beautiful city to mainlanders. This is a free event, which will start on Parliament House Lawns at 5pm on Wednesday November 21.

ABN is hoping loads of Bi and Pansexual folk will join in the celebrations of this milestone. If anyone has something to contribute to the Bi Talk Fest or would like to volunteer to help organise events

please get in touch. If you know of any mainlanders who would be interested in coming down for the festival and joining our celebrations please pass this information on.

There will also be a Bi contingent in the Pride March under the ABN banner.

The Pride March through the streets of Hobart, a huge success last year, will be held on November 24 and it would be absolutely awesome to have a large Bi/ Pansexual community presence in it.

For further information, to volunteer, to register for the Bi Talk Fest or RSVP for the Recovery Brunch please email jen_ vanachteren@yahoo.com.au.

Jen Van-Achteren On behalf Network

of

Australian

Bisexual

Be Proud Tasmania As many of you know last November Working It Out (WIO), TasCAHRD and the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group (TGLRG) launched a project to research and record incidents of discrimination and prejudice based on gender identity and or sexual orientation experienced by LGBTI Tasmanians. We also want to capture how people’s fear of discrimination and prejudice affects their lives.

The project which is running as an online survey will finish at the end of September.

Discrimination occurs when a person is treated unfairly because of particular personal attributes or if they belong to a certain group that share a particular attribute. This is called direct discrimination.

It does not matter if there are other reasons for the unfair treatment. It also does not matter if the person who discriminates didn’t mean to cause any harm by their actions. It is still unlawful.

And it impacts dramatically on people’s lives as the research shows us. People may live in isolation for fear of discrimination, young people may avoid school or certain parts of schooling, and others may hide parts of their life.

Discrimination can also occur when a person imposes a condition, requirement or practice that appears to be equal treatment but unreasonably disadvantages someone because of a personal attribute.

This is called indirect discrimination.

Discrimination can also happen to a person who is believed to have an attribute, even if they don’t.

If you have been treated unfairly and you would like your story to be included in our research please go to the BPT (Be Proud Tasmania) online survey, which is confidential and anonymous.

If you would like support to complete the survey or if you would like to tell us your story directly please ring WIO. We are available to provide support for anyone

relating/retelling their experiences as we recognise how tough this can be.

The survey asks for any Tasmanian experiences of discrimination based on gender identity and or sexual orientation.

It could be a workplace situation, unfair treatment by a service provider or government department or an experience in a public space. The information that is collected form the survey is nonidentifiable, absolutely confidential and very important to us.

This type of research shows us where to direct our services and support and provides evidence of need for the work that we do at WIO, TasCAHRD and TGLRG, the policy directions of government departments and the improvement of services in Tasmania.

It would be great if you completed the survey and there is an added M2M incentive!!!!!

Susan Ditter Executive Officer, Working It Out

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GLBTI SERVICES STATEWIDE Antidiscrimination Commission Assist in pursuing claims of discrimination on grounds of sexuality, gender identity etc. Located at Level 1, 54 Victoria Street Hobart.

PHONE: 03 6233 4841 OR 1300 305 062 EMAIL: antidiscrimination@justice.tas.gov.au WEB: www.antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au Bi-Tasmania Social and support group for bisexual Tasmanians CONTACT: 0401 054 003 GAMMA Gay and Married Men’s Assoication (NSW) A support group for men in or out of long term heterosexual relationships who are sexualily attaced to other men.

1800 804 617 or www.gamma.org.au Country Network Offers hospitality and friendship among rural GLBTI people to assist overcoming their social isolation.

CONTACT: Dave Arnold on 03 6228 4166 www.countrynetwork.com.au secretary@ countrynetwork.com.au Galstays Choices for the gay and lesbian traveler. Visit www.galstays.com.au GALTA Australiaís gay & lesbian tourism organisation.

Visit www.galta.com.au Gay & Lesbian Travel Association Tasmania (GALTAT) Representing the gay and lesbian travel accommodation providers in Tasmania. Visit www.galtat.com Gay & Lesbian Switchboard Confidential peer-based telephone counselling, information and referral service specifically for the GLBTI communities of Victoria & Tasmania.

PHONE: 1800 184 527 WEB: www.switchboard.org.au Gay Info Line 24hr recorded message service funded by GLC Centre PHONE: 03 6234 8179 GayTAS Website The leading gay online newspaper & information source for the Tasmanian GLBTI community. Visit http://gaytas.e-p.net.au GAYunities New social networking site for the Tasmanian gay community. Visit www.gayunities.com Indeed Supporting Tasmaniaís relationship registry.

EMAIL: indeedrelationships@gmail.com WEB: www.relationshipstasmania.org.au/indeed. html League of Gentlefellows Regional social events for rainbow people in a safe and caring environment.

SOUTH: Julian Punch on 03 6239 6606 or

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julian@rainbowtas.org (Hobart) or David Sinclair on davids@rainbowtas.org (Kingborough/Huon) NORTH: Donald McDonald on donmac@ rainbowtas.org NORTH WEST: Michael Allen on michael@ rainbowtas.org WEB: www.rainbowtas.org Rainbow Women Tas Social events for rainbow people in a safe and caring environment.

EMAIL: Deidre Murray on deidre@ rainbowtas.org or Belinda Miller on belinda@ rainbowtas.org WEB: www.rainbowtas.org MAN2MAN Program Program run by TasCAHRD which aims to prevent the spread of HIV & STIís among gay men and other men who have sex with men. This program incorporates the MAN2MAN magazine, MAN2MAN online outreach, volunteer program, venue outreach, as well as information & support.

You will also find us in your favourite chatroom.

PHONE: 03 6234 1242 or 1800 005 900 EMAIL: m2m@tascahrd.org.au WEB: www.m2mtas.com Outright LGBTI Youth Group Social events for young rainbow people in a safe and caring environment.

CONTACT: Joshua Brown on josh@rainbowtas. org for more details Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG) Currently do not have a Tasmanian representative but information is available at from the following; EMAIL: pflagtas@yahoo.com.au WEB: www.pflagaustralia.org.au QueerTas Tasmaniaís GLBTI Yahoo group.

WEB: queertas-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au Relationships Tasmania Info about the deed of relationships www. relationshipstasmania.org.au S.A.F.E Spirituality and Faith Exploration meet fortnightly for LGBTI people who wish to explore their spirituality.

CONTACT: Joc - 03 6228 6715 EMAIL: safetas@gmail.com WEB: www.care2.com/c2c/group/safetas Same Sex Travel A directory of same sex operated accommodation properties throughout Australia and New Zealand.

WEB: www.samesextravel.com Sexual Health Service Offers counselling, support, referrals and STI & HIV testing.

HOBART - 03 6233 3557 DEVONPORT - 03 6421 7759 BURNIE - 03 6434 6315 LAUNCESTON - 03 6336 2216 FREECALL NUMBER - 1800 675 859 EMAIL sexual.health@dhhs.tas.gov.au

TasCAHRD Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis & Related Diseases including the MAN2MAN Program.

PHONE: 03 6234 1242 FREECALL INFORMATION LINE 1800 005 900 (9am - 5pm) EMAIL: mail@tascahrd.org.au WEB: www.tascahrd.org.au Rainbow Communities Tasmania Inc. (previously - Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People Inc) Supporting GLBTI people to come out with pride and live in their communities as fully respected and participating members President: Nigel Saunders nigel@rainbowtas.org Coming Out Proud Community Liaison Committee SOUTH: Robbie Moore (Greater Hobart) Robbie@ rainbowtas.org or Brian Doran (Kingborough/ Huon) brian@rainbowtas.org NORTH: Donald Mc Donald (Greater Launceston/ East Coast) on donmac@rainbowtas.org NORTHWEST: Roger Jaensch (NW/West Coast) on roger@rainbowtas.org WEB: www.rainbowtas.org Coming Out Proud Trust Small Grants Program CONTACT: Ashley Mathews on Ashley@ rainbowtas.org Outright Youth Advocacy Support Network for students in High Schools/Colleges & University CONTACT Joshua Brown the State Youth Coordinator on joshua@rainbowtas.org Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People Inc Supporting GLBTI people to come out with pride and live in their communities as fully respected and participating members President: Jo Goodman/Nigel Saunders nigel@ rainbowtas.org Coming Out Proud Community Liaison Committee SOUTH: Robbie Moore (Greater Hobart) Robbie@ rainbowtas.org or Brian Doran (Kingborough/ Huon) brian@rainbowtas.org NORTH: Donald Mc Donald (Greater Launceston/ East Coast) on donmac@rainbowtas.org NORTHWEST: Roger Jaensch (NW/West Coast) on roger@rainbowtas.org WEB: www.rainbowtas.org Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group (TGLRG) Is a community-based organisation campaigning for LGBTI human rights in Tasmania. TGLRG also have a stall at the Salamanca Markets every Saturday.

CONTACT 03 6224 3556 EMAIL rodney.croome@tglrg.org WEB: www.tglrg.org Tasmania Police LGBTI Liaison Officers HOBART ñ 03 6230 2111 LAUNCESTON ñ 03 6336 7000 NORTH WEST ñ 03 6434 5211 W E B : w w w. p o l i c e . t a s . g ov. a u / c o m m u n i t y / community-policing/lgbt_liaison_officers TasPride

& ORGANISATIONS An organisation dedicated to celebrating and uniting the Tasmanian GLBTI community as well as bringing you the annual TasPride Festival. See GLC Centre for contact details.

WEB: www.taspride.com Working It Out Tasmaniaís sexuality and gender support & education service which also provides counselling and support for LGBTI Tasmanians, their friends & family. Coordinate and implement anti-homophobia & diversity education & training programs in schools, workplaces, government & NGOís SOUTH ñ Ph: 03 6231 1200; Email: south@ workingitout.org.au NORTH ñ Ph: 03 6334 4013; Email: north@ workingitout.org.au NORTH-WEST ñ Ph: 03 6432 3643; Email: northwest@workingitout.org.au WEB ñ www.workingitout.org.au Working It Out Rainbow Support & Discussion Groups Support and discussion groups held statewide by Working It Out for GLBTI people HOBART ñ 0438 346 122 or info@workingitout. org.au LAUNCESTON ñ Sharon 0419 361 128 or north@ workingitout.org.au DEVONPORT - Sharon 0419 361 128 or north@ workingitout.org.au BURNIE - Sharon 0419 361 128 or north@ workingitout.org.au Yahoo Tasmanian GLBTI Groups (Queertas, gayhobart, tassiecasualfun, womenupnorth, bitasmania, Allsortsqueeryouth, qsoc_tasmania, gaytassieguys, triplegtas, Tasgayguys, GayTasmania, taswomen2women) http://groups.yahoo.com SOUTHERN Borderlines Hobartís queer radio show every Monday at 1012am on Edge Radio 99.3FM Flamingos Dance Bar Tasmaniaís weekly club committed to providing a tolerant, safe, informative and fun environment for people of alternative sexualities and their friends to be able to enjoy themselves and socialize in a non-threatening environment.

Located at 201 Liverpool Street, Hobart. Online at www.flamingosbar.com and www.myspace. com/flamingosbar Gay and Lesbian Community Centre Inc (GLC) GLC Centre or TasPride is Tasmaniaís GLBTI social and community development group. A memberbased organisation, GLC produces the TasPride Festival, hosts regular events, provides the Gay Information Line, and publishes a regular bulletin.

Contact on info@taspride.com or online at www. taspride.com Hobart Social Events Group Through Working It Out Hosts regular social events and dinners for GLBTI CONTACT: Marcus on 0457 071 646 EMAIL: macdougall_60@hotmail.com or info@ workingitout.org.au Les Girls

Hobart GLBTI night club located at 101 Harrington Street, Hobart (formerly Mangoes Bar). With drag shows every weekend. Open every Friday & Saturday night. Free entry to all GLC members on display of membership card.

WEB: http://www.myspace.com/lesgirlshobart or http://lesgirlshobart.blogspot.com EMAIL: xshowgirl@hotmail.com

meetup.com POST: Launceston Meetup, PO Box 7666, Launceston Tas. 7250

QSOC The Queer Uni Students Society in Hobart contactable via email at queerep@yahoo.com.au

Transisters Community based social and support group for transgender women in Tasmania, meeting once a month in Launceston. WEB: http://groups.yahoo. com/group/transisters/

QSOC South UTAS Queer Students on Campus. Contact on: qsoc_south@hotmail.com Queery UTAS GLBTI Social Group New UTAS social group for queer students on campus and open to other GLBTI people which meet regularly at the UTAS Queer Space CONTACT: Alex West EMAIL: akwest@utas.edu.au or queerrep@ hotmail.com Rodney Croome: Gay Activist - Web Blog www.rodneycroome.id.au Tasmania University Union (TUU) Sexuality Officer CONTACT: Alex West on akwest@utas.edu.au or queerrep@hotmail.com Wellington Wanderers GLBTIQ activity group which runs a year-round program of events.

CONTACT: 0447 225 682 or 03 6223 2690 POST: GPO Box 1872, Hobart Tas 7001 EMAIL: wellingtonwanderers@yahoo.com.au Working It Out Southern Trans Support & Discussion Group Monthly social gathering for anyone in the trans family.

PHONE: Sue on 6231 1200 EMAIL: accounts@workingitout.org.au NORTHERN Allsorts GLBTI and friends under 25 youth group meeting monthly in Launceston & Devonport through Working It Out North.

PHONE: 03 6334 4013 or 0419 361 128 EMAIL: north@workingitout.org.au Launceston GLBTI Social Events Group Through Working It Out Hosts regular social events and dinners for GLBTI people CONTACT: Sharon on 0419 361 128 EMAIL: north@workingitout.org.au Working It Out Northern Trans Support & Discussion Group Monthly social gathering for anyone in the trans family.

PHONE: Sharon on 0419 361 128 EMAIL: north@workingitout.org.au Northern Tasmanian Menís Meetup Launceston based discreet social group of gay and bisexual men and their friends who meet regularly for meals, BBQís, drinks and other events.

EMAIL: northern.meetup@hotmail.com or info@

Tas Unity An ecumenical support and study group for LGBTI people, their friends, families and supporters.

PHONE: Lois on (03) 6339 1414

LGBTI Northern Social Events Bringing the LGBTI community together in a safe and social environment.

Contact Sami 0431 816 032 or Emai: samifryer@ hotmail.com Stay in touch with upcoming events through www.logtas.org NORTH-WEST Allsorts GLBTI and friends under 25 youth group meeting monthly in Launceston & Devonport through Working It Out North West.

PHONE: 03 6432 3643 or 0419 361 128 EMAIL: northwest@workingitout.org.au Burnie Social Events Group Through Working It Out Hosts regular social events and dinners for GLBTI people CONTACT: Sharon on 0419 361 128 EMAIL: north@workingitout.org.au North West Same Sex Attracted Menís Group Group for over 18ís meets monthly in Burnie.

PHONE: Layne on 0439 733 277 EMAIL: ramonshoebridge@live.com.au EAST COAST ECQLS East Coast Queer Life Support Is a support association in the NE to coordinate and provide services and social activities for GLBTI people.

EMAIL: ecqlstasmania@gmail.com OR CHECK OUT www.ecqls.org GAY-FRIENDLY CAFES ‘DS Coffee House, Red Velvet Lounge, Fleurty’s Cafe, Restaurant Waterloo, Mummyís, Citrus Moon Cafe, Lebrina, Kusina, The Alley Cat, Republic Bar, Criterion Cafe, Lansdowne Cafe, Retro Cafe, Machine Laundry Cafe, Jackman and McCross, Magnolia Cafe, Groovy Penguin, Fresh on Charles, Deloraine Deli, Kabuki by the Sea, O’Keefe’s Hotel, Stonies Fifties Cafe, Fitzpatrick’s Inn, The King of Burnie Hotel, Around The Corner Cafe, Tasmania Inn, Hotel SOHO, Hot Mothers Lounge, Restaurant Red, Pickled Evenings Indian Restaurant, Cafe Bozzey.

PAGE 13

Man2Man is Now Blogging!

Upcoming FRIDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2012 ARTFULLY QUEER EXHIBITION OPENING NIGHT Held at Rosny Barn at Rosny Farm, Rosny Park. For more information go to www. taspride.com or email artfullyqueer@ taspride.com or ring Richard on 0447 225 682 SATURDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2012 GAGALICIOUS PARTY For more information go to www. flamingosbar.com SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2012 DELORAINE DELI MONTHLY BRUNCH Women only event RSVP Sharon 0419 361 128 north@workingitout.org.au SUNDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2012 WORKING IT OUT LUNCH & LGBTI FRIENDLY MOVIE King of Burnie Hotel RSVP Sharon 0419 361 128 north@workingitout.org.au SUNDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2012 CAPE DESLACS WALK, CLIFTON BEACH Hosted by Wellington Wanderers.

Contact Robin on 6243 4670

Why a blog you may ask? Well, why not?

The purpose of our new blog (http://man2mantas.wordpress.com/) is to create an interactive space where you, our readers, can interact with us and each other and talk about the issues that really matter to you.

On our blog you will find links and articles about health and well-being, education, news, current events and other subjects that you have told us are of interest to you.

We invite you to comment on and discuss material that we post and to contribute your own suggestions and recommendations.

The more you interact with us and each other in this way, the better we will be able to provide you with information that is interesting, relevant and entertaining.

PAGE 14

Many of you may have already paid a visit to our Facebook page (www. facebook.com/Man2ManTas) but if you haven’t, don’t forget to check it out.

In the coming weeks we will be asking you for feedback and suggestions, and our Facebook page is a great way to get in touch.

We hope you enjoy our new blog and we hope it becomes a useful resource for you.

If you’d like to write something for publication, we’d love to hear from you.

We can’t promise to publish everything we receive but we will certainly consider any and all contributions.

Happy blogging from the Man to Man team!

Article by Olivia Stills, Diploma of Community Development student

SUNDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2012 CONNECT4LIFE NW LGBTIQ FRIENDLY MONTHLY WALK RSVP Sharon 0419 361 128 north@workingitout.org.au THURSDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2012 BRUNY ISLAND TRIP Hosted by Wellington Wanderers For more details contact Robin on 6243 4670 SATURDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2012 HALLOWEEN PARTY For more information go to www. taspride.com FRIDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2012 MIRROR BALL DINNER King of Burnie Hotel RSVP Alli 6431 3222 kingofburnie@hotmail.com SATURDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2012 DELORAINE DELI MONTHLY BRUNCH Women only event

Tasmanian GLBTI Events RSVP Sharon 0419 361 128 north@workingitout.org.au SUNDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2012 ELECTRIC BIKE RIDE TO MONA Hosted by Wellington Wanderers Contact Richard on 6223 2690 TASPRIDE FESTIVAL 17-24TH NOVEMBER For more information go to www. taspride.com SATURDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2012 TASCAHRD TASPRIDE FESTIVAL FILM NIGHT Man2Man in conjunction with Queer Screen & The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel presents the popular GLBTIQ film “Weekend” Venue: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, Hobart Price: $15, $10 concession Tickets: www.m2mtas.com Contact: Brian Morris on 6234 1242 or bmorris@tascahrd.org.au for assistance booking tickets Film Details: www.weekend-film.com Rating: R

SATURDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2012 MIRROR BALL DINNER King of Burnie Hotel RSVP Alli 6431 3222 kingofburnie@hotmail.com SATURDAY 1st DECEMBER 2012 ANNUAL RAINBOW DINNER & ADDRESS Hosted by League of Gentlefellows & Rainbow Women Tasmania Wrest Point Casino, Derwent Room Address by The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG Contact Julian Punch jpunch@tassie.net. au or 6239 6606 or 0429 396 605 Contact Deidre Murray at glendella@ bigpond.com or 6266 4586 or 0412 931 974 More information at www.rainbowtas. org SATURDAY 1st DECEMBER 2012 DELORAINE DELI MONTHLY BRUNCH Women only event RSVP Sharon 0419 361 128 north@workingitout.org.au

SATURDAY 17TH NOVEMBER KLICK LADIES DANCE PARTY For more information go to www. flamingosbar.com

SUNDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2012 NEWDEGATE PASS, MT FIELD NATIONAL PARK WALK Hosted by Wellington Wanderers. For more details contact Chris on 6243 4670

SUNDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2012 MT CHARLES, WELLINGTON RANGE WALK Hosted by Wellington Wanderers.

Contact Richard on 6223 2690

SUNDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2012 CONNECT4LIFE NW LGBTIQ FRIENDLY MONTHLY WALK RSVP Sharon 0419 361 128 north@workingitout.org.au

SUNDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2012 TASPRIDE WEEK PICNIC AT PUNCHBOWL RESERVE, KINGS MEADOWS For more information ring Sami Fryer on 0431 816 032 or Don McDonald on 0438 311 426

SATURDAY 22nd DECEMBER 2012 MIRROR BALL DINNER King of Burnie Hotel RSVP Alli 6431 3222 kingofburnie@hotmail.com

SUNDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2012 CONNECT4LIFE NW LGBTIQ FRIENDLY MONTHLY WALK RSVP Sharon 0419 361 128 north@workingitout.org.au SATURDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2012 BACK TO THE 80’s PARTY For more information go to www. flamingosbar.com

MONDAY 24TH DECEMBER 2012 FLAMINGOS CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY For more information go to www. flamingosbar.com WEDNESDAY 26TH DECEMBER 2012 FLAMINGOS BOXING DAY PARTY For more information go to www. flamingosbar.com

For more information go to www. flamingosbar.com SATURDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2012 SUMMER BBQ AT WATERWORKS RESERVE Hosted by Wellington Wanderers. For more details contact Robin on 6243 4670 REGULAR ROTATING EVENTS: RAINBOW COFFEE MORNINGS AT HUONVILLE 2nd & 4th Wednesday mornings each month from10-11.30am Hosted by League of Gentlefellows For more information www.rainbowtas. org Allsorts LGBTIQ friendly Youth Groups for under 26 Burnie: Wednesday Oct 3rd Devonport: Wednesday Dec 5th at “The Zone.”

Launceston: Thursday Oct 25th and Dec 20th Phone Sharon 0419 361 128 or north@ workingitout.org.au Hobart: Phone 6231 1200 or 0438 346 122 or info@workingitout.org.au Gender Identity support and discussion Groups For Trans, Intersex and people exploring what gender means to them.

Launceston: Monday Oct 15th and Wednesday Dec 12th Phone Sharon 0419 361 128 or north@ workingitout.org.au Hobart: The first Tuesday of the month – Oct 2nd, Nov 6th and Dec 4th.

Phone 6231 1200 or 0438 346 122 or info@workingitout.org.au Rainbow Groups for 18yrs + Launceston: Thursday Oct 25th, Friday Nov 23rd and Thursday Dec 20th Devonport: Friday Oct 19th and Dec 14th Burnie: Wednesday Oct 17th, Nov 21st and Dec 19th Phone Sharon 0419 361 128 or north@ workingitout.org.au Hobart: The third Friday of the month – Oct 19th, Nov 16th and Dec 21st.

Phone 6231 1200 or 0438 346 122 or info@workingitout.org.au

MONDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2012 FLAMINGOS NYE MASQUERADE BALL PAGE 15