FUSE 05 Gay and Lesbian Couples (Girl Cover)

COUPLES

ALL THE SAME ALL DIFFERENT

AVENUE Q

SOMETHING BIG & FURRY IS COMING

THE TRAP LOCAL GRIT!

FIONA PATTEN

SHAKING UP THE SENATE

EQUAL LOVE

MARRIAGE FOR ALL AUSTRALIANS

AUSTRALIA’S NEW LESBIAN & GAY MAGAZINE

WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR FITNESS ALIVE! Health & Fitness

is at the leading edge of the health and fitness market, promoting wellbeing as a way of life.

We remove the mental barriers to working out and provide members with the latest in exciting and invigorating programs.

Our facilities are designed to encourage members to pursue healthier lifestyles in a challenging, non-intimidating environment.

www.alivehealthclubs.com.au Belconnen 25 Oatley Court 02 6251 4337

Gungahlin Lv1 Gungahlin Sq Hibberson Street 02 6162 1072

Kaleen 16 Georgina Crescent 02 6241 3622

Mawson Lv1 Southlands Shopping Centre 02 6290 1902

Narrabundah Jerrabomberra & Hindmarsh Dr 02 6295 9500

Queanbeyan 5-9 High Street 02 6297 7788

HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUBS

05

Canberra couples in the spot light. We see how all couples are the same despite sex or sexual orientation.

12

Something very big and furry is coming to town! Avenue Q, the hit Broadway production will be playing in Canberra soon.

It’s Sesame Street for adults!

18

We talk to Fiona Patten about her new and controversial political party, the fight for a Senate seat, and her views on gay rights.

FUSE OP.ED 20 What kind of relationship do you

have — is open the way to go?

142

12

30

Is the grass really greener? Don’t jump ship too quickly, because what you have is probably better than you might think!

FUSE05 SEPTEMBER 2009

08

08

CONTENTS

FUSE FEATURES

FUSE REGULARS 02 Editor’s Rant & Your Say 04 What’s On in Canberra 06 The Trap : Local & Gritty

20

{

14 The Buzz : News, Gossip & Stuff

26

22 Fabulous Things!

PUBLISHER & DESIGN Lithium Innovation Pty Ltd {www.lithium.net.au}

24 Out & About: Canberra’s Night Life

EDITOR Alexander Thatcher {editor@fusemagazine.com.au}

35 Fitness : Working Out with a Buddy

33 Grooming : What Colour is for You?

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Yasmin Element

PRODUCTION & EDITORIAL Christopher Powell

CONTRIBUTORS Nelida Contreras Scott Malcolm Megan Munro Alexander Abbey Thomas Hoffman Brooklyn Hulands

Tony Hamlyn Glen Rodden Lanny K Chad Wijayatilake Stuart Poole Damien Pratt

Rose Pappalardo Simon Copland Brendan Farnhil John Kloprogge Lucy Jane Brad Carlos

PHOTOGRAPHERS Snezan Saravovska

Douglas Robinson

Nik Studio

36 Ear Candy : Music Reviews 39 Money Shot : Sorting it Out! 40 Top Queer : Will You Be Imprezed?

42 National Day of Action Canberra 43 World Stage : Obama’s Gay Policies 44 Out & About: More Photos of You! 46 Equal Love : Gays Attacked in ACT 47 Fuse Business Directory 48 Dear Rose

CONTACT Advertising, editorial enquiries or letters Telephone: +61 2 6287 7125 • Email: editor@fusemagazine.com.au Mail: PO Box 44 Waramanga ACT 2611 • ISSN 1836-8387

www.fusemagazine.com.au All rights reserved. No part of the magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. The appearance, mention or likeness of any person or organisation in editorial or advertising in no way suggests sexual or political orientation. Photographs used to illustrate editorial do not depict the real lives, behaviour or sexuality of the models. Opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Submissions of text, photographs or any other material will be taken as consent to publish said material. So there!

FUSE 1

FUSE

Alexander Thatcher, Editor wants a ring on his finger!

WHAT’S EDITOR’SON RANT

It’s still beyond me why people think giving gays and lesbians equal rights — and in this case I’m talking about marriage — will have any type of negative impact on other people’s lives or undermine family values. No matter what case you argue, it’s just plain intolerance and I’m sorry but I thought commitment to your partner was a family value.

EQUALITY FOR ALL!

It seems to me that it’s just a case of fear, misunderstanding or religious difference. I accept that all people have different values, but that doesn’t give any person the right to impose ideology or restrict the rights of others. In the end what are we asking for — the right to show our love and commitment to our partners and somehow that’s a bad thing. Love not war people, when will we get it?!

OK, so I’m done with being cranky Alex now. This month we celebrate Canberra’s gay and lesbian couples and their desire to love and be accepted as regular people doing normal stuff, because if you look carefully, we may all be different but we’re also all the same. p08.

Nelida — a slightly red-faced lesbian — interviews the new champion of gay marriage, Fiona Patten. She talks about her newly registered political party with the much talked about name, The Australian Sex Party, and how they are fighting for the rights of the GLBTQ community and all Australians. p18.

We welcome Canberra journalist, Brooklyn Hulands, who will be writing for our new section called The Trap. You’ll need to go and see what it’s all about, but let’s just say it’s local and it’s juicy. p06.

What’s really exciting is that Avenue Q — an award winning Broadway production — is coming to the Canberra Theatre. A show unlike anything else you will ever see. It’s extremely camp with outrageously funny songs like ‘If You Were Gay’. You’d be crazy to miss it. p12.

I’d also like to welcome Tilley’s Devine Café to our lineup. Tilley’s is a real Canberra icon and if you’ve not heard of it, you’re either new to Canberra or have been living under a very big rock for over 25 years. Look out for some new gay and lesbian events that will be turning up there over the next few months.

Another packed FUSE — so enjoy and send us a letter, so we know we are still loved ...oh and you might even score some free Dendy tickets!

2

Yasmin Element Associate Editor, with some adoring fans! Ain’t she lucky!

Send all letters to the editor to editor@fusemagazine.com.au

FUSE

Christopher Looking very serious and pretty damn hot!

}

Enjoy, Alex

READERS LETTERS

Dear FUSE, I am just writing to say that FUSE magazine is so Fantastisch Und SExy! I love reading the wide variety of articles and points of view offered, and discovering the funky gadgets and innovations. It’s great to see people out and about — thank you for involving and bringing more of the Canberra queer community together with FUSE! I look forward to next issue. Ray FUSE Fitness Rocks!

I have two jobs, I get home and want to sit and veg out in front of the box. Let’s face the facts, I am 43 and the last thing I want to do after a heavy day is exercise.

But there is something else coming my way too... THE FORTY YEAR SPREAD. After reading the latest two health articles from Brendan in FUSE mag, it made me think: if I don’t look after myself now, who is going to look after me when I get fat and out of shape???? NO ONE! So I am going to get off my butt, stop blaming work and other shit for me not doing any exercise and I am going to get fit. No Arnie... just in shape so later in life it will pay off, being fitter and more confident late into my 50s and 60s.

Live life and have fun doing it, don’t waste it.

Cheers, John S. Keep the great articles coming!

I love the whole of FUSE magazine, but I particularly enjoyed reading the same sex parenting article, and went online to finish reading it. I found it very useful, as I love seeing how other couples do it, and even got a new name for the non-biological mother — which is something I’ve been stressing about (for the future).

Raechel Hooked on FUSE I have read Alex’s music article and I think your mum was quite right! It is not good for boys to become involved with evil, devil worshipping heathens such as Cliff Richard.

And just think... you are very lucky indeed to have a copy of Hooked on Classics.

All the best, Bruce PS. I actually have a lot of Cliff’s vinyl albums, perhaps including Wired for Sound, so if you still like him we can chat further... they are quite cheap!!

Thanks Bruce, I just may give you a call. Alex

Reflection + Functionality = Form Established in 1996, Form Haircutters in Kingston ACT, centre of Canberra’s Café District offers a high level of client comfort, quality customer service and the latest fashion trends in hair, whilst providing you with a ‘value for money’ commitment.

Managing Partner/s Wayne Friend and Paul Granata, lead a dynamic and creative team of stylists whom share Wayne’s passion for the art of hairdressing and his ongoing commitment to education and awareness of the Hair Industry at both a national and global level.

Upon arrival at Form, you are immediately greeted by the fresh, 25 Kennedy Street

spacious and warming ambiance. At Form, the friendly and

Kingston ACT 2604

experienced team can assist you with all aspects of hair care

Telephone 02 6295 6355 formhaircutters.com.au

solutions ranging from hair cutting/styling, colour, and both in-house and at-home hair treatments.

FUSE 3

What’s On

at the movies

Up from Disney Pixar : Opens September 10th

A comedy adventure about 78-year-old balloon salesman, Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old wilderness explorer named Russell. Up invites you on a hilarious journey into a lost world, with the least likely duo on Earth.

The September Issue : Showing Now! Anna Wintour, the legendary Editor in Chief of Vogue magazine for twenty years, is the most powerful and polarizing figure in fashion. Hidden behind her trademark bob and sunglasses, she has never allowed anyone to scrutinize the inner workings of her magazine. Until now.

Fame Opens September 24th

With unprecedented access, filmmaker R.J. Cutler’s new film The September Issue does for fashion what he did for politics in The War Room, taking the viewer inside a world they only think they know.

Every August a record-breaking number of people can’t wait to get their hands on the September issue!

A reinvention of the original Oscar winning hit film, Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts — a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame... the kind that comes only from talent, dedication and hard work. “[It will be] new songs except we are going to use the ‘Fame’ song. Not in the body of the movie probably, but we do have the rights to that,” says producer Gary Lucchesi.

Moon : Opens October 8th The Cove : Showing Now! Winner of more than a dozen awards, including the Audience Award at Sundance and Sydney Film Festival, The Cove is not to be missed. This powerful doco is making headlines all over the world, being described as ‘...a cross between Flipper and The Bourne Identity’.

It is the near future. Astronaut Sam Bell is living on the moon, completing a three-year contract to mine Earth’s primary source of energy, Helium-3. It is a lonely job, made harder by a broken satellite — taped messages are all Sam can send and receive and for company all he has is a rather uncomplicated computer called ‘Gerty’.

FREE TICKETS: Fuse has two double passes to give away to each of the movies above at Dendy in Canberra.

Write in and tell us what you think of FUSE or comment on an article and you could win these fab tickets.

Email: hello@fusemagazine.com.au

Free movie passes were kindly supplied by Dendy Cinemas Canberra Level 2, North Quarter Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City

www.dendy.com.au

FUSE 4

WHAT’S ON

Presents

A gay boy’s Midsummer Night’s Dream Were the World Mine ~ Friday 25 September An acclaimed lesbian classic!

High Art ~ Friday 16 October

What’s On September ACTOUT Japanese Gardens Cowra Saturday 26 September A day trip to Cowra to visit the tranquil Japanese Gardens and the Sakura Festival, which showcases the best of Japanese culture, food, arts and of course, Sake. More details email paul@actout.cjb.net, or visit www.fusemagazine.com.au

COMING SOON! Canberra Bushdance Saturday November 28 Dust off your hat and polish up your boots because the famous Canberra Bushdance is back! Check the FUSE website for more details www.fusemagazine.com.au

Were the World Mine Friday 25 September 7pm CSIRO Discovery Centre.

The lovelorn lunacy of a gay Midsummer Night’s Dream.

See the review in FUSE04.

High Art Friday 16 October 7pm CSIRO Discovery Centre.

A story of ambition, sacrifice, lies and seduction, High Art is a critically acclaimed lesbian cinema classic.

Tickets $10. More movies at www. fusemagazine.com.au

To have your event included here email hello@fusemagazine.com.au

CANBERRA QUEER EVENTS! Saturdays Q Radio 7pm – 9pm 2XX, 98.3FM Canberra’s own GLBTQ radio show.

RAW FM: Girl Thing Wednesdays & Sundays from 7pm For girls who like girls. Presented

by Tori Mac, Girl Thing is an hour of sexy house and electro served up girly style. RAW FM 87.6 or hear it through www.rawfm.com.au or www.torimac.com Bears in Canberra Hang out with the Bears in the Bar: Sunday afternoons at O’Neill’s Irish Pub, Woolley Street in Dickson on the first Sunday of the month from 3pm. Bears Dinners: third Friday of the month, a dinner and social evening for ‘Bears’ and like-minded men.

Sundays Live Bands at Hush Chill out on Sunday arvos with friends. More details on p26.

{

Check out fusemagazine.com.au for a full list of what’s happening in Canberra including local and national GLBTQ events

Cube Drag Idol Friday 25 September 9pm til 5pm CUBE is looking for someone to crown Drag Idol 2009 More info p24.

Mondays Gay & Lesbian Tennis 6pm – 9pm Turner Tennis Club, Cnr McCaughey and Condamine Streets. Bring a tennis racquet, sports shoes and $5.

Tuesdays Dyke Dinner & Movie More info at ACTQueer or see Canberra Lesbians on Facebook.

Wednesdays Gay & Lesbian Squash 6.30pm – 7.30pm National Sports Club, Mouat Street Lyneham. All Welcome.

Wednesdays Queer Card Night Nothing to do on a Wednesday night?

Then join us at Hush. Details on p26.

Thursdays Uni Night at Bar32 We’ve got your Thursday nights covered! More details p34.

ACTOUT ACTOUT is an informal outdoorsie activities group for Canberra’s gay and lesbian community.

More details on the FUSE website.

Bit Bent: Youth Group For Canberra youth (12–25). A great place to meet other young people, get support and info or just hang out.

Mondays at Uturn in Belconnen 6pm to 8pm & Thursdays at the Woden Youth Centre 5pm to 6.30pm.

HANGOUTS Cube Nightclub Canberra’s premier gay night club.

More details p24.

Tilley’s Legendary and sumptuous! Tilley’s is a famous gay hangout. Details p28.

Bar32 Alternative gay friendly bar in Civic.

More details p34.

The Hush Lounge A chilled out GLBTQ bar. Details p26.

FUSE 5

THE TRAP THE TRAP

{By Brooklyn Hulands — Journalist

PUBLIC SERVANT LOSES BALLS

ANDREW BARR NEEDS BALLS

LADY GAGA HAS BALLS

For about a week, Godwin Grech was considered one of the gutsiest public servants in Canberra.

The leadership rumours about our favourite gay MLA have gone into overdrive recently.

I was at work when one of my most astute colleagues ran in, shouting “stop everything, I have breaking news!”

Despite the certainty of losing his high-paying Government job, he gave evidence to suggest that K-Rudd and Wayne Swan had told big fat porkies to Parliament. Everyone thought this respected public servant was so noble — putting what’s right ahead of his career...

There are reports Andrew Barr is manoeuvring to get himself into the ACT Chief Minister’s chair, becoming the first “right-faction” Labor member to reach the position.

But oh, how wrong it seems we were!

The fall-out from the Treasury official’s “revelation” kept Parliament House on its toes right across the winter break. Mr Grech told a Senate hearing that he had seen an email that proved one of Kevin Rudd’s car-dealer friends had been given special treatment by the Government.

The Opposition knew the evidence was coming, like the three wise men knew Mary was about to pop one out.

But when the AFP revealed the supposed email had been faked, Malcolm Turnbull turned his train of camels around and high-tailed it back to the east.

By the end of it all, the PM, Treasurer and Opposition Leader had all managed to keep their jobs, with no political damage done.

So I think credit where credit’s due.

Thank you Mr Grech. It would have been one boring, emissions trading filled winter without you.

FUSE 6

He’s got the numbers in the ACT Assembly as well. While the most powerful portfolios are currently held by non-right members (Katy Gallagher, money counter; Simon Corbell, law maker; and of course Jon Stanhope, ringleader), there are actually more elected MLAs on Andrew Barr’s side.

But if Andrew does want the top job, he’s not admitting it. He says he won’t make a bid for leader during this term of Government at least — and if Chief Stanhope does step down, he says he’d support Katy Gallagher for the role.

So it really will take some chest thumping from Andy to become Australia’s first openly-gay Premier or Chief Minister. At this stage, Jon Stanhope doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere, and even says he’s “frisky” to stay on as leader (yes, he actually said that). Plus, it all rests on the assumption Labor will stay on for a fourth term and win the next election.

The odds don’t look good right now, but if anyone can out-frisk the Chief, it’s got to be Andrew Barr.

Now, for future reference, these words should not be uttered lightly in any newsroom.

The vital information she had to tell me was that video had been released of Lady Gaga at Glastonbury, showing what appeared to be some kind of disco stick where her poker face should have been.

After countless replays, we were still undecided. There was definitely something there, but was it moving? Dangling?

Mouthing “Bruno” at us?

The official line from Camp Gaga is that she is definitely 100 per cent woman, and any claims to the contrary are completely ridiculous.

But I think last word should go to one gossip website, which has quoted something Lady Gaga most likely never said: “Yes. I have both male and female genitalia, but I consider myself a female. I think this is a great opportunity to make other multiple gendered people feel more comfortable with their bodies. I’m sexy, I’m hot. I have both a poon and a peener...

Big f***ing deal.”

The new Golf GTI. Performance everyday.

• • • • • •

2.0 litre 155kW turbo charged TSI engine Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL) 280Nm of torque 1700-5200 rpm 5 star ANCAP safety rating and 7 airbags ESP, ABS, ASR and Brake Assist 6 speed manual or optional 6 speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)

For more information, or to book a test drive please visit www.lennock.com.au

Your Volkswagen Partner

Lennock Volkswagen

150 Melrose Drive, Phillip Phone 1300 724 084 LMVD17000028

Bi-Xenon Headlights and 18” (Detroit) alloy wheels shown (optional extras). *Australian New Car Assessment Program

FUSE 7

It seems that there are always people who have to fight for their rights. You’d think it would be a no-brainer that all of us should be treated equally, but apparently not.

FEATURE

We often struggle to see that ALL people, no matter what colour, religion, sex or sexuality, deserve to be treated with respect and equality — that of course goes for same sex couples too.

We marry for a lot of reasons, the most popular being a public declaration of love. For many people, marriage is an important way to demonstrate their love and commitment to a partner or to form a secure and loving family unit.

We decided to talk to fourteen partners with the aim to show that, although some couples may have different lifestyles or beliefs, essentially they are the same. Couples building lives together; going on romantic weekends; watching movies on the couch; renovating their homes; buying groceries; laughing and crying; and in some cases having children too.

Same sex couples are not a threat to the concept of family — they are just another type of family.

COUPLES

ALL THE SAME ALL DIFFERENT

Lanny and Greg Together for 15 years Was it love at first sight?

We first met on the dance floor at Melbourne’s Red Raw party in 1994.

Although it wasn’t love at first sight, we did spend nearly the entire night and morning holding hands like a couple of ‘crush-struck’ school kids.

We quickly developed a very strong bond and fell deeply, madly in love.

FUSE 8

Kim-Maree and Kristy Together for 4+ years — their commitment ceremony was 3 years ago How do you keep your relationship fresh and invigorated?

We still do things to ensure we fall in love with each other all over again every day. Going to bed early just so we can lay in bed and have a giggle. Going away once a month for a romantic weekend.

Celebrating our monthly anniversaries still after four and a half years.

Buying each other presents for no reason. Experiencing new things together, whether it be a crazy mountain bike race, or going to a different country. We are best friends, we adore and respect each other. We share our lives together, we don’t live one another’s lives.

We appreciate every second we have together, because we are rare. We are that couple that make everyone sick.

Mel and Rach Corrina (chook) and Jessie

Together for three and a half years

Together for 2 months

Can a couple be too much in love?

The answer to this is definitely no. When two people come together and truly love each other (where they genuinely want the best for their partner and where they are willing to go out of their way to support this), they become a force to be reckoned with. Their combined energies create a synergy with the power to ‘move mountains’.

Where did the two of you meet?

We met on the most wonderful night at the best nightclub in Canberra....CUBE!!!

Peter and Darren Together for 5 years

Michael and Jono

How do you feel your relationship is any different to a heterosexual one?

I don’t feel that my relationship per se is so different to that of a heterosexual one. My partner and I have two children, we work full time, we do school runs, we see an accountant, we get our tax done, we do the shopping, we cook dinners, do the washing — and so on. We do all of the things that normal couples do, and face the same day-to-day challenges that heterosexual people do. What is different however, is the perception of our relationship by the wider community.

Together for just over 1 year What’s your love story?

It was July last year, Michael was finally ready to come out of the closet and he started to get to know some gay friends in Canberra. He spent a lot of time with them, watching movies, eating out and chatting. In the middle of July we met in Civic through these friends and while out clubbing one night, it was on the dance floor at Cube we shared our first kiss. We didn’t swap numbers immediately, but a couple of days later we managed to do so when we went to our mate’s place to watch movies. We cuddled on the lounge that night, talking between ourselves. We gradually got to know each other a lot better and started dating seriously about a month after.

FUSE 9

Duncan and Josh Together for 5 years What do you guys like doing most together?

Movies, dinners for two, cuddling up together on the couch or chatting while watching the TV. We like to debate and share opinions; talk about what we’re doing at work; looking to what we want for the future and all the things you can dream and aim for in your life — and know you have someone to share it with who wants the same thing.

Rose and Ang Friends for 2 years, partners for 6 months What do you think is the most important thing in a relationship?

We believe that the most important thing in a good relationship is lots of laughter, not wanting to change each other, honesty and knowing when to push things and when to step back and let the other person throw a tantrum. We also actually like each other as individuals and respect each other’s differences.

Glen and Terrence Together for 2 months

Erin and Mel In their relationship forever!

Great T-shirts... tell us more about that, is it just a comment on relationship types or is there more to it?

Initially we thought they were just cool shirts. But upon deeper reflection, we’ve decided that it is actually more than that. We believe the statement ‘whatever works’ represents the need for flexibility and fluidity.

It demonstrates the eternal challenge to be open and accepting of the moment that is ‘now’ and to the mystery of life itself. That we are not in control, that we are part of something bigger. A worthy subtle reminder to all :-)

FUSE 10

How did you guys find each other?

We have a great story. In the year 2000, Terrence and I worked on the same floor of a Federal Government building. At the time, I developed THE biggest crush on him, but he had not yet ‘come out’. So as the years passed (and so did my ex boyfriends), every so often I would catch a glimpse of Terrence out and about in Canberra, and my heart would ‘flutter’.

It wasn’t until 9 years later that he and I, quite uncannily, found each other (fate does exist after all). After all that time the attraction and bond that we have for each other is stronger than steel. Soul mates do exist, I know, because we found ours.

Andrew and Anthony Together for nearly 10 years What advice do you guys have to anyone entering a new relationship?

Take your time. Don’t rush it. Be versatile.

Tamara and Shannon Together for 7 months and met on the internet Has being in a committed relationship changed the way you see things?

I think it has for sure. If you would have asked me a while back what my views of being in a committed relationship were, I would have said it meant being tied down and losing your freedom. I’ve always been scared to be in a relationship. Previously I would have ran for my life if the word “commitment” was mentioned — that was until I met Shannon. Since meeting Shannon I’ve come to realise that commitment isn’t all that scary, it means coming home to the one I love every single day, and really who could complain about that? Now that I am in a committed relationship with the one I love, I wouldn’t change it for the world!

Amanda and Mia Together for just over a year What would be your perfect day?

A perfect day for us would be spending all day on the beach. Just the two of us and no one else.

Scott and Simon Together for just over 1 year If marriage was made available to all Australians, would you get married and do you think it would make any difference to your relationship if you did?

In very simple terms at this stage in our relationship we would say no as we have only been together for just over one year. However having the ability to recognise any committed relationship, to celebrate your partnership with family and friends, is something that should be available to all Australians no matter what their background.

We are still enjoying the process of learning about each other and growing together as a couple. Recognition through marriage is not something that would make a difference to our relationship now, but the opportunity in the future of marriage and having an equal playing field is something we think is important.

FUSE 11

WHAT’S FEATUREON

Q

Avenue Always complaining about missing out on those great shows that tour through all the capital cities, but never come to the Nation’s Capital?

Well have we got news for you!

The smash Broadway musical Avenue Q is headed to our very own Canberra Theatre for a limited season from 23 October – 8 November. This absolute treat is a must-see, not just for theatre buffs or musical nuts, but for anyone with a sense of humour.

Using a simple set, some occasional multimedia monitors, and a mix of live action and puppetry, Avenue Q is a show unlike anything else you will ever see. It utilises the kind of perverse, un-PC comedy genius you might find in watching Family Guy or South Park, and the pace is break-neck.

But what makes the show really work so brilliantly is a fantastic score and a clever, witty plot involving the all-inclusive search for purpose in one’s life.

The story begins with Princeton, a young eager graduate, who goes searching for what’s next after completing a four-year university degree. Full of optimism and ready for adventure, he finds an apartment on Avenue Q, the only area in New York he can afford, excited by the fact that former child star, Gary Coleman is the superintendent (BTW, Gary Coleman is a character, not an actor in the show).

There he meets his new neighbours, all going through their own journeys with the trimmings and trappings that involves living life in the big city.

The musical numbers range in styles from camp, classic singalongs to beautiful ballads, and have outrageously funny titles such as ‘If You Were Gay’ and ‘Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist’.

There’s even a trashy torch song called ‘Special’, performed jazz club style by one of the show’s antagonists, a racy puppet named Lucy The Slut. But it’s not all cheap gags and booby jokes — the show has a lasting theme, and a very real heart to it that takes you completely by surprise when you suddenly realise that you’re empathising with a furry kindergarten teacher called Kate Monster.

Avenue Q has had a lengthy Broadway run for the past six years now (an announcement was recently made that it will close this September) and has successful productions going in London, and throughout Europe and Asia. It even enjoyed an Israeli tour version late last year. The Melbourne opening was a huge sell-out success, and the Sydney shows at the Theatre Royal are already looking like they’ll do the same. The cast reads like a who’s who of Aussie talent, with Helpmann Award winner, Mitchell Butel playing the dual roles of Rod and Princeton and spunky Micaela Banas from McLeod’s Daughters and Packed to the Rafters in the Kate/Lucy roles.

Taking the three big musical awards at the Tonys for Best Score, Best Book and Best Musical — winning over the likes of Wicked and The Boy from Oz — Avenue Q is one of the most hilarious, cleverest, enjoyable shows you will ever get to see in your big gay life.

Don’t let this fun, uplifting night of furry fabulousness pass you by.

Q

FUSE 12

NOT

DS

KI R O F

Get your tickets quick!

The Canberra Theatre 02 6275 2700 Online : www.canberratheatre.com.au Official Website : www.avenueqthemusical.com.au

HAVE

DELIVERED TO YOUR

DOOR!

CHECK OUT OUR

SIX4SIX

FUSE SUBSCRIPTION SPECIAL WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU FUSE 13

NEWS GOSSIP & STUFF

{

By Tony Hamlyn

The Buzz* CINEMA GENIUS, JOHN HUGHES DIES A moment of memoriam for writer, director and cinema genius, John Hughes, who died of a heart attack last month, aged 59.

You will no doubt hear a lot of obituaries that paint John Hughes as a movie maker without originality, responsible for decent but homogenised films that didn’t really matter. This is simply just not true!

His work, particularly earlier stuff like The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink, are seminal and significant right-of-passage films that not only entertained an entire generation of teen devotees, but made the kids of the 80s feel validated and represented. His comedic ability was timeless, writing classics such as National Lampoon’s Vacation, Weird Science and one of my all-time favourite films, Sixteen Candles — a movie that is still as laugh-out-loud funny today as it was 25-years ago.

Later in his career, Hughes penned those family feel-good fun films that all of us know and love — Uncle Buck, Beethoven, and he had enormous success writing the first two Home Alone movies. The first Home Alone, it should be noted, earned around $500 million worldwide and is listed as the highest grossing live action (ie. no CGI or special effects) movie in history. It will no doubt be this film for which he’ll be most widely remembered. But really, it should be for Ferris.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was to Gen X what The Big Chill was to Baby Boomers, and was the template for that filmic teen culture which we now see so readily on the big screen, but which in the mid-80s was something altogether fresh and new. Ferris was a new kind of Gen X anti-hero, and happily personified what Freud called our id — the desire to do whatever we want, whenever we want. He did. And so we did. And it felt good.

Goodbye, John Hughes. And thank you! I hope that when you finally went somebody said, “My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knew this kid who’s going with the girl who saw John Hughes pass out at 31 Flavours last night” Anyone? ...Anyone?

BALLOONS AWAY! What a plethora of cinematic magic we have in store this September! From Pixar comes Up, the new animated feature about a cantankerous old man who, using helium balloons, elevates his home from its foundations and flies off on an adventure with a nine-year-old Boy Scout who has unwittingly ended up a stowaway in the mobile home.

That sounds a whole lot creepier than it actually is — trust me! The comedy, as with most Pixar offerings (Nemo, Incredibles, Ratatouille), is generational and the animation is of course out of this world. I smell a feel-good ending and yet another smash hit for Pixar.

Tony suggests: Take the kids, folks, best friend and your dog, and go see Up — this is gonna be something special!

FUSE 14

COMING SOON! We’ve still got a while before next year, but already slated for big things at the movies in 2010 is a new Toy Story sequel. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are back, along with all the original voices, and whilst there’s a bit of contention online about what the plot of the film might be — some reports have a storyline about Andy, their owner, going off to college and giving all his toys away to a day-care centre, whilst others believe it will centre around a massive recall of malfunctioning Buzz Lightyear dolls — the teaser promos are already up and running on YouTube. If you want to check them out, go to the FUSE website.

Also, Tim Burton is at it again, with all the photography from the upcoming Alice In Wonderland feature film being released to the general public, even though the film won’t be out til 2010. Given that the story has been retold again and again, in one way or another, the only thing that can really differentiate this production from the others is phenomenal design — and make no mistake, the design of this film is going to be phenomenal! Johnny Depp apparently bathed before production, a new direction for him, and it shows! The pics of him in full Mad Hatter drag are breathtaking and surreal, with legendary designer Colleen Atwood (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, Sweeney Todd) having done the wardrobe.

The rest of the cast is completely fabulous, with Anne Hathaway, Barbara Windsor and Australia’s very own Noah Taylor all playing featured roles. Look out also for Little Britain’s Matt Lucas who signed on to play Tweedledee and Tweedledum, possibly the single-most inspiring piece of casting so far this century!!

DREAM IT! EARN IT! LIVE IT! Another movie out this month is the remake of the great ‘performance’ musical Fame.

Now, I’m a huge fan of the original, and quite the purist when it comes to changing this 1980 Alan Parker film which, contrary to popular belief, was actually a dark, serious analysis of artistry versus industry and was nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar.

This new version looks slicker, glossier and a whole lot more glamorous.

Where the original had cynicism (nobody makes it, regardless of talent, and the protagonists end up either drug-fu*ked, pregnant or forced into soft-porn), this one seems to have energy and optimism

(the tagline reads “Dream it! Earn it! Live it!” and the cast look like the kids from Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader). Now, while I’m a purist, I am no pop cultural snob, and I don’t think that these issues necessarily mean it’s a lesser production.

I guess the proof will be in the pudding.

Both films have at their core the excitement of watching people excel in their art, and it’s nice to see choreography legend Debbie Allen, who played the taskmaster dance teacher in the original, back for the remake. Not much likelihood of any gay relationships in the dance class of this High School of Performing Arts unfortunately, but the trailers are tempting, and the talent looks extraordinary, and with the likes of Megan Mullally (Will & Grace), Kelsey Grammar (Frasier, the voice of Sideshow Bob) and Bebe Neuwirth (Frasier, Chicago on Broadway) in supporting roles, this could just end up being the surprise hit of the year.

Tony suggests: See the film and make your own call on this one, but hold out for a rainy Sunday afternoon and rent the original ‘cos the final number ‘The Body Electric’ will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!

GOSSIP I always remember when that second wave of the ABBA phenomenon swept through the cultural landscape around 1990, and like most people who weren’t quite old enough to enjoy it the first time round I embraced the retro stylings of a seventies revival wholeheartedly. My boss at the time was Sue, a woman in her thirties who was quite seriously the greatest gal I’d ever met up til then. She was vehemently against the comeback of flares and disco, and I could never quite get my head around her complete reluctance. Until now!

Now a man in my thirties myself, I feel somewhat out of touch in my refusal to get on board with the eighties revival currently being sported by the teens and twenty-somethings out there today. I was around the first time for those awful Flock Of Seagulls haircuts, and I didn’t even like them that much back then.

I find myself wanting to scream, “Come back, Sue — now I understand!!!”

Where am I going with this, you might ask? Well, whilst I’m totally averse to cut-offs, slip-ons and fluro Ts, I have decided to make an exception to my 80s rule by wholeheartedly rejoicing in the new Gossip album, Music For Men. Gossip came into the mainstream with a punchy, youthful album in 06 called Standing In The Way Of Control, but this fantastic follow-up puts them in a new league. There’s some excellent melodies and some great lyrics here, but it’s the slick production by Rick Rubin (producer for Dixie Chicks and Justin Timberlake, among others) under the belting, biting vocals of lead singer Beth Ditto, that makes this such an outstanding album. And the 80s-ness comes across as much more than just another cheesy attempt to cash in on retro fanfare, more like an homage to talents from a truly great period of music, drawing inspiration from the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran and The Cure, but maintaining a completely modernised interpretation. And with out-and-proud lesbian, Beth Ditto, to influence the disenfranchised youth of today, this band could very well be the way and the light.

Tony suggests: At the gym on the cross-trainer, or at home cleaning the bathroom, Music For Men is a must-have! The Fred Falke remix of ‘Heavy Cross’ is so-far the single of the year — just be aware that it is only available on the album’s Deluxe Edition here in Australia.

FUSE 15

NEWS GOSSIP & STUFF

THE EMMYS

{

September brings with it my favourite awards ceremony — The Emmys. Say what you like about the USA, but the one area where anti-Americanism is an obsolete issue is in their television production. No question — they rule! TV is going through a golden age, especially the content from cable networks like HBO and Showtime, totally upping the ante of quality across the world.

This year’s Emmys will be hosted by none other than Neil Patrick Harris, formerly of Doogie Howser fame, now better known as Barney from How I Met Your Mother. NPH is of course an out and proud gay man, and the perfect one to take home to mum and dad, in my opinion. He hosted this year’s Tony Awards (which, incidentally, are not awards given out by me for general fabulousness, but actually the American Theatre Wing Awards for theatre in New York) and did a great job, so expect a bit of camp fun at The Emmys from him.

Favourites this year are 30 Rock, which once again has wiped the floor with 22 nominations, and Mad Men which is up for 16.

Surprises include the HBO comedy Flight Of The Conchords, up for 6 awards including Best Actor in a Comedy for Jemaine Clement, and Family Guy being nominated for Best Comedy Series which marks the first time since The Flintstones that an animated series is up for the top award. Another big hope for this year is a TV movie HBO did called Grey Gardens, based on the 1975 documentary, and the subsequent 2006 musical of the same name. Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore play the eccentric, former-socialite mother and daughter, Big and Little Edie Beale, living in squalor in their dilapidated estate in the East Hamptons. The film is both hilarious and fascinating, based on real life events, and Drew Barrymore’s performance is exceptional, taking her from iconic celebrity status to being an accomplished actor. She may just take home the Best Actress Emmy in the Movie/Miniseries category.

Aussies up for Emmys this year are Toni Collette as Best Actress in a Comedy for United States of Tara, which is currently showing on the ABC and is completely brilliant! Simon Baker is up for Best Actor in a Drama for that awful show, The Mentalist, and Rose Byrne for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama series for Damages.

Shame to see Rachel Griffiths wasn’t nominated for her brilliant work in Brothers & Sisters this year, but that’s how the cookie crumbles I guess.

If you’re a fan of DVD box sets, or already a bit of a TV downloader, The Emmys are a great opportunity to get a glimpse at some of the shows our networks are too gutless to program in a decent timeslot, if at all, and then maybe grab a copy of them for your own viewing pleasure. The broadcast is on a Sunday night in America, so look out for them televised here Monday September 21st.

FUSE 16

BENT LENSES

By Tony Hamlyn

High Art Bent Lenses, a local queer cinema group, has organised a lineup of great gay films.

It began in June and will continue over the next few months, which is exciting news for the large number of Canberra locals who love their queer cinema. Coming up Friday 25 September is Were the World Mine and on Friday 16 October the Lesbian flick High Art. See the FUSE website for more dates.

Tony suggests: Take four of your funn(i)est friends, immerse yourselves in the cultishness that is queer cinema, then, head back to someone’s house for home-made martinis and a full deconstruction!

BARBARELLA & MORE Anyone else wondering who is filling the gap that Electric Shadows left when it closed a few years back? Sure, Dendy is big, new and comfy and at the forefront of movies you can read along to, but where are the camper cinema moments? Where can we go to see Barbarella, or a Friday night screening of the Three Colours trilogy? Where is the unmissable retrospective of all things John, be it Hughes, Waters or Travolta? Well, thankfully our good friends at Arc Cinema at the Australian Film and Sound Archives are getting on board. Arc recently screened the legendary bad-taste epic Pink Flamingos starring Divine and Edith Massey, and I’ve been told the cult classics will just keep on rolling in. See nfsa.gov.au for the schedule.

More Buzz*

FUSE

17

WHAT’S FEATUREON

Sex & POLITICS Are you sick of the choices at election times? Do you like sex? Are your views about censorship, gay marriage and adult classifications for computer games, to name a few, way ahead of the current Government’s? Do you enjoy a double entendre or two? Then read on!

{

By Nelida Contreras

After all the hoo-ha, the only valid objection was about the name. The Australian Electoral Commission had to do some legal digging to determine whether the name ‘Australian Sex Party’ was, in fact, obscene.

My brief was to interview Fiona Patten, the Convenor of the Australian Sex Party. I went about arming myself with information about ASP and its convenor. Like many “Apparently the name ‘Australian Sex Canberrans, I have often heard Fiona on the radio and am Party’ conjured up orgiastic notions,” familiar with her ease around the topic of sex. To be honest, Fiona told this blushing reporter.

I felt like a prude. Through the course of our interview I moved between I believe that everyone should have the right “mature-woman-about-town-with-ahandle-on-it” to the “oh-my-god-Ito get married if that’s what they want to do. can’t-believe-she-just-said-orgiasticnotions blusher”. In political speak I understand what a “quota” is and I have done my fair “But we’re serious about sex. Politicians share of handing out how-to-vote cards at election times, will giggle about sex and turn red in the but I went bright red when she mentioned those same face,” she says not being able to see your how-to-vote cards covered in condoms, lube and dental dams. humble reporter doing the same, “and they’ll try and steer the conversation any So, having all those facts at your fingertips, dear reader, other way than about sex.”

I hope you enjoy reading this article.

“I think we’re still very repressed. We don’t The Australian Sex Party (or ASP as Fiona called it, enjoying want to talk about it.” Not me. I wanted the reference back to the famous Garden of Eden and its to talk about it — but not about it — if you naughty snake of temptation) is about to come out. With get my gist.

Fiona as its Convenor and Billy Connolly/Richard Branson look-alike, Robbie Swan, as its Public Officer/Journalist hack, Fiona has family who are gay and this has sex is about to take on a whole new meaning. Together they brought home the issues facing LGBTI are libertarians who believe in living and letting live. people, especially since the changes that took place to the Centrelink laws on “We don’t want to restrict what adults do, as long as they July 1st this year. don’t hurt others,” she says, putting ASP’s objectives into one very neat sentence.

“My sister is gay and I have a very beautiful niece,” she says. “When my sister’s girlfriend Registering a political party is no easy job. It takes a lot of initially went in to Centrelink to tell them work, a lot of networking, a lot of membership obtaining she’d become a mum and had a partner, and a lot of patience. Then, when you’ve jumped through Centrelink told her they didn’t recognise all the form filling hoops, you have to wait to hear how many same sex couples. She became a single Australians are going to object. Then there’s more waiting parent in their eyes. These days my sister until you get the official nod. Surprisingly the Australian still can’t adopt her daughter nor marry her Electoral Commission only received four — yes only four — girlfriend, yet as of 1 July she is seen as a submissions about why it wasn’t a good idea to allow the partner and her daughter’s carer under the Australian Sex Party to be registered. And if you’re like me, Centrelink and tax laws.” and think that the objections came from high flying right wing types with a lot of followers then, just like me, you’d be Fiona’s sister is a principal at a school and wrong. The objectors were run of the mill Australians. her partner is a teacher at another school.

{

FUSE 18

“Society is willing to let a lesbian have responsibility for our children, but won’t recognise their relationships,” Fiona says, “I don’t believe any Australian law should discriminate against someone because of their sexuality or their sex or their gender.”

On the subject of gay marriage, Fiona says she was very impressed with the progressive laws that the ACT Legislative Assembly tried to pass but not at all impressed with the way those laws had to be changed.

“ACT Labor was forced to change their laws by the Federal Government,

by Prime Minister Rudd himself.”

Fiona has strong personal opinions about marriage, and believes that everyone should have the right to get married if that’s what they want to do.

The Australian Sex Party had a presence at the recent national rally supporting gay marriage. One of their policies is to create total equal rights in all areas of the law for gay, lesbian and transgender couples. In support of this policy they attended the rally and added their voice to the thousands of others supporting the rights of same sex couples to marry.

In the next federal election the Australian Sex Party is hoping to stand candidates in every State. They’re focussing on running candidates in the Senate. In fact, she is very aware of how important a balance of power in the Senate could be. It’s like Fred Nile in the NSW Parliament.

“In NSW no one wants to upset Fred Nile because one day they will need his vote.

I’d like to be the Fred Nile of the Senate. I’d like them to need our vote.”

Look out Senators Conroy and Fielding in Victoria. The ASP is coming after you.

Well, they won’t be stealing votes from these conservative Senators, but they will be a new and different name on the ballot paper.

“We’ll be looking like the golden light on that ballot paper,” Fiona says.

And when the Australian Sex Party campaigns at election time, they will be putting all their creative juices into their slogans. I offered her some of my own, which were borne out of my embarrassment about talking about it.

She laughed and told me some of the slogans they’ve already thought of: “…where you come first!” and “…we’re serious about sex!”

One thousand adult shops around Australia will become their campaign offices, together with a similar number of websites which will be distributing their political message and the blush-making slogans.

“Thirty per cent of Australian adults are customers of those businesses,” she said, proudly.

If you want to learn more about the Australian Sex Party check out their website. It’s crammed with interesting information about who they are and what they stand for, and it includes a strong voice for the LGBTI community.

They have a range of policy positions and Fiona says that sex is a broad issue which relates to taxation, censorship, health and education.

“It becomes a very broad platform and we represent and fight for a lot of different issues.”

“I want a defence policy that says, ‘make love, not war’.”

So come on, Canberra. If like Fiona and Robbie you believe that the current lot of politicians up on The Hill aren’t speaking for you, why not put a ‘1’ next to the ASP at the next election?

It’ll certainly be an interesting addition to the political landscape.

They’re coming ... errmm... ready or not.

}

Fiona Patten is Convener of the Australian Sex Party. She was good mates with Don Chipp and she was once on trial for Contempt of Parliament for threatening to ‘out’ hypocritical National Party politicians.

FUSE 19

{By Megan Munro

WHAT’S OP.ED ON

‘Comparison is the thief of joy’ ~ Theodore Roosevelt Having an open relationship means confronting your own fears and dealing with them, constantly challenging your own beliefs and insecurities. At first the journey was tricky.

My partner and I found that being open about our ideas and doing some research was the key and we talked, a lot.

We discovered that we had different ideas as to what constituted sex and what we thought we would find fulfilling as individuals within our open relationship. Upon reflection I came to the conclusion that I would prefer to be in a polyamorous situation rather than having multiple sexual partners. To me polyamory is about loving more than one person at a time, whereas having an open relationship or being non-monogamous s more about random sex. As much as I liked the idea of being a bit of a player, I didn’t think it would work for me.

My partner was a little bit threatened by this at first. She was confronted by it because it meant that I would not only have sex with someone else but I would love them. She maintained that she wanted others for sexual experiementation only.

We were both confronted by what the other wanted, but were determined that being open was what we both wanted.

From this we started to work out ‘rules’ that we each followed to assist the other to feel safe. It is the breaking of these rules that is cheating to us. We came to understand that there were so many ways in which our relationship could operate, that it was basically about being ethical and doing the right thing by everyone.

The beginning of our journey was a couple of years ago now and I have learnt a great deal. I have had another partner.

I have felt love for two women at the same time. I never compared them to each other, I loved them as individuals.

We are brought up to believe that one person will fulfil all our needs. I think that one person can give us a huge amount, but there will always be some things that they can’t fulfil. Society also tells us that love has limits. If I am giving to someone else

FUSE 20

BEING

OPEN

then the first person is deprived somehow, but it also tells us love is limitless. This is contradictory. I believe love is limitless and loving two (or more) partners does not mean that either miss out on love.

When I first fell for the second woman I experienced the amazing euphoria that you feel when you first meet and become infatuated with another, and at the same time I felt a deeper type of love for my longer term partner. Somehow the two lots of feelings fed off each other. It was like different currents of water running through me. When I broke up with my second partner I was heartbroken.

This has been hard for my first partner because she has had to sit back and watch my pain and has been unable to do anything.

I won’t speak of the experience from my two partners’ points of view. That is their story.

The main challenges that arise from how I choose to conduct relationships come from community perception. Most people believe that monogamy is the only choice. I respect those who choose this but I believe that anything is possible within relationships. I ask this: do parents truly favour one child over another, or do they love them for who they are? Would I do this again? Yes, I have a lot to give.

FUSE 21

FABULOUS THINGS

{

COMMUTER BIKE OF THE FUTURE Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman has recently unveiled the concept bike of the future. It not only counts calories as you ride, but also plays music and uses a solar-powered motor for when you get too tired. But that’s not all — made of ultra light carbon fibre, the new bike is also impossible to steal due to a built-in locking system that can only be activated by the owner’s fingerprint — and to top it off, it has puncture-proof, self-inflating tires. Got to get me one of those.

FABULOUS ZIP

{

A playful collection of stools and bench seats.

Zip relies on a simple “zip” detail which finds it’s way around each piece, creating a fun way to divide the contrasting fabrics. Check them out at Zenith Interiors in Fyshwick.

Manufacturer: woodmark.com.au

If Gloji mixed juices taste as good as the packaging looks we’ll be in drink heaven. Gloji is an antioxidant power drink which is made from the ripest of goji berries.

The manufacturer says the berries are harvested in the traditional Tibetan manner of shaking rather than picking from the trees, ensuring each berry is fully intact prior to pressing them.

{

GLOJI MIX

TOUCH ME

}

This new funky Dell Studio One 19 desktop computer is being pushed as a family/living room/kitchen item rather than being hidden away in an office — with a choice of charcoal grey, navy blue, tuscan red, powder pink or pure white fabric trim, 18.5” touch screen display, built-in webcam and a sleek all-in-one design that gives Apple a run for it’s money.

Shame it still runs Windows!

One wonders if they use virgins as well? But either way it sure sounds like it’s good for you!

Coming soon to Oz, keep an eye out in heath food stores.

Touch screen models start from $1799 at dell.com.au

{ FUSE 22

ULTRA MODERN AND REALLY REALLY COOL! The future of pool tables has arrived. The Australian made and ultra modern Nottage gaming tables are things of real beauty and styling. I would have never thought you could play pool or billiards on a glass top, but apparently you can! The Nottage’s virtually unbreakable transparent playing surface allows the balls to roll just like traditional green cloth surface.

The world’s first glass pool table starts at $34,900.

It’s not for the everyone, but if you can afford one please invite us over for a game or three.

ECO SNEAKS

THINGS NISSAN LEAF ELECTRIC CAR

This new electric car from Nissan will be released overseas in 2010, and will be available in Australia in 2012 — just in time for the end of the world!!?

Unlike existing hybrid vehicles, the Nissan Leaf is entirely electric and to charge it up you simply plug it into a power point. It even has a timer that allows you to schedule it to recharge itself using off-peak electricity, and it has a range of 160km between charges which is realistic for most day to day driving. Nissan states that the car produces zero CO2 emissions and that “just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan Leaf purifies mobility”. Although technically true, the electricity to charge it still has to be generated somehow — and for the time being most of this electricity will probably come from heavily polluting power stations. Plus manufacturing the car is not likely to be an entirely carbon free process either. Still it’s certainly a big step in the right direction, and it’s a bit sexy to look at too.

Now if we could only get the whole solar power thing going...

{

Go to www.nissan.com.au or www.nissan-zeroemission.com to find out more.

MESH BOXERS The Cocksox® Boxer gets nasty!

There seems to be some magical thing about underwear. We all love it and men nowadays spend big on their undergarments. The fact is the right type of underwear can make you look and feel incredibly sexy.

I got a new pair of Cocksox® Mesh Boxers in the mail recently to road test... Lucky me!

BOYSTUFF

With all the over-built, overhyped products out there, it’s pretty hard to find sustainable shoes that you can live with. The answer? Simple, stylish and quality shoes made from recycled car tyres, organic cotton and hemp. A bit expensive at $99 (www.todae.com.au) but we’ve seen them as low as $35, so hunt around online. Vegan friendly!

After carefully studying the man on the front and wondering if I too could look that good, I opened the packaging, stripped off and slipped on the Cocksox® boxers. At first I wasn’t sure about the whole Italian mesh look, but my concerns were quickly dispelled.

They felt good to wear; are nicely made; and fitted in all the right spots (while actually improving some bits :o) As for the see through mesh, well it’s pretty damn hot! Great boxers, thumbs up, and they could also double as a hot little dance party number.

Order online for $36. Oh, and go and check out their photo shoot video, you won’t be disapointed with that either! www.cocksox.com

RAINBOW PRIDE Celebrate your uniqueness with these beautiful rainbow earrings, locally handmade by the very talented glass artists at Divine Glass Design.

Check out their shop on the ground floor of Tuggeranong Hyperdome where they have a whole range of wonderful rainbow glass. www.divineglass.com.au

FUSE 23

OUT & ABOUT

33 Petrie Plaza Civic, Canberra City www.cubenightclub.com.au

CUBE is looking for that special someone to crown Cube’s Drag Idol 2009. Entry is free and is open to both drag queens & kings so if you think you possess that X factor and want to show us what you’ve got then this is the competition for you.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced queen from way back, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your stuff.

FUSE 24

}

drag idol

The winner will receive: • A shiny new trophy and the title of Cube’s Drag Idol 2009.

• A platinum membership to Matchmaker valued at over $200 • One month’s FREE entry to Cube.

• A fantastic Cube prize pack!

• $50 voucher to spend over the bar.

The runners up will receive: • One month’s FREE entry to Cube.

• A fantastic Cube prize pack!

• $25 voucher to spend over the bar

In addition to all this, throughout the night we’ll also be giving away membership discounts from our lovely friends at Gay Matchmaker.

Be sure to get in early so you don’t miss out! Please send expressions of interest to info@cubenightclub.com.au

We’re looking for drag queens and kings to compete for the title of Cube’s Drag Idol 2009 expressions of interest at info@cubenightclub.com.au

MITCH We asked Mitch what he likes most about working at CUBE! I think the best thing about working at Cube is the people you get to meet. Every week we meet a new crowd and have a great time with them. I like to think that we (the staff) are all part of what makes a great night, along with the music and the other patrons of course.

We always have fun working together and that creates a great atmosphere.

I think that everyone else feels how much fun we have and it contributes to their whole experience.

After two years of working at Cube, every week still brings something different and exciting. Oh and I love dancing, so that’s probably the second best thing.

During his time at Cube, Mitch has worked as a bartender, glassy and occasional door bitch. You can find him posted behind the bar every Thursday night during Karaoke and most Friday and Saturday nights.

FUSE 25

OUT & ABOUT

THE

Corner of Launceston & Irving Streets Phillip www.hushlounge.com.au • 02 6282 1944

HUSHLOUNGE Spring has sprung and we kick things off with the hottest event to hit Canberra; Canberra’s First Master Mixologist Competition will take place on Friday September 4th 2009. This is a must see event, your favourite bartenders from the most popular cocktail bars in Canberra will be competing for your approval and the title of Canberra Master Mixologist 2009. So come and cheer them on!

WHAT’S ON!

MASTER MIXOLOGIST

FUSE 26

CLOSED PRIVATE FUNCTION FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER KARAOKE & KOCKTAILS SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER We know it’s not spelt the right way but we don’t care!!! Just like we don’t mind if you sing out of tune, in fact we encourage it.

BIRTHDAY BASH! SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER Roller Derby 1st birthday bash.

Entry at the Door is $10 and includes a glass of champagne. Buy your ticket before the night and it only costs you $8! Tickets available from August 1st at The Hush Bar or contact Michelle on 0411 819 553.

Enjoy the live music on Sundays, Karaoke every second Saturday night, and for laughs our very popular “Amateur Comedy Night” features on the last Thursday of the month.

Partake in the festivities or just unwind in fantastic surroundings, having relaxed unpretentious fun.

Hush is an ideal venue for your next party, function or celebration of any kind, with a range of catering options available. Our private nooks, cordoned off by sheer sexy curtains, are fabulous for a VIP party or just some privacy. Hush can be booked out for a CLOSED PRIVATE function, contact us for more details.

AMATUER COMEDY NIGHT THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER It’s stand up comedy night with our very own Morgan and Johnno.

From 7pm at Hush. Seriously funny!

EMMA’S NIGHT OF DEBAUCHERY SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER TGI FRIDAY DRINKS EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT Doors open from 4pm.

}

CARD NIGHT EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT Hush queer card night. Starts at 7pm SUNDAY BANDS EVERY SUNDAY FROM 1PM Chill out to fantastic live music at Hush Lounge’s Sunday Sessions from 1pm.

{

HUSH OPENING HOURS: Tuesday — Thursday 5pm to 11pm Friday — Saturday 5pm to 1am Sunday 1pm to 8pm

and

10

of it ud

an ali

Austr 0%

ody pro blo

Australia's Pre Go online a miere Lesbian Dating Site!

JOIN NOW!

MEMBERSHIP IS

FREE!

nd meet som eone now!

Promo Code

“FUSE”

25% DISCOUNT ON

PLATINUM GOLD SILVER

MEMBERSHIP S

Proudly supporting the Lesbian Community of Australia. Event Listing and Travel Listing, webcam and more...check it out!"

FUSE 27

OUT & ABOUT

Tilley’s

Devine Café Gallery Nestled in Canberra’s inner-city at Lyneham just 4km from the city centre, Tilley’s Devine Café Gallery trades seven days a week for the 26th year.

Open at 9am seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner six days, and breakfast and lunch Sunday (Sundays close 6pm). Famous for its fabulous coffees, Tilley’s attracts not only those local ‘regulars’ but visitors from overseas and interstate who enjoy the all-day menu specials, broad range of local and interstate wines, boutique beers on tap and oh such lovely cake!

Corner of Wattle & Brigalow Streets, Lyneham • www.tilleys.com.au

FUSE 28

The history of the years of hundreds of such performances is evident when one enters the room, clad in red velvet, brass and dark timber booths.

Seating 280 inside and 250 on the sidewalk, the private and inconspicuous nature of the booths offers special spaces for one to tuck in away from the maddening crowd, to enjoy whatever is required to lift one’s ‘comfort zone’.

Licensed through all hours of opening, one can enjoy Champagne with breakfast at 9am or end one’s evening on a hot-chock and cake.

The call is yours!

Tilley’s can do it for you...

GRIGORYAN BROTHERS DISTANCE AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Music

Live

Internationally renowned for legendary blues, jazz and classical concerts since opening in 1984, Tilley’s continues to attract artists of international calibre who prefer the intimacy of a warm theatre atmosphere rather than play to a stadium audience.

TILLEY’S SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER TICKETS TELEPHONE : 02 6275 2700 WWW.CANBERRATICKETING.COM.AU

FUSE 29

WHAT’S OP.ED ON

{By Glen Rodden

IS THE GRASS GREENER ON THE One of the common relationship issues I’ve observed lately from both gay and heterosexual couples is what is called the “grass is greener syndrome”. Once you are infected with this relationship virus, you begin to think there might be someone else out there who is better for you, so you start to play the field. My argument is that most of the time the grass isn’t greener, and playing the field only makes you realise that what you have is worth keeping.

The grass is greener syndrome is usually reserved for people going through a midlife crisis; when someone believes that whatever they have now is no longer adequate.

This grass is greener syndrome usually refers to you switching to a different lover, but it can also apply to a job change, change of location, house, and material objects.

In reality, there is always going to be someone who is more attractive, has a better body, better job, bigger bank account, etc. In order to be happy, you need to acknowledge that your relationship is not always going to be perfect. Does that mean you should settle?

No way! If there are certain character traits that you are not going to be able to accept, be aware of those characteristics and avoid dating that person all together.

For example, if you are opposed to dating someone who drinks and parties, then don’t. The worst thing you could do is to start dating them and then try to change them. And don’t play the “if they love me then they’ll quit” game. Trying to change someone is futile and as silly as trying to nail vegemite to a tree… You’ll only end up with a horrible sticky brown mess on your hands!

We all know what we will or won’t tolerate in a relationship.

So no matter how “awesome” the person or the sex might be, move on. If there are major issues at the beginning, then the alarm bells should be ringing. The only way to work through these issues is to communicate and whatever you do, don’t cop things from your partner that you wouldn’t let other people do to you (like emotional and physical abuse). You’re partner should treat you as you treat them.

FUSE 30

OTHER SIDE?

So how do you stop the grass is greener syndrome from occurring? I recommend the following: 1. Decide what you want from a relationship.

2. Communicate with your partner or potential partner.

Find out how you both feel and make sure that you both want to commit to a serious relationship.

3. Figure out your fears. It might be a fear of losing your freedom or space. Go back to step 2.

4. Let go of the past. If you’ve been hurt before, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be hurt again or not hurt again.

But this is someone different and we are all individuals.

5. Don’t be pessimistic. It’s easy to come up with reasons that a relationship will not work. Think of ways that it will work.

6. Delete all your profiles from any gay dating sites and change your status in Facebook and other social networking sites to illustrate you are in a relationship, and if you decide to keep them then communicate rules or etiquette for their use.

7. Put effort into the relationship, this includes compromising. If you want love in your life you are going to have to work at it.

8. Look but don’t touch. Sure we all look at “pretty things”, but it doesn’t mean we have to indulge and cheat on our current lover.

9. Appreciate what you have, remember the grass is NOT always greener.

10. Lastly... take the leap and open your heart to someone else.

And have fun!

ELECTRIC FIREFLY DESIGN & CREATION

Wake up to a new light Electric Firefly Design & Creation is here to captivate and inspire the imagination with its lamps and lighting ideas. Designed along timeless principles of fractal and sacred geometry, the forms of nature are expressed in a modern medium that is strong, safe and durable for home, office or commercial use.

Designed for everyone, Electric Firefly brings together form and functionality with modern and classic styling in an environmentally conscious medium, at a fraction of the cost of your average designer light.

At the Handmade in Bloom market, Yarralumla Woolshed Friday 11th Sept 6-9pm & Saturday 12th Sept 10am-4pm

electricfirefly.com.au • 02 8003 4999 • info@electricfirefly.com.au

FUSE 31

Special Community Notice from the AIDS Action Council of the ACT Members and the Community are invited to attend the

2009 Annual General Meeting and Dr Peter Rowland Memorial Address The AIDS Action Council AGM is an important event for us and the community we serve and are part of.

Date: Wednesday 28th October, 2009

Come and see what we have done in the last year, have a say about the future of your AAC with the election of the Board, and find out who receives the 2009 awards for excellence in the community.

Cost: Free

Time: 6:30 pm Location: ACT Legislative Assembly, Reception Room Guest Speaker: Wayne Morgan Wayne is a lecturer at the ANU College of Law and has a small human rights practice. A brief biography can be found at http://law.anu.edu.au For more information: Please contact David Mills at the AIDS Action Council on 6257 2855 or david.mills@aidsaction.org.au

Important: We will not be able to collect monies for membership renewals. If you would like to become a member or renew your membership please get in contact with us on 6257 2855 to secure your membership to have your say on the night.

FUSE 32

CHAD Is supermarket colour as good as salon colour?

COLOUR IT IN

Have you ever wanted to colour your hair, but are unsure what will suit you and there are just too many questions to be answered? Well here are some answers… As always the most important part of any service is the consultation.

Spend time with your stylist to work out the best tones to suit your complexion.

If you feel that you need a lift through the winter months and would to like to try something new but don’t want to be hooked into the whole re-growth and maintenance thing, then a semi permanent colour is for you. A semi permanent colour will fade out gradually over a 6-8 week period and will contain a lot less chemicals. Semis do not have the ability to lighten hair, they are designed to add shine, tone or to darken your hair and can be great to update and refresh blondes. They can also increase the condition of your hair.

A semi has a much shorter processing time (usually around 20 minutes), so add a semi to your next appointment or even have a semi and a blow wave done on your lunch break. It’s quick and easy and not that scary.

Permanent colour is a great option for longer lasting colours and also for that all so important grey coverage. Permanent colour will also give you more vibrant colour when you desire the fashion edge. Permanent colour can lighten your hair up to 3-4 levels so if you want to be just that little bit lighter, permanent colour is a great option.

For the guys that are starting to go a bit grey — or as we like to say, “salt and pepper” — and would like to tone it down bit, Redken Colour Camo could be just the answer. Colour Camo is a no ammonia colour and it takes only 10 minutes to develop. It brings out the pepper and lessens the salt and it will leave the hair feeling pumped with strength and shine. It’ll seem like you are slowly turning back the time in just 10 minutes!

SUMMER IS COMING, then we’ll talk highlights…

{

By Chad Wijayatilake. Photos by Ian Golding.

Hair by Form Haircutters. Make up by Canberra Make up Academy.

GROOMING

ASK

It’s always advisable to get your hair colour done in the salon.

You may choose to do a box colour from the supermarket but if something was to go wrong and you end up looking like one of next year’s Mardi Gras floats, it would cost you more time and money to get it fixed. So get it right the first time by coming in to the salon. And why not get a personalised colour designed just for you and not just “Ashy 86”.

My partner is thinning-out on top; I keep telling him to shave his head.

What do you think he should do?

Oh yeah, he should definitely shave his head! There’s nothing worse than seeing a guy holding on to lost hope and a shaved head can be very hot — do it!

My hair is dry and frizzy, is there anything I can do for it?

There are plenty of take home hair care treatments that you can do but the best option is to come in to the salon and have one of our Kérastase hair rituals done, and invest in a quality take home treatment to maintain. They are amazing and they’ll turn any frizz-ball into beautiful long locks.

FUSE 33

FUSE 34

{

By Brendan Farnhill Alive! Health & Fitness

BODY SHAPE

Finding a training partner can be hard.

You need to make sure it’s someone who is a good friend or solid work mate; someone you can trust and someone who you know is going to make you work hard and not just let you sit there day-dreaming or just checking out all the other hotties in the gym. A gym buddy will enable you both to work harder together on your goals and focus and motivate each other on those days you’re feeling uninspired or just lazy.

If you’re in a relationship, the gym can be a great opportunity to do something new together and then you’ll have someone special to share the benefits of feeling great, being healthy and looking hot with. No more walking through the shops and needing to slow down or stop because you’re feeling exhausted, or nights out dancing where one of you gets tired and needs to sit down.

PARTNER UP! GETTING FIT TOGETHER

Grab a friend, a work mate or your partner and get fit togther!

So the ever infamous cold Canberra weather is beginning to leave us behind, and in its place is the beautiful spring that we all enjoy. We all begin to come out of hibernation and start to get back out into the scene, as it starts to get into the weather to party with your shirt off.

But what are you going to look like and are you going to be confident enough to take your shirt off and party!?

If you haven’t already started, now is a great time to kick back into that fitness routine, not only to look good, but so that you’re able to keep up with everyone else on the beach, down by the river or on the dance floor too. Now I know that some of you may be running a little scared about getting back into the gym and you are probably used to snuggling up on the lounge in front of the TV, but why not transfer some quality time into the gym so you can both get the benefits?

Having a training partner is one of the best ways to push yourself harder in the gym, lift more weight and to find the motivation on those days when you just don’t feel like going. A training partner helps to push you through the pain of weights and makes you run that extra kilometre or push that little bit harder in a group fitness class.

They are someone with whom you are able to set goals, and then help each other achieve those, from exercise right down to the food you eat.

Any health and fitness advice contained in this magazine is for informational purposes only.

Consult your physician and a fitness professional before changing your diet, doing any exercise program, or taking any supplements of any kind.

These physical benefits are then going to help contribute to your emotional benefits; you’re both going to look better, which is going to help to boost your confidence — confidence that will allow you to stand tall and be noticed by everyone else, and to have everyone wishing they were you.

Now is not the time to procrastinate… now is the time for action! Winter was the time when we sat there and thought to ourselves, “yeah I could do that, but it’s too cold, I would rather just stay at home.” Spring is the time to get off your butt and get out there and do it. Grab your partner, a friend, or even just go on your own with the intention of finding a gym buddy; the main thing is you need to get moving!

TIPS FOR GETTING FIT

WITH A PARTNER

1. Learn something new together. Join a gym, try yoga, tennis or go hiking. Besides being fun, trying novel activities together is good for your love life and health.

2. Try activities you can do at different paces.

Work out on adjoining machines and pick your own pace. If you cycle or run, the faster person can sprint ahead, then circle back and rejoin the slower one.

3. Push yourself, but don’t overdo it. It’s tempting to try to impress your partner.

This can only lead to pulling something you wish you hadn’t.

4. Be supportive. People are more likely to keep up exercise if it’s fun. “Fun” doesn’t include being snapped at or getting that eye-ball-roll. Be kind and encouraging.

FUSE 35

EAR CANDY

La Roux La Roux are a new thing on the electropop synth scene and are doing very well for themselves of late. This self-titled album is their debut, which includes two tracks that have peaked at number one, and number two on the UK singles charts.

The band is from Britain and consists of Elly Jackson on vocals and band member/producer Ben Langmaid.

The pair has been making music since 2006 but only really made their mark late this year.

Their recent success has earned them a spot on tour with Lily Allen and they will also be gracing our shores for the Parklife Festivals in October (I hope you have your tickets). The track ‘Bulletproof’ is my 100 per cent favourite on this album and makes me feel so empowered and strong. Being a recently single man after a lengthy relationship, I often get the wonderful opportunity now to go on dates with people who seem cool at the time but all too often turn into ratbags leaving me hurt and alone again. If you know what I am talking about here then whenever this happens, just listen to ‘Bulletproof’ and you will instantly feel better and even invincible!

Try it, you will see.

Tracks to listen to include: ‘Bulletproof’, ‘In for the Kill’, ‘Colourless Color’ and ‘Quicksand’

Florence + the Machine Florence and the Machine is technically the recording or stage name for the solo artist Florence Welch and a myriad of other artists compiled by her to provide backing to her voice. This album is the UK artist’s debut and has performed very well sitting at position two on the UK charts for five weeks after its release in early July. Just to note, the number one position during this time was held by non other than the late Michael Jackson (and we all know why that rated so high, RIP buddy, we all loved you).

Florence’s music has been best described as soul inspired indie! How cool is that for a music category? Her music is a lot of fun and tracks like ‘Dog Days are Over’ and ‘Kiss with Fist’ are easily the best on the album; very catchy and super powerful stuff.

When you buy this album (and you will buy it ‘cause my reviews are so inspiring!) please put the ‘Kiss with a Fist’ track on first. It is possibly the coolest thing out there right now! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t condone violence, but I love the power that this song gives, she will never back down and can so hold her own. It’s great. Enjoy kids!

FUSE 36

Regina Spektor So hands up if you know Regina Spektor?

Well if your hands are still down you are missing out on something great! You are missing out on one of the best female artists this earth has ever seen! I am not joking; she is amazing and that voice and those lyrics... truly amazing stuff.

This album, Far, is Regina’s fifth but second to her most popular album, Begin to Hope. Born in Moscow but doing most of her growing up in New York after her family immigrated, she became a bit of a whiz on the piano and later at actual song writing. If you listen to her lyrics — I mean really listen — you will quickly find them to be a bit out there, often crazy but always beautiful. They have that uplifting, speakto-your-soul kind of feeling, the one where while listening you find yourself noticing how blue the sky really is or how amazing tall grass blowing in a field actually looks.

The cool thing about her songs is that most are not based on her life or experiences at all, but based on imaginary people and situations that she has invented in her head.

I have been privileged to see this gal live in concert a couple of years ago and her sound actually made me cry it was that incredible. Now that’s saying something coming from the toughest hard ball boy I know... Not! So if I have convinced you, get both her latest two albums (both fricken amazing stuff), then make sure you pay particular attention to tracks such as ‘Blue Lips’ and ‘Laughing With’ on the album Far — they are such beautiful songs!

{Music reviews by Damien Pratt

TRACKS FOR SEPTEMBER

MUST LISTEN TO

DAMIEN’S TOP TEN

TOP10 1. Laughing With — Regina Spektor 2. Bulletproof — La Roux

3. I Remember — Deadmau5 4. Broken Leg — Blue Juice 5. Pop Goes the World — The Gossip

EndErby Music

6. Something Good Can Work — Two Door Cinema Club

PrEsEnts

7. Hollywood — Art vs. Science 8. Lisztomania — Phoenix 9. Ashtray Heart — Placebo 10. Hand Me Downs — Bob Evens

Psychedelic Culture As a record-store owner and DJ, I have the wonderful perk of getting to hear a wide range of music each and every day, both new and old. Every once in a blue moon a release comes along that exudes a mind-blowing wow factor; a release that not only excites, but transports the listener to a different place, a different time and even a different world. The double-CD compilation, A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Vol. 1 — Cosmic Space Music, compiled and mixed by the Amorphous Androgynous (aka Future Sound Of London), is one such release and even more.

ConCert 1 thurs 10 sept | 8pm Vertical Featuring Eric Ajaye, Christopher Thwaite, Paul Dal Broi and Neils Rosendahl.

ConCert 2 Fri 11 sept | 8pm miroslav Bukovsky – a celebration of Miles DaVis ConCert 3 sat 12 sept | 8pm Jamie oehlers and sandy evans Acclaimed Australian jazz artist Jamie Oehlers and Sandy Evans supported by local musicians present a night of Jazz not to be missed.

Book noW! 6247 1223 www.thestreet.org.au Quantum G13731

the street theatre is supported By the aCt Government

The compilation features 44 rare and hard-to-find tracks, from the 1960s, 70s, 90s and 00; woven into a beautifully crafted tapestry of musical genius. The styles and genres are soaked in a coat of psychedelia and include everything from progressive rock to acoustic vocal pieces, lush orchestrations to punk/ funk-esque toe-tappers and sublime electronica to rainbow-spiced indie-pop.

The mix of artists is on an epic scale, including psychfolk pieces from the legendary Donovan, Henry Roland and relative new-comer, Devendra Banhart.

Psychedelic-soul and funk is explored by 70s vocalist Betty Davis and the obscure late-70s Czechoslovakian band, Mahagon. Miles Davis, Heaven and Earth, Osibisa and the Mahavishnu Orchestra provide psych-infused jazz, fusion and afro-themed cuts.

Modern-day psych classics come from Pop Levi, The Earlies, Ian Neil and the Amorphous Androgynous, while stalwarts Hawkwind, Can, Tim Buckley and Tommy James and The Shondells provide essential, back-catalogue nuggets of gold.

This is music to be listened to, to be savoured, to have a glass of wine over or to trip-out on an adventure of galactic proportions. The music and artists featured on this double-disc set not only entertain, but also provide a rich history of the psychedelic culture permeating generations of sound.

{Music review by Lanny K

FUSE 37

FUSE 38

6

MONEY SHOT

STEP APPROACH TO SORTING YOUR MONEY

What do you want your money to do for you? There are creative ways to achieve what you want in life, some can be reached immediately, but others will take longer term planning and this is what financial planning is all about.

Step 1 : Write down what you want

Step 4 : What financial products do you use?

First you need to work out what your goals are and what you want your money to do for you. Remember, money has no emotions or concern for who you are and what you want to do. Break your goals into short, medium and longer term plans; the more detail the better.

People often get caught up in the product selection process. Property or shares, term deposits or online bank accounts all have their features and depending on the market cycle and the current state of the economy they provide different types of returns. Diversification and making non-emotional decisions is the key here to ensure you have the right product strategy in place.

Step 2 : Know yourself Once you know where you are going you need to look within. What is your tolerance to risk? What obstacles may get in the way of achieving your goals? What habits and attitudes do you have around money? Do you have ethical investment concerns? Do you need advice or do you want to DIY? Step 3 : Learn to play the tax strategy game Superannuation, a company, a trust, individual, joint ownership and using other people’s money for investment are ownership or taxation structures. You need to review the appropriateness of these and select the best structure in which to invest. Each has their advantages and disadvantages.

Step 5 : Regular review process Make sure you have a process to review your strategies and investments. If anything changes in your life you should review, and you also need to keep informed of any changes to legislation that may affect what you have in place.

Step 6 : Stay focused Once you have selected a strategy it is important that you keep your eyes on the prize. Even if things seem hard at first, the long-term benefits will be rewarding. So write your goals down and seek some professional advice to ensure you are on the right path to achieving what you want.

Scott Malcolm (scott@money-mechanics.com.au) is Director of Money Mechanics (ph: 6257 5557) who are authorised to provide financial advice through PATRON Financial Advice AFSL 307379.

The information provided on this document is of a general nature only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.

IMPORTANCE OF

}

{By Brad Carlos

GAY MONEY IN TODAY’S SOCIETY?

It seems we rarely think of how our consumer dollars — specifically, gay dollars — have an affect on the gay community and the economy at large.

They are advertising directly to the gay community, and some are also adopting policies and creating workplaces that put a welcome mat out for all people without discrimination.

How and where you spend your money can have a huge impact on companies. It can often determine how they do business; their approach to such things as ethics; consideration of people’s lifestyles and the rights of individuals.

You can make a difference with your pink dollar!

An example of this can be seen with anti-gay groups currently pouring massive amounts of money to try and eliminate the freedom of gay and lesbians to marry. Unfortunately some of this money is coming from your pocket via businesses and individuals that support these groups.

Luckily, more and more businesses are seeing the benefits of supporting gay men and lesbians.

SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT YOU! So it’s important that you support businesses that are not only gay friendly, but are also in step with your lifestyle needs and encourage equal rights for all. Using these companies means your dollar isn’t going to an anti-gay organisation, and will encourage other businesses to recognise the needs of their gay and lesbian clientele in the future.

This means, of course, actively looking out for businesses that are not gay friendly or may have ties with certain groups not synchronous with your beliefs. If you want to support gay friendly businesses, you have to know which companies — big and small — fit the bill.

FUSE 39

WHAT’S ON TOP QUEER

WILL YOU BE

IMPREZED? {

With all the hype surrounding Subaru’s WRX, I thought I would give the Impreza a drive.

The Subaru Impreza has distinctive looks, especially the hatch when viewed from the rear. My partner thought it looked great with its LED tail lights. I preferred the appearance of the more conventional sedan. I guess that proves that it’s all in the eyes of the beholder.

Inside, I loved the dash and the funky blue and red instruments.

However I would have liked to have seen a temperature gauge, which seems to have been omitted. This is a bit of a trend in other new cars too, presumably a cost cutting measure. I guess this could also be interpreted as a manufacturer’s faith in their products reliability. The stereo passed my idiot test, ie. you don’t have to read the manual to adjust it. Once you were inside it was very comfortable too with steering wheel height and rake adjustment. I am 192 cm (6ft 2in) tall and found getting into the car a bit difficult. This is due to the cool rakish windscreen design. Low sloping windscreens are an emerging trend in new cars which are designed for maximum fuel economy.

By Stuart Poole Stuart has been a car enthusiast as long as he can remember and greased up more moving parts than one can possibly imagine.

Fit, finish and general quality were all great.

Subaru is known for product excellence and even this base model was very well put together.

The Impreza had all the goodies we take for granted these days such as cruise control, multiple airbags, plus power windows and mirrors as standard across the range.

The side mirrors are bigger than usual and proved very useful for parking and overtaking. The more expensive RS and WRX all have more impressive alloy wheels as standard and also come with body kits.

The boot was great, big and easy to use. The hatch comes with a removable parcel shelf and the seats fold up to increase luggage capacity markedly. There was also a handy mat that folds out over the boot lip to protect the rear bumper when loading and unloading.

This would be a hit with people who have dogs riding in their car, as it would save a lot of claw scratches on the bumper bar.

Happy motoring, Stu

AUNT DOROTHY’S

MOTORING TIP Haggle with the dealer!

How did it drive? Well it felt safe and sure footed on the road. It was very stable through corners — like a drag queen with a cocktail.

The brakes were great too. The all wheel drive and traction control gave plenty of reassurance on wet and dry roads. Performance from the engine was good, but I personally feel as though it may perform better with a manual gearbox. The WRX model, with its 2.5L turbo engine should satisfy performance buffs with power to spare.

FUSE 40

Different times of the year can be more beneficial when it comes to getting the best car deals. Dealers are set targets by manufacturers, so they’re often prepared to crunch a cheaper deal towards the end of the month or the end of a quarter.

March, June, September and December are usually your best haggling months.

Kylie Gillies

Children of same-sex couples now have two legally recognised parents to care for them.

85 Federal laws that discriminated against same-sex families have been reformed. To celebrate, 85 artists have created 85 T-shirts inspired by the changes. Find out which ones fit you.

FUSE 41

OUT & ABOUT

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION

FUSE 42

OBAMA

SCARED OF TAKING ACTION ON QUEER RIGHTS

WORLD STAGE

{By Simon Copland

Alongside healthcare, gay rights was pinned as one of the key issues that created chaos for Bill Clinton in his first years and lead to the rise of the right and the eventual Democratic defeat in the 1994 mid-term elections.

The issue was allowing queer people to serve in the military; a debate that lead to the development of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which allows queer people to serve, but not openly. Now, in 2009, Barack Obama seems to be scared that if he tackles the same issue head on, along with many others important to the queer rights movement, he will also succumb to the same fate of Clinton in the 90s.

Obama has always had good rhetoric regarding queer rights.

Throughout his campaign and presidency he has promised action on a majority of the key issues on the queer agenda, including repealing the two most controversial queer policies; the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA), which federally defines marriage being between a man and a woman and allows states to refuse to recognise same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Obama has also agreed to sign laws that will enhance hate-crimes legislation, ensure queer adoption rights and outlaw discrimination in the workplace.

However, in the first six months of his presidential tenure very little work has been done on achieving these key issues.

Not only has there been no legislative action on any of these items (except hate crimes legislation), Obama has also caused frustration through refusing to sign an executive order halting the enforcement of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy until it is officially overturned. This leaves open the question, is Obama just talk on queer rights or is he scared that tackling the issue will cause him political problems?

Whilst there are probably a number of reasons for Obama’s inaction, it seems almost certain that the biggest thing holding him back is a fear of a similar backlash to what Clinton received.

Although Obama has been positive about queer rights, he often does so in a hidden manner, leaving positive action largely unannounced and speeches to queer activists out of sight from the media. In other words, Obama is attempting to give the queer community exactly what it wants, but is attempting to do so in a way that won’t outrage his conservative adversaries (who he believes could make a political issue out of it).

Obviously, this is having a number of effects. First and foremost it is now delaying the attainment of extra rights for queer people.

Second, and possibly more damagingly, it sends a clear message that discussing queer rights and taking positive action in a strong

manner is still a difficult area for progressive politicians, therefore leaving others cautious about taking positive action in the future.

By not standing up and fighting loudly for these rights, Obama is saying that it is still okay for there to be an opposition to queer rights and is making this opposition legitimate, in turn creating further equality problems in the future. Last, as long as Obama continues to delay, he will be making it harder for him to make the changes as required. With political landscapes changing quickly, opportunities to change policies can often be lost quickly and as long as Obama continues to delay he will make it harder for these policies to be changed. It is therefore important that continued pressure is placed on the Obama administration to affect these changes sooner rather than later, before it becomes too late.

FUSE 43

OUT & ABOUT

OUT IN CANBERRA

BEARS • HOMO HIGH • HUSH • GAY SKATE

FUSE 44

FUSE 45

EQUAL RIGHTS

EQUAL LOVE!?

ACTIVISTS ATTACKED AT THE NATIONAL MARRIAGE DAY BREAKFAST Equal Love activists said they were called “faggots” before being forced out of Parliament House during the National Marriage Day Breakfast in Canberra last month.

One of the activists, Mr Davey, recently told Ninemsn, “We went up on the stage, stood next to the senator and held out a cardboard banner that read ‘Inclusion = Equality’. Then a man wearing a National Marriage Day badge jumped out of the audience and came toward us saying, ‘Get off the stage, get off the stage, you have to leave now’.” Mr Davey said the unidentified man jumped on the stage, pulled on his arm and yanked his neck, saying: “You have to leave ... you’ve made your point now get out of here, faggot.”

These events have of course caused quite a stir and Mr Klooprogge from Equal Love Canberra recently sent FUSE this open letter.

WHERE’S OUR APOLOGY, SENATOR? In response to angry emails from LGBTI people criticising Senator Ursula Stephens (pictured left) for speaking at the anti-gay National Marriage Day Breakfast in Canberra, the Senator wrote, “I spoke to one of the protesters and he apologised to me for the disruption.”

I was that protester the Senator referred to. I did speak with the Senator on Friday morning, at an event in Canberra. But I did not apologise, and I have nothing to apologise for.

My actual comments to the Senator were meant as a light-hearted and conciliatory gesture, to keep open the opportunity for further dialogue. I said, referring to the heavy-handed actions of Parliamentary Security and Marriage Day organisers, “I hope you didn’t feel too uncomfortable by what happened yesterday!”, and laughed. She replied that she wasn’t uncomfortable at all — she had a great time.

Senator for NSW, Ursula Stephens, is the ALP’s “Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion”. If anyone should be apologising, it is the Senator herself, for insulting the LGBTI community by symbolically endorsing an event staged to celebrate five years of the ban on same-sex marriage.

FUSE 46

The National Marriage Day Breakfast was held five years to the day that the Labor and Coalition parties united to enshrine a discriminatory definition of marriage — as being between “one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others”. And every time this definition was read to the 500 breakfast attendees, roars of cheering and clapping erupted.

My decision to stand on stage with a fellow activist, silently holding placards saying “Inclusion = Equality”, was directed at Senator Stephens and the Rudd Labor Government. Their cosy relationship with the antigay religious right, fostered at events like the Marriage Day Breakfast, is the relationship that is maintaining the ban on marriage equality.

The more I investigate it, the more I realise: the Rudd Labor Government is in bed with the anti-gay Religious Right.

It’s time for Senator Ursula Stephens to practice a bit of “social inclusion” for a change. Senator, apologise to our community for speaking at the anti-gay Marriage Day Breakfast, and pledge not to attend such anti-gay events on August 13 next year.

John Kloprogge : Equal Love Canberra

GREENS SUPPORT

SAME SEX MARRIAGE Senator Sarah Hanson-Young from the Greens recently said in a written statement: “The National Marriage Day event could have been a more inclusive celebration by taking the commonsense step of supporting the rights of all couples to marry” “The Greens welcome the focus on marriage, as we believe it is something that more people in loving, committed relationships should have the right to enjoy,”.

lithium helping your business bloom

graphic design corporate identity branding print advertising website design email newsletters telephone 02 6287 7125 www.lithium.net.au

FUSE 47

DEAR ROSE

Dear Rose, I’ve just turned 20 and my mum recently discovered some gay magazines in my room.

She wants me to see a psychiatrist, and no matter what I say I can’t get through to her that there is nothing wrong with me.

Worried Dear Worried, Your right, there is nothing wrong with you being gay! However, the suggestion for you to seek some form of counselling is not a bad idea.

You don’t have to be crazy to see a counsellor and in fact I saw someone for a while after I came out to make sure that I was ok. What I found useful was that there was someone who could sort out the junk in my head and arm me with the tools to be confident about myself and my sexuality. And whilst you may think your mother’s aim is to have a psychiatrist change your mind about being gay, she may think that some professional help will assist you in developing some skills that are going to help you be confident about yourself.

One of the biggest killers in the gay community is depression and self esteem issues, and I see it every single day. We are great at perfecting our outsides, or shouting about our political rights, but there is no one to guide us on how to look after the insides of our beautiful gay souls. So I say, take your mum up on her offer and then write a book on gay self esteem, I promise you it will be a hit.

Dear Rose, My boyfriend and I have been together for seven years. We seem have hit a rough patch and when I ask him what’s wrong, he always says “it’s nothing”. We don’t fight, we hardly “really” talk anymore.

Aaron

FUSE 48

Dear Aaron, I have never minded arguing with a partner, what sends the alarm bells ringing is when there is a deafening silence between you.

You are coming to a huge milestone in your relationship and while some people may look at this as a negative thing, it can actually be a great opportunity to take stock of where you’re both at. It can be a time to reinvigorate your relationship and remember some of the things that you both found attractive about each other. You need to decide what you want and need. You can’t make your partner talk about what’s on his mind, you can however tell him how and what you are feeling. Relationships grow and flourish when both people feel that they are inspired.

Rose

Dear

If you would like to write to dear rose please email her at dearrose@fusemagazine.com.au ~ letters are placed either here or on the FUSE website fusemagazine.com.au

}

Dear Rose, My girlfriend and I have been together for three years now and she would like us to have a baby — I’m so excited by the idea of being a mum, yet absolutely terrified, I’m not sure if I’m ready at 25.

Liz Dear Liz, Gay or straight, everyone is terrified about being a first time parent. The damn things don’t come with instructions!

Don’t panic though; here is my ten-step program for first time parents: 1. There is no such thing as a perfect parent 2. Ask for help 3. Love your child unconditionally 4. There is no such thing as a stupid question 5. Trust your instincts 6. Nourish your child’s spirit 7. Teach your child tolerance and respect for all 8. Hug them always, whether they are three or thirty 9. Tell them that you love them every day 10. Tell them that they can be anything that they want to be My last and final thing is laugh with them always, and you will be a great parent.

Dear Rose, I’m in the public service and a gay friend of mine thinks that to come out at work would be bad for my career. On first thought I disagreed, but it does seem a lot of my gay friends actually are concerned about being out at work. What’s with that in 2009?

APS Level 2 Dear APS Level 2, This is a tough one! Coming out in any workplace is something that you need to consider carefully. The bad news is that unfortunately — even in 2009 — there is a stupid perception that gay folks are not up to the job! The good news is that despite the bad news gay folks continue to succeed in their chosen careers despite the discrimination that exists in the workplace. I am also happy to report that the Public Service is, has and keeps developing talented “out” gay folks such as Andrew Barr, Penny Wong and the legendary Justice Michael Kirby.

As with any personal disclosure in the workplace, you need to be careful of what you say to some people. Having said this, I have found that most of the people that I have worked with within the public service don’t give a hoot what my sexuality is — as long as I am doing a great job, that is all that matters.

My rule is… I wouldn’t want to work in a department or with people who think that my sexuality matters!

Photography: www.badbehaviourpublishing.com | Design: Lewis Oswald did it

Presentedship in partner with

RY!D R U H ITE LIMASON SE

g i b

a

t a h W ! r e t s n o m

furry A new breed of musical

ppets and humans ed by a wonderful mix of pu rm rfo pe cal usi m od -go ning, feel A hilarious, Tony Award win 02 6275 2700

rra Theatre ecentre.com.au Book at Canbemb er canberratheatr 23 October - 8 Nove 2700 Groups 10 or more 02 6275 u m.a .co cal usi em avenueqth