SPRINGOUT & FAIRDAY
CANBERRA CELEBRATES ITS DIVERSITY
PORCELAIN
HIT MIDSUMMA PLAY COMES TO CANBERRA
THE BUZZ
OUR BIG TV BONANZA
SIX PACK UNCOVER WHAT LIES BENEATH
DUELLING DIVAS MADONNA VS WHITNEY
THE ONLY GAY MAGAZINE IN THE VILLAGE!
20 – 21 NOVEMBER CANBERRA THEATRE “...a celebration not to be missed.” Sydney Morning Herald TWO NIGHTS ONLY
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FUSE FEATURES
13 SpringOut — Canberra’s annual queer pride festival starts this month. Check out the line up! 18 We find out what a girl really wants in a woman and how you can get it.
24 Exploring the isolation of a double minority. Hit play Porcelain comes to town.
FUSE OP.ED 14
34
20 Don’t be so grey — assimilation is not the answer for queer liberation. 46 Lithuanian parliament censors vital information for young people.
FUSE06 OCTOBER 2009
22 Get a perfect six! Spring is here and it’s time to uncover what lies beneath.
10
CONTENTS
10 Carmen Sarjeant gossips about the larger than life Beth Ditto, her band, fashion and size zero.
FUSE REGULARS 04 Editor’s Rant & Your Say 06 What’s On in Canberra 08 The Trap : Local & Gritty
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14 The Buzz : News, Gossip & Stuff 26 Footlights : Theatre Previews
PUBLISHER & DESIGN Lithium Innovation Pty Ltd {www.lithium.net.au}
28 Out & About : Canberra’s Night Life 34 FUSE VIP Drinks at the Press Club
EDITOR Alexander Thatcher {editor@fusemagazine.com.au}
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35 Community : AAC turns 25
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Yasmin Element
PRODUCTION & EDITORIAL Christopher Powell
CONTRIBUTORS Tony Hamlyn Scott Malcolm Brendan Farnhill Kristy Janszen Carmen Sarjeant Brooklyn Hulands
Damien Pratt Robert Henderson Lanny K Chad Wijayatilake Stuart Poole Gabrielle Hitch
Rose Pappalardo Simon Copland Kristin Procte Jonathon Zapasnik Lucy Jane Megan Munro
PHOTOGRAPHERS Jimmy Walsh
Snezan Saravovska
Douglas Robinson
36 Artscape : Local Canberra Artists 37 Money Shot : Saving for a Holiday 38 Ear Candy : Music Reviews 40 Out & About : More Photos of You! 43 Grooming : Hair Myths Exposed 44 Gender Talk : Constructing Gender 46 World Stage : No Gay Pride in Serbia 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!
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S T U D I O A PA R T M E N T S
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LIVE T H E H A R B O U R L I FE
Quayside is a striking new apartment complex, just released to the market, where you can live the harbour life in the heart of one of Canberra’s most desirable locations – Kingston Foreshore. You’ll be a stone’s throw from the buzz of Kingston Harbour, close to the boutiques of Kingston and Manuka, as well as the Old Bus Depot Markets, the Canberra Glassworks and the shores of the lake itself. The bold architecture and stylish living spaces of these 96 quality apartments make them the perfect home for this superb location. They’re sure to sell fast, so don’t miss your chance to be part of the harbour life at Quayside.
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Communities in the making
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FUSE
WHAT’S EDITOR’SON RANT
Alexander Thatcher, Editor will soon be basking in the sun.
IT’S HEATING UP! I always feel like a big cloud has lifted from my mind when spring finally makes it back into my life. I’m not a lover of the cold and if it wasn’t going to possibly destroy our little blue planet I’d say “Green House Effect — BRING IT ON!!!” I’m so glad it’s heating up. It also means the party season will soon begin, swimming, BBQ’s and long warm nights. Spring also marks the begining of Canberra’s GBLTI SpringOut Festival and Fair Day, where we all get to hang out in the lovely sunshine with friends and celebrate the diversity of our community. You’ll find more infomation and the line up on p13 and p25. It’s been a very interesting month since the last issue. We have all been working extremely hard in the FUSE office making sure that you get another corker issue and I sure hope we have delivered with FUSE06. I suppose my favourite part of this month was doing the FUSE photo shoot for this issue’s covers and spring fitness articles. We used local photographer Jimmy Walsh and our wonderful models were Kristy Janszen (p18) and Tal Evans (p22) who braved a chilly spring afternoon in the park. It was real perky nipple weather. I think you’ll all be very happy with the results — we certainly are. We also had a very fancy FUSE VIP drinks evening at the National Press Club where all the FUSE writers, contributors and supporters got together for a few well earned drinks. A big part of FUSE magazine’s success is built on the efforts of our contributors. So a big shout out and thank you to all of you and also to the Press Club for hosting the evening (p34). We will be very spoilt over the next month or so with two really great shows to see. Avenue Q opens on 23 October at the Canberra Theatre, and I’m very excited that we have the hit gay play Porcelain coming to The Street Theatre from 3 November. On p24 you’ll find our Porcelain show preview from our new theatre boffin, Robert Henderson. On a last note, we have some great give-a-ways. Tickets to Avenue Q and Porcelain, plus of course our regular DENDY double passes. How can you get your hands on them? Best letter to the editor or sign up for the FUSE EXTRA! enews from the website for a chance to win win win!
4
Yasmin Element, Associate Editor, with Tony Hamlyn FUSE Buzz Boy!
Send all letters to the editor to editor@fusemagazine.com.au
FUSE
Christopher, Alex’s partner in crime, at FUSE VIP Press Club drinks.
}
Enjoy, Alex
READERS LETTERS
Dear FUSE I wanted to tell you that I love the design and layout of FUSE magazine — it’s great. As an ex-magazine editor, I really appreciated the clean, crisp design, use of colour and font. The “Make Your Own” fitness article in FUSE04 was particularly interesting to an avid gym-goer! Thanks, Catherine Hello FUSE Just thought I would send you a quick email to let you know just how much I enjoy FUSE magazine. Thanks for all your efforts FUSE. Allan Dear Alex I write to commend you, Christopher and your team on the high quality of the new magazine “FUSE”. It is refreshing and very encouraging to pick up and read FUSE magazine every month — it’s fantastic that Canberra, now like any other capital city, has its own professional, stylish and easy to read magazine — full of great stories, plenty of photos and fashion tips. Keep up the great work and I look forward to the coming issues. Sincerely, Aaron McDonnell Hi FUSE I’m just so impressed with FUSE magazine and hang out for a copy each month. I especially like the special features, fitness and personal OP.ED’s. My partner was very excited to see his photo in FUSE05 — Cool! Max
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FUSE 5
What’s On
at the movies
Metropolitan Opera HD LIVE!
Dendy Cinemas proudly presents the WINTER HIGHLIGHTS Met Opera season concurrent with the performances in New York — captured live on High Definition. The Metropolitan Opera is one of the world’s great opera companies and the lavishness of their productions is legendary. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy thrilling, world-class opera at Dendy Cinemas! Visit online at www.dendy.com.au for the full season line up.
Julie & Julia Opens 8 October Meryl Streep is Julia Child and Amy Adams is Julie Powell in writer-director, Nora Ephron’s adaptation of two bestselling memoirs: Powell’s Julie & Julia and My Life in France, by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme. Based on two true stories, Julie & Julia intertwines the lives of two women who, though separated by time and space, are both at loose ends… until they discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible.
Mao’s Last Dancer : Opens 1 October From director Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy, Breaker Morant) and based on the extraordinary true story and best-selling autobiography of Li Cunxin, who, amidst the chaos of Mao’s Cultural Revolution, was chosen at age ten to leave his poverty-stricken Chinese village and train to be a dancer in Beijing. Enduring strict discipline and suffering the heartache of family separation, Li ultimately seizes the gift of his incredible opportunity with determination to succeed. He must make a choice between duty and freedom, between East and West. On an amazing journey of personal triumph, Li becomes regarded as one of the greatest classical dancers of his time.
Che : Part One : Opens 15 October A labour of love for Academy Award-winning director, Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Ocean’s Thirteen). The first film in Steven Soderbergh’s two-part Che Guevara epic tracks the charismatic revolutionary as he joins Fidel Castro’s band of Cuban exiles and journeys to the island on a leaky boat in 1956. From these humble beginnings, the small team of rebels mobilise popular support and recruit an army which will ultimately topple the U.S. friendly regime of dictator Fulgencio Batista, while Che himself undergoes a transformation from a simple doctor to one of the most iconic political figures of the modern age.
FREE TICKETS: FUSE has 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, comment on an article or sign up for FUSE EXTRA! and you could win these great Dendy movie tickets • email: hello@fusemagazine.com.au • www.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 6
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 October SpringOut & Fair Day Starts 31 October SpringOut is Canberra’s annual queer pride festival. It celebrates the diversity of our local GLBTI community. Check out the full line up of events for October and November on p13.
Avenue Q hits Canberra! 23 Oct – 8 Nov Canberra Theatre “If you were gay that’d be okay. I mean ‘cause, hey, I’d like you anyway...” You won’t be disappointed! Grab your tickets soon as they are selling fast! Review FUSE05 p12.
Nude Yoga for Men Free info nights 6 October & 3 November Meet like-minded men & enjoy the social side of Yoga p15.
Canberra Country Music Festival
REGULAR QUEER EVENTS!
Tuggeranong Homestead 9 – 11 October Country music’s very own annual three day festival in Australia’s national capital.
Saturdays Q Radio 7pm – 9pm 2XX, 98.3FM Canberra’s own GLBTQ radio show. RAW FM 87.6 : Girl Thing Wednesdays & Sundays from 7pm For girls who like girls. Presented by Tori Mac, an hour of sexy house and electro served up girly style. Hang Out with Canberra Bears Sunday arvos at O’Neill’s Irish Pub, Woolley St, Dickson on the first Sunday of the month 3pm. Bears Dinners: third Friday of the month. Tuesdays Dyke Dinner & Movie More info on FUSE website or see Canberra Lesbians on Facebook.
{
Check out fusemagazine.com.au for a full list of what’s happening in Canberra including local and national GLBTQ events
Porcelain : Acclaimed gay play comes to Canberra 3 – 7 November Part of this year’s Canberra SpringOut Festival, Porcelain is a fascinating story which delves into the mind of an alleged killer. The central character, a gay Asian man, is not just the victim, but also the perpetrator. Issues of homophobia and racism are constantly explored in this excellent play. Preview p24.
Canberra International Film Festival Wednesday 28 October – Sunday 8 November A 12-day celebration of film showcasing an exceptional selection of feature films and documentaries from around the world plus the best Australian new releases. At Dendy Cinemas Canberra and Arc Cinema.
Stonefest Canberra Uni Saturday 31 October Annual music festival held at the University of Canberra.
Mondays Gay & Lesbian Tennis 6pm – 9pm. Turner Tennis Club, Cnr McCaughey and Condamine Streets. Bring a tennis racquet, sports shoes and $5. Wednesdays Gay & Lesbian Squash 6.30pm – 7.30pm. National Sports Club, Mouat Street Lyneham. Bent Lenses Canberra’s very own Queer screen culture group. www.bentlenses.org ACTOUT ACTOUT is an informal outdoorsie activities group for Canberra’s gay and lesbian community. More details on the FUSE website.
To have your event included here email hello@fusemagazine.com.au
Bit Bent : Canberra Youth Group A great place to meet other young people, get support 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 gay night club. p28. Tilley’s Devine Cafe Legendary and sumptuous! p30. Bar32 Alternative gay friendly bar. p41. The Hush Lounge A chilled out GLBTQ bar. p32.
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THE TRAP THE TRAP
{By Brooklyn Hulands — Journalist
F : WORD #1 FIREWORKS
F : WORD #2 FLORIADE
F : WORD #3 LET’S NOT SAY
It was only a matter of time before the innocent fun of legally lighting dynamite in the ACT would be taken away.
Our flower festival brings more tourists to Canberra than any other annual event, but the bean counters will be out this year to make sure it’s still making money.
Our reputation as the capital of romance is hanging in the balance after one of rugby union’s biggest stars was sacked over a reportedly steamy night here in Canberra.
Every state in Australia did it years ago, realising the cost to letter boxes and puppies just wasn’t worth it. But Canberra managed to hold on. We became Australia’s own Las Vegas, where for one weekend you could drink, gamble, buy porn and blow something up — all without getting arrested. Understandably, the Government declared enough was enough. Household crackers are now illegal, with those ‘90% off Fireworks’ signs finally thrown out of all the storerooms in Fyshwick. There was a mixed reaction, with Chief Stanhope even telling reporters he ‘regretted’ the decision, but was outvoted in the party room. Whatever the case, Canberra won’t be the same on the June long weekend. I guess we’ll have to go back to fringe festivals and outdoor shopping in Garema Place for our fun.
THERE ARE THREE F-WORDS THAT HAVE MADE CANBERRA THE ENVY OF OUR NEIGHBOURS. BUT ARE WE STARTING TO LOSE OUR APPEAL?
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Nightfest was held for the first time in 2008, charging people to get into Commonwealth Park once the sun had gone down. It was a sell-out, but despite that it still managed to cost the Government a quarter of a million dollars more than expected. Our favourite gay MLA, Andrew Barr promised this year would see a better balance sheet, with some events scaled back and ticket prices to climb. There’s no doubt the five-night event last month was worth going to. The hilarious Josh Thomas managed to offend everyone outside of Generation Y. And really, who hasn’t dreamt of drinking cocktails in a rainbow of flower beds? But at a time when the ACT is facing seven years of deficit, can we afford to be splurging on something that gives us a few nights of questionable fun? Tourism officials say the number of extra visitors staying overnight makes it worthwhile, while the Government is sure the event can turn a nice profit this time around. So it’ll be all eyes on the figures when they’re finally released. And lots of untagging on Facebook when those drunk rainbow pics emerge.
Wallabies star, Lote Tuqiri, lost his multi-million dollar contract with the ARU in July, but both parties refused to say just what had happened. It’s unheard of for such a well known player to be stood down with no explanation. But we can always trust the tabloids to dig something up. According to News Limited, Tuqiri was fired for taking a twenty-year-old woman back to his Canberra hotel room after a night out, in the lead up to the test against Italy in June. It’s against team rules to do it, with the football star already on his ‘last warning’ for messing up. But Tuqiri, who signed a confidentiality agreement with the ARU, used Twitter to hit back at the paper that broke the story. ‘Front page of the Tele, wow!! Got to feel sorry for an editor who has to revert to this to sell newspapers…’ Lucky FUSE is free.
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{By Carmen Sarjeant
WHAT’S FEATUREON
GOSSIPING ABOUT BETH DITTO The Gossip has been around a while now but with their latest album, Music for Men, the band is crossing the popularity line to include indie music know-it-alls and mainstream pop audiences. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, The Gossip has a repertoire of catchy songs, eclectic stage presence and Beth Ditto. Front-woman Ditto causes a stir with her performances, dress-sense and body image confidence. Ditto is unashamedly plus-size, outspoken, tattooed, unshaved and refuses to use deodorant. Her larger than life personality has been rewarded with an NME win for ‘Coolest Person of the Year’ in 2006 and nomination for ‘Sexiest Person of the Year’ in 2007. Formally signed to Riot Grrrl-affiliated record label, Kill Rock Stars (recall Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney), The Gossip has reinvented some of the principles that empower women for the current electro-focussed, post-grunge, post-punk era in music. Beth Ditto has become a modern icon; a fashionista for the out-andproud generation and plus-size women. Ditto’s opinions about her weight have not gone unnoticed. She has posed nude for several magazine covers and she never lets her size compromise what she wants to wear. She has been criticised for normalising obesity, yet continues to share her confidence in her body, calling herself a feminist. Her attacks on the fashion industry and her demand for there to be plus-sizes in stores like Topshop are confronting but not new ideas: ‘If there’s anyone to blame for size zero, it’s not women. Blame gay men who work in the fashion industry who want these women as dolls. Men don’t know what it feels like to be a woman and be expected to look a particular way. The Beckhams are part of the machine; Paris Hilton is part of the machine.’ By criticising size zero and advocating her size, the healthy weight range for young women is once again overlooked in the media and by Ditto. Nevertheless, she presents herself with intentions to single-handedly overhaul these conceptions in fashion. She has released her own range of clothing for the British store, Evans. In conjunction with the line, a Beth Ditto doll was released.
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Ditto is righteous and won’t let the mainstream tone her down. She has criticised the likes of Katy Perry and her ‘I Kissed a Girl’ anthem as “boner dyke” music, adding, ‘I hate Katy Perry! She’s offensive to gay culture, I’m so offended.’
‘She’s just riding on the backs of our culture, without having to pay any of the dues and not being actually lesbian or anything at all. She’s on the cover of a fucking gay magazine’. Ditto, although vocal about almost everything else, is relatively quiet about her relationship with long-time transgendered partner, Freddie. Some may take or leave Beth Ditto and her public antics. She is centre-stage in performance and in press — but it is The Gossip that has given us music even punks are forced to dance to with their soulful genre-mixing, the androgynous drummer, Hannah Billie (who appears on the cover of Music for Men), the musical genius of guitarist Brace Paine, and of course Ditto’s vocals. Music for Men really is for all and with its release, 2009 is The Gossip’s year.
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Thursday nights @ Champions: 5—26 November Saturday mornings @ Westlund House: 7—28 November
www.aidsaction.org.au/strip
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canberra 1.indd 1
10/06/2009 10:57:25
a r r be
can
SpringOut builds on a long tradition of community celebration in Australia’s capital city. Come enjoy a fun filled, empowering and fabulous time during the SpringOut festival. All of the events in the SpringOut festival are undertaken by individual groups within our community, putting in lots of volunteer effort so we can have fun. You’ll find a line up here plus look out for more events and details TBA, including our launch party and much much more! Check out www.fusemagazine.com.au for regular SpringOut updates and events!
FAIRDAY
PORCELAIN
SpringOut Fairday is Canberra’s whole LGBTI community day, where the community comes out to play in the grounds of Westlund House. The annual Fairday is a marvellous day out for the whole family so bring your kids and pets. Sunshine, great food, interesting stalls, beautiful people and a relaxed atmosphere — what could be more pleasant for a Saturday afternoon in spring?
The Street presents the La Mama production Porcelain. John Lee, a 19 year-old gay Asian man, shoots and kills his white lover in a toilet block. Winner of the London Fringe Award for Best Play, Porcelain is a taut and moving race drama of love, identity and sex in public places. Bookings 6247 1223. More info p24.
Saturday 31 October 12noon to 5pm
Fairday 2009 will include, drag kings and queens; performances by local artists; the Canberra Gay and Lesbian Qwire; and live music by Lyndell Tutty and The Adam Hole and Marji Curran Band. There will be a terrific treasure hunt for all the kids. Plus don’t forget to bring your furry friends along for the ever popular Pet Parade presented by local funny guys Morgan and Johnno. The day will also include a seminar and workshops by Scott Malcolm, financial planner, and a free yoga class by Gregory Barnes. You’ll find SpringOut Fairday in the grounds of Westlund House, Gordon Street, Acton (near the Film and Sound Archive and opposite the Academy of Science Dome). For further information on Fairday, how to have a stall or sponsor the event, contact Megan on 6257 2855 or megan.munro@aidsaction.org.au
CROQUET & HYATT HIGH TEA Sunday 1 November 1pm till 3pm
A delightful afternoon of croquet and high tea; Croquet is a genteel game and the idea is not to hit someone over the head with the big mallet but instead use it to hit a ball through a wicket shaped thing. To continue this charming afternoon join us for a decadent High Tea at the Hyatt Hotel next door afterwards. For more info email Paul at ACTOUT paul@actout.cjb.net
WHAT’S ON
y a d r i fa 2009 and
SpringOut is Canberra’s queer pride festival celebrating diversity.
Tuesday 3 – Friday 7 November at The Street Theatre
NUDE YOGA INFO NIGHT 6 October and 3 November 6pm
All men welcome 18+. Enjoy your first nude yoga class free of charge. Teacher Gregory will give a short introductory talk before the class followed by a Q&A session with current students in attendance to offer their experience. The class will consist of gentle physical and breathing exercises with time for relaxation. More info p15.
WOMEN’S PURPLE PARTY
Saturday 7 Nov at Majura Hall, Dickson from 7.30pm A popular women-only event. See FUSE website for more details.
LUNCHEON & WINE TASTING Saturday 14 November
Enjoy a delicious lunch and wine amongst friends at the beautiful scented rose garden at Bywong. Afterwards we will visit nearby wineries to taste some wonderful local wines. For more info email Mark at ACTOUT mark@actout.cjb.net
QWIRE CONCERT : ‘LITE AND FLUFFY’
Sunday 22 November at Majura Hall, Dickson at 2pm Drinks and nibbles will be available at the 30 minute interval.
CANBERRA BUSHDANCE
Saturday 28 Nov at Yarralumla Woolshed 7.30pm – 1.00am Dust off your hat and polish up your boots. Bushdance is back! Join in the fun of Canberra’s biggest GLBTI event — over 600 dancers, a great band, bbq and bar in a real woolshed. It’s hot, it’s fun and you’ll get to dance with everyone. See the FUSE website www.fusemagazine.com.au for more info.
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NEWS GOSSIP & STUFF
{
By Tony Hamlyn
The Buzz* Some people look forward to Christmas, others hang out for their birthdays. But my favourite time of year is the September and October fall premieres, when the new TV season begins in the US and we get to see all the new shows the networks hope might pique our interest. And so this month’s Buzz is...
the BIG TV bonanza
MELROSE PLACE
That’s right! Following in the footsteps of last year’s 90210 remake the legendary 90s soap, Melrose Place hit the US at the beginning of September. Cynical? I know I was. But then I watched it, and was sold IMMEDIATELY! Some favourites have returned — Thomas Calabro as evil doctor Michael Mancini and Laura Leighton as the conniving Sydney Andrews — and that spunky little Ashley Simpson-Wentz plays a country girl who’s moved to the big city with a dark secret. Ooooh! There’s the obligatory bad boy; the hot, starving actor; and a stunning blonde PR gal who lezzes out trying to land a client. So what’s so good about the new Melrose Place? The first episode ends with a murder (gasp!) so the entire first season is like a trashy whodunit. It’s like Twin Peaks with a better soundtrack. And you know who really loves it? I do! Tony says: HIT!
GLEE
If you missed the pilot episode’s advance screening a few months ago on Channel Ten then I feel the need to take you to task. This show is IT! Mixing a quirky, dark humour with a fresh, musical element, Glee has irony, pathos and guest stars galore! Thursday nights on Channel Ten are a joy since this baby came to town. Expect the Glee Club to get bigger and the numbers to get camper! Tony says: HIT!
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THE CLEVELAND SHOW
Here we have animation genius Seth McFarland’s latest offering, a Family Guy spin-off called The Cleveland Show. If the first episode is anything to go by, Seth is about to have his first taste of failure in a big way. Whoever thought that Cleveland was funny and interesting enough to be a leading man needs their head read. Even the Greased up Deaf Guy would’ve been better than this. I can’t work out if it’s an attempt at pisstaking the whole blacksploitation thing, given the current political climate in the US, or if they’re trying to corner a new, more family-oriented market with this show, but it’s low on laughs and has none of the inappropriateness or irreverence that Family Guy and American Dad! are notorious for. Tony says: MISS!
THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE
History shows that dramas centred around modelling agencies rarely work, but Ashton Kutcher is producer of this hot mess and it must be said that everything he touches turns to gold. I mean, just look at Demi Moore! Mischa Barton is the drug addled former It Girl, Elle McPherson is the boss of New York’s finest model agency, and the cute black guy from High School Musical plays the HOT black guy — so you can see everyone’s being challenged by their roles in this one. It starts off big and delicious, but can it sustain the interest? Time will tell... Tony says: HIT! (...to begin with)
VAMPIRE DIARIES
Vampire mythology is HUGE at the moment, mainly due to the Twilight phenomenon, and this show is desperate in its attempt to try and tap into that market. But isn’t it already oversaturated? Kevin Williamson, who created this, was once Hollywood’s golden boy, responsible for iconic hits such as the Scream movie trilogy and of course the seminal Dawson’s Creek. Vampire Diaries follows two vampire brothers — one good, one evil — as they fight over the same girl, and it’s set at high school so of course along with the undead there’s also finals and prom to worry about. I’ve seen Buffy, and I’ve seen Twilight, and I can’t see anything new being brought to the table here. I’ve always been a huge fan of Kevin Williamson, but sadly I don’t think this is his comeback moment! Tony says: MISS!
ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE
The always fabulous Jenna Elfman (Dharma and Greg) makes her TV comeback with a Knocked Up rip-off called Accidentally On Purpose. Sometimes cute, this old-fashioned sitcom might be a bit out of step for today’s viewing audience and will probably end up cut unless they start to push the comic envelope. I like Jenna a lot, so I’m hoping she gets a hit. But I won’t hold my breath. Tony says: MISS! (but I really hope I’m wrong!)
COMMUNITY
Fans of the E! Channel’s newstainment series The Soup will be overjoyed to see its current host, Joel McHale, in this new comedy in which he plays a disbarred lawyer forced to get his law degree again at a local community college. Don’t expect any of the local free-to-air channels to catch onto this one, but my guess is that FOX8 or Arena will pick it up later in the year. Funny and cheeky, it also features comedy legend and Saturday Night Live alumni, Chevy Chase as a sleazy car salesman back at school to learn Spanish. This is (so far) one of my faves for the season and I think could be a bit of a cult hit, a’la Arrested Development or Thirty Rock. Tony says: MISS! (but a devoted collective will consider it a HIT!)
FUSE 15
NEWS GOSSIP & STUFF
FAREWELL TO
PATRICK SWAYZE
V
Sci-fi is never given enough credit, and I believe that when there is good writing and when the genre works cleverly with subjects like religion and politics and various branches of philosophy, it can be among the most gripping and touching television you can experience. Fans who are still mourning the loss of Battlestar Galactica are gonna be thrilled with this remake of V, the 80s TV classic, which isn’t due til November but which promises action and adventure, as well as brilliant metaphor, and of course flesh-eating alien reptiles. Tony says: HIT! (though probably only in DVD format)
COUGAR TOWN
Courtney Cox bounces back after the flop series Dirt to star in a new comedy called Cougar Town. She plays a middle-aged mother who has split up with her loser husband, trying to get back into the dating game. Her young assistant hooks her up with a younger guy and hilarity ensues. Normally I’d have reservations about this kind of thing, but I adore Courtney Cox (always my favourite in Friends) and she is truly fantastic as the clumsy, self-doubting divorcee from beginning to end. The support cast are also amazing, including Christa Miller who you’ll know as Scrubs’ ultimate scene-stealing wife from hell, Jordan Sullivan. This could pick up where Desperate Housewives has left off. Tony says: HIT!
THE GOOD WIFE
And on the subject of TV comebacks... Julianna Marguilles, who you might remember from early ER, returns to the box for this little gem. If you love all that David E. Kelley courtroom drama stuff like Boston Legal and The Practice (this is NOT an actual David E. Kelley production, btw, so don’t get too excited!) you will ache for this. Her politician husband (Chris Noth from Sex And The City and Law And Order: Criminal Intent) goes to jail after a prostitute sex scandal and so she has to take care of the family by going back to practicing law after thirteen years. This could potentially be the new Grey’s Anatomy, mark my words! Tony says: HIT!
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How sad to have to do another celebrity eulogy this month, with the passing of Hollywood hunk Patrick Swayze. Swayze first hit the pop culture landscape in 1983 as the hot eldest brother of all the other hot boys in The Outsiders. From there he landed a variety of eye-candy roles in boy flicks like Youngblood — most infamous for the first time audiences got to see Rob Lowe’s penis — but then featured in the mini series North and South, the Civil War epic which won critical acclaim in the mid-80s. To die with one seminal hit under your Hollywood belt is hard enough — Swayze did it twice! In 1987 he was cast as Johnny Castle, the uber-buff dance instructor in Dirty Dancing. The low budget hit grossed more than $200 million and made Swayze a bona fide star. It remains a cross-generational classic, and one of the most quotable films of all time, responsible for what will no doubt be Swayze’s most memorable screen moment, “Nobody puts baby in the corner!” 1990’s Ghost saw Swayze and Demi Moore’s haircut tearing up the screen and redefining the romantic comedy genre. It will always be a much-loved and beautifully filmed rom-com, and the scene where a hot, topless Swayze slides erotically round the pottery wheel with Demi Moore’s haircut to ‘Unchained Melody’ goes down as one of the greatest celluloid images of all time. But let’s talk about Swayze’s gayer moments in Hollywood cinema, beginning with the homoerotic hunk fest that is Point Break. No matter what generation you’re from or what kind of boy or man does it for you, Point Break is one of the hottest male action films ever made. Swayze’s upper body is sublime and on show throughout the entire film. But I admired him most for playing Vida Bohemme in the drag comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar. Sure, this much-maligned film was little more than a cheaper, less entertaining rip-off of our own drag hit Priscilla, but I always liked it and thought it was a terrific risk for a leading man like Swayze to pull off the role of a matriarch drag queen in a film like that. He might have looked like a man in a dress, but he still managed some feminine grace, and delivered what remains one of my favourite gay lines, ‘Today looks like a say-something hat day’. Farewell to the handsome leading man, one of the Hollywood nice guys and an iconic absolute movie star.
speakeasy Fringe cLub Set in a 1930’s illegal gin joint, with no prohibitions, no inhibitions, just the pursuit of pleasure and delight. Local original contemporary music but not as we know it.
14 – 17 oCTober | STreeT 2
Last Man to die
vitaL LMtd A cross-art journey to the future in a showdown between artists to find new life.
24 – 30 oCTober | 8pm (noT Sun/mon) | STreeT 2 a La MaMa production
porceLain by chay yew “A harrowing but extraordinarily impressive production” herald Sun
John Lee, a 19-year-old gay Asian man, shoots and kills his white lover in a toilet block. A taut and moving race drama of love, identity and sex in public places.
3 – 7 november | 8pm | STreeT 2
booK noW! 6247 1223 www.thestreet.org.au
Quantum G13799
ore Buzz*
canberra Musicians cLub, Matty eLLis & cardboard charLie
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The STreeT TheaTre iS SupporTed by The aCT GovernmenT
17
WHAT A GIRL WANTS Is there an ideal body shape when it comes to attracting that special someone? What is it that draws your eyes across a crowded room? What are single ladies looking for and how can you get it? I asked some lovely single girls what they find physically attractive, and a few very happy couples what attracts them physically to their partner... Katie 27 : single ‘I love the collarbone area. If ladies workout, I hope it’s for themselves or because they enjoy it, not for other people’s pleasure.’ Amy 30 : in a relationship ‘Arms are hot, but nothing beats my partner’s bod!’ Caryn 33 : single ‘Shoulders and arms are definitely my favourite part on chicks. Love chicks working out. Sport dykes are hot. I’m a sucker for an athletic bod on a chick!’
The responses were amazingly similar. We like women who look like women, we like athletic but not over the top, and of course, personality is the most important thing. Arms and back are the clear winners. We like ladies who work out to take care of themselves and because they enjoy it, not just so they can pull the chicks! Now we have the secrets to what those girls want, how do we get them? I’ll tell you how to trim down those arms, tone them up and have fun doing it... Boxing!
Photography by Jimmy Walsh www.jimmywalsh.com.au Model Kristy Janszen
Kim-Maree 38 : married ‘The shape of my wife’s back, the line from her neck to her shoulders and the soft round grooves in her shoulders.’ Kelly 29 : single ‘Definitely arms and upper back, but not too muscley’ Anna 27 : in a relationship ‘Arms and back. Definitely like chicks who work out — but not interested in chicks while working out.’ Sally : in a relationship ‘Personality is the big one but cute bum is always good. I loathe muscle-bound of either gender; nicely proportioned yes, muscle-bound hulk no.’ Lauren 27 : in a relationship ‘Arms are definitely the best part of anyone’s body... followed closely by backs.’ Gen 25 : in a relationship ‘It’s always about personality — the fact that I have a model for a wife is just a coincidence!’ Irene 46 : in a relationship ‘Bum... and I like women working out (if having fun and not throwing up).’ Julie 46 : in a relationship ‘Arms... and I like women working out!’
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Fitness boxing is one of the most effective exercise sessions to burn fat, get fit and tone up all in one. It’s versatile, you can do it anywhere and you don’t have to be a professional to get a great workout. Boxing can also mix in with the weights, running, abdominal work and strength exercises. No matter what you are targeting in your body, you can cover every aspect in one session. The calorie burn in a boxing class is phenomenal and the endorphin release is huge, so you come out at the end feeling like you have had an awesome workout but on a great exercise high! There are plenty of boxing classes around Canberra, but all you need is a set of pads and gloves, a bit of imagination and off you go. Remember though ladies, no matter what your shape is, it’s nothing without some confidence and self love. Take care of yourself, body, mind and soul. Stand tall and be proud. In the end only you can make you happy and that is what makes you hot!
TIPS
TO STAY ON COURSE! By working out with a trainer, friend or even a group of people with something like boxing, aerobics or even a bootcamp, you will be more likely to stick it out if you’re being encouraged. Unfortunately women rarely put themselves first but if you have promised someone else you will meet them to do a workout you won’t let them down.
FEATURE
?
Have support
Have realistic goals We often set unrealistic goals and try to do too much, too soon. Women will often drop out of an exercise program due to frustration and the feeling that they are just not getting results. Pick smaller goals at regular intervals, it’s much more motivating. For example, you may have a goal to lose 10kg but if you set a monthly goal of 2kg gone, you are more likely to stick with it! You can also pull out that pair of jeans that are just a tad too small now, but every fortnight try them on again and see all that hard work reward you as you slide them on easier. Once they fit perfectly, pull out your next goal clothing.
Make exercise fun! Find an exercise activity you like (or at least don’t hate) doing, otherwise you’ll never stick to it for very long. But don’t be scared to try new things. You have to be courageous, it’s also a way to make yourself mentally stronger, and you may even like the new activity!
Eating If you’re feeling lethargic and flat you’re less likely to want to exercise. Don’t skip breakfast, even if you’re in a hurry — there is always fruit you can eat on the go. There is no point exercising if you can’t put in 100% because you are hungry. It is also dangerous for you as your sugar levels can drop, and you are at risk of passing out. Always watch what you eat, avoid fast foods. Don’t be a cop out and make that excuse ‘there was nothing else’. Only lazy people say that! Make something and take it with you if you have to. Ensure you are getting enough fruit and veg throughout the day. It should be a part of every meal.
Sleep tight It’s important to get a good night’s rest as your body uses this time to recuperate and perform day to day repairs on itself. Don’t sleep too much though as research has shown this has been linked to depression. When you wake up, get up. Don’t go back to sleep, your body woke up because it was ready. Try and get up at the same time every morning, get yourself into a pattern and stick to it.
{
By Kristy Janszen — a fully qualified trainer who offers Boot Camps, Personal Training, Adventures, Corporate Wellness Programs, Boxing and Group Fitness Sessions. www.pioneer-training.com
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WHAT’S OP.ED ON
‘Part of the parade is to show people we’re not extremists, we’re real people.’ When asked who she considered to be extremists the response came, ‘Drag queens and butch women’.
Normalcy is being used to create a perception of a queer movement that is designed to fight for acceptance into current society, rather than to change the way society is organised. This is where this tactic has become extremely dangerous.
A sentiment that you would normally expect from a conservative. However, this didn’t come from the Right, but instead from a member of the queer movement. They’re words spoken by one of the organisers of the Winnipeg Pride Parade, after a debate about making the parade ‘less confronting’ and more ‘family friendly’. This may be shocking, but in reality this statement is not surprising; it’s a symptom of the direction many in the queer movement are taking. An increasingly powerful section of the queer movement argues that to achieve better results we need to present queer people as members of society who are no different from anyone else. We need to present ourselves as ’normal’.
The politics of ‘normal’ is so dangerous for one reason; it dramatically changes the goals of the queer movement. By adopting a tactic of presenting normalcy, the queer movement is moving away from having a position that is critical of the heterodoxy into one that not only accepts, but for many embraces it as an inevitable part of society. This is creating a scenario where instead of its deconstruction, assimilation into the heteronormative society is becoming the goal of the queer movement.
By acting ‘normal’ some believe that we can change the minds of those who find us confronting and strange; why would society want to discriminate against queer people once they realise that we are just like them? These tactics are considered especially useful in debates regarding legislative change such as same-sex marriage or adoption laws. However, it also goes far beyond that. Many, especially those in the leadership positions, are now beginning to use the idea of ‘normalcy’ as a way to try to quash fears of the more dramatic changes that are the aim of many in the queer movement.
ASSIMILATION IS NOT THE ANSWER FOR QUEER LIBERATION.
The problem? This leaves out the ‘drag queens and butch women’ — and everyone else who falls out of the mould. All this tactic does is let a few more people in the hetero-club (generally those who come closest to fitting the hetero-mould, i.e. ‘normal looking’ bio-male gay men and bio-female lesbian women) — while still leaving some (trans and gender-variant folk, polyamourists etc) out. This is the essential problem of normal: as long as there is normal, there will be abnormal. Whilst in this scenario some are better off, this tactic sells out not only those who will continue to be excluded, but the queer movement and its principles as a whole. For full queer liberation to occur we can’t simply claim that the rules about gender, relationships, sex, family, etc apply to us as well; we must aim to change them. As long as we aim to be normal these changes and the deconstruction of the heteronormativity in society simply will not occur. If we just aim to be normal we are setting our bar too low. We must aim to change our society. Assimilation is not the answer to queer liberation.
{By Simon Copland
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6 Photography by Jimmy Walsh www.jimmywalsh.com.au Model Tal Evans
Spring is here and it’s shirts-off weather. So what are you doing to make sure you have the amazing abs and physique to show off?
Ensuring that you’re doing a combination of eating right with cardio exercise (where we are increasing the heart rate) and resistance training is the key to getting the results you want.
This combination of diet and exercise will increase the body’s metabolism, which means burning more calories, more often, including the times when you’re not exercising. Burning off these excess calories means a lower percentage of body fat, allowing the muscle definition to show — especially throughout our abs.
BODY SHAPE
6
PACK
UNCOVER WHAT LIES BENEATH
The workout below is a small combination of cardio and resistance training to help add tone to your entire body. For the best results, include an extra 30 minutes of moderate intensity cardio a day (for example jogging, cycling or aerobics).
THERE’S WORK TO BE DONE
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By Brendan Farnhill Alive! Health & Fitness
Exercise 1 : Skipping
Exercise 5 : Plank (3 sets)
Begin by skipping for 5-10 minutes to warm up your body for exercise and add a small amount of resistance training for your lower body.
This exercise is going to work on your transverse abdominals and help to improve your overall core strength and posture. Starting on the knees and elbows (elbows directly under shoulders), draw the stomach muscles in and keep your hips, shoulders and head in one straight line. For a harder options, lift to the toes keeping hips, shoulders and head in line. Hold for as long as possible, then try to match the same time on the second two repetitions.
Exercise 2 : Crunches (3 sets x 12 reps) This is the basic exercise we all know as a sit-up but we’re adding a slight modification. Lying on your back, lift your heels off the ground (which takes your hip flexors out of action), and then place hands either across your chest or fingertips behind the ears, do a small crunch squeezing the abs. You do not have to sit the whole way up to your knees.
Exercise 3 : Push-Ups (3 sets x 12 reps) Either on your knees or toes, take the hands out slightly wider than the shoulders. Make sure you keep the stomach tight and back stays flat (don’t let your lower back arch). This is going to help strengthen your upper body but also begin to work your transverse abdominals.
Exercise 4 : Oblique Twists (3 sets x 12 reps) Again, this is going to work through your rectus abdominals but will now start to target your obliques. Using the same set-up position as your crunches, crunch up but then take your right shoulder across the body towards the left knee. Return to the centre, then to the floor. Repeat on the opposite side. One crunch to the left and one to the right equals one repetition.
To ensure the best results, we need to make sure that we are taking in the right foods. The basic rule that we need to look at to help us lose weight is to burn more calories than what we are consuming. The second thing is we need is to watch the types of foods that we are eating, to ensure that we are fuelling our bodies with the premium petrol. This involves cutting down on excess fats and making sure we are eating enough carbohydrates and protein. This combination of an exercise routine and some basic nutritional tips is going to start you on the way to having those “washboard abs” and defined muscles so you don’t need to have any fears when it comes to ripping your shirt off, whether it be in a night club, on the beach, or to just show off your great physique. Look out for FUSE EXTRA! for more info on technique, nutrition and exercise to get that “spring out body”. Sign up at www.fusemagazine.com.au
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.
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FEATURE
MELBOURNE HIT
QUEER PLAY PORCELAIN
COMING TO CANBERRA Since the departure of Adam SpreadburyMaher to London a few years ago, queer theatre in Canberra has been a bit rare. Jarrad West’s production of Angels in America being the most noticeable highlight. The Street Theatre has come to the rescue this year with several items of queer interest, such as Paul Capsis, and finishing with the confronting play Porcelain by Chay Yew. Set in the UK it follows a young Asian gay man, John Lee, who shoots and kills his white lover in a public toilet beat. Keith Brockett, seen in ABC TV’s The Librarians as the gay library assistant, stars in the pivotal role. The typical stereotype of the Asian, passive, compliant victim, is reversed. What has made him do this most terrible of acts? Why does he turn from compliant porcelain doll to raging bull? With a mix of interviews with a sleazy psychologist and flashbacks, we explore the world that John Lee experiences as a gay Asian in a white society. First performed in 1992, Porcelain is one of Chay Yew’s very first plays. The Singapore Government banned another of his early plays as it presented the gay character in it as being ‘too sympathetic and too straight-looking’. Now living in New York, Yew looks back at Porcelain and asks himself, ‘Am I still that Asian guy who is standing all alone at the back walls of the world? How far have I come? Am I still that lonely? And why is the pain still so fresh?’
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{Preview by Robert Henderson Through its entrepreneurial efforts, The Street Theatre, by bringing this highly praised 2008 La Mama production to Canberra, has led to a revival season at Dog Theatre in Melbourne before it’s Canberra season begins. Since her arrival three years ago, Artist Director/CEO of The Street Theatre, Caroline Stacey has overseen a revival of it as an interesting, dynamic venue bringing quality music, theatre, opera and cabaret with an edge. In his review of Porcelain for Art Hub, Yuhan Lim says that, ‘Yew very cleverly makes us care about the characters... drawing us in with characters the audience can identify with... all gutsy roles compellingly performed by the cast.’ The play’s director, Beng Oh, who is also gay and Asian, brings his interest in gutsy, hard hitting theatre to Porcelain, which earned him a 2008 Green Room Award nomination for Best Direction. He’d wanted to direct it since 1996 but had been waiting for the right cast, and especially the right lead actor. By all reports the spunky and talented Keith Brockett is perfect. The rest of the all-male ensemble cast is completed by Paul David-Goddard, Leon Dürr, Colin MacPherson and Nick Barker Pendree. The Street Theatre, Childers St City West, 8.30pm, Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 7th November 2009. $29/$23. Bookings 02 6247 1223 or www.thestreet.org.au
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aidsaction.org.au/fairday
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{Theatre reviews by Robert Henderson
FOOTLIGHTS
ALL FEMALE CAST STARS IN TAMING OF THE SHREW An all-female cast of Shakespeare’s most seemingly sexist play, holds lots of promise for fascinating exploration of gender roles and power relationships — not to mention good old fashioned girl on girl action. With a stunning cast including veterans Judi Farr and Sandy Gore, the production sees women playing men, dressed as men in conflict with women playing women, dressed as women. Last year’s Bell Shakespeare’s all male Titus Andronicious was a brave but largely unsuccessful experiment. Taming of the Shrew offers a lot more promise. It would be very hard to cope with the transformation of Kate from forced marriage rebel to the docile and meek wife at the end if it was just played straight. The richness of Shakespeare is in the infinite variety of interpretations possible and in his amazing insight into the wide diversity of human nature. Canberra Playhouse. Tuesday 6th to Saturday 17th October 2009. Bookings 6275 2700 or www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
SPEAKEASY FRINGE CLUB Travel back to the roaring twenties as The Street Theatre transforms into a 1930s illegal gin joint when Speakeasy Fringe Club opens as a part of the Made in Canberra festival. Soft lighting, intimate lounges, gin served in tea cups, live uninhibited music, with a deco theme and lots of cushions and rugs on the floor to lay back and enjoy the ambience. The Canberra Musicians Club, Cardboard Charlie and Matty Ellis and others bring you the music. At 7.30pm the Speakeasy begins with The Band Broke Up, various solo artists performing their music with discussion. There’s a different show starting at 9pm each night beginning with Los Duos Deranged exploring duos. Acoustic Allstars on Thursday night is unplugged. Canberra Cannibalism Cabaret is covers with cred: local bands cover local hits. The Extraordinary Finale Concert and mega jam session on Saturday won’t end till 1am. The Street Theatre. Wednesday 14th to Saturday 17th October 2009, 7:30pm & 9pm. $15. Bookings 02 6247 1223 or www.thestreet.org.au
CIRCUS OZ IS BARELY CONTAINED The unique and internationally renowned Circus Oz return to Canberra for the eighth time in Barely Contained, described by them as a manic, comic cyclone of absurd acrobatics and non-stop action. One of the very first modern circuses to not have animals, Circus Oz formed in 1978, pre-dating Cirque du Solei by six years. They’ve always performed with a strong socially conscious theme and include lots of rubber limbed tumbling, duo juggle, chair balancing, teeter boarding, hoop diving, group bike work and aerial rope performances. The dozen performers do all the tricks together, rather than having one or two particular stars. It’s an all new show and will be in the intimate comfort of the Canberra Playhouse. Expect to see some spunky shirtless lads and gorgeous gals do amazing things with their bodies. Canberra Playhouse. Wednesday 7th to Saturday 10th October, 1.30pm & 7.30pm. Bookings 6275 2700 or www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
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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.
Available at the Handmade Markets at Yarralumla Woolshed, Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston, Home By Creation in Manuka or order online.
electricfirefly.com.au • 02 8003 4999 • info@electricfirefly.com.au
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OUT & ABOUT
33 Petrie Plaza Civic, Canberra City www.cubenightclub.com.au
Cube’s Halloween Party Make your way down to Cube this 30th of October for the ultimate Halloween Party. With the club dressed to look like something out of your worst nightmare plus special Halloween drinks, FREE entry if you come dressed in theme and awesome prizes for the best costumes, you’re in for a treat (or trick!). Last year saw the club overrun with vampires, witches, creepy clowns, fairytale characters, serial killers from all the best horror flicks and a whole mass of zombies covered in blood and gore.
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Halloween
Also on the night Cube will be host to the long awaited return of Drag Queen Chicago in a hot production show featuring the always fabulous Chyna Dahl and Queen PDA. Plus don’t miss the incredibly talented DJ Matt Chavasse working his magic on the decks from 10pm. Get in early dressed in costume and make yourself seen for your chance to WIN one of three of Cube’s extremely popular and exclusive oversize beach towels. They’re in the very Halloweeny colour of bright orange and can’t be bought; the only way to get your hands on one is to win it! See you all there — Friday 30th October 2009 from 9pm.
Tj Tell us about CUBE and you. Working in the hospitality industry has strengthened me as a person. I have grown into my own personality from someone who used to hide behind others. Throughout my five years at Cube I have mastered positions starting at the door to the bar and all the way up to DJ’ing with our superstar DJs. Cube is a big group of friends trying to put on a great night for all patrons. Through my commitment to Cube and the gay community I have had a great life experience that I will never forget. Working at Cube really does have its benefits — with lots of parties, dinners and staff drinks, Cube has helped me grow into a happy, fun and mischievous person! To this day I must confess, I have never once been late for a shift. Thanks Guys! xXx You can catch Tj DJ’ing on Sundays from 10pm till late!
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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 7 days a week for the 26th year. Open at 9am 7 days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner 6 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
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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... To reserve your favourite table or booth phone us on 6247 7753
TILLEY’S BIG GAY BREAKFAST
Food
Glorious
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.
WHY NOT JOIN US FOR A WONDERFUL SUNDAY BREAKFAST AT TILLEY’S — KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR DATES ON THE FUSE WEBSITE
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OUT & ABOUT
THE
Corner of Launceston & Irving Streets Phillip www.hushlounge.com.au • 02 6282 1944
HUSHLOUNGE
WHAT’S ON!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME…
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Yep, believe it or not Hush is turning one this month — we have a huge party organised and you’re invited. This is no ordinary birthday party of course; this will be a three day extravaganza. It starts on Thursday night with a VIP comedian coming from Sydney… Friday night there will be drag queens and kings performing… Saturday night will be a night of treats but we’ll keep the line up close to our chests and surprise you… So please come to the party — we’ll send you an invite soon!
Remember Hush is an ideal venue for your next party, function or celebration of any kind. Hush is a unique and stylish lounge bar with a relaxed party feel about it and a great sound system to support your own music or even a live band!
Throughout the month of October we have many other functions organised, so make sure you’re on our mailing list or join our Facebook page so you won’t miss out on anything.
Hush can be booked out for a CLOSED PRIVATE function. See management for more details.
KARAOKE & KOCKTAILS FRI 2 & SAT 17 OCTOBER 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. HUSH’S 1ST BIRTHDAY BASH! THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER Birthday Comedy Special of the Morgan & Johnno show presenting Adam Dean, magician, illusionist and comedian. Ticketed event.
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With a fully stocked bar, an outdoor beer garden and excellent catering options available, your next function or celebration will be talked about long after the night has ended. If your requirements are for a themed party, Christmas party, cocktail party, wedding, 21st or any excuse to have a get together, we are your people.
YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS VENUE & VIBE!!!
1ST BIRTHDAY DRAG! FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER HUSH birthday Drag King and Queen night with guest DJ. THE BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER Birthday Party night, 3 headline acts to perform including Dan Knight. BIRTHDAY RECOVERY SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER Sunday Session Recovery followed by open mic night, open late.
WESTERN NIGHT FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER Gun slinging and boot scooting! MORGAN AND JOHNNO SHOW THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER Stand up comedy night from 7pm. GOTH NIGHT FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER Bring out your best black, black is best. HUSH’S HALLOWEEN SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER
OPENING HOURS : Tuesday — Thursday 5pm to 11pm Friday — Saturday 5pm to 1am : Sunday 1pm to 8pm
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OUT & ABOUT
FUSE DRINKS @ NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
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25
Don’t forget the AIDS Action Council AGM on Wednesday 28 October! AAC is about to turn 25 years old and for a quarter of a century has been leading the response in the ACT to HIV and other related health issues. These days the Council has a much broader focus on things that impact on gay and lesbian health and wellbeing. Through a variety of workshops and other activities at Westlund House, AAC has provided advice, counselling and support to thousands and demand for services continues to grow. The Council grew from grassroots beginnings and remains a member-based community organisation. General Manager, Andrew Burry says that over the last couple of years membership has been growing, but he would like to see this number grow much more. “A lot of work involves advocacy around issues that have a direct or indirect impact on gay and lesbian health, including same sex law reform, marriage and access to better primary health care.” he says.
COMMUNITY
AAC IS ABOUT TO TURN
“It is very important that we are as representative as possible when we talk to Government and that a diverse range of opinion and need informs our future direction.” AAC is based at Westlund House and as well as its own programs, makes the building available to community groups for meetings and social events free of charge. The AGM is the time when a new Board of Management is elected and everybody is encouraged to consider what they can offer. Burry says that the only qualifications necessary are a point of view, a willingness to consider other points of view (!), a strategic focus and being prepared to commit to the time required. So, why not think about supporting your Council? Give Andrew Burry a call on 02 6257 2855 and he can explain exactly what being a Board member is all about.
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. 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. Memorial Address Speaker: Wayne Morgan Wayne is a lecturer at the ANU College of Law and has a human rights practice. A biography can be found at http://law.anu.edu.au
Bar CSIRO Discovery Centre
ry D
rive
Date: Wednesday 28 October 2009 Time: 6:30 pm Location: CSIRO Discovery Centre, North Science Road, CSIRO Cost: Free For more information: David Mills on 6257 2855 or david.mills@aidsaction.org.au
Important: 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.
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DAVID REID
Local makeup artist & stylist ARTSCAPE
David Reid has worked in the beauty industry over ten years and has applied his trade to many fashion weeks for top Australian designers. Having worked and trained for companies like M.A.C and Perscriptives, David has a knowledge of fashion and cosmetics that is second to none. He became interested in fashion and makeup from a very early age growing up in Canberra.
SOPHIE CAZABON Local artist & photographer
Soph has always been obsessed with art and has been drawing for as long as she can remember. Art became her main focus throughout school and coming from a family where both her siblings had attended art school, she followed suit. ‘The four years I spent there in the print media workshop were amazing, I feel very lucky to have learnt what I did in that time. Not only did I explore all the techniques, I also learnt about myself. It was a self-realisation time,’ says Soph, who came out as a lesbian and met her first girlfriend in her second year there. ‘Coming out at the same time as developing my art taught me so much about perception both of the world and my place in it.’ These days Soph uses her art knowledge as a way to reach out into the community and is a mentor and facilitator in Up Your Art — a mentoring program for disadvantaged youth. ‘In my current role I teach art lessons to young people who have really struggled to maintain a connection to their schooling. Art as therapy isn’t a new concept but it has been vital in my connection to young people in my role as a youth worker. Often communication is challenging for young people who have experienced so much in such a short time, but pens, pencils, paint and cameras offer a much less threatening way to help to get young people to express some of their worries.’ ‘My connection with art will always be there, whether it’s producing art or using it as a form of therapy for young people. It’s a passion that drives a lot of what I do in my everyday life and that makes me stop and look at what beauty the world has to offer.’
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‘I was one of those boys that played with dolls, believed in fairies and painted flowers. At one unfortunate stage in my childhood, I was sent to a Scout group to butch me up! At the Christmas party Santa gave me a “KISS” make up set. When my evil step dad came to pick me up all the boys were running around screaming with faces full of makeup.’ David is an amazingly creative talent whose love and passion for his art has inspired many photographers and fellow artists. But what inspires David? ‘Some of my favourite makeup artists are Eddie Funkhouser, Nik Studio and Pat Mcgrath, but I’m inspired by many people — my all time favourite being Madonna, the queen of constant image change.’ Why makeup? ‘I love make up because it can create a mood for the wearer. It can transform or enhance and it gives confidence when applied skilfully. Do I ever look at people’s makeup and think ouch? Yes! But then I remember that the wearer obviously feels better with it on. So let ‘em wear cake! If it makes ‘em happy!’ See Davids work at www.makeupbydave.com
could be doing again right now! Aaahh the memories! I would always endorse a good fun packed holiday. But fun aside, the reality is this has to be paid for somehow.
AM I THE ONLY PERSON IN NEED OF A HOLIDAY RIGHT NOW? I bet I am not. Like you I want an awesome holiday. You know, maybe the one with the hot Mexican bringing me drinks while sitting on the beach in Mykonos? Umm... That was twelve months ago. I should stop day dreaming as I am only half way to my savings goal for the next one. Which got me thinking, beyond my Mexican friend, what will the consequence be for your next holiday? Several hangovers? Maybe some things you wish you hadn’t done. Or maybe some you wish you
MONEY SHOT
Here is my challenge to you: have a great holiday with priceless moments but not sponsored by MasterCard. You want the memory of your holiday to be the pictures, the places and the people. Not the monthly reminder that the holiday is over but MasterCard and your bank’s shareholders are still enjoying the benefits of your interest repayments. …So back to the fun of planning that next holiday. My advice: set your goal. Work out what you need to put aside to fund it. Pay yourself first, and spend less than you earn. Sounds simple doesn’t it! But again reality can be different. Above all enjoy that holiday when it happens, knowing that when you come back the memories will remain and you will avoid that unwanted holiday debt hangover. If you don’t want to do the planning for it alone, or get stuck in the process, pick up the phone and call me, it’s what I do. I might also still have the details for the Mexican too!
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.
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EAR CANDY
Paul Dempsey Everything Is True Paul Dempsey is a fricken Australian legend! I love this guy so much; he can do no wrong in my eyes. The voice, the hair, that kind of mysterious distant personality, wow... makes my knees wobble. If you don’t know who he is then I may be able to help you out; remember the hugely successful band, Something for Kate? Well he was/is the frontman. This album is Paul’s first solo LP under his own name and I just love it. I have been listening to it on repeat for days now and am not sick of it yet, in fact I really don’t see how I could ever get sick of it. If you are familiar with Paul’s music and writing style you will understand when I say that the guy is amazing. His voice and lyrics are haunting and so beautiful. I have been a fan of Paul and Something for Kate for as long as they have been around (1995 I think) and have always been eager to get their albums when they were released, and this one was no different. The track ‘Remona Was a Waitress’ has been getting a lot of airplay on the wireless and for good reason too. Have a look/listen on YouTube — super-amazing song, I say. So, if you are feeling a little chilled, maybe in one of those moods where you just wanna lay down on your bed and close your eyes and daydream!? Then I suggest chuckin’ this little bewty in the ol’ CD player, closing your bedroom door, set the vol to comfortable and forget about the world for just the length of one album. You’ll feel a whole lot better for it.
Starsailor : All the Plans Boring, boring, boring! So very disappointed! The only thing this album has going for it is the cover art and track two, ‘Boy in Waiting’ — other than that, not a hell of a lot going on here.
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I was first introduced to Starsailor about five or six years ago when the Thin White Duke remixed their track ‘Four to the Floor’. After being very excited about this song, I decided to buy a couple of their albums and I was very impressed. In fact I would even go as far as to say that the album Silence is Easy was the 2004/05 soundtrack for me! So naturally, the other day when I was browsing thought JB HiFi (as I often do) I noticed that they had released another album in March this year. I practically dropped everything and ran to the counter to make my purchase as I really thought that this band had disappeared, I mean they hadn’t done an album since 2005! As soon as I got to the car I stripped off the plastic wrapping and shoved it as fast as I could into the CD player… But low and behold it did very little for me! Where were the cool, catchy tunes that I was so used to from this band? It all sounded the same, every song! Arghhhhhh! Why, why, why! All in all, I don’t really recommend this album, but the ones before this one, yeah for sure! Get into them!
Actually Good Songs Vol.1 Actually Good Songs Vol.1 is a very rare little compilation masterpiece that somehow has been able to host every single song that I currently hold dear. How that happens is a mystery to me, but I am not complaining. The creators of this rough and ready “mix tape” must have their finger on the pulse to have nineteen tracks of pure excellence. It really is like my Top Ten list twice over! Oh and when I say it is rare, I mean rare! I was told about this compilation by a friend and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t find it anywhere. But as luck is my servant, a mysterious person presented me with a copy in late August and I quickly learnt that I could not live without this album. My biggest worry now is how I am going to get a copy of Vol.2 and all subsequent volumes when they come out??? So a little bit about the music on this compilation album; it’s a lot of indie rock (my fave), mixed just perfectly with the right amount of electronica (my second fave). So how could it possibly go wrong! Also, the cover art is just fantastic, very, very random and bizarre; I often find myself fixated for minutes on end at the pure magic of it. Have a look for your self and see if you can work out what the hell is going on... Then please tell me! Tracks to listen to on this album: ALL OFF THEM ARE PURE GOLD!
{Music reviews by Damien Pratt
{By Tony Hamlyn
DUELLING
DIVAS
I don’t know about you, but I love duelling divas! So how excited was I to see the release of new albums from all and sundry — a plethora, if you will, of divaliciousness? Madonna has just released a new album called Celebration. It’s her final album with Warner Music, the label she’s been with since the start of her recording career. The new CD has a total of 36 tracks which, according to her official website, “changed the world”. No argument here, but I always find that when it comes to Madonna I prefer the road less travelled, and on compilations like these I want to see ‘Dress You Up’ or ‘Take A Bow’ or ‘This Used To Be My Playground’. The press release promises ‘Everybody’, her very first single with Warners from ‘83, and a whole bunch of stuff right up to the Hard Candy album. Which begs the question, does anybody feel that ‘Give It 2 Me’, her last single release, really changed the world? In a clever and somewhat subtle tip to her Warner years, the cover shot is an especially pleasing reworking of the pic that adorned her debut self-titled album (was it really all those years ago???), only done in these fabulous colours, a’la the famous Warhol screen-prints of Marilyn — a nice full circle moment. You would no doubt be familiar with the new single, ‘Celebration’, which will have by now been flogged in every gay bar and in every shop and on every radio station from here to Kingdom Come. She still thinks that club music is hip and happening, and that Paul Oakenfold is in his prime. Of course, neither of these assumptions are true, but it’s a catchy little bit of pop/dance that I’m willing to sing along to when they show it on Channel V of a Saturday morning. There’s another song which may or may not be released further down the track called ‘Revolver’, and word has it that it’s collaboration with Li’l Wayne.
Most thrillingly... who’s back, baby??? Whitney Houston’s back, that’s who! The hype has been on overdrive for a long, long time now, but it’s finally here — and it’s GREAT! The album, I Look at You, has just been released and the cover shot is a beautiful portrait of a woman in her mid-life, graceful, elegant, very Aretha and very commanding. Alicia Keys has penned the first single, ‘Million Dollar Bill’, which possesses an incredible melody, a catchy hook, a smooth production and a fabulous vocal. Hit, hit, HIT!!! Welcome back, Whitney — all is forgiven!!! Ahhh, Mariah... Now, I know she’s a bit of a joke, especially in lesbian circles, but I have to say I am — and always have been, from the moment I heard ‘Vision of Love’ back in 1990 — a HUGE Mariah Carey fan. Now, don’t judge me and don’t get me wrong — I know she’s not without her... issues, but I can’t help it, I just LOVE her! The new album is out now and it’s titled Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. From the title, and the lead single ‘Obsessed’, I’m gathering it’s the third in a kind of self-reflective trilogy that began with her comeback album The Emancipation Of Mimi back in 2006, and its follow up E=MC2 in 2008. She’s worked again with the who’s who of hip-hop and R&B so expect more of the same — if you’re a fan like me, there’ll be no disappointments I’m sure. Also out now, Mariah’s new perfume, grandiosely titled Luscious Pink, available at all good retail outlets.
FUSE 39
OUT & ABOUT
CUBE NIGHTCLUB
MASTER MIXOLOGIST
CHAD WIJAYATILAKE HAIR SHOW
FUSE 40
FUSE 41
s w o d Sha
Fun, support and friendship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guys 15 - 25 attracted to other guys
For info call 0466 415 456 ACT Health
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Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation
Indigenous Coordination Centre
Canberra Men’s Centre
AIDS Action Council of the ACT
I’m amazed at just some of the things that people believe is right or wrong about hair, and how they go about looking after it. Some hair beliefs don’t make sense and are just plain wrong. So let’s set the record straight about some of those so-called hair rules. Is it true you should change your shampoo and conditioner every couple of months because your hair will get used to one type of shampoo or conditioner? False! Your hair is dead once it has grown out of the hair follicle. So there is no way your hair decides what type of shampoo or conditioner is best for you. You or your stylist decides which will best suit your hair type and needs. The times you will need to change your products is if you have had some colour done and you need colour protection, or your hair could be getting a bit dry in the summer months from the elements, so you might need to move to a more moisturising shampoo and conditioner. I recommend the Nutritive collection from Kerastase. So basically, if what’s happening to your hair changes, then you need to change products.
I brush my hair while it’s wet to get the knots out. Is this bad?
True! When you get highlights using a powder lightener (in other words bleach), it expands the hair cuticle and gives you a bit of root lift. Now who doesn’t like a bit of root lift? So if you’ve got fine hair and have never tried highlights, well now you have another reason to give them a go.
Yes! You should never use a brush to get the knots out when your hair is still wet, always use a comb. Brushing will create more breakage and can tear the outer layer of hair, also it will take longer to brush out. If your hair does get really knotty you should be using a detangling spray to help with your de-knotting. There’s a great detangling spray with Redken called ‘Instant Polishing Prep’, it’s great for normal to dry hair.
I heard it’s bad to wash my hair every day... You should wash your hair when you think it’s necessary. It’s actually a good idea to try and train your hair to survive without its daily shampoo, this way you save water plus time. The only time you could wash your hair every day would be if you happen to have an oily scalp, this would mean you would get stringy shiny hair. If you do have an oily scalp you should be using a shampoo designed to combat the oiliness. There’s a great shampoo called ‘Oil Detox’ by Redken that I recommend to my clients.
Is it ok to use my straightening irons on wet or damp hair? No! You should always dry off your hair completely before using straighteners. If you straighten your hair while it’s wet or damp you risk melting the internal structure of your hair. The hair is much weaker when wet. You should always use a heat protective lotion or a spray before you start straightening your hair, this will help create a guard around the hair strand. I recommend ‘Iron Repair’ by Redken.
By Chad Wijayatilake. Hair by Form Haircutters.
True or False? Let’s just ask Chad!
Will highlights give me extra volume?
{
Hair Myths
GROOMING
ASKCHAD.
CELEBRATING STYLE AND SUBSTANCE WITH CHAD I had my first ever hair show on the 24th of August. Held at the courtyard studio at the Canberra Theatre, the show titled “Celebrate Style and Substance” lived up to its name. Over seventy of my closest family, friends and clients attended the show, which was held to celebrate my achievements and my qualifications as a hairdresser. Twenty models strutted their colourful and textured hair cuts from a circus inspired opening to an all-boys collection and a grand finale inspired by John Galliano. The show was a huge success with many more to come in the future.
FUSE 43
GENDER TALK
{By Kristin Procte
RAISING SEXUALLY HEALTHY CHILDREN ‘As a first time parent I became devoted to providing my son with everything he needed to be happy and healthy,’ says Kristin, a young mother of a two-year-old. ‘I monitored his developmental milestones with an anticipation only a parent could really appreciate. I thought I had covered every aspect of his development. Then I discovered an article on the raising children network website called, “Raising Sexually Healthy Children.” ‘So, what does sexuality education look like for a toddler? For me, it is really about providing developmentally appropriate information about bodies, feelings and relationships. One thing I immediately adopted was correct language: an elbow is called an elbow, a chin is called a chin, and in our house the private parts of the body each have one respectful name. This sounds easy, in theory, but I found it helpful to practice so that I could confidently use the words with my son. I also found it helpful to get a picture book about keeping your body healthy and safe, which we read together. I like Everyone’s Got a Bottom. Now he can identify the private parts himself, which I am proud of because he can ask for help if he is ever hurt or scared.’ ‘It is easy to get caught up in worrying when to have “the conversation”, so I try to remind myself of the everyday learning opportunities my son and I have. I can help him identify body parts in the bathtub. I can give him choices about what to wear so he can learn about decision-making. I can teach him to say no and how to ask for help. I hope that by having regular conversations with my son about bodies and relationships he will continue to ask questions, seek out information and be confident in himself and his relationships. As a parent, nothing would make me more proud.’
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FUSE Magazine & SHFPACT thank Kristin for sharing her perspective on raising a sexually healthy child.
{By Abbey Jane
{By Jonathon Zapasnik
Socially Constructing Gender “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman” Simone de Beauvoir — The Second Sex In FUSE04, Abbey Jane asked an important question, “Does gender differ from sex?” Her answer was yes; she took what I will label the ‘subjectivist’ position of gender. I will present an alternate position to this problem with the same conclusion. In the field of Gender Studies, scholars have tended to take up what is known as the ‘social constructivist’ position. What is this so-called ‘social constructionist’ position on gender? In the most fundamental sense, gender is social, whilst sex is biological. Gender is socially constructed and operates in a binary opposition (male/female). Gender isn’t a choice, it’s something imposed on us before we are born. When we are born we are generally dressed in blue or pink, depending on our ‘sex’. From that point we are expected to grow up with particular masculine or feminine characteristics, dictated by our culture. Boys are generally encouraged to play rough sports, whilst girls are encouraged into more feminine activities like dancing or textiles. This is directed by our agents of socialisation — our parents, relatives, and peers — even the media plays its part in imposing a gender on us based on our sex. Furthermore, social constructionists study the hierarchy that comes along with gender. Historically, men have been privileged over women. This is still apparent in our society today, where men are commonly depicted engaging in violent actives compared to women, who are represented in more traditional roles within the house. Sex, on the other hand, is what we are biologically. This is constituted through three key elements: our hormones, our genitals, and our chromosomes. This notion of sex has been most prominent in establishing the binary opposition between men and women. Often when a child is born as a hermaphrodite (consisting of male and female genitals) parents are encouraged to choose either a male or female sex for their child. We are lead to wonder whether society could function without these roles placed upon us?
Talking to your kids about puberty, relationships and sexuality can be challenging. Parents can feel that they lack the conďŹ dence or resources to do this effectively.
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) is a health promotion charity that has been supporting parents & carers in Canberra to have these conversations with kids since the 1970s.
Our key goal is to minimise the risks and harms faced by children and young people, using an evidencebased approach to comprehensive relationships education.
For more info about how SHFPACT can support you as a parent or carer, phone us on 6247 3077 or visit our website at www.shfpact.org.au today.
Assisted with funding from the ACT Government.
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WORLD STAGE
LITHUANIA’S MORAL
Fabrication
Lithuania’s Parliament has recently passed a new law aimed at censoring information available for young poeple.
The legislation, called the Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information, identifies nineteen separate fields of information that are to be censored in order to protect the “mental well-being” and “intellectual or moral development” of the country’s youth. These nineteen fields include information “that agitates for homosexual, bisexual, and polygamous relations”, images of heterosexual sex, the rendering of explosives, information on the paranormal and hypnosis and depictions of bad eating habits. In other words, from next year (when the law comes into effect) it will be illegal for the Lithuanian media and other information providers to depict positive images of homosexuality and bisexuality as well as eighteen other fields of information. Although passed by a large majority in June, the legislation has and continues to face an uncertain road to its eventual enforcement. When first passed, it was vetoed by the then President, Valdas Adamkus. This meant that the legislation had to be sent back to the Parliament, where the veto was overridden and a new law was passed (that strengthened the anti-queer measures) by a vote of 87-6. This new law was then sent to the new President, Dalia Grybauskaité, who has constantly criticised the legislation and refused to sign the bill.
{By Simon Copland
According to the constitution, Grybauskaité will now be forced to sign the law, although it is unclear how she will react to its presentation, with talks of her attempting to amend the legislation and/or challenge it at a constitutional court sometime in the future.
However, even if it comes into force, there are still major problems with the legislation that could make it defunct. The two biggest of these are that the law does not define what the most important term in the legislation, “public dissemination”, means and it does not provide any penalties for those who participate in this act. In effect, this could mean that the law has no effect. Even with these problems however, one cannot ignore the seriousness of this law. As an assault on the fundamental rights of freedom of press, speech and sexual identity, this law is an extremely serious attack on the Lithuanian population (focused on queer people). Apart from its initial effects this will mean a continued oppression of Lithuanian queer people who will be forced further underground in order to live safe and happy lives. Unfortunately, this law is a sign of what looks like a new wave of anti-queer sentiment in the Lithuanian State. This major piece of legislation could possibly be the first in a series of anti-queer actions, with a growing movement discussing the banning of homosexuality in the country. Whilst this probably won’t occur in the near future and would definitely receive a veto from the country’s President, it certainly is a possibility and one that cannot be ignored.
NO GAY PRIDE IN SERBIA After repeated threats of violence from the extreme nationalist movement, Obraz, the Serbian authorities have decided to ban the Belgrade Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade. Obraz Secretary, Mladen Obradovi said, ‘Everyone knows what will happen if they go ahead with that parade of shame and the organisers will be responsible.’ Nebojsa M. Krstic, President of the Obraz movement has also been quoted saying they will fight against all abuses of human rights committed for the sake of legalisation of sexually deviant homosexuals and lesbians and numerous sects in Serbia. Parade organisers said the Serbian Interior Ministry told them that the event would be prohibited because, due to the extremity of the threats, the event was too risky and security could not be guaranteed.
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The Serbian gay scene is very much underground and members of the community are regularly the target of discrimination and violence. Belgrade is currently full of anti-gay posters telling gay parade participants, ‘We’re expecting you.’
“The Republic of Serbia has capitulated. We have not.” ~ Serbian Gay Pride organising committee.
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 just love your column and have been trying to think of a question for months now. I thought I might ask you where you go for advice. Amy Dear Amy, I draw most of my advice from a culmination of the wisdom of Buddha, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and my copy of “Chicken Soup for the Soul” (just joking!). Most of the advice that I give is drawn on my own life experiences and the people that I have come across at the strangest times. You would be surprised how similar our experiences are. We talk to people every day but sometimes I wonder if we really listen to each other. I discovered a long time ago that life is not a destination but a journey that we are supposed to take. We are supposed to make mistakes, the key is to learn from them and be there for people when they make their mistakes. Dear Rose, I live in a gay group house with an absolute slob, who is rude and obnoxious. Damn, I am absolute crazy for him… what am I going to do? DK Dear DK, It is not sexy to live in a dirty house; it’s not even vaguely attractive. So you need RULES in the gay group house about basic tidiness and cleanliness. I was once dating a woman who was an absolute pig and at first the dazzling heights of being in love made me overlook the fact that she was unable to pick up after herself. That wore thin very quickly, so here is my solution: You need to have a house meeting and decide to either have a day once a fortnight that everyone cleans up or hire a house keeper and split the cost between the house members. Dear Rose, I’m about to turn 40 — do you think I should get Botox for my birthday? Love, Aging Queen Dear Aging Queen, Know what you’re getting into, but otherwise, hell yes! If you want that Botox for your 40th, you go girl! When I turned 30, I bought myself my very first tattoo and to this day it is an homage to independence, a right of passage. And to this day I still love it! So my darling… let the Botox be yours! Rose’s best advice though, is to make sure that you do your research. Know any side effects, find a reputable establishment, ask around for recommendations and don’t be swayed by price.
FUSE 48
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, I’m happily married to a wonderful man, but also attracted to women. I picked up your magazine and thought you may be able to give me some advice. MS Dear MS, I guess you are in a difficult position; you need to decide whether you would like to act upon your attraction to women. Before you make a decision you need to realise that if you do decide to act on it, you really need to consider where your relationship is at with your partner. Ask yourself, ‘Is this attraction to women something that has developed over the years or just recently? Are you feeling this way because you are unhappy with your current relationship?’ Tread carefully as you may end up hurting a very special person who means a lot to you. What I can tell you is when or if you make a move away from the life you have lived, someone always gets hurt. Try to find a counsellor so that you are able to explore these feelings and work out whether your attraction to women is real. Good luck and remember to be honest with yourself. Dear Rose, I’ve been living in Canberra for several years now and just can’t seem to find a girlfriend here... what’s a girl to do? Frustrated Hi Frustrated, Canberra is not an easy town to find a girlfriend; trust me, it took me a long time to break into the scene, and I found it difficult to know where to start or go to. The typical Canberra lesbian is an elusive figure and very hard to attract — I often look at this process of getting out there like a David Attinbourgh safari documentary, seeking a rare and beautiful creature. On the hunt for the perfect girlfriend you need to be mindful of the things that you are looking for in a partner. If you are looking for someone who likes to dance and party check out the clubs or bars. If you are looking for someone civic minded then you need to join a gay group of some kind. Personally, I started by getting online and just meeting people, getting to know people and socialising. The other thing that I highly recommend is date first!
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