FUSE 03 The Secret Life of Gay Hollywood (Girl Cover)

GAY CELEBRITY WOULD YOU COME OUT?

VANITY FAIR THE HOTTEST SHOTS IN TOWN

MASTERCHEF A GIRL’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH COOKING

COUCH CULTURE

FILM, DVD & MORE!

GAY HOLLYWOOD

PRIVATE LIVES ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR

CANBERRA’S NEW LESBIAN & GAY MAGAZINE

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FUSE FEATURES

08

Fabulous has become a bit of an over used cliché but it’s the best way to describe the Vanity Fair Portraits Exhibition.

12 Ooohhh... It’s the the secret life of gay Hollywood.

26 Vote 1 Tori Mac ­— Super DJ! 34 Behind the Lens : Annie Leibovitz.

36 Hard On comes to Canberra.

FUSE OP.ED

36

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18 How cool is your mum? Local gay boy Johnno tell us about his!

FUSE03 JULY 2009

16 For the love of food!

Michelle Darlington talks about her Masterchef experience.

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CONTENTS

06 Get to know our local celebrity cover models Morgan Fuery and Rose Pappalardo.

18 The generation gap.

Technology and relationships.

FUSE REGULARS

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PUBLISHER & DESIGN Lithium Innovation Pty Ltd {www.lithium.net.au} EDITOR Alexander Thatcher {editor@fusemagazine.com.au}

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ASSOCIATE EDITOR Yasmin Element

PRODUCTION & EDITORIAL Christopher Powell

CONTRIBUTORS Nelida Contreras Scott Malcolm Abbey Jane Alexander Abbey Yvonne Wigman Snezan Saravovska Jan Halligan

Tony Hamlyn Johnathan Davis Lanny K Chad Wijayatilake Phil Schubert Damien Pratt John Davey

COVER PHOTOS

Nik Studio

Rose Pappalardo Kristy Janszen Brendan Farnhil Carmen Sarjeant Helen Stevens Lucy Jane Jason Roses

02 04 14 20 22 28 30 32 33 35 39

40 42 45 45 46 48

Editor’s Rant What’s On in Canberra The Buzz : News & Gossip Fabulous Things We Love!

Out & About in Canberra Fitness & Body Shape Eating Right, Staying Healthy Money Shot : Spending Habits Property : Buying into Wealth Personal Coaching & You Grooming : To condition or not to condition... that is the question!

Couch Culture : DVD Reviews Ear Candy : Music Queer Collaborations Gender Talk Fuse Business Directory Dear Rose

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

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

FUSE 1

WHAT’S EDITOR’SON RANT

It’s Hollywood all the way...

Alexander Thatcher When will I will I be famous?

I can’t answer I can’t answer that.

When will I see my picture in the paper?

I can’t answer I can’t answer that. (hey, remember Bros!)

A great lady named Maura Fay once said to me, “It’s all smoke and mirrors, Alex”. She was of course talking about the entertainment industry.

And she should know. She discovered many actors who became household names in Australia and internationally, including the remarkable Heath Ledger, and did the casting for everything from Prisoner to Star Wars.

Originally I thought Maura was talking about the trickery of film making, but now I realise that she was also talking about the lives of celebrities as well. Appearances are the very foundation of being a big Hollywood star.

Not only do stars have to be talented, glamorous, glitzy and hot, but sadly they also have to be straight. The film industry has demanded that gay actors stay in the closet — we are often seen as less marketable and therefore bad for business.

Over the past few years there does seem to be some cracks in Hollywood’s “glass closet” with stars such as Ellen DeGeneres and T R Knight (Grey’s Anatomy) openly out, and shows like The L Word and Queer As Folk proving popular and bankable. Insiders say being gay or lesbian is no longer a career breaker for celebrities but still Hollywood’s closet remains tightly closed.

I’ve often wondered what it must be like to be famous — bloody hard I suspect, constantly having to live up to the public’s perception of you.

One slip and you’re on the cover of Woman’s Day with some scathing headline. But still “fame” is something that a lot of us want. It’s why reality TV and websites like YouTube are so incredibly popular — where your five minutes of fame are now ten.

Christopher with Curly ...who needs fame when you have bunnies

Yasmin Element Associate Editor, burlesque dancer, and FUSE02 cover chick... already famous!

This month we go behind the scenes and delve into the secret gay life of Hollywood and its extremely large closet. During the 1920s gay characters were abundant in movies — but as the popularity of films grew, religious and morals groups warned Hollywood to “clean up” it’s act. This eventually led to the first cinematic classifications guidelines and the censorship of gays on the big screen and in the public eye. We look at how this affected many gay and lesbian actors; their personal lives and careers on the silver screen.

We also look at fame and glamour through the lenses of some of the most celebrated photographers to hold a camera for Vanity Fair. Talents like the famous lesbian photographer Annie Leibovitz, responsible for such images as Queen Elizabeth II, Angelina Jolie and the pregnant Demi Moore; and Mary Ellen Mark who has photographed the likes of Liza Minnelli, Ellen DeGeneres and Matt Dillon.

Nelida Contreas talks to Michelle Darlington — who has recently been thrust into the spotlight on the small screen as a Masterchef contestant — about her passion for food and to find out if stardom has changed her life.

Our regulars include handy hints on how to look like a Hollywood superstar; juicy celebrity gossip and news; music and film reviews; financial advice from Lily Allen songs and so much more.

Enjoy!

Alexander Thatcher

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

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FUSE 3

What’s On

at the movies Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

The sub-zero heroes from the blockbuster Ice Age are back on an incredible adventure… for the ages.

Scrat is still trying to nab the ever-elusive nut, while maybe finding true love. Opens 2 July.

Coco avant Chanel Audrey Tautou (Amélie, A Very Long Engagement) plays the legendary ‘Coco’ Chanel in an enthralling exploration of her early life before she rose to worldwide fame as the most celebrated fashion designer of the 20th Century.

A fascinating untold story of how one woman rose from humble beginnings to become one of couture’s most important icons. Opens 25 June.

Brüno: Opens 8 July Cohen plays over the top gay model... way over!

Universal Pictures presents Sacha Baron Cohen’s highly-anticipated new film Brüno! This new comedy is Cohen’s follow-up to the hilarious Borat. In this film, Cohen plays gay Austrian supermodel Bruno, who comes to the big screen with similar hijinks and celebrity interviews as seen on Da Ali G Show.

Opens 8 July.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Experience International Theatre Productions at Dendy.

Dendy Cinemas Canberra will be hosting a season of National Theatre production, commencing with Phedre, starring Helen Mirren in July.

Phedre is an exceptional series of plays captured live for presentation around the world during the london season.

Direct from its West End stage premiere to Dendy Cinemas on Saturday July 11 at 1pm and Sunday July 12 at 1pm.

Book Now at Dendy — Tickets Selling Quickly!

Yes; we know some of you fancy Daniel Radcliffe.

Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle. As the epic movie series becomes darker and more intense, Harry and his friends have to be braver than ever. Opens 16 July.

FREE TICKETS: Fuse has two double passes to give away to Phedre and double passes to each of the movies above at Dendy in Canberra. Tell us what Greek mythological God you think was the most gay and the best entries will win these fab tickets. Email: hello@fusemagazine.com.au.

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

www.dendy.com.au

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WHAT’S ON

What’s On July09 Homo High at Cube Friday 31 July 9pm til 5pm.

Come along to Homo High at Cube. Dance and party the night away. Oh and don’t forget to wear your best school outfit, plait your hair, shine your shoes and pack your playlunch. A Mardi Gras Fundraiser Event. See p22.

The Bears Xmas in July Dance Party and more!

Your all invited, some come along and dance the night away at Majura Hall Friday 24 July from 7pm.

This is an open event for all the gay community! For more info on the Bears Xmas line up in July see ad p26.

Vanity Fair Portrait Photographs

Gay and Lesbain Ski Trip Join the ACTOUT Doors Cross Country Ski Trip to Perisher Blue on Saturday 25 July.

This day ski trip will suit those new to cross country skiing and who would like to enjoy a day at the snow with a relaxed pace. For more details email paul@actout.cjb.net, or visit www.fusemagazine.com.au for more info on this and other ACTOUT activities.

5 June – 30 August 2009 National Portrait Gallery.

Traces the birth and evolution of photographic portraiture through the archives of Vanity Fair magazine. Expect to see many familiar and famous faces in this exhibition depicting the history of celebrity portraiture 1913–2008.

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

REGULAR QUEER EVENTS! Bears in Canberra Bears in the Bar: Sunday afternoons at O’Neill’s Irish Pub, Woolley Street in Dickson on the first Sunday of the month from 3pm. Bears Dinners: third Friday of the month, a dinner and social evening for ‘Bears’ and like-minded men. Coming up: Bears Xmas in July see ad p26.

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

Sundays Live Bands at Hush Chill out on Sunday arvos with friends. More details on p24.

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

by Tori Mac, Girl Thing is an hour of sexy house and electro served up girly style. RAW FM 87.6 or hear it through www.rawfm.com.au or www.torimac.com

{

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

Wednesdays Gay & Lesbian Squash 6pm – 7.30pm National Sports Club, Mouat Street Lyneham. All Welcome.

Thursdays Uni Night at Bar32 We’ve got your Thursday nights covered! More details p27.

Sunday Gay & Lesbian Breakfast Hush Lounge from 9am – 2pm More details on p24.

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

More details on the Fuse website.

Bit Bent: Youth Group For Canberra youth (12–25). A great place to meet other young people and get support and information if needed. It is also a great place to hang out. Every Monday at Uturn in Belconnen (6pm to 8pm) and Thursday at the Woden Youth Centre (5pm to 6.30pm).

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

HANGOUTS

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

The Hush Lounge A chilled bar for the whole GLBTQ community. More details p24.

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

Then join us at Hush. Details on p24.

Bar32 Alternative gay friendly bar in Civic.

More details p27.

Cube Nightclub Canberra’s premier gay night club.

More details p22.

FUSE 5

What’s the best thing about living here?

I love the people, the roundabouts and that gift from the US, the turkey on the stick. I wish I had one.

What bugs you the most about Canberra?

The two degrees of separation. I have a friend who is a friend of a friend who dated the brother of my friend’s sister who had an affair with my mates mother who was a mate of my cousin’s other cousin’s friend and is now my ex boyfriend. We should all just have big dinner and an orgy and get it over with.

FUSE cover photography by NIK STUDIO

Morgan Fuery

Where’s your favourite place in the ACT? On stage at HUSH doing stand up comedy.

Other than that, my boyfriend’s place.

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What do you like most about Canberra?

I love Canberra for its lifestyle, parks and the diverse mixture of people here.

What bugs you the most about Canberra?

What the rest of Australia thinks about Canberra and that some Canberrans believe them... oh, and winters!

What’s your idea of the perfect girlfriend?

I don’t think that there is any girl who is perfect and, to be honest, a perfect girlfriend would get boring. I am attracted to women who are strong, have an opinion, a sense of community and don’t take themselves too seriously.

What’s your idea of the perfect man?

I guess the perfect man would be the one who will grow with me, he will be himself and accept me for who I am. I think I may have found that one.

Why do you get up on stage?

I get up on stage because I love making people laugh, smile and think. I don’t think that I am a huge talent but I hope that I encourage others to get up and have a go.

Why stand-up comedy?

I love making people laugh, it is like oxygen to me.

If I’m not making people laugh what’s the point of life? I’m very much into Tao Teh Ching as a part of this “path”, positivity is a major part of it and I guess I channel my positivity into laughter and fun times.

You also do a radio show here, tell us about that?

Radio is a great medium and I love the banter that comes about and the fact that with radio, you are constantly thinking on your feet. If you make a mistake, it makes the show even funnier!

Why do you think gay celebrities don’t come out?

I knew a gay celebrity, who has now come out, but he was advised not to by his record company as teenage girls idolise him and that ups the sales. He still came out in time and is now a gay idol. Mostly I think it’s the pressure of companies as it’s all about image.

Would you come out if you were famous?

Definitely — like I could hide it! As part of my comedy, some of the funny stuff is funny because I’m gay.

FUSE

FUSE cover girl: Rose Pappalardo hails from Sydney and has lived in Canberra for eight years. A public servant, Rose spends most of her free time on Q Radio 2XX, writing ‘Dear Rose’ replies for FUSE magazine and working party time at the Hush Lounge. Her favourite place is Tidbinbilla Tracking Station. We asked Rose a few questions about Canberra, girls and what it might mean to be a celebrity.

Rose Pappalardo

WHAT’S ON COVER MODELS

FUSE cover guy: Morgan Fuery comes from a military family and has spent most of his youth moving from place to place. He went to high school in Werribee — the equivalent of Kambah in the ACT — and says he only got stuffed in a locker twice.

What is it like being on the cover of FUSE? It feels good. FUSE is a cool, funky Canberra mag and I love getting involved with the Canberra community.

Why do you think gay celebrities often don’t come out?

Conditioning, pressure and I guess habit; celebrities who are closeted are expected to stay in the closet in order to make it big. I think ultimately they believe that it is worth it.

Would you come out if you were famous?

I have never hidden that I am gay and I would never deny if someone asks me, no matter what my career.

So how was the FUSE cover shoot.

When I was asked to be on the cover I was so flattered.

I love the idea that older women are considered sexy, because they are! But can I tell you, that it was actually quite hard. I have a new appreciation for models and the hard work they have to put in on a photoshoot.

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FUSE 8

Jean Harlow at home 1934 George Hurrell ­— Courtesy Condé Nast Archive

VANITY FAIR AT THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

Well, thankfully the National Portrait Gallery have the perfect winter remedy in store: An exhibition of Vanity Fair photography spanning almost a century, from 1913 through to 2008. In gay circles the word ‘fabulous’ has become a bit of an overused cliché, but this exhibition is nothing if not fabulous!

The touring exhibition consists of 150 pieces of some of the most fascinating and memorable photographic works ever brought together under the one roof. Having travelled from the London Portrait Gallery, through to Edinburgh and Los Angeles, this once in a lifetime exhibit stops here in our Nation’s Capital from 5 June until 30 August and features a variety of sensational cover photos, as well as photographic essays from inside the magazine’s pages.

The magazine, of course, has a vast history and a wellearned notoriety as one of the most successful, recognisable publications of all time. It has become a name synonymous with style and glamour, without ever having to compromise its editorial content or its credibility.

In earlier days of Vanity Fair’s inception, photography wasn’t considered the leading art form, or the most suitable design concept for a regular editorial.

But according to Michael Desmond, the National Portrait Gallery’s Head Curator, the publishers of Vanity Fair made a conscious decision to bring together the best photographers of the time and to bring a particular emphasis to photography as an art form, something that makes an exhibit of this nature so captivating.

“It was a combination of superb writers and outstanding photographers that’s made the Vanity Fair output so enduring. It’s a history of photography in the stories told and the names that they’ve used.”

And what a list of names. Edward Steichen and Anton Bruehl, both considered among the most accomplished pictorial photo artists of the early 20th century, are featured prominently; Steichen perhaps best known for the iconic Greta Garbo portraiture that has become as well-documented as the woman herself. Camp old Cecil Beaton, who famously designed Audrey Hepburn’s costumes for My Fair Lady and was THE British society photographer throughout his incredible career, is also a major inclusion.

According to Desmond it’s these earlier works that people are likely to find most intriguing, admitting that there is in fact, “a real buzz in seeing the vintage photos and realising what a strong photographic history we have in this collection. It’s interesting who is represented in that early 1920s-30s period; poets, scientists, inventors, dancers, choreographers. There seems to be a broader analysis of culture than there is now.”

Hard to believe, but Vanity Fair actually stopped production in 1936 and for more than fifty years remained out of circulation after Conde Nast, the publishing house responsible for the magazine, made a decision during the Depression to focus their energies on Vogue instead. It was 1983 when publishing magnate Si Newhouse decided the time was right to reinvent the magazine and return Vanity Fair to its former glory.

Vanity Fair is a cultural catalyst that drives the popular dialogue globally ~ www.vanityfair.com See the Vanity Fair Portraits Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery 5 June – 30 August 2009 ~ www.portrait.gov.au

A Canberra winter can get as cold as Joan Crawford’s parenting skills, and with the temperature already dropping well below zero, what exactly do we have to warm the cockles over these chilly winter months?

FEATURE

{By Tony Hamlyn

It’s probably no coincidence the decision came at this time, the heady 1980s, corresponding with the excesses and indulgent behaviours quintessential to what was happening in that period of history.

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As the world watched fascinated in the wake of industrialism and post-industrialism through those early decades of the 1900s, similarly the post-modern cult of celebrity and the fascination with the people we love to desire provided a perfect opportunity for Vanity Fair to once again report and record the transformations within our society — and all in a glossy ‘8 by 10’ package.

The list of photographed subjects from this later period of the magazine’s existence read like a veritable who’s who of celebrity culture: Meryl Streep, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Nicole Kidman, Britney Spears, Princess Diana. And again, the artists from this second era, such as Annie Leibovitz, Bruce Weber and Mario Testino, are some of the legendary photographic names whose work helped Vanity Fair to become the centrepiece of style it’s regarded as today.

Liza Minnelli 2001 Mary Ellen Mark

And so what does the Head Curator recommend as his personal highlight? “There is a shot of Madonna by Mario Testino. It’s just so incredibly glamorous, a knockout image. But there are so many really strong photos it’s hard to single out just one.”

A number of infamous moments in time are well represented: the Demi Moore picture, taken eight months into her pregnancy, a moment that completely turned people’s ideas about the celebrity baby bump that is now so prominent in tabloids worldwide; a shot of Frida Kahlo with Diago Riviera in which he is the star and she is merely the star-in-waiting; a young Heath Ledger as captured by Bruce Weber during the promotion for A Knight’s Tale, just prior to being catapulted to fame and misfortune.

Bette Davis 1934 Maurice Goldberg Courtesy Condé Nast Archive

Cary Grant 1934 George Hoyningen-Huene Courtesy Condé Nast Archive

The most fabulous thing about this kind of exhibition is how accessible and relevant it is to a wider public. It’s not a niche category where expertise in a specific art form or artist is necessarily required — almost all of us can appreciate its style or content. Vanity Fair is an institution, ingrained in the consciousness of most of us, and these photos are glamorous and unattainable, whilst at the same time being a part of our own knowledge and experience.

They are private glimpses into public property, and a history and reflection of the popular culture that we’ve all bared witness to at some stage during our lives.

Get out of the cold, people, and get into the National Portrait Gallery. Fabulous!

FREE PASSES FUSE 10

Mick Jagger, Madonna and Tony Curtis 1997 Dafydd Jones

FUSE has free tickets to the Vanity Fair Exhibition and some other cool merchandise to give away. Email your comments on this article for your chance to pick them up. hello@fusemagazine.com.au

FUSE 11

WHAT’S FEATUREON

BEHIND THE BIG SIGN THE SECRET GAY LIFE OF

HOLLYWOOD {

By Yasmin Element

The Hollywood film industry has always had a high percentage of gay and lesbian employees, drawn to the theatre as a world of creativity, open mindedness and experimentation.

Yet the hypocrisy is that as gay as Hollywood is, it has to pretend that it isn’t. Hollywood welcomes and nurtures gay and lesbian lifestyle behind the scenes but goes to great pains to keep its dirty little secret from the heterosexual viewing public.

It all started during the early days of motion pictures. During the sexual revolution of 1920s there was ambivalence around gender roles and this was reflected in popular movies with icons like Valentino and Marlene Dietrich. But eventually the media started to make fun of these gender-bending characters.

Valentino held a number of public boxing matches to affirm his masculinity after the media named him the “pink powder puff”.

Sadly it was wounds from one of these fights that ultimately lead to his death at only 31-years-old. At the time of his death he was romantically involved with a woman.

Leading man, Billy Haines was caught cavorting with a sailor at a downtown YMCA by police. His agent fired him and his acting career was over. This and a number of other sex scandals were exploited by the media and became the early days of the now rampant celebrity gossip columns. Needless to say it led the public to believe that there was a certain immorality in Hollywood and there was a public backlash.

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Cary Grant and Randolph Scott were “house mates” for over 12 years.

Women’s groups and religious groups warned Hollywood to clean up its act which led to the first cinematic classifications guidelines in 1933. These self regulated dos and don’ts were particularly harsh on sexuality, and especially homosexuality.

The androgynous actors of the past were replaced by ultra masculine actors and feminine female leads. But of course this in no way reflected their actual sexual persuasion.

So to enforce their public heterosexual image, studios conducted elaborate arranged “lavender” marriages for gay actors — the classic example being Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Salem, whose false union was mutually beneficial for concealing both actors true sexuality.

Great silent screen actor, Rudolph Valentino.

In the 1950s the moral code became even stricter and gay actors and actresses lived in a culture of fear. Rock Hudson was one of the biggest stars of the time yet his homosexuality was concealed by the arranged marriage to his secretary. The marriage was short lived but Hudson’s sexuality and long term relationship with fellow actor Marc Christian was kept secret until his public announcement that he had contracted AIDS in the mid 1980s. Other big stars of the era rumoured to be gay or bisexual include: Cary Grant — who lived with fellow actor Randolph Scott for twelve years but repeatedly denied that they were a couple, even though many of the photographs depicting Scott and Grant at home and at play seem to obviously convey otherwise; James Dean — who has been linked with a number of gentlemen; and Joan Crawford — who loved women and allegedly even had a one night stand with Marilyn Monroe.

Surprisingly, the sexual liberation of the 1960s and 70s had little effect on the secretive nature of Hollywood. Although films like Midnight Cowboy began to push the sexual envelope and homosexuality as a subject began to appear in movies, it was still a big no-no for any actor to actually be gay.

And not much has changed today. With all the gay themed movies, popular gay characters and even a handful of out actors around, Hollywood still operates the same way with many actors and actresses questionable sexuality splashed across the tabloids like it was a bad thing. And sadly it does genuinely seem to affect their careers.

When Pee Wee Herman’s Paul Ruebens was busted by cops taking things into his own hands in a gay porn cinema, his career was over. But when leading British heartthrob, Hugh Grant was caught cheating on his girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley with cheap street-hooker,

Divine Brown, it not only didn’t lower his popularity but it actually quashed those hushed gay rumours and cemented his image as a ladies’ man. The message here is clear: career-wise, it’s much better to have a straight sex scandal than a gay sex scandal.

Apparently the majority hetero viewing public need to be able to relate to their leading men and women and need to believe on some level that they could be romantically involved with them — even though the chances of that are virtually nought, no matter what their sexual preference.

The irony is that there are now many gay characters in films. Yet strangely, whereas thirty years ago a straight actor would be risking his career playing a gay role, it is now considered a benchmark of their talent and almost guarantees them an Oscar nomination.

But sadly for openly gay actors like Rupert Everett and Ellen DeGeneres, their repertoire is limited. It’s ok for a straight man to play a gay role but it’s not ok for a gay man to play a straight role. Tom Hanks cast in Philadelphia made the audience feel comfortable with the subject matter — but Anne Heche in a romance with Harrison Ford in Six Days and Seven Nights? Forget it!

The theory is still that actors will alienate their audience if they are gay and it will cut box office takings in half.

It had been rumored that Barbara Stanwyck was a lesbian.

The 1930s were the golden age of Hollywood and the birth of the STAR... but the fans were not getting the whole story. Studio contracts meant that a lot of money was riding on a particular actor’s reputation and damage control became de rigueur for agents who basically had complete control over celebrities lives. The stars were under very strict morals contracts that defined the way they dressed, how they behaved and of course who they dated. If they misbehaved they could be fined or put on suspension or, worst of all, be fired.

It’s like how they used to paint up white actors and hire them to play coloured roles, but now we find that un-pc.

Will we someday think heterosexual actors playing gay characters is un-pc? And will the heterosexual audience ever be enlightened enough to cope with gays playing straight roles?

Until that shift in consciousness occurs, most gay and lesbian actors will remain in the closet. Things can go on behind closed doors but the Hollywood establishment will do everything they can to see to it that the real facts about Hollywood never become so public that they will affect the business of Hollywood.

FUSE 13

NEWS GOSSIP & STUFF

{

By Tony Hamlyn

The Buzz* What the hell are we all going to do to stay warm over this coming winter? Here’s a few pop-culturally relevant suggestions to heat you up on those cold Canberra nights, from your’s truly.

SINGSTAR Sony’s fabulous SingStar franchise has a feature whereby you can record on camera your performance and share it via YouTube with the online SingStar community. What this means is that whilst you and your drunken friends are belting out Britney’s “Toxic” you can throw on some costuming (think black kohl around the eyes, black panties and a hook-front bra around the torso) and actually film it, then put it out there in the ether for all other SingStar cyber-slags to watch and compare. It’s a guaranteed laugh-out-loud moment for any party or casual gathering — check it out!

Tony suggests: “Something that will bring out your inner SingStar.

Perhaps a J-Lo number, or something by the Pussy Cat Dolls.”

CAMP OLD LAGERFELD From the “sensational and scandalous” file: A highly unflattering, tell-all biography of camp, old Karl Lagerfeld was just released and it sounds like it could be the greatest egomaniacal fashion-fuelled romp since Valley Of The Dolls. Penned

by Arnaud Maillard, the designer’s former PA (“Me? Hold a grudge?

Never!”), Karl comes off as nothing less than a completely insane genius whose hideous people skills and over-inflated sense of self are second to none. Highlights include firing staff by simply pretending they are not there anymore, drinking copious amounts of Pepsi Cola (sooooo Joan Crawford!) all day long from crystal champagne flutes, and insisting the glass be refilled every half hour. I mean, it’s all there!

Tony suggests: “Curl up in front of the heater with a nice rum toddy and immerse yourself in the world of crazy old Karl!”

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GAYEST AMERICAN IDOL EVER! And on a more positive note — how about the recent success of Adam Lambert, the gayest American Idol contestant in the show’s eight year history, making it all the way to the finale but then getting knocked out on the night by cute-as-a-button farm boy, Kris Allen.

Adam and his ‘boyfriend’ seen in LA leaving the Guys and Dolls nightclub. There was so much speculation about whether or not he is gay. It was pretty obvious — surely.

Adam showed throughout the entire season a showmanship and dramatic flair to rival the likes of Freddie Mercury or Scissor Sister’s Jake Shears. The judges were on the edge of their seats week after week, in anticipation of his originality and powerhouse vocal skills, and his ability to reinterpret a classic like “Tracks of My Tears”, or deliver a curve-ball like Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire”. And what was truly remarkable is the fact that, as camp and as flashy as he was, the American public backed him almost all the way.

If you weren’t lucky enough to witness this year’s show, get onto YouTube and do a search on Adam Lambert, you will not be disappointed.

How far have we come when the US vote in a black President and then almost crown themselves a homo Idol?

Change is a-coming my friends!

GLEE A trend in US television over the past few years has undoubtedly been the growth and development of the type of program that claims to be aimed at teens, but is really targeted at the adult market. Think Veronica Mars, the new 90210, Gossip Girl, etc. Well, if you’re a sucker for these kinds of shows, you are going to ACHE for a new thing from the Fox Network called Glee.

Pictured: the always hilarious and openly gay Jane Lynch as Sue — a mean-spirited cheerleading coach.

It goes a bit like this: A bunch of talented losers join the high school glee club (singing/dancing group) and, through their passion for music and respect for the group, learn more about themselves, each other, and their craft. Sounds super-cheesy, right? Mighty Ducks meets High School Musical? Well it is! Totally derivative, it has a little bit of everything you’ve loved from Bring It On to Buffy. And like most of these shows it has a quirky self-deprecating humour, and more hilarious one-liners than Clueless, as well as a couple of fantastic musical numbers thrown in each week — keep an eye out for an hilarious performance of Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” reminiscent of Young Talent Time. And (surprise-surprise!) the gay element is there, with a cute dykey rock-chick character called Tina, and a guy described in the previews as the “fashionisto soprano” who, in the opening minutes, gets thrown into a bin by the jocks, but not before insisting they let him remove his “new season Marc Jacobs” — think Justin from Ugly Betty, only gayer.

Go to www.fox.com/glee and check it out for yourself. There are some amazing extended trailers floating around on the net. Trust me when I say, you will be humming Journey’s old rock classic “Don’t Stop Believing”, and hanging out for the series’ official premiere this coming September.

YOUR QUEER ABC? All the public service employees are breathing a sigh of relief as the budget is well and truly over for another year. But what did it deliver for the homos? Well, not a lot. A good friend of mine recently made the most significant and salient point I have ever heard in any political debate: If the government had not gone ahead with the Baby Bonus, but instead given a stimulus package to all homosexuals, there would be no economically threatening recession or decrease in public spending. We’d all have an Apple iMac and the world would be a better place.

One truly amazing thing to come out of the budget is the $90 million injection given to the ABC who, after the Howard Government’s measly handouts left them struggling to produce more than a few hours of Australian drama per year, now has the cash to enable them to keep up with the commercial networks on the upcoming DTV explosion.

They now have the capacity to actually do what our government funded network is meant to do, which is to air programming that shows the Aussie face, voice and culture in all its diversity.

Aunty has always been nice to the gays, so expect perhaps a higher visibility in post-op tranny characters on their Seachange-like dramas and maybe more same-sex marriage docos on Four Corners and Australian Story. And of course more lesbian mums on Play School.

ANTI-GAY RUSSIAN MAYOR Sad, sad news from Eurovision in Moscow this year, as Russian police (looking soooo hot in army fatigues!) arrested a group of almost 40 protestors who were picketing the anti-gay stance of the Russian capital’s Mayor, Yuri Luzkhov, and his ban on all gay demonstrations and Pride parades, branding them as (of all things) “satanic”.

Whilst there are certain places “the gays” should perhaps be a bit more restrained and maybe hold back on any overtly homo-behaviour (a football game, a straight pub, Sunday mass...) there are also certain places we have the right to be loud and proud, campas-f*ck, queer-assed, muff-diving, big old homos and not have to think twice about being threatened because of it.

One of these places, historically, is of course the Eurovision Song Contest, am I right? It’s a homo-palooza for god’s sake! The only people who really take it seriously are the gays and the British, who are all gay by default anyway.

For shame, Russia! For shame! Hopefully Norway will be more accommodating to us and our kind next year.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

BY GENE SIMMONS...

“Adam should have won. On the other hand he should have kept his mouth shut about his sexual preferences. I don’t really care what he wants to do and neither does America. But this kid’s got talent, Adam Lambert can go on. As long as he’s quiet about whatever else he prefers to do indoors. I personally don’t care, I mean if you love farm animals, that’s fine, but I don’t wanna read a magazine about that.”

What’s more surprising is that Gene Simmons from Kiss is still alive!?

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FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD

Michelle Darlington has cooked all her life, so it was no real stretch for her to appear as a contestant on Channel Ten’s new reality TV show, Masterchef Australia.

If you’re a foodie or a fan of reality TV, or both, chances are you’ve seen Michelle battle it out with Australia’s most talented, yet-to-be-discovered chefs.

For Michelle food is so much more than something you eat. The whole process is an experience to be devoured slowly and with intention; deliberately observing and really seeing what’s before you, and then eating it meaningfully, making sure you fully taste every last morsel that hits your mouth.

All the senses are involved and eating is more of an experience than anything else.

She has always loved cooking. Her senses were first alerted when she was living in shared accommodation whilst at Uni. You know what it’s like, the madness of living in a house with oodles of others, living off two-minute noodles and coffee?

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Many years later, after a stint as a PE teacher and another stint as a professional photographer who travelled the world honing her craft, she moved to the country, bought a bookshop and decided to give cooking a go.

“I’ve always cooked and had a love of food. I have a real love of the entire food process — from growing things organically, to cooking with intention. I like to eat the way that nature intended,” she says.

Michelle has always had a deep understanding of the concept that you are what you eat, but for her it’s more than just a dietary understanding.

“If you eat food that has been grown well, prepared well, shared well, it’s the ultimate shared experience.

I like to put love into the food when I cook it, serve it and eat it,” she says.

A few years ago Michelle and her partner, Patsy, went on holidays to Hayman Island. There Michelle took up the offer of doing a kitchen tour.

“I was so excited — was like a kid in a candy store.

I had tears streaming down my face. Who cries on a kitchen tour? I was so excited and thought it would be so cool to work in a kitchen.”

Then she met a chef by the name of Tom Kime, and went with him and his cooking tour to Italy. She and Patsy spent eight days with the group, cooking and drinking good wine.

“I came back from Italy quite inspired. I was sitting here before Christmas and the ads for Masterchef came on the TV. I saw them and thought ‘I want to be Australia’s first Masterchef!’ So, I filled in the form online, sent it off with intention, used the law of attraction thing, wished it well and let it go.”

}

She was one of the few who made it through to the Top Twenty. She was on her way to becoming Australia’s first Masterchef.

But fate always intervenes and shows us that the universe has other plans.

Through a series of events that were really rather unfortunate, Michelle found herself facing elimination. A cook-off took place in which she and the other two contestants facing elimination had to cook stuffed squid from a recipe.

The judges had their work cut out for them, but in the end decided that Michelle’s journey had come to an end. Unfortunately, she would not be Australia’s first Masterchef after all.

“I wish Kate had gone instead of me, but it didn’t happen that way,” Michelle says, with her usual accepting nature.

“I was in the house for three and a half weeks. When I came back home, I had to start reassessing what I wanted to do with my life. In the competition you do have the sense that you can be a chef and can do this, but when you come out that reality is much harder.”

But she’s started to make plans.

“I’ve been running cooking classes, and am looking to run food safaris on the south coast, pitching it to the gay and lesbian market.”

She asks me if that would be something I’d be interested in, having already guaged my interest in all things gastronomic. I convey my excitement and wonder how good it will be to sit in front of an open fire, drinking good wine and eating good food in the dead of a freezing winter?

We get back to the spirituality of her cooking, the holistic way she lives with food. She chants a mantra before she cooks and has a whole routine that keeps her grounded and centered.

The good news came just after new-year when Michelle was told she’d been selected out of 7,500 people, to be one of the 700 to attend an audition in person.

“I cook with ideation and try to be at one with the food. Cooking is a meditative experience. I get into a zone,” she says.

The auditions were difficult and exhausting, but Michelle was the first one out of the Sydney lot to get an apron, the much sought after entrée into the next round of the auditions — the final fifty.

For Michelle, food is the core of life. She tries to eat with “alive” taste buds, with a sense of focusing on the taste sensations in the mouth.

In the Top Fifty week, Michelle and the others survived a set of tasks and challenges that included chopping onions, running around fish markets and cooking and creating delicious treats for the judges to taste.

FEATURE

Well, Michelle had an altogether different experience.

One of her house mates was learning how to be a chef.

Every day Michelle would come home, exhausted after a day of learning about the glory of being a physical education teacher, and her senses would be greeted with delicious smells which would later move to her taste buds. It was a defining moment in many ways.

By Nelida Contreras.

A self confessed facebook junkie.

She loves a good laugh, a good bit of dark chocolate and is madly in love with Uber Dyke.

When I ask her how superstardom has changed her life, she laughs.

“I’ve been on my mountain too long, I didn’t know I was famous.”

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{

By Alex Abbey

WHAT’S OP.ED ON

CALL ON ME

ME & MY MUM Debbie, Michael’s mum from Queer as Folk, is probably TV’s most famous, ultra cool, gay loving mum.

We all have different types of mums. Some accept us and some don’t. Some embrace, while others pull away. My mum both accepted me and embraced me, in fact I think she may have actually raised me to be gay. One of the first things she said to me was, “Your father would never accept you if you were gay, but I think it would be cool!”

This is my earliest memory of discussing anything gay related with anyone. It came from a conversation that took place when I was about eleven in the lounge room one afternoon with my mum after watching two men kissing on television. We got to talking.

“You know I don’t think there is anything wrong with it,” I innocently said to my Mum thinking the only thing wrong with it was that I was not involved.

“Neither do I, as a matter of fact my favourite friends in high school were two lovely gay guys, I remember going to their wedding!” * Let me start by saying: I love my Mum, I really do. I think all little gay boys love their mummies, some just don’t admit it.

However, if there is anyone happier to have a gay son than my mother, I have not met them yet.

My mum was always the cool mum with Cher playing a little too loud from the car when she would pick me up from school. And she would always praise me a little too much for my excellent baking skills and say how great I looked when I took her heels from the cupboard and walked around the house in them. She especially praised me when I helped my little sister fung shui her dolls house.

I am confident that my mother, while she will deny it, made a conscious decision to raise me gay. I thank her for this, as I could not imagine being this fabulous if I was straight!

For the record my Dad does accept me, but Mum will always be the one telling me, “Honey, you look fabulous in my pumps!” * (Wedding meaning: no legal merits, just an excuse for a “love party”).

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{

By Johnathan Davis

A few weekends ago, I went out with my boyfriend. We happily chatted away, with our phones on the table and were frequently interrupted in our conversation to send a text, show each other a photo or take a call. As I looked around I noticed an older gay couple at the same restaurant looking at us curiously and I faintly heard them remark about our phone using habits — needless to say their phones weren’t on show. I asked my boyfriend who of the two was more peculiar: The technology toting teens or the etiquette orientated older couple? To us, what we were doing seemed totally ok and we continued on with our evening.

Still intrigued, I asked some friends what they thought about this. They all, more or less, thought that the use of technology — mobile phones and the Internet — was just how young people socialise. But are younger people more electronically engaged socially than the older generation? The most curious response to me came from my friend who is listed on a gay dating website. He told me that he thought, in a gay context, that the older generation is even more technologically savvy and involved than the young! He explained that each time he logged on, his inbox would be bursting with messages from guys more than twenty years his senior, seeing if he was interested in a rendezvous — yet rarely ever a message from someone of his own age appeared.

So here am I — a person who likes answers and a resolution, even more confused than when I started! I could see merit in my friend’s point, but then surely my own personal love of technology would have been understood by this older couple? Maybe it’s a mobile versus web thing — public versus private use?

I concluded that the use of social technology is a very personal thing. Whilst I do not understand the couple’s dismay at my use of the phone, and regardless of who really is the most technologically savvy generation, I am still blissfully happy to talk and text whenever and wherever I feel.

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FABULOUS THINGS

Retail Therapy It seems that shopping has become almost a staple of life in our modern society. For some it’s a love/hate relationship and for others it’s as important as the air we breathe. These are some of the fabulous things we love.

FABULOUS { LACIE IAMAKEY & ITSAKEY USB FLASH DRIVES Flash drives have all but replaced the CD and Zip Disks for transferring large files, and come in various shapes and sizes to hang off your key-ring. Well, now you can have one that looks like... a key.

They come in 4GB and 8GB. Prices start at $49.

Pick one up at JB Hi-Fi. More info: www.lacie.com

}

It also shoots AVI video at 352x288 (15 fps) resolution — the lens is hidden right between the 1 and 2 on the watch face. Oh, and I suppose you could also use it to tell the time — yawn!

ANAMALZ GIRAFFE And because we have kids too... check out this cute Anamalz Giraffe (known as ‘Raffe’). He’s made from organic maple wood and textile products, and forms part of the original, eco-friendly and award winning Anamalz toy animal range.

Pick him up or one of his friends for just $9.95 at www.todae.com.au

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THE ECOSMART FIRE With all the talk about banning slow combustion wood fireplaces in Canberra, we were excited to come across the Ecosmart Fire. They are toasty warm, super modern and environmentally friendly. If I was watching a movie about the future, then this is what I’d expect to see sitting in the corner of that 2030 apartment.

An Australian innovation, the Ecosmart has got everything going for it. You get the feel of an open fire but with a designer look that’s stylish and striking.

You can get one online for about $100 plus postage.

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SPY CAMERA WATCH 8GB This mini spy video camera disguised as a watch is majorly geeky but pretty cool all the same. It has a rechargeable Li-ion battery, microphone and 8GB of built-in storage that can be used as a flash drive.

Fuelled by Denatured Ethanol, an environmentally friendly, renewable energy source, Ecosmart Fire places have a high energy efficiency and low carbon emissions.

And because Ethanol is clean burning the fires are completely flue-less and vent free, making them not only portable but it also means that installation a breeze.

More info: www.ecosmartfire.com

DELICIOUS, FATTY AND FABULOUS

THINGS THE ALL NEW IPHONE G3 S I don’t think we’d be too far off the mark if we said that the iPhone has almost become a gay “must have” item.

According to Apple, everything you do on iPhone 3G S is up to 2x faster than iPhone 3G. It launches applications quicker and opens web pages and email attachments in a fraction of the time. The improved performance and updated 3D graphics deliver an incredible gaming experience too. And now you can shoot video, edit it, and share it — publish it on YouTube, or sync it back to your Mac or PC using iTunes.

FABULOUS MOVIE TICKETS FROM DENDY FUSE has two double passes to give away to Phedre and double passes for each of the movies below at Dendy in Canberra.

• Brüno • Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince • Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs • Coco avant Chanel Tell us what Greek mythological God you think was the most gay and the best entries will win these fab tickets.

Email: hello@fusemagazine.com.au More movie info on p04.

FUSEFREEBIES

It’s cheap and it’s humble but it truly is fabulously delicious... Yes it’s the deep fried potato scallop. Warning: too many may result in a food baby belly and hardened arteries. Only $1.60 at your local chip shop.

Perfect for Canberra winters!

Are you gushing yet? There’s more.

The new three megapixel camera takes great photos — thanks to its built-in autofocus — no more blurry facebook pics. It has voice recording and voice control that recognises the names in your address book and knows the music on your iPod. Just ask if you want to place a call or play a song. Not so sure about the usefulness of the new built-in compass, but it does automatically reorient maps to match the direction you’re facing and that’s kinda cool.

The iPhone 3G S still has one major flaw — no video Skype, as the camera is still on the wrong side... maybe next time kids.

Available everywhere! Details at www.apple.com/au

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CLEAR SKIN NATURALLY I’m always on the look-out for a good, natural based face product. I’ve been testing The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Oil Blemish Fade Night Lotion and it works a treat. If you’re prone to breakouts or have blemished skin, this organic tea tree night cream will certainly do the trick.

Chemical or drying products can cause sebaceous glands to produce even more oil, making the problem worse. That’s why this naturally-inspired Tea Tree night cream can help make your skin lovely again without over-drying or using nasty chemicals.

RAW09 CDS We still have some free RAWFM CDs to give away, a must in any dance collection!

Log on to: fusemagazine.com.au and check out the FUSE freebies page for your chance to pick up a free RAW09 CD.

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OUT & ABOUT

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

one big gay party

}

Mardi Gras 2010

If you’ve ever been to Mardi Gras or at least watched the parade on TV, and my guess is you probably have at one time or another, you’ll be well aware of the tremendous sense of pride that is felt when a truly meaningful and striking float glides by. Whilst not only spreading its principal message for all to see, these stunning structures also carry with them a great sense of solidarity and identity for the GLBTQ community as well as their supportive friends and families.

With the announcement that the theme for the parade next year will be ‘Mardi Gras’ History of the World, I felt it appropriate to look at our own history here in Canberra.

In doing so I’ve been presented with an opportunity to consider that, given our city is not large enough to support a float for each and every organisation: what should be involved in a float that is to speak for the whole community?

Discussions are currently underway with various organisations and community groups working together to create a Canberra 2010 Mardi Gras float that the whole GLBTQ community can be proud of and identify with.

Fundraising has already begun and will continue right throughout the year. I would like to stress that the float will not be a ‘Cube’ float, it will be a ‘Canberra’ float as it should be — and in order to represent every facet of the Canberra GLBTQ community we will be holding meetings to get YOUR input and opinions.

So next year will be different.

We will make our way to Sydney with a brave new float and a powerful message to represent all.

In the mean time, if you’d like to contribute in any way please don’t hesitate to contact me via email at info@cubenightclub.com.au ~ LucyJane!

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FUSE 23

OUT & ABOUT

THE

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

HUSHLOUNGE

We are family! There’s always something happening at Hush, come join the fun!

We had an awesome time last month at Hush. Nearly every weekend there was a birthday celebration or a party and everyone had a fantastic time. It was great to see most of you get up and sing at Karaoke — it’s more fun than singing in the shower, so if you’ve not yet tried it, come along and join in. Check out the website — www.hushlounge.com.au — for dates.

WHAT’S ON!

CARD NIGHT EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT Hush queer card night. Games start around 7pm. Come along for some fun.

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BREAKFAST AND BANDS EVERY SUNDAY Breakfast at Hush from 9am to 2pm and Live bands from 2pm.

UP YOUR BUM, MATE SATURDAY 11 JULY Join us for the Annual AIDS Action Council Up Ya Bum Trivia Night.

Saturday 11 July at the Hush Lounge. Keep an eye out for details.

KARAOKE & KOCKTAILS SATURDAY 18 JULY 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. Come sing along...

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again.... Hush is the perfect place to meet up with friends, enjoy a drink, listen to great music, have a birthday party, grab a bite to eat or just chill out! And now with our Big Gay Sunday breakfast there is even more fun to have at Hush. Hush Lounge is for you. Gay guys and girls, trans-genders, bisexuals, queers and all our straight friends. Come one, come all.

THE BEARS XMAS IN JULY KICKS OFF THURSDAY 23 JULY The Bears Meet & Greet night is the first event of their Xmas in July line up. Come along and say hi from 7pm.

AMATUER COMEDY SATURDAY 30 JULY It’s stand up comedy night with our newest funny gays, FUSE cover boy Morgan and the fabulous Johnno.

From 7pm at Hush. Seriously funny!

SUNDAY BAND LINEUP EVERY SUNDAY FROM 2PM 5 July: Bec Feilding & Ben Churcher 12 July: Lazy Jaynes 19 July: Queen Juanita

and the Zydeco 26 July: Lyndell Tutty, Ben Drysdale

and Beth Monzo

DAGMAR MARINA LAGUER

10.11.1955 — 17.6.2009 Wherever you are now, lets hope they are prepared to party. You will be missed mate. Love, all your friends.

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WHAT’S ON OUT & ABOUT

VOTE TORI MAC The Sony In The Mix 50, is an annual national DJ competition that highlights and recognises the country’s finest DJs, producers and clubs. This competition could be described as the equivalent of the Oscars, Grammys or Logies for Australia’s dance music talent. It is a competition where the ultimate winners are decided by the people who love and enjoy dance music.

These decision makers also include you!

The competition holds significant importance not only because it recognises individual talent, but because the talent that it does recognise heavily relies upon that recognition in order to keep producing the dance music we all love and enjoy. It’s the vote of the people that keeps the record companies, clubs and promoters keen to continue to work with our favourite DJs and producers for another year.

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Australia can boast one of the most successful dance music industries in the world through the quality of work that keeps being delivered to the fans week in and week out.

Last year the competition’s National Top 10 ranked some serious talent including Dirty South, Chardy, Ajax, Canberra’s very own The Aston Shuffle and the competition winner, TYDI. Interestingly enough not one woman finished in the National Top 10.

One lady that did finish in a top 10 for her State — and in this instance finished second for the Australian Capital Territory — was Tori Mac. Tori is no new name in Canberra, she has been working tirelessly for many years now not only promoting her unique brand of electro and house but also flying the flag high and proud for the lesbian and gay community. She hosts Australia’s furthest reaching dance radio show for “girls who like girls” on RAW FM 87.6 — a massive achievement for one Canberra girl!

This year FUSE magazine is proud to support Tori Mac in the In The Mix 50 comp, and when voting starts in July we urge all readers to vote for Tori. Not only will you be voting for our favourite Canberra girl, you will also be making a statement that Canberra can produce the nation’s finest DJ artist talent and that you want our community to be heard — loud and proud.

Come July, visit www.inthemix.com.au/50 to cast your vote under the local talent section and VOTE 1 Tori Mac!

OUT & ABOUT

ALTERNATE CLUBBING

{

Across the week Bar 32 plays Indie, Pop, Rock, Dance and much more.

A friendly atmosphere with great bar staff and security.

UNI NIGHT THURSDAYS All you students over studying and just want to party?! We’ve got your night covered! Whether you’re at uni, tafe or you’re a friend of a student... We’re ready to school you in fun!!! Fantastic Video DJ entertainment all night! 9pm till 2am.

Happy hour pricing all night!!!

REV EVERY FRIDAY! FROM 9PM REV is Bar 32’s club night that plays only the latest and greatest Indie, Alternate, Rock, Pop and Dance tunes. Rev is Canberra’s weekly club night that aims to please all the Indie, Rock, Punk, Alternate kids that inhabit this strange place we call Canberra.

INDIE + ALTERNATIVE + DANCE = SHAKEDOWN SATURDAYS Saturday night Shakedown sees an awesome combination of Alternative and Dance music.

An awesome night, don’t miss it!

Bar 32 is also perfect for functions; why not hire the upstairs lounge with bar and dance the night away? Bar 32 is at 32 Northbourne Ave in the heart of Canberra City in the historic Sydney Building.

Visit www.bar32.com and become a VIP member.

32 Northbourne Avenue (Sydney Building) Canberra ACTION bus stop No. 10 is right outside our front door. www.bar32.com • 02 6162 3232

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WHAT’S ON BODY SHAPE

10

{

By Brendan Farnhill Alive! Health & Fitness

TOP

EXERCISES

TO LOOK LIKE

A HOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR With the onset of winter we are all starting to put on those extra kilos to try and help keep us warm and make us that little bit extra cuddly. But the weather will warm up again, and that’s when we’ll want to turn that pudgy body into the hot “Hollywood Body”.

Wouldn’t you like to have the chiseled abs, big chest and bulging biceps of Brad Pitt, or the slim defined build, strong shoulders and tight butt of Angelina Jolie? The look we all want to have, but aren’t sure how to get. Well you’re in luck because the secret is out… We’re revealing the Top Ten Exercises for getting that Hollywood body!

The Brad Pitt Body Ok guys, truth be told, we all love the look of Brad Pitt’s body — the big chest and arms, rounded shoulders and most importantly, those abs. But honestly, how many of us are going to get the chance to actually get close enough to Brad Pitt to appreciate it? Well your solution is here.

Following are ten exercises that, over a twelve week period, will help you to start getting that Hollywood body. We have listed the exercises below (plus you can also download a five day exercise routine at www.fusemagazine.com.au).

Exercise 1 : Legs : Lunges (one foot elevated) Using a barbell across the back of the shoulders or dumbbells, stand tall and brace the abdominals. Take a big step forward placing the front foot up on a small step and stabilise yourself. Drop back knee and hips down so the knee drops just below the top of the step. Push up through the front heel.

Exercise 2 : Legs : Seated Leg Press Sit with back fully supported and keep the spine neutral. Feet shoulder width apart and brace the abdominals. Press forward through the whole foot; do not lock the knees out. Return slowly.

Exercise 3 : Cardio Rower Sitting on the seat, firmly tighten feet straps over the ball of big toe. Grip the bar. Starting with knees bent and arms extended, push back with the legs, at the same time pulling the bar towards your chest. When legs are at full extensions and bar is at your chest, release back to start position. Continue motion.

Exercise 4 : Chest Cable Flyes (standing or lying) Set cables at chest height. Brace the abdominals. Elbows slightly bent and in line with the hands. Keep back/spine in a neutral position. Press forward and together at shoulder height. Release slowly.

Exercise 5 : Back Seated Row Sit tall and bend the knees slightly. Lift your chest and brace the abdominals.

Pull the bar towards your navel. Squeeze the shoulder blades together and keep the elbows in close to your body. Release slowly.

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The 10 top exercises to look like a Hollywood superstar and all models/equipment used in the photos were kindly provided by Alive! Health & Fitness.

Exercise 6 : Back : Wide/Under Chins Either using the assisted machine or standing bar, grip as wide as possible, palms facing away from you. Brace the abdominals and pull yourself up so your chin is over the bar, then slowly release. Complete maximum number with a wide grip then bring the hands in narrow with palms facing you. Repeat.

Exercise 7 : Shoulders : Arnold Press Sit tall, brace the abdominals and lift the chest. Face palms in and shoulders at shoulder height. Open your arms out to the side, press over head, lower and return to the start position.

Exercise 8 : Arms : Barbell Bicep Curls Using either barbell or EZ Curl bar, position feet split hip width apart and a shoulder width grip on the bar. Stand tall and brace the abdominals. With elbows at the sides, curl bar up to the chest and slowly release all the way down to the thighs.

Exercise 9 : Arms : Cable Tricep Pushdowns Using a rope or bar, stand facing the cables. Brace the abdominals. Keeping the elbows still and by the side, press the rope/bar down to full extension. Return slowly to the start.

Exercise 10 : Abs : Jackknife Crunch Lay flat on your back with arms and legs fully extended out and together. Simultaneously bring your arms and legs up into the air, fingers and toes meet in the middle. If flexibility does not allow, take hands a little further. Slowly release, controlling the movement, and return to start position.

The Angelina Jolie Body Girls… how ‘bout that butt, those abs and legs? We all think that having strong abs, a flat stomach, nice legs and getting rid of those tuck shop lady arms is impossible.

Well the good news is that it’s not. We’re here to help you get that sexy Hollywood body like Angelina Jolie, and to make you the envy of all the girls. Here’s the ten exercises to get you started (plus you can download a five day exercise routine at www.fusemagazine.com.au). In just twelve weeks, you’re going to feel like a new woman.

Exercise 1 : Legs : Lunges (one foot elevated) Using a barbell across the back of the shoulders or dumbbells, stand tall and brace the abdominals. Take a big step forward placing the front foot up on a small step and stabilise yourself. Drop back knee and hips down so the knee drops just below the top of the step. Push up through the front heel.

Exercise 2 : Legs : Seated Leg Press Sit with back fully supported and keep the spine neutral. Feet shoulder width apart and brace the abdominals. Press forward through the whole foot; do not lock the knees out. Return.

Exercise 3 : Cardio Rower Sitting on the seat, firmly tighten feet straps over the ball of big toe. Grip the bar. Starting with knees bent and arms extended, push back with the legs, at the same time pulling the bar towards your chest. When legs are at full extensions and bar is at your chest, release back to start position.

Exercise 4 : Chest : Seated Chest Press Sit tall with back supported. Handles in line with the mid-chest and elbows level with wrists. Brace the abdominals and press forward, keeping the elbows soft at end point. Slowly release.

Exercise 5 : Abs : Jackknife Crunch Lay flat on your back with arms and legs fully extended out and together. Simultaneously bring your arms and legs up into the into the air, fingers and toes meet in the middle. If flexibility does not allow, take hands a little further. Slowly release, controlling the movement, and return to start position.

Exercise 6 : Back : Assisted Chin-Ups Sit tall and bend the knees slightly. Lift your chest and brace the abdominals. Pull the bar towards your navel. Squeeze the shoulder blades together and keep elbows in close to your body. Slowly release.

Exercise 7 : Shoulders : Shoulder Press/Tricep Extension Sitting tall, brace the abdominals. Place arms out to the side, with elbows in line with shoulders. Press to the top, hold then slowly lower down behind the head, keeping the neck in a neutral position and the upper arm still. Lift back up and slowly release to start position.

Exercise 8 : Arms : Tricep Dips Hands close together and lift the chest. Shoulders and elbows back, bottom close to the bench. Lower bottom to the floor, keeping elbows in close. Press up to the top, keeping elbows soft at the top.

Exercise 9 : Arms : Bicep Curls Using a barbell or dumbbells. Position feet split hip width apart and either arms by side or shoulder width grip on bar. Stand tall and brace the abdominals. Elbows at the sides. Curl up to the chest, slowly release all the way down to the thighs.

Exercise 10 : Abs : Fitball Crunch Lay back over the ball, hands beside ears and legs at ninety degrees. Hips lifted. Squeeze the abdominals, drawing the ribs slowly to the hips. Peel the spine up and then lower slowly.

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.

FUSE 29

WHAT’S ON BODY SHAPE

Eat Right: Stay Healthy It’s easier to eat right during the summer months when you’re more active and there is an abundance of fresh produce available. But as a chilly Canberra winter rolls around, it’s tempting to drop your healthy eating habits and reach for those stodgy comfort foods and fatty take away.

Even though it’s winter, you still need to eat well and get your five servings a day of fruits and vegetables if you want to stay healthy and happy.

It can be hard with a busy lifestyle, but make a real effort to include fruits and vegetables at every meal. Since your options are more limited during the winter months, now’s the time to get creative by trying new recipes as well as sampling produce you haven’t eaten before.

Winter brings a bumper crop of root vegetables like turnips, sweet potatos, carrots and parsnips.

And then there are a whole range of fantastic greens that will help keep those winter colds away — especially with Swine Flu bearing down on us — like brussel sprouts, broccoli, spinach, Asian leaf veggies and a whole bunch more.

All these work great in winter soups, casseroles and stews.

Best of all they are quick and easy to make after a long day.

Oh, and don’t forget winter fruit like apples, pears, rhubarb and oranges ­— these make great snacks and are often the foundation of a variety of comforting, homey desserts.

As always, the key to buying the best produce is to know what you’re looking for. No matter what the season, look for fruits and vegetables with good color; stay away from produce with bruising, soft spots or shrivelling. If you can buy fresh organic or chemical free produce, that’s even better.

We asked Kristy from Pioneer Training to give us the top ten eating tips to help you stay fit and healthy; looking good and feeling great throughout a chilly Canberra winter.

10EATING TIPS

KRISTY’S TOP 1.

If you are trying to lose weight but think you eat pretty good food, then start eating your meals off a bread and butter plate. It could just be your portion size that is letting you down.

2.

Don’t eat three big meals a day and that’s it. Try eating five smaller meals over the day.

3.

Breakfast is a massive part of the day. You need to kick-start your body in the morning with food.

4.

Find healthy alternatives for your favourites and get into the habit of replacing them in your shopping.

5.

There are always healthier options at restaurants and food halls. Don’t use the usual excuse of “there was nothing else”.

6.

Drink water with your meal. You will fill fuller sooner.

7.

Go for the tomato based sauces rather than the creamy type sauces.

8.

At parties or gatherings don’t sit near the food. You will be inclined to pick. You won’t be inclined as much if you have to walk over to get the food and then walk back again.

9.

Think ahead in your shopping. Set meals before you go and write down the food you need. That way you don’t impulse buy crap food! Try and have a snack before you shop as well. If you aren’t hungry you won’t buy everything off the shelves!

10. For that added bit of help — try using an exercise book for recording what you eat every day.

You will be less inclined to eat unhealthy if you know you have to write it down!

FUSE 30

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.

boo

gay? bi? under 26?

k no w!

out there! a free workshop for guys under 26 attracted to other guys

July 25th and 26th 10:00 - 4:00 and Thursday 30th 6:00 - 9:00 we discuss relationships, sex, coming out, and getting involved in the community... more info: keiran@qnet.org.au or 6257 2855 WESTLUND HOUSE RESOURCE CENTRE

FUSE 31

What are your goals for life? Do you want to be rich and want lots of money? Or maybe you want loads of clothes?

And I think there is mention of my favourite, diamonds.

WHAT’S MONEY ON SHOT

If you don’t have the musical talent of Allen or getting your gear off doesn’t appeal, what strategies do you need to have in place to achieve these goals? Do you know what your outcomes are? Or is it all too hard and you are overtaken by fear or other emotions?

How are you meant to feel when it comes to your money?

Is it all a little too overwhelming? Being in control of your financial situation and feeling at ease around financial decisions is important to achieving the “lots of money”, “loads of clothes” or “diamonds” and removing some of the fear.

FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM LILY ALLEN!?

I BET YOU NEVER THOUGHT SHE COULD TEACH YOU ABOUT MONEY… HER SONG “THE FEAR” HAS SOME POWERFUL MESSAGES

FUSE 32

Do you feel pressured by others to keep up or does life sometimes feel all about “film stars, fast cars and cussing each other?” Does it not matter ‘cause you’re “packing your plastic”. “Are you a weapon of massive consumption?”

“Is this how you’re programmed to function?”

Debt can be a great way to get what you want or get ahead, but if your debt is out of control and your plastic is too full for consumption how can you get on top of things? Ignoring it won’t make it go away. List it, repay it and if it is a little too much, remember you are not alone. If Lily Allen isn’t available for advice you should speak with a licensed financial adviser.

}

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

Property Transactions BUYING INTO WEALTH OR JUST FUTURE TROUBLE? For some people property means security, for others, it means the beginning of wealth creation. Unfortunately for many, it can mean litigation! For most of us, the purchase of a house will be the most significant financial decision we make. If your purchase is as part of a same sex relationship, then there may be added considerations in making such a significant financial purchase together with your partner.

Property owners (let’s assume we are discussing land or a house right now) are subject to the following paradigms:

1.

Cohabitation in excess of 2 years can be one indicator of a domestic relationship. This may provide for either partner to claim in title to the property whether or not a financial contribution is made;

2.

In creating an ownership agreement, consideration must be given to the manner of title. That is, whether the title is drawn as tenants in common or joint tenant. This will affect division on sale or in a will; and

3.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) must be considered in any purchase outside the primary residence.

{

John Davey is a Business and Migration Solicitor at Goodman Law, specialising in commercial law.

Make sure your expectation of wealth and security are supported by the work you have done up front with your solicitor.

Knowing the various options you have in structuring such a large transaction can be empowering and better equip you to manage changes in years to come. A properly structured purchase may give you confidence in being a property owner and allow you to aspire to greater wealth.

As a limited offer, by mention of this article, Goodman Law will provide a free 30 minute property law consultation.

FUSE 33

WHAT’S FEATUREON

Behind the Lens of Vanity Fair: Annie Leibovitz The exhibition of the Vanity Fair Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery will no doubt include a number from superstar photographer, Annie Leibovitz. If you don’t know the name, you will know the photographs: Demi Moore pregnant on the cover of Vanity Fair, Queen Elizabeth II, Angelina Jolie exposing her tattoos in a bathtub, and of course John Lennon nakedly entwined around a clothed Yoko Ono (taken the day of his assassination, 8 December 1980).

Born in 1946 in Connecticut, Leibovitz enrolled at the San Francisco Art Institute to study painting before becoming interested in photography. She worked for Rolling Stone from 1970 and later joined Vanity Fair in 1983. Her portraits have also been published in Vogue, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and in ad campaigns for American Express, The Gap and the Milk Board.

Often dreamlike and glossy, her images capture distinctive poses of modern icons in settings of bright colours and

FUSE 34

{By Carmen Sarjeant elaborate lighting in order to reveal the personalities of her subjects. This aspect of her photography was exemplified when she was commissioned for the Disney Dream Portrait Series, placing celebrities within Disney inspired scenes, including Whoopi Goldberg as the genie from Aladdin.

When Leibovitz published her book, A Photographer’s Life: 1990-2005, we were exposed to images of her own life. It included her celebrity portraits as well as those of her parents, children, other family members, her partner Susan Sontag, and herself.

Leibovitz met Sontag in 1989 when she photographed the writer for her book, AIDS and its Metaphors. Their relationship continued until Sontag’s death in 2004. Sontag’s influence on Leibovitz was profound, and without her encouragement Leibovitz may have never visited Sarajevo. Providing the imagery for Sontag’s critical works, Leibovitz extended her vision to journalistic photography. They collaborated on works about the war afflicted area and later on Women (1999).

The pair had a significant intellectual relationship but their romantic relationship was not always transparent, although Leibovitz was more open about their love following Sontag’s death with the release of A Photographer’s Life.

A Photographer’s Life displays images in contrast to each other and is sometimes criticised for its merging of public and private collections. Leibovitz explains in the introduction to her book, “I don’t have two lives. This is one life, and the personal pictures and the assignment work are all part of it.” And so, the blurring of the professional and personal identities of Leibovitz have manifested as a series of revealing images. Some of the most personal photographs show Sontag during treatment for cancer and her final months.

There was controversy over showing these images but Sontag had wanted her life and memories to be photographed.

Leibovitz continues to be in high demand and her portraits appear frequently in Vanity Fair. The Vanity Fair Portraits exhibition is on display at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 June to 30 August.

Vanity Fair Hollywood Cover by Annie Leibovitz, April 2001 L-R: Nicole Kidman, Catherine Deneuve, Meryl Streep, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Vanessa Redgrave, Kate Winslet, Chloë Sevigny, Sophia Loren and Penelope Cruz

I am not a counsellor; I am a life coach.

What’s the diff, you ask? And will it change my life? One examines the current state of play and how you got here; the other requires getting off your tiny tush and changing your life for the better. Which is appropriate for you right now? You choose.

IMPROVEMENT

Personal Coaching What’s that about?

When you’re ready to improve your situation, coaching can make the difference between mere wishing and it actually happening. All change involves some risk-taking. It feels less risky having someone encouraging you while you stick your turtle-neck out of your secure shell. But being coached is not just moral support — there’s useful suggestions, intelligent questions, lateral thinking, gentle prodding to step outside your comfort zone, and a new perspective to be had.

A frustrated client was powering her way up the public service greasy pole while raising a very young family. Juggling work and home commitments was driving her spare as she struggled to find enough quality time for both. Quality time is over-rated; what she needed was quantity time.

After two gritty coaching sessions, she realised she’d rather be running her dream business and enjoying time at home with her partner and kids. Once she decided what she really needed to make her feel like an even-half-wayfulfilled human being, she went about making it happen. Yes, she took a less prestigious, less time-consuming job. Yes, she started her business.

Yes, she’s scared. But she’s vibrantly alive and enjoying every new challenge. And she feels so much better about herself and her situation.

It did not take much from me — just some undivided attention, the right questions, constructive observations and pertinent suggestions. From her came the resolution not to tolerate unhappiness, the willingness to listen and make critical changes, and the courage to bet on her. Courage and coaching — a powerful combination that opens a world of possibilities.

Yvonne Wigman is the queer community’s favourite personal coach www.prosperalot.com.au

}

HAVE

DELIVERED TO YOUR

DOOR!

CHECK OUT OUR

SIX4SIX

FUSE SUBSCRIPTION SPECIAL WWW.FUSEMAGAZINE.COM.AU FUSE 35

WHAT’S ON OUT & ABOUT

80’s

MARDI GRAS CAME TO CANBERRA

FUSE 36

If you missed Hard On, you missed an awful lot. Lesbian antics, a gay boy’s one night stand, gay-or of the year, bad eighties hair, Culture Club, a badly dressed fag hag, lots of rampant stupidity, and of course we can’t forget a very jealous gay unicorn.

Conceived and directed by Wanniassa boy, Brian Cobb, the Hard On cast of eight also included two born and bred Canberra actresses: Fadden girl, Miranda O’Hare and Forrest girl, Jane Porter.

Three houses in Darlo open their doors for our amusement as the “gay bachelor of the year” picks up a one night stand who out stays his welcome; the lesbians next door hold a party that goes incredibly wrong; while across the road the local unicorn, in denial about his sexuality, decides to come out to his flatmates. It was an absolute hoot!

FUSE 37

FUSE 38

Many people don’t use conditioners as they feel they do not need to, some say they simply don’t have time, it makes their hair too soft or they find it hard to style their hair as usual.

FREE SAMPLES!

TO CONDITION OR NOT TO CONDITION? Not all conditioners are the same; there is one to suit every hair type.

Conditioners can de-frizz, reduce volume, add volume, strengthen, hydrate, prolong colours or add shine. The key to getting the best result from your conditioner is finding the right one that works for your hair. Consult with your hair stylist and get a prescription for shampoo and conditioner designed to address your hair needs. Some of the inexpensive conditioners on the market tend to coat the hair rather than close the cuticle. This will make your hair great for a while but can make it look very oil very quickly which then results in having to shampoo a lot more than necessary.

Try using conditioner every time you shampoo, starting at the ends and working it up the hair shaft through the mid lengths and towards the roots. Only use a small amount as applying too much conditioner to the root area may result in oily looking hair and be difficult to style. Ensure you rinse thoroughly.

A client recently told me she loves her hair when she leaves the salon but can never recreate the same finish at home. She was doing everything right when it came to styling but informed me she only shampooed her hair and did not use conditioner. She thought conditioner was only to be used in salons to make the hair smell nice, but this is not the case. How and what you use is the difference between a good hair day and a bad one.

A great new hair care range has just arrived at Form Haircutters.

It has only been available in Australia since the end of May. PUREOLOGY products are environmentally friendly, certified 100 per cent vegan, zero sulfate shampoo, based on all natural ingredients and organic botanicals, and have an antifade complex to protect your colour. It smells amazing so give it a try. For the readers of FUSE mention this article with your next appointment and receive a Pureology sampler. Available while stock lasts.

{

By Chad Wijayatilake. Photos by Ian Golding.

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

WHAT’S THE

“IT” LOOK?

The IT look is the look that every girl and every boy wants for the month, the weekend or hot night out. Celebrities are mainly the inspiration.

GROOMING

ASK CHAD What is the “IT” look right now?

The two most wanted looks right now are Kate Moss with her textured bob, and the guys have been wanting the Zac Efron fringe and all that JBF texture.

How do you get the Kate Moss look?

To get the unwashed, textured look like Kate, first get yourself a layered bob and then blow-dry with a volumising mousse, we suggest, Kerastase Volumactive. Once dry apply a dry wax, like Redken Grit, rub into the palms of your hands and milk through hair, starting from the ends working your way up — don’t apply to the root area, you want to create an undone finish not a greasy oily look.

What about the Zac Efron look for the guys?

Ok, so to get Zac’s look get your stylist to give you a great textured cut, with a f+*k-off fringe. The fringe is what makes the hair cut guys, so get one. To get that light separation you need to use a light paste like Redken for Men — Maneuver and to finish off the look you need to use a heat activated texturizer like Redken Fabricate.

Spray it around the hair and blast with your blow-dryer.

LOOK LIKE A STAR!

When you apply shampoo to the hair, it opens the cuticle layer — protective outer layer of the hair ­­— to cleanse the hair. Conditioner is used to nourish, repair and smooth the hair by closing down the cuticle layer. NOT applying conditioner after shampooing would be like opening the car door and just driving off without closing the door first — you wouldn’t do that on the road so why do it in the shower?

FUSE 39

WHAT’S ON COUCH CULTURE

{

Review by Phil Schubert

Discovering yourself... and finding Shelter The first I heard about Shelter was when a good friend rang me at some ungodly hour gushing about this movie he’d just watched in tiny chunks on a tiny screen — he’d sat cross eyed and YouTubed the lot.

From there on I had to see it myself to decide if it really was worthy of such a late night phone call.

Having won a fair whack of queer cinema awards, this film is definitely worth a trip to JB HiFi. Zach is a young 22-year-old guy who spends a lot of time sacrificing himself for his family, including putting off his art school dreams to flip burgers. He doesn’t apparently even know he’s gay until he randomly meets his best mate’s older brother, who’s out and artsy but butch. They hang out, go surfing and hit it off — cue happy ending, but not without tribulation.

This film explores a lot more than just the intricacies of gay love appearing from nowhere. Like the social diversities that exist, what people will do out of duty and the way even though life throws everything it has at us, we can still come through smiling.

Website : www.myspace.com/shelterathere Soundtrack : Available on iTunes!

FUSE 40

COUCH CULTURE

Tired of the

L

glamour & glitz of The Word?

Played Bound so many times the picture runs in slow mo? Look no further than the British TV series Bad Girls (Shed Productions).

Bad Girls is a raw and confronting women’s prison drama set inside the walls of HMP Larkhall.

It’s like a pommie version of Prisoner — only better because the lesbian themes and identities are overt.

The series first screened in the UK in 1999 and ran for eight seasons finishing up in 2006. While it’s not a new series, Bad Girls certainly didn’t receive the media attention in Australia that The L Word has enjoyed.

Other themes and issues addressed throughout the series include a heroin junkie’s battle with addiction, sexual abuse, domestic violence, bigamy, homophobia, love between inmates and prison staff, women being separated from their children and a gay governor’s difficulties being out at work.

{

By Helen Stevens

The central romantic relationship between Nikki Wade, a prisoner serving a life sentence, and newly graduated wing governor, Helen Stewart (Simone Lahbib), is beautiful and a highlight of series one to three.

Other central women characters include the amusing Sylvia Hollamby (Helen Fraser), an old-school cynical civil servant who believes in punishment not rehabilitation. And one of the most impressive acting performances comes from The Top Dog gangster moll turned mother figure, Yvonne Atkins, played by Linda Henry. Series five teases us with Atkins becoming the centre of attraction for two women.

Apart from Jim Fenner the misogynist prison guard, the other dominant male character is Neil Grayling (series four, James Gaddas). Grayling is a gay Governing Governor who can’t come out at work and concocts a fake marriage to the desperate and dateless prison guard Di Barker (Tracy Wilkinson). This plot line drags on for too long and becomes frustrating!

Bad Girls isn’t marketed as lesbian television. Its reported success in the UK is because of its attraction to a broad audience. As the series progress some of the confronting subject matter does fade.

That aside, I’m a huge fan and try to use the term ‘stupid cow’ and laugh like Dockley as much as possible. The dialogue is engaging, the acting performances convincing and there’s loads of eye candy.

Narky : annoyed, pissed off Banged up : locked in prison cells Bodybag : character Sylvia Hollamby Crotched : to hide drugs in the vagina Gob : as in ‘shut yer gob’, please be quiet Sod ya : stuff you, bugger you, screw you, go away Dellies : tranquilisers

Threes : level 3 of G wing; G3 is the name of a London lesbian magazine taken from the fact that most of the women on the threes are lesbians.

Glossary

This is a shame. In many ways the story lines explored in Bad Girls are more complex and sensitive than The L Word. From series one the viewer is introduced to a range of shocking scenes and stories. We’re introduced to a rebellious tomboy lesbian Denny Blood (Alicya Eyo) who has a crush on drug dealer, Shell Dockley (Debra Stephenson). A woman has a miscarriage in her cell and Nikki Wade (Mandana Jones) the lipstick lesbian is stripped searched.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. The script is punchy and flows with that unique British wit, slang and sarcasm. There’s as much warmth and accidental comedy as tragedy. The range of lesbian identities and strong female characters is broad and shows a diversity of relationships among women, both in friendship and love.

FUSE 41

EAR CANDY The band formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2007. If you are an electro fan and are into new styles and groundbreaking ideas then buy this one. I suggest listening to it in the car but only if you are going somewhere fun and are super excited about it. Tracks ‘The Reeling’ and ‘Sleepyhead’ are getting the most radio airplay and it’s not hard to see why. Enjoy! myspace.com/passionpitjams

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix I must confess that I did not know that this band had been around for so long! In fact I thought that this latest album was only their second, when in fact, it is their fifth! The French alternate pop rock band started out with their first album release in 1999 and although I can’t say much about those early years, I can say that I am suitably impressed by their later releases, especially this album titled Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. The tracks on this album vary from your classic pop to your more mellow easy listening styles. But either way, if you are a lover of happy pop then I suggest you give these guys a go. If you are still not convinced then at least download the track ‘1901’ from iTunes and see for yourself. If you like, then get the whole album, it won’t disappoint.

Tracks to listen too are ‘Lisztomania’ and ‘1901’.

Another cool fact about this band that you may find interesting is that the guitarist, Laurent Brancowitz used to be in a band called Darlin, which he formed with Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de HomemChristo, who are now commonly known as Daft Punk.

DAMIEN’S TOP 5

MOVIE TRACKS 1. Mad World (Donnie Darko Soundtrack) : Gary Jules 2. Silent Sigh (About a Boy Soundtrack) : Badly Drawn Boy 3. Playground Love (The Virgin Suicides Soundtrack) : Air 4. Requiem for a Dream Soundtrack : Theme Song

FUSE 42

5. The Wings (Brokeback Mountain Soundtrack) : Gustavo Santaolalla

My all time favourite movie is About a Boy. I have seen this movie so many times that I have lost count and you may ask why I love this movie so much? Well, mostly it’s because it is about people and relationships and how a simple relationship between two people — in this case a lazy, 30-something-year-old male who has always been able to have whatever he wanted and a kid with a life that one could only describe as less than ideal — can bring so much meaning to them and to everyone around them. Yes, it is a little soppy, so be prepared for that, but it has a killer soundtrack. I say killer, because the smart people involved in this film made a decision to employ a man named Damon Gough (aka Badly Drawn Boy) to score the film and create one of the best soundtracks and albums of all time! But that is my opinion…

The soundtrack is somewhat unique because all the tracks are originals by Badly Drawn Boy and there really isn’t much other music in the film other than his. The style is slow indie rock and tracks like ‘Something to Talk About’ and ‘Silent Sigh’ will make you heart melt as they are just perfect for this film.

So in short get the movie, someone to cuddle, a couch so soft that you sink, a blanky, some wine, maybe some pop corn and settle in and watch. But remember it is the music that maketh the movie!

1. There’s No Secrets This Year : Silversun Pickups 2. Zero : Yeah Yeah Yeahs 3. Sleepyhead : Passion Pit 4. 1901 : Phoenix 5. Parlez Vous Francais : Art vs. Science 6. Sticks and Stones : Jamie T 7. Brother : Little Birdy 8. Fuck You : Lily Allen 9. Hospital : Friendly Fires 10. On Tour : Bliss n Eso

TRACKS

Passion Pit is a very recent addition to the electro scene and this album Manners is their debut. As a diehard electro pop rock fan, I had to get this album even though I knew very little about the band and had only heard one of their songs. But hey, some of my best album purchases have been made on a similar lack of knowledge… so why would this be any different? And what can I say but yay, yay, yay?! What a cool album — so much fun and super energy charged!

About a Boy: Badly Drawn Boy

DAMIEN’S TOP 10 MUSIC

Manners — Passion Pit

By Lanny K from Reefer Records — a dedicated turntable terrorist

}

SOUND TRACKS

FOR YOUR LIFE The table is set, the candles are lit and the lights are low. The house has been scrubbed and you’re ready for your hot date to arrive. But there’s something missing, the room is far too quiet and in need of one last touch. Ahh, some music.

Now what to put on? After shuffling through the indie collection, the disco divas and the myriad of dance compilations, you come up empty handed.

Wait, there is a solution and it’s perfect to set off this occasion and many others… ... it’s

the good old movie soundtrack.

Soundtracks are used in movies to help create moods and set a pace. The same can be true when music accompanies any event, be it a dinner party, a Sunday brunch or a romantic evening for two. The trick, however, is to find a soundtrack which matches the emotional tide and colour of the occasion.

Change the mood again with after-dinner music.

Something a bit brighter and upbeat works a treat, unless you’re heading straight to the bedroom where Jerry Goldsmith’s Chinatown soundtrack of sultry erotica is a must.

For the post-meal crowd, a bit of toe-tapping never goes astray, and who doesn’t like their guests to leave on a high note and in good spirits? Curtis Mayfield’s long time classic to the 1972 film Superfly fits very nicely, or ramp things up even further and delve into the night with soundtracks from Go, Trainspotting and 24 Hour Party People.

For occasions of a serious romantic nature it’s hard to go past the Vangelis soundtrack to Blade Runner — sweet, yet mysterious, memorable and very sexy.

For a bit of slap and tickle, try Dick Hyman’s score to Moonstruck and from David Lynch’s film, Blue Velvet — who can resist Isabella Rossellini’s luscious vocals on the theme song? Not me!

Dinner parties often require a variety of musical moods in an effort to match the course on offer, and similar to a movie, it’s very important the music does not overwhelm the conversation. Although not a soundtrack in its own right, Leopard Lounge: At The Movies is a collection of swinging movie tunes from the Warner & Atlantic vaults, an absolutely perfect backdrop for the pre-dinner cocktail ...and speaking of cocktails, most James Bond soundtracks go hand-in-hand with the ‘shaken and not stirred’ variety.

The main-course deserves something a bit more moody, perhaps Air’s original motion picture score to the 2000 film, The Virgin Suicides, or the Grammy winning, various artist soundtrack to Garden State. Both are excellent accompaniments due to their low-key nature, creating an intimate and enduring atmosphere for guests to enjoy their food and surroundings. Woody Allen films often include a great repertoire of interludes well suited to both an evening meal and an afternoon brunch.

Whatever the occasion and whatever your choice of movie soundtrack, there is always a match to be made. Think about the mood you are creating, recall the films you have seen, their settings and the tones within. Match the music to the emotions you want to evoke and you’ll be sure to create your own real-life, gourmet cinematic masterpiece.

FUSE 43

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44

GENDER TALK The annual Queer Collaborations conference will be held for the second time here in Canberra at the Australian National University (ANU) between the 13th and 17th of July.

Designed for LGBTIQ students from around the country, this year’s organisers are asking the Canberra community to get involved in what should be a fun week with a serious purpose.

Held under the theme ‘Deceit of Government’, the conference will discuss how government affects our sex lives, being queer in our regulated world, and how we might engage with political activism during this borderless age.

Transgender presence

This was a milestone for the Canberra gender community as previously there’s been a perceived divide between the two sides of the transgender world and now we are talking to each other instead of trying to go it alone. This also means that we are able to take a greater interest in listening to and respecting what each other has to say on important issues of equality and gender rights and on the vast spectrum of gender diversity: how we as individuals and groups see and identify ourselves and how we relate to the wider community.

It will also be one of the most social and fun instalments of the conference in years. During the week there will be a movie night, lots of dancing, an art exhibition, a big queer BBQ and a ball.

To find out more, contact the organising team at qc09@anu.edu.au or visit the website: http://qc09.anu.edu.au

{By Abbey Jane For several years, both these groups have been working to forward transgender rights and recognition, as well as provide a sense of community and social events for transgender people.

During my experiences I have observed people that know what GLB is, but not the T and I. T is little wonder since the T and I were rarely seen, and understandably that was because many of the transgender community don’t feel safe coming out the closet or they are unable to for various reasons including family, community and self-acceptance situations.

However the community has been seeing a greater transgender presence since the Hush Lounge opened in 2008. Hush welcomes T and I patrons and many of us ‘out there and doing it’ have positively responded; increasing the chances of being seen and acknowledged as part of this diverse GLBTIQ community, helping us to be one step closer to better understanding and acceptance. So when you see us please come and say hello — you will find us a very friendly bunch who, just like you, are out there having fun and lapping it up.

...................

If you went to Fairday at Westlund House last year you may have noticed that for the first known time here in Canberra there was a combined gender community stall which included both the Canberra Transgender Network and Agenderagender. That meant for perhaps the very first time you saw trans-men and trans-women standing side-by-side to promote gender issues and recognition in the Canberra community.

Queer Collaborations is more than just politics though.

This year there will be a range of exciting workshops, which will include everything from fighting bi-, trans-, and hetero-phobia in the queer community through gender theory, out advice, how-to’s on ‘zines’, safe BDSM play and even picking up. A focus of the workshops will be same-sex marriage and equality activism, ensuring a very political and topical QC.

FUSE 45

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We’d like to thank them for their support of the GLBTQ community and hope you’ll support them in return. You’ll also find their details, email and website links at www.fusemagazine.com.au If you would like to advertise in Fuse please contact us on 02 6287 7125 or email hello@fusemagazine.com.au

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FUSE 47

DEAR ROSE

Dear Rose, I am seeing someone who has just got out of a long term relationship. I feel we really like each other but I am afraid of being a rebound. How do I ask this guy what his feelings are for me without scaring him off?

Or am I reading too much into things and should I just take it slow?

From Love Stoned Dear Love Stoned, If you think about it everyone has been with someone and that someone has ended up with another one, so realistically, all relationships are rebound whether we want to admit it or not. I really believe that the idea of rebound relationships is a myth carried over from the 80s by a philosophy “discovered” along with leg-warmers, the worst fashion accessory ever invented!

Who says that a person is more prepared for a relationship at two years than someone who has just gotten out of a relationship two months ago? What it sounds like is that you have been in this position before and have been hurt by someone else. There are three big things people should consider and do when contemplating any kind of relationship: 1. What are your expectations?

2. Be honest about what you feel and don’t be afraid of talking to a new partner.

3. Listen to your gut, if it’s not working for you you need to ask him upfront and honestly how he feels about you and what his intentions are. His answer will help you decide whether you should stay together.

Hi Rose, I am a bubbly gay guy. I love to have a chat and I love to have a joke. However I am feeling like people do not take me seriously because they just see me as a bit of fun? How do I make people respect me while still being as fabulous and flamboyant as people have come to expect?

Signed, Fancy Pants Dear Fancy Pants, I myself have suffered this very same predicament and for a long time it bothered me that people would not see the “wise-ness” in my bubbly and fun attitude to life. I then came to this great insight — ­ that the only person whose respect I needed was my own. Some of the most interesting people I know, who have done the most amazing things under the hardest circumstances, will make light of life and will see the great irony of this world for what it really is.

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

}

A good counsellor once said to me, ‘You can’t control what people around you think of you but you can control what you think of yourself’.

So I say Fancy Pants, embrace who you are, enjoy your own tilt of the world and spread that bubbly-ness with everyone you can — because they need more of us out there! And remember as long as you respect yourself, respect will follow!

Dear Miss Rose, I think people don’t want to be in a relationship with me because I’m overweight. I find this very upsetting and then just find myself eating to compensate for my loneliness.

How can I break this cycle?

Lonely Dear Lonely, Before I had this stunning figure of mine I used to be 20kg heavier than I am, and I too used to comfort eat to compensate my loneliness or stress too. It took me almost a year of working at it before I shed most of those kilos.

Here are a few tips I think might work for you: 1. Think of losing weight as a health kick not a diet.

2. Replace and reface (i.e. don’t drink soft drink, have juice).

3. Exercise is essential, start easy, go for a long walk everyday.

4. Avoid junk food and fast food at all costs.

I hate exercise with a passion; I simply don’t see the point of getting all sweaty unless there is some immediate gratification at the end of it! Hire a walking machine for a few months to get into the habit of doing some exercise.

For something completely different, choose some fun things to do like Latin dancing, belly dancing, pole dancing, ballroom dancing… you might be terrible at them all, but you are moving around and you will lose weight in the process!

I never thought about “breaking the cycle”. Because of a life time of yo-yo dieting, I knew I had a natural propensity to put on weight. I did, however, accept that I was prone to weight gain and put measures in place so that I would never be that heavy again. I threw away my “larger sizes” so I could tell if I was putting weight on — 5kg is easier to lose than 20kg.

And always keep in mind: the grass is not always greener on the other side, weight loss is not going to cure your loneliness — that is something that is within you. You can be lonely and thin too!

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