FUSE18 Get that Summer Body (Boy Cover)

SERIOUS FUN IN THE SUN

FAIRDAY WORKING FOR A HOT

SUMMER BODY GAY-NIMALS HOMOSEXUALITY IN NATURE!

TOO MUCH SEX

IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE?

PRINCESS LEIA

COMING TO CANBERRA

JAILING GEORGE

KARMA CATCHING UP WITH THE RICH & FAMOUS

SPRING IS IN THE AIR: BOYS, BABES & BUTTERFLIES

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18

12

Gay animals — they’re queer and they’re here! This month we explore homosexuality from an ecological and evolutionary angle... cute fairy penguins to fruit flies — we got ‘em all!

28

He knew something wasn’t right at seven — he hated boys toys but loved make up and dresses. Now in her 20s and a solo artist, Chrisie Edkins lives and sings to a different tune.

40

Helen Stevens talks to British pro snowboarder, Jo Chastney about why she loves the slopes and why you should give it a crack next year.

FUSE OP.ED 24

18

14

Can you really have too much sex?

Does irregular sexual behaviour cause crop failure and earthquakes? These and more questions answered by our sex expert Hilary Caldwell.

FUSE18 OCTOBER 2010

24

CONTENTS

FUSE FEATURES

20 A well hung parliament, giant douche

and a turd sandwich — it’s this month’s

political OP.ED by Simon Copland.

FUSE REGULARS 34

14

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

{

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Yasmin Element

PRODUCTION & EDITORIAL Christopher Powell

CONTRIBUTORS Tony Hamlyn Simon Copland Brooklyn Hulands Rose Pappalardo Robert Henderson

Scott Malcolm Damien Pratt Stuart Poole Chad Wijayatilake Hilary Caldwell

Zara Jackson-Martin Helen Stevens Lucy Jane David Mills Ed Plant

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jimmy Walsh Douglas Robinson

Daniel Liebeck Wolf Sverak

Nik Studio Rhys Atkinson

CONTACT Advertising, editorial enquiries or letters Telephone: 0412 309 992 • Email: editor@fusemagazine.com.au Mail: PO Box 3577 Manuka ACT 2603 • ISSN 1836-8387

02 04 06 08 10 13 16 18 22 26 30 32 34 38 42 44 46 47 48

Editor’s Rant What’s On in Canberra The Trap : Local & Gritty Community : Fairday — Fun in the Sun! The Buzz : Entertainment & Gossip What’s On : Indie Film & Classical Music Community : SpringOut is Coming Footlights : Standing Still Grooming & Fashion : Make a Statement Money Shot : Becoming a Parent Health : Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Politics : Discrimination in the US Out & About : Canberra’s Night Life Fitness : Get Ready for Summer Top Queer : Personally Yours Out & About : AIDS Action Trivia Night FUSE Community Directory FUSE Business Directory Dear Rose

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, editor or FUSE staff.

Any health, fitness or dietry advice contained in this magazine is for informational purposes only. Consult your physician and a fitness/health professional before changing your diet, doing any exercise program, or taking any supplements or remedies of any kind. Submissions of text, photographs or any other material will be taken as consent to publish said material.

FUSE 1

EDITOR’S RANT

TURN TURN TURN So here we are again, another spring. With more sunshine and warmer weather, we’re all slowly crawling out of hibernation mode. Wonderfully refreshing days, nature bursting with colour and the chirping of birds beginning their new families — all heralding a time of renewal. Spring it seems is a good time to trim the proverbial fat, making room for our own rebirth and releasing things that block our path to happiness.

If only it was as easy as writing it.

Alexander Thatcher FUSE Editor

...I could let go of this bloody photo!

I just turned a year older, and with that year — as I slowly trade my youth for just a little more wisdom — I’ve figured out that unless you’re a deciduous tree, renewal sometimes takes some effort and hard work. Like all good ‘spring cleans’ you need to be ruthless with some of that old stuff that’s just clogging up your life, so there is room for the new. I’ve spent the last few weeks thinking about how important this is and wondering if I can do it.

Letting go is one of my hardest lessons in life (sometimes I hold onto things like a dog with a bone). Over time you form strong attachments to ideas, places, people and things (good and bad) — and it can be a very painful experience when you realise that it’s time to let go. Even the mere thought of not having them in your life just squeezes your heart in pain. This is why letting go of the old (and the process of letting the new emerge) can be one of the scariest experiences in life.

I’ve learnt that refusing to let go just serves as a roadblock to my happiness.

Unfortunately I don’t have a silver bullet and might not be able to always do it under my own strength, but that’s where my little bit of wisdom comes in… so here I go.

It’s all about the people that love us.

Not all advice and criticism is right, but it’s all worth listening to and considering carefully. If you’re anything like me it can be difficult to let people help — it’s often very confronting to your ego and we often push back instead of embracing. Being open and letting people in is often just what we need to move us along — like that old saying goes, ‘sometimes the truth hurts’, but it can also help. If you’re ready to change and let go (I know I am), give the people that care about you permission to be strong when you can’t, to say what needs to be said, and to love you. Sometimes there is just so much junk to get rid of, it takes more than one person to fill the hopper.

Yasmin Element Associate Editor

In the spirit of letting go of old perceptions, this month we discover that being gay is not just a human condition, but is also common throughout the animal kingdom.

Hopefully people will start to see that sexuality and sexual orientation is not a choice, but a natural part of being a living creature (...on a personal note, this article really pleases me because it means if the religious right is correct, at least I’ll be able to have a few pets in hell). p24.

If you think that being rich and famous makes it easier to let go and be happy, you probably sould have a talk to George Michael — he’s in London’s Pentonville Prison for eight weeks. Using dope to let go, while expedient, is very short lived and has some major drawbacks, especially if you do it while driving a car. p10.

We also have an interview with pro snowboarder Jo Chastney — she’s a bit of a star on the slopes and was keen to tell us all about her sporting passion, shredding and being a proud out lesbian… you go girl! p40.

There is of course lots of other interesting reading this month, but I’ve run out of room, so check out all our other great articles and remember if it’s not working for you… let it go!

Christopher Powell Winged Courier Monkey

FUSE 2

Enjoy... or don’t, Alex

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

}

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FUSE 3

At the Movies THE SOCIAL NETWORK : OPENS 28 OCTOBER

RESIDENT EVIL : AFTERLIFE 3D OPENS 14 OCTOBER In a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the undead, Alice (Milla Jovovich), continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the undead leads them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of undead and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap.

On a fall night in 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer programming genius Mark Zuckerberg sits down at his computer and heatedly begins working on a new idea. In a fury of blogging and programming, what begins in his dorm room soon becomes a global social network and a revolution in communication. A mere six years and 500 million friends later, Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest billionaire in history... but for this entrepreneur, success leads to both personal and legal complications. From director David Fincher and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin comes The Social Network, a film that proves you don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies. The film is produced by Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, and Cean Chaffin and based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich.

RED : OPENS 28 OCTOBER LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS — THE OWLS OF GA’HOOLE : OPENS 30 SEPTEMBER Acclaimed filmmaker Zack Snyder makes his animation debut with this fantasy family adventure, based on the beloved Guardians of Ga’Hoole books by Kathryn Lasky.

The film follows Soren, a young owl enthralled by his father’s epic stories of the Guardians of Ga’ Hoole, a mythic band of winged warriors who had fought a great battle to save all of owlkind from the evil Pure Ones. While Soren dreams of someday joining his heroes, his older brother, Kludd, scoffs at the notion, and yearns to hunt, fly and steal his father’s favor from his younger sibling. But Kludd’s jealousy has terrible consequences — causing both owlets to fall from their treetop home and right into the talons of the Pure Ones. Now it is up to Soren to make a daring escape with the help of other brave young owls. Together they soar across the sea and through the mist to find the Great Tree, home of the legendary Guardians — Soren’s only hope of defeating the Pure Ones and saving the owl kingdoms.

Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hammer, RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren.

Frank (Willis), Joe (Freeman), Marvin (Malkovich) and Victoria (Mirren) used to be the CIA’s top agents — but the secrets they know just made them the Agency’s top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the topsecret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history.

FREE MOVIE TICKETS FUSE has double passes to give away to Dendy Theatre in Canberra.

Write in and tell us what you think of FUSE, comment on an article or sign up to the FUSE website and you could win these great Dendy movie tickets • email: hello@fusemagazine.com.au • www.fusemagazine.com.au

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

www.dendy.com.au

FUSE 4

{

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

WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON OCTOBER

STANDING STILL Made in Canberra 2010 The Street presents Min Mae’s Still Standing Tableau artist and Canberra Critics Circle 2009 Artist of the Year, Min Mae maps a ‘pathway through vulnerability’ — experimenting with the human animal’s most essential means of communication — the wordless gesture. Central to the work is the key question: how does one keep going?

Review p18. Thursday 28 - Saturday 30 October at 8pm.

Tickets Call 02 6247 1223 or www.thestreet.org.au

FAIRDAY Saturday 30 October, starts at 12 noon Westlund House 16 Gordon Street Acton ACT www.westlundhouse.org.au/fairday SpringOut Fairday is the largest and highest profile LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community event in Canberra. It is an inclusive event that celebrates the diversity, colour and vibrancy of Canberra.

SpringOut Fairday 2010 will run from 12 noon to 5 pm on Saturday 30 October, on the lawns of Westlund House. It will be bigger than ever this year — don’t miss it for anything! More info p08.

GAY FILM Bent Lenses presents From Beginning to End Friday 29 October Tickets & Bar open from 7.00pm — Movie Screens at 7.30pm.

Causing a stir in its native Brazil, From Beginning To End, is a drama that delves into a passionate relationship between two half brothers. More p13.

CANBERRA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA — NEW SEASON

Ticket only $10 at The CSIRO Discovery Centre, Nth Science Road, Acton. http://bentlenses.org

The CSO is the professional symphony orchestra of our national capital, attracting many of Australia’s leading musicians both to its ranks and as soloists. As well as a symphonic subscription series annually, the CSO presents concerts which are a highlight of Canberra’s cultural life. They have just launched their 2010 season — a line up of brilliant concerts not to be missed! More p13. www.cso.org.au or call 02 6247 9191 for more infomation

CHECK OUT THE FUSE COMMUNITY DIRECTORY ON PAGE 46 FUSE 5

THE TRAP

THE

By Brooklyn Hulands www.brooklynross.com

PROMISED LAND

EUTHANASIA

All part-time rugby league fans across Canberra were given a wake up call last month – the Raiders aren’t so bad!

Three hundred of Oprah’s most dedicated American fans are packing their bags – promised the trip of a lifetime to Australia.

But we’ll be the ones to reap the reward.

Our chief minister has again pleaded with his Federal Labor counterparts to give up their veto power over the ACT – this time on the issue of euthanasia.

It’s been over a decade since the side had this kind of buzz. Even Sydney-based commentators see 2010 as the beginning of a new Raiders reign.

Star players like Josh Dugan, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Jarrod Croker are locked into contracts, with Storm prop Brett White and Sharks winger Blake Ferguson joining the team next year.

Terry Campese is in serious doubt however after injuring his left knee during the Raiders season-ending defeat to Wests Tigers. If there is any good news there, it’s that he’ll have the whole off-season to recover.

The inspiring performance by the side has given Canberrans a reason to feel proud of their city – in addition to the obvious patriotic and Floriade-related reasons.

So I say embrace the footballers!

Get involved next year and watch the Raiders go all the way.

6

{

THE RAIDERS

The team came within just two wins of a Grand Final appearance, after a seemingly impossible run into the NRL finals. More than 27,000 people filled every seat at Canberra Stadium to watch a home semi-final, something that’s only a distant memory for most fans.

FUSE

TRAP The world’s biggest talk show host is bringing some of her last ever episodes down under, touring the Australian east coast with her entire audience and a crew of 150.

The Sydney Opera House will be renamed in her honour – an idea the TV star couldn’t turn down.

‘You had me at the words Oprah House,’ she said.

The whole exercise isn’t cheap, however; It’ll cost Australia about $5 million to bring her and her entourage here.

The critics say it’s money that could have been spent on hospitals, roads, school laptops and ceiling insulation – rather than funding a billionaire’s holiday.

But the Government says it’s well worth it. It’s already being dubbed the greatest Aussie promotion since Paul Hogan’s “shrimp on the barbie” line – the measure of all things touristy, it seems.

So if you want to witness a turning point in our international reputation, head online! A lottery is being held for those who want to fill-up seats at the Oprah House.

We’re all well aware of the impact the Commonwealth’s power has had in past years. The ACT has been left with watered-down civil union laws, because both John Howard and Kevin Rudd refused to allow ‘marriage-like’ ceremonies for same sex couples.

The states are free to do whatever they like, but the Federal Government is allowed to overrule the territories.

Now, Greens leader Bob Brown is planning to re-introduce a bill that would give the territories the power to legalise euthanasia, thirteen years after the Liberals blocked a move by the Northern Territory.

The ACT’s Jon Stanhope is supporting the bill – on the basis that the NT and ACT shouldn’t be subjected to a Federal veto at all.

‘We haven’t been shown the respect that Australians within the states are shown,’ he said.

Prime minister Julia Gillard has already signalled that Federal MPs may be given a conscience vote on the issue. If the bill passes (which is a very big if), I suspect the Greens will then want to address some other veto-sensitive issues…

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FUSE 7

COMMUNITY

They were enjoying a spring morning stroll when they stumbled across a hive of noise and colour, and went to investigate. ‘We’ve been in Canberra for two years and had no idea queer groups existed!’

Coming to SpringOut Fairday on purpose, or stumbling across it by accident, this is the most important event on the calendar for connecting to Canberra’s vibrant GLBT communities and this is how people use it.

Serious Fun

Eleven-years-ago in 1999, SpringOut was launched with great excitement and brought the community together under a single banner; incorporating longstanding events such as Bushdance and Qwire concerts and newer events like Fairday and Pride March. Queer veterans, if we can call them that, will remember in the mists of time that these were echoes of ‘Gay Olympics’ and ‘Gay Days’. But what made Fairday different was that it brought together more arms of the community not just in celebration but out on public display.

That first year was held in Glebe Park in Civic, and naturally caught the public’s attention as well as catching the accidental tourist. Prohibitive insurance costs unfortunately ruled this out as a venue just two years later and the event moved to the grounds of Westlund House (home of the AIDS Action Council) and it has thrived there ever since. In fact, last year’s fine weather and expanded events saw greater numbers than ever enjoying themselves under the trees of this great community space.

There is much that is ‘boutique’ about Canberra and the way we do things. However, a Pride Festival is a must for all capital cities whatever their size and it’s no more than perfectly fitting that Canberra has developed its own events in its own way that celebrates the rich diversity of all our people. Fairday is itself a continuing statement of our own sense of belonging without being shackled by arbitrary definitions of gender or sexuality.

So now it’s time to put Fairday 2010 in our calendars and prepare to get ourselves down to the lawns of Westlund House.

On current trends, the event may soon outgrow the space and maybe it’s time for us to start talking about moving to a larger and more public location. This must always be a community event and what we need is a community conversation about what we want in the future.

That’s all by way of background. What you really want to know is that this year Fairday will be on Saturday 30th October, kicking off at 12 noon and running through until around 5. You also want to know that there will be more entertainment than ever before, including live bands, a Qwire performance, drag kings and queens, food and drink... and of course the always popular pet parade. Naturally, this is a family friendly event and there will be loads of special activities for the kids.

On top of all that, it’s a great time to grab a few things to start ticking off your Christmas shopping list. Fairday definitely has a serious purpose, but it is serious fun!

Fairday Saturday 30th October, starts at 12 noon Westlund House 16 Gordon Street Acton ACT

FUSE 8

www.westlundhouse.org.au/fairday

{

By David Mills

Bowling!

Boi’s & Men, girls & women its party time at AMF Bowling Belconnen

per person

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Offer valid at AMF Bowling Belconnen only. Not valid for league or tournament play or in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

Not valid for corporate or group bookings. 10% roller discount does not apply. Games are not transferable or redeemable for cash.

Available for a limited time only.

AMF Belconnen 1 Emu Bank Belconnen

FUSE 9

THE

ENTERTAINMENT & GOSSIP

BUZZ

*

{

By Tony Hamlyn

CANBERRA CARRIE ~ VEGAS MADONNA ~ TOYBOY COLFER ~ JAILBIRD GEORGE

JAILING GEORGE! It used to be that celebrities could get away with doing anything illegal: parking fines, jury duty, homicide…

Not any more! It seems that karma is catching up on the rich and famous and where once they would simply walk away with a stern talking to and a hefty fine, now magistrates are sending celebs to the slammer left, right and centre.

The most recent public figure doin’ time is of course George Michael, who last July drove his 4-wheel drive into a photo shop storefront, off his face on cannabis and prescription downers, and has now been sentenced to eight weeks in Suffolk’s Highpoint Prison just North of London. It’s a harsh punishment, and a pointed one, and it will be interesting to see the results of his stint behind bars. Boy George did time after kidnapping a callboy and came out of it a changed man, inspired and creatively reborn. But George Michael didn’t have the rough and tumble upbringing Boy George had, and I don’t know that he’ll adapt as well on the inside, or that jail will prove as proactive for him. The English tabloids have predictably gone to town, with headlines like “Let Me Go-Go” and “Whammer in the Slammer” which gives us all a good laugh during this time of pop-related sadness. I of course worship the ground this man walks on, and was more than a little concerned by reports that he was so wasted behind the wheel that when police told him what he’d done he promptly denied it, even though he’d actually just been woken from the front seat of his car which quite clearly was in fact smashed into the foundations of his local Snappy Snaps 1-Hr Photo place. George’s license has been revoked for a period of five years and the pedestrians in and around Hampstead can now breathe a collective sigh of relief.

FUSE 10

CARRIE COMES TO CANBERRA! One of the finest writers and sharpest wits of her generation, the great Carrie Fisher, is coming to Canberra. SERIOUSLY! Monstrously famous of course for playing Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, Fisher has appeared in a number of movies and TV shows, as well as concentrating her creativity on producing some of the funniest novels of the past twenty-five years. If you haven’t read the amazing Postcards From The Edge or any of the other titles from her excellent back catalogue then you don’t know what you’re missing and you simply MUST order them online today right now cos they are absolute corkers.

Her writing is smart and hilarious, and she’s regarded as one of Hollywood’s most sought after scriptwriters, responsible for bringing the funny to films and awards shows. Most recently she wrote the autobiographical Wishful Drinking, a laugh-out-loud memoir detailing her own unique, somewhat surreal life. It was in turn made into an acclaimed Broadway play, and now she’s bringing it to Australia, and right here to the Canberra Theatre on November 4. The show sees her deliver stories, the sort of entertaining and clever anecdotes of fame and fortune that would make Kathy Griffin weep, all of them real. She discusses her battles with bipolar, her relationship with family — and YES sci-fi nerds — she dishes some of the dirt on Star Wars! Trust me people, if you see only one show a year make sure this is the show you see. Carrie Fisher is the real deal — Hollywood royalty! — and you don’t want to miss her.

Carrie Fisher in Wishful Drinking Cabnerra Theatre 4-5 November 2010 carriefisher.com • canberratheatrecentre.com.au

BACK IN TIME

Part of the reason Madonna is such a draw-card and so incredibly successful is that she knows how to make people take notice of her.

Do you remember when Madonna kissed Britney Spears at MTV’s 20th annual Video Music Awards — there was such a kerfuffle! You’d think by now that people who don’t like such displays would realise that their indignant reaction is exactly what Madonna wants.

MADONNA’S VEGAS VENTURE A rumour has been circulating that Madonna is being offered $1 billion (no, you didn’t read that wrong!) to do a five-year residency in Las Vegas. In theory this all sounds kinda wrong, right? Vegas shows are traditionally the domain of Elton and Celine, Cher and Tom Jones, Siegfried & Roy — all amazing of course, but the kinds of artists that are about a million miles away from the sex, religion and general controversy we usually associate with Madonna shows; but having said that, there is little doubt that if anyone can reconceptualise the idea of a Vegas residency it’s Madonna. All her live shows have thematically been about that particular moment in (her) time, so I find myself wondering exactly what a Madonna Vegas residency might entail? Would there be new material to coincide? Would we hear updated versions of old album tracks (‘Love Song’, anyone)?

Would it feature Cirque De Soliel acrobatics?

When she left her long-time record company Warner Bros last year and signed a $120 million contract with events company Live Nation there was a lot of speculation about the direction Madonna would take. Everyone knows there is no money in record sales anymore and that it’s all about touring now, which is what an organisation like Live Nation does best (they are responsible for the U2 spectaculars that have dominated the last decade, including the upcoming 360 Degrees tour coming to Australia at the end of this year). So maybe this whole thing doesn’t sound so wrong after all. What is wrong, however, is the $1 billion fee and if it does eventuate at that cost then what it will essentially mean is ticket prices that will have you bleeding out your eye sockets. No one but gay men and celebrities will be able to afford to go. But I guess when you’re Madonna you just come to expect a concert audience made up of gay men and celebrities anyway.

FUSE 11

MORE BUZZ

MORE SCISSOR SISTER SILLINESS I reported in last month’s Buzz that Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters had pretended to pimp himself out online to promote the release of the band’s latest album. Well since then there has been some fabulous footage of a similar nature doing the rounds that is even more marvellous and pleasing to the gay sensibilities.

Like most artists nowadays, the band have their very own YouTube channel, featuring new release videos, live footage, TV interviews, etc. But along with the usual fodder the site also has links to something called Scissor Sisters News. Each link is around five minutes or so and features a fictional anchorman called Lester Zizmore who presents us with items regarding the band and their current exploits. The content is completely hilarious with campy references and tremendous one-liners, and not only features Scissor Sisters contributions but also some guest spots from some pretty serious celebs. People like Judith Light, Juliette Lewis, and Kelly Osbourne have participated, and drag sensation Amanda Lepore is brilliant as the show’s ditzy weather girl.

Chris Colfer Bears It For Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone magazine has named Glee’s out and proud Kurt Hummel (played by Chris Colfer) as one of TV’s best characters this year. For this shoot, Chris was taken to a gay bar surrounded by leather daddies. Wonder what happened after the shoot and if there are more photos?

CAMP CHRIS COLFER!

FUSE 12

Jane Fonda even appears parodying her famous 80s aerobics videos, demonstrating how the band’s new album Night Work can inspire a great workout. The most recent episode is the one that has everyone talking, with Adam Lambert and Jake Shears caught in a hot makeout session backstage as Katy Perry records the whole thing.

Glambert is then interviewed by Lester and the results are completely hilarious.

Even if you’re not a huge fan of the band, I can’t recommend this clever YouTube footage enough! Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/user/ scissorsisterstv#p/a/u/1/135l9EDmfDU

Of course, the second season of Glee is FINALLY here and, despite Lea Michele’s ridiculous bangs, how exciting does this year look?! A Britney Spears episode, Rocky Horror, new white-hot Glee clubbers, it’s all gonna happen over the upcoming weeks. But the most anticipated event for the new season is the promise of a boyfriend for gay character Kurt, played of course by the fabulous Chris Colfer. By now you will have all no doubt seen the outrageously wonderful photo that Colfer did for Rolling Stone magazine: Sweet, innocent, Kurt seated at a bar in a bow tie and knit cardi, a martini glass clutched to his bosom, surrounded by a bar full of hot bears in butch leathers all leering at him suggestively. The look of alarm on his baby face is priceless. Talk about subversive. A completely fabulous concept delivered brilliantly. Well done everyone! The show’s creator, Ryan Murphy, has been dropping hints about the nature of Kurt’s impending gay teen romance for ages, and Colfer himself confirmed that the pairing would become a “power couple of the school”. The latest news, however, is that the boy in question will come from a rival Glee club and not McKinley High after all *gasp!* A lot of industry insiders were predicting that new cast member, Chord Overstreet (yes — that is his actual name!) would be the love interest but nothing’s been confirmed and the cast are keeping very tight-lipped about it. A FOX press release is being bandied about, using words such as “masculine, sexy, charismatic and handsome” to describe Kurt’s new boy toy, all of which pretty much describes every young actor in Hollywood really. The homo hotness all goes down in episode six so make sure you stay tuned.

From Aluízio Abranches, director of The Three Marias, this lush family drama of taboo romance is the story of two young half brothers whose intense childhood bond becomes tangled up in adult infatuation. Love is complicated, but it’s rarely this complicated. Francisco, twelve, and Thomas, six, share an unbreakable and unusual bond. As the brothers grow up, their intimacy, while innocent, begins to concern the adults around them as being inappropriate. Oblivious to the adults’ suspicion, the boys are happy, their love only full of protective fraternal affection.

Fifteen years later, on the night of their mother’s funeral, the brothers — now fully grown — are alone together. With nothing left to lose or hide, they find comfort in each others’ arms, fulfilling a desire they’d denied themselves since childhood. The honeymoon is passionate and brief, as their relationship is put to the test when younger brother Thomas is invited to train for the Olympics in Russia for three years. Having never been apart, can their forbidden love withstand the separation?

MORE WHAT’S ON

FROM BEGINNING TO END

Brazilian audiences flocked to this controversial and complicated film before it hit the international film circuit. The adult brothers (played by athletic and model-beautiful Joao Gabriel Vasconcello and Rafael Cardoso) radiate heat and chemistry, and Abranches’ poetic tone moves the film away from sensationalism toward intimate authenticity.

Bent Lenses is showing From Beginning to End Friday 29 October 7.00pm at The CSIRO Discovery Centre.

CANBERRA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s season next year provides a varied range of concerts that will have at least one piece certain to please. Opening with their ever popular Proms at Government House in February it features a Hungarian flavour. The first concert in Llewellyn Hall in March features Beethoven’s Emperor piano concerto — a work full of melody, delight, power and one of the most transcendentally beautiful slow central movements. The second concert mixes the pleasures of Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italian (based on Italian street songs he heard during holiday), Rossini’s Thieving Magpie Overture (well known to all Bugs Bunny fans) as well the world premier of Ross Edward’s Bird Spirit Dreaming and Respighi’s Pines of Rome (featured in Fantasia 2000).

The Grand Gala next year is a concert performance of Mozart’s ever popular Magic Flute with soloists from Pacific Opera and narration between each aria. Concert three features the little symphony of Schubert and Beethoven’s irrepressibly seventh symphony. The highlight for me will be the fourth concert with Sibelius’ Finlandia, Grieg’s stunning Piano Concerto and the massive tenth symphony of Shostakovich. And if that’s not enough there is the matinee concert, Ballroom Blitz featuring the stars from Strictly Dancing and great music like Carmen, the Blue Danube and the Polovtsian dances in November.

Should your budget be ultra tight, catch them free at the Symphony in the Park, A night on Broadway on 12 March 2011 at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park.

We are truly privileged to have such a fine orchestra in our midst, lead by maestro Dr Nicholas Milton. It was such a joy to watch him conduct the orchestra’s last concert by memory without reference to music.

New subscriptions open 27 October via www.cso.org.au or 6262 6772.

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SEX TALK

TOO MUCH

SEX?

{

By Hilary Caldwell (MHSc – Sexual Health) Sexuality Counsellor : Call 0430 855 739

FAR FROM SEX ADDICTS LOVING EVERYBODY, IT SEEMS THAT EVERYBODY LOVES TO LOVE (OR HATE) A SEX ADDICT. The “Tiger Woods” of the world are sacrificed to reinforce a strict moral code. The diagnosis of ‘sex addict’ is often made by media, social moralists or partners of people who act outside of the cultural norm. Yet, sex is not an addictive substance. There is no disease of sex addiction listed in either, the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-IV) or in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). However, with much controversy, there are conditions of hypersexuality. The criteria for having these conditions are vague but go something along the lines of: someone who spends a great deal of time consumed by sexual fantasies and urges; one who uses sexual behaviour to deal with stressful life events; one who disregards the physical and emotional harm to those involved in his/her activities; and someone who has failed to curb behaviour that is distressing to themselves.

The trouble is, how much time is too much time for thinking about sex? There is an old joke in psychiatry: A sex addict is someone who has more sex than the therapist. Who has decided what the right and proper amount of sex is? All relationships suffer from mismatched libido to some extent because we all have different needs.

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If one person in a relationship consistently wants more sex than the other, or a different kind of sex, it does not make one person an addict and one a sexual anorexic. Orgasmic experiences have been shown to alter the chemicals in the brain, which alleviate stress (and make us feel really, really good), and sex is therefore used as a self-soothing strategy.

There are many people who disregard the feelings of others when making sexual choices and they include people who have underlying pathology of obsessivecompulsive disorders, have bi-polar disorder, suffer from depression, anxiety disorders, borderline and other personality disorders and also people who are just plain selfish, unconsciously or consciously enraged, people who lack empathy and those who hate the significant other that is being affected. In other words, just because someone is hurt or angry about another person’s sexual choices, it does not make that person an ‘addict’.

I’m not trying to minimise the shame and guilt that someone might feel if they are behaving in a way that makes them unhappy, or to underestimate the strength of compulsions to act out. For those who do actually feel distress about their own behaviour and have tried to change but have been unable to, and the distress they feel is because their behaviour is in contrast with their own personal values and not someone else’s, there is help available. Many people behave compulsively in areas such as shopping, spending, food, gambling, video-gaming, using facebook and other social networks, using the Internet and more. If the underlying needs behind the activity are not recognised, then one ‘addiction’ may be swapped for another. I would like to emphasise that it is not the sex that is the problem but the compulsion itself.

It is no longer believed that sexual irregular behaviour is responsible for failed crops or epidemics of the plague, so public stoning is no longer an acceptable response to behaviour that is outside of cultural expectations. We need no moral panics around an activity of human interaction, which is biologically the most pleasurable and sought after activity of mankind.

Thurs nights @ Champions: 26 Oct – 25 Nov Sat mornings @ Westlund House: 6 – 20 Nov

www.aidsaction.org.au/strip

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COMMUNITY

2010

T U O G N SPRI

L A V I T S E F IS JUSTD AROUN CORNER! THE

Planning is well underway for the 2010 SpringOut Festival.

Under the direction of a new team, the festival will celebrate the diversity of Canberra’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities in various locations throughout the ACT. Coordinated by Canberra Pride, SpringOut builds on a long tradition of community celebration in Australia’s capital city. Now in its twelfth year, for five weeks throughout November and early December, Canberra’s queer community have an opportunity to participate in a multitude of events and activities.

SPRINGOUT OPENS WITH FAIRDAY IN THE GROUNDS OF WESTLUND HOUSE ON SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER. Hosted by the AIDS Action Council, it is an opportunity for the community to come out to play in a relaxed and harmonious environment. Fairday will feature a great line-up of entertainment throughout the day, and an opportunity to check out the variety of stalls and a spot of people watching. Come visit the SpringOut Team at Fairday and your chance to win a three-night stay at the fabulous Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa.

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Other Festival highlights include the Canberra Bushdance on Saturday 20 November at the Yarralumla Woolshed, Canberra’s Gay and Lesbian Qwire Sing Out Proud at Westlund House on Saturday 4 December. There will be films, forums, dance parties, sporting events and much, much more.

All of the events in SpringOut 2010 are undertaken by individual community groups, who volunteer and put in so much of their time and effort so we can have such a great festival.

SpringOut is also pleased to announce that the 2010 Pride Community Awards will be presented as a unique event amongst the festival calendar.

Nominations open soon, if you would like to honour that special someone who has made a significant contribution to our community.

The 2010 SpringOut Festival wouldn’t happen without the generous support from Pink Tennis, Cube Night Club, Fuse Magazine, Gay Destination and the AFP Gay and Lesbian Officer Network.

For more information on SpringOut 2010, visit: www.springout.com.au or checkout next month’s Fuse Magazine for a full program of events.

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FUSE 17

FOOTLIGHTS

THE LATEST WORK IN THE STREET THEATRE’S INTERESTING ‘MADE IN CANBERRA’ COMMISSIONED THEATRE IS TABLEAU ARTIST MIN MAE’S STILL STANDING. In discussing her work, Min describes how she is using the medium of the human body to express the life stories of her three main performers — the pysical impact of their emotional journey through life. Refreshingly performed in the nude, the body stripped of all its entrapments and ego, the souls of the performers are stripped bare. The nudity emphasises and amplifies the live experience. Someone who is just right there, without their clothes, creates this really intimate and powerful space. An experimental work in the truest meaning; Jordan Best, Alison McGregor, and Michael Ellis are the primary performers, but they are joined by clothed supporting performers, evocative lighting design by Gillian Schwab, theatricality, art and live original music.

Min says she doesn’t have preconceived ideas which are drawn out but instead uses the experiences and influences of the lives of her performers in drawing the story of their bodies for the audience. Difficult to describe, Still Standing isn’t dance, or mime but is wordless and includes music, movement and primal gesture.

The art of her work is in drawing out the gesture to an abstract level.

Her performers are completely and utterly exposed in every possible way. Guitarist Geordie Malone and Violinist Natalja Bing provide their original and inspiring music. In each performance the composer musicians will bring an aspect of improvisation. The work between Min and Geordie in particular has been so creative; it’s spawned a whole new work recently performed in Newcastle.

Min promises that the interest to most audiences for the show is the experience of sitting and watching the incredible personal and emotional journeys of the performers before your eyes. There is nothing else quite like it. Creating the work basically out of nothing, Min admitted to being horrified and scared by the prospect.

‘It’s right on the edge there. I feel as though I don’t have an artistic lineage but that I’m creating something that for the most part audiences have never experienced,’ she told me.

Still Standing emerges from Min Mae’s I Die, her award winning powerful response to ‘living with the desire to die’.

Despite the title, actually quite a positive work as it explored the joy of living when in fact we will all die at some stage.

Min Mae has been called a tableaux artist, which basically means using the body as her means of expression. She’s also a community arts worker and was the Canberra Critics Circle 2009 Artist of the Year.

They said she was ‘…a philosopher who takes the big questions in life and explores the possible answers to them by using the body...’ A truly stunning achievement.

The Street Theatre tells me that Min’s worked with the Radiance Dance Project, a community arts project for women with and without disabilities, as well as her ongoing Tableaux Vivants performances.

The Street Theatre’s Made in Canberra season supports eight full length works drawn from new ideas in music, script writing, dance, opera, hybrid work & live performance.

MIN MAE

STILL STANDING

{ FUSE 18 18

By Robert Henderson Photographer : Eryca Green Performer : Min Mae

Still Standing is playing at the Street Theatre Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 October, 8pm Tickets $20/$15 • 6247 1223 • thestreet.org.au

FUSE 19

Where to Now?

POLITICAL OP.ED

ELECTION 2010

SIMON COPLAND ASKS...

THE 2010 FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN COULD BE SUMMARISED

BY ONE KEY CRITICISM — BORING. The stage managed campaigns focusing on style over substance (or at least that’s how the media reported it) drew criticism from all quarters. Politics was seen to have hit its shallowest point. At one point former Liberal leader John Hewson stated that the contest was like the South Park episode, where there was a choice of ‘picking between a douche and a turd’.

SEASON 8 OF SOUTH PARK FEATURED A DOUCHE AND A TURD IN THE ‘GIANT DOUCHE AND TURD SANDWICH DEBATE’.

It is no wonder then that the result ending up being one of the closest in Australian history. For the first time since the Second World War, Australia ended up with a hung parliament.

With the ALP on 72 seats, the Coalition on 73 (including a WA National) and five cross benchers (one Green and four independents); the post election period saw not only intense negotiations to see who would form the next Australian government, but also intensity about the nature of Australian politics. After 17 days the ALP was able to form Government with the support of four of the five cross benchers. For this support the ALP committed to a range of new policy measures, including the establishment of a climate change committee (with the Greens), the move for a national denticare scheme (with the Greens), changes to pokies regulations (with Andrew Wilkie), a regional Australia package (from Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor) and a parliamentary reform agenda aimed at giving power back to individual members of parliament.

Yet in the midst of all of these changes, criticisms of this new situation flew fast from all corners. Apparently the time it took for decisions to be made was creating political and economic instability. The new situation was also extremely undemocratic as the views of five electorates were now going to dominate over the views of the rest of the country.

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Many seemed unable to make up their minds; whilst they wanted more substance in our political debate during the campaign, when it arrived, complaints arose that those who were bringing the substance should not be in the power to do so (as the country didn’t elect these cross-benchers).

Apparently the independents should have just fallen in line with what their electorates and/or the country (based on two party preferred or primary vote depending on who you listened to) wanted. Now, instead of substance we wanted ‘stability’ instead.

What many have forgotten is how exciting this new situation is. Within one election cycle we have moved from a two party system where similarities in policy are more common than differences, to one where any Government will be required to genuinely negotiate with the Parliament and the people of Australia to have their policy platform implemented. In the time that we needed to wait for stability, we saw more substantive debate about Australian democracy and public policy than we did throughout the entire election campaign. Finally, the substance has been brought back.

This has already resulted in fantastic outcomes. In the negotiation period following the election more significant policy changes had occurred in some areas than over the last number of years. The changes to parliamentary procedures would have been good enough, but the implementation of the new policy agenda from the cross benches will bring significant positive changes.

Hung parliaments bring great outcomes to parliaments around the world and will do so in Australia as well. After complaining about the lack of it for so long, policy substance has finally been brought back into our political system. Instead of finding the negative therefore, we should be looking at the positive outcomes this situation is going to bring. It is what we asked for and it will deliver.

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By Simon Copland

FUSE 21

GROOMING

MAKE A

STATEMENT

Tennis shorts and also the fitted cargo shorts are great and can be worn with a pair of loafers, high top sneakers or a pair of gladiator sandals. Yes that’s right, I said gladiator sandals! If done right these can look really hot on a guy.

Biggest mistake in summer for guys are three-quarter pants with a fitted singlet.

Oh my god!!!! No! If you can think back to the boy bands of the late nineties that look would have been hot. But now in 2010 it is so not hot!

HAIR TIP Spring and summer should be all about having fun in the sun and looking hot but having too much fun in the sun can be really damaging for your hair. Try and use a moisturising treatment in your hair at least once week. Or try a Kerastase ritual at Form Haircutters that will replenish the hair, add lots of shine and make the hair really soft. Just like your skin gets dehydrated so does your hair, so it’s vital that you keep the moisture levels high in your hair as well as in your body.

COMING INTO SUMMER WE OFTEN START FEELING A LITTLE MORE RELAXED ABOUT LIFE AND START TAKING IT EASY. Our outfits become loose, baggy, and comfortable, which I like to call “Aussie chic”. Aussie chic is a baggy singlet top with a sexy lacy bra or a bikini top showing with a pair of cut off denim shots and thongs. For the guys it’s usually just a singlet top and a pair of boardies. But why not move it up a bit this year with a statement piece?

I think it’s key to always purchase statement pieces when shopping around for a new look or when you’re ready for an update to your wardrobe. To me the meaning of a statement piece is: it should be classic, versatile and colourful.

A STATEMENT PIECE CAN BE A BAG, A PAIR OF SHOES, A GREAT BELT OR JEWELLERY — SOMETHING THAT’S ABOUT YOU! This spring and summer why not wear your favourite pair of strappy stilettos with your favourite daytime summer dress. You don’t always have to wear thongs and flats just because it’s hot. You could even carry your favourite evening clutch out when you’re off to do brunch on a Sunday morning with a casual look. The perfect example of what I’m talking about is in the first scene in the Sex and the City 2 movie when Carrie walks out of her apartment on to the street and hails a cab. She’s wearing a simple off-white dress with an amazing colourful necklace, some f*^# off sunglasses and pair of high heels. A simple dress accessorised the right way can make a huge impact.

For the guys it’s a little bit easier, firstly buy new boardies that aren’t baggy and oversized and below the knees — they are so five years ago and they remind me of the cool kids from high school that aren’t so cool! Try some fitted, above the knee shorts or tailored shorts.

FUSE 22

{

By Chad Wijayatilake from Form Haircutters

FUSE 23

FEATURE

HOMO SEXUALITY

E R U T IN NA In a German zoo two gay male penguins ‘Z’ and ‘Vielpunkt’ successfully hatched an egg that was rejected by its parents, and proudly reared the little chick. The zookeeper said, ‘Since the chick arrived they are behaving in the same way as one would expect a heterosexual couple to do.

Both happy fathers are now diligently handling the everyday care... of their adopted offspring.’

THIS MONTH IN FUSE WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE INTERESTING IF WE EXPLORED HOMOSEXUALITY FROM AN ECOLOGICAL AND EVOLUTIONARY ANGLE.

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By Zara Jackson-Martin. Check out her blog at: http://idburnthiscitydowntoshowyouthelights.blogspot.com

Marlene Zuk and Nathan Bailey from the University of California have now demonstrated that homosexuality occurs in everything from fruit flies to fish, bison and even albatross, where nearly a third of all chick-rearing partnerships are female-female pairs.

One particularly heart warming case in support of a biological basis for sexuality is that of Harry and Pepper, two male penguins in the San Francisco Zoo. After their seven year partnership, they adopted and hatched an egg. Harry and Pepper are the third reported “gay” penguin couple in captivity, with other partnerships at Germany’s Bremerhaven Zoo and New York’s Central Park Zoo. It is important to note all these penguins are different species and were kept with other females and males.

But is sexuality really biological? Scientists at Oregon University believe so. They have been studying the hypothalamus (a section of the brain) in rams of differing sexuality (1 in 10 rams is considered to be exclusively gay). The hypothalamus is known to control sex hormones and thus sexual behaviour.

FUSE 24

Significant differences in the rams’ hypothalamus’ were found to exist, correlating strongly with sexual preference.

The preoptic nucleus, for instance, is almost twice the size in “straight” rams than it is in “gay” rams.

So the burning question is; why do animals evolve homosexual tendency when it runs counter to basic evolutionary principle (Survive-Breed-Die)? And if they are homosexual and therefore do not usually breed, how are the “gay” genes passed on?

This is a question still widely debated but it appears to be the case that in most animals, homosexuality is not exclusive, but rather, most animals are “bisexual”.

In the case of the Albatross while approximately 50 per cent of the chicks born are male, by adulthood the population is over 70 per cent female as the males undergo dangerous food-gathering missions and are often killed. So given that Albatross are monogamous it is in their interests to have female-female pairs for chick rearing. Statistics show that female-female pairs have a greater offspring survival rate.

Thus in the Albatross community, homosexuality is much more beneficial than absolute heterosexuality.

“HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOTHING UNUSUAL AMONG ANIMALS” BREMERHAVEN ZOO NORTHERN GERMANY

SO WHAT ABOUT IN HUMANS? Well up until the 1990s there was no conclusive evidence to suggest biological differences in homosexual and heterosexual individuals and it was widely excepted that environmental factors and experience nurtured our sexuality.

Until 1992 when Simon LeVay a neuroscientist demonstrated that anatomical differences were present in the brains of homo and heterosexual men. However as he studied the brains of men who died from aids in later life, it has been irrefutably difficult to prove that the neurological differences existed from birth, thus the debate continues.

In recent times Gen X and Gen Z have been providing fodder for the psychological or “nurture” argument. After all, statistics now show that while only one in ten people consider themselves to be gay, one in four of the Gen Z in the western world has engaged in sexual activity with a member of the same sex and approximately a seventh considers themselves bisexual or at least bi-curious (a term in itself which suggests social influence).

DID YOU KNOW...

Almost a quarter of black swan families are parented by homosexual couples. Male couples sometimes mate with a female just to have a baby. Once she lays the egg, they chase her away, hatch the egg, and raise a family on their own.

AGAINST NATURE?

From male killer whales that ride the dorsal fin of another male to female bonobos that rub their genitals together, the animal kingdom tolerates all kinds of lifestyles. The University of Oslo’s Natural History Museum in Norway, presented 51 species of animals exhibiting homosexuality in a first-ever museum display called “Against Nature?”

‘Homosexuality has been observed in more than 1,500 species, and the phenomenon has been well described for 500 of them,’ said Petter Bockman, project coordinator of the exhibition. The idea, however, is rarely discussed in the scientific community and is often dismissed as unnatural because it doesn’t appear to benefit the larger cause of species continuation.

‘I think to some extent people don’t think it’s important because we went through all this time period in sociobiology where everything had to be tied to reproduction and reproductive success,’ said Linda Wolfe, who heads the Department of Anthropology at East Carolina University. ‘If it doesn’t have [something to do] with reproduction it’s not important.’

Exhibition organisers reported some criticism of the project, and being told by one opponent they would ‘burn in hell’. The gallery released a statement saying ‘We hope to reject the all too well known argument that homosexual behaviour is a crime against nature’.

This still begs the question; has there always been a high incidence of homosexuality and bisexuality (with a biological basis) in humans, and just no means to express these desires within our societal norms and cultural boundaries?

I don’t have all the answers and I’m not sure it’s a good idea for anyone to posses that kind of knowledge, with so many anti-gay groups out there — what’s to say a biological basis wouldn’t prompt people searching for a “cure”; a cure to something that isn’t a disease, but rather a expression of love no different from that in heterosexual relationships.

FUSE 25

MONEY SHOT

DECIDING TO BE A

PARENT

With the NSW Government recently passing legislation for same sex couples to adopt, and those living in the ACT being able to adopt since 2004, what is the real financial impact of having children?

The University of Queensland puts the cost of raising one child from birth to age 18 at between $120,000 (lower-income earners on a tight budget) to $600,000 (higher-income earners with disposable cash); the average cost of raising one child in Australia is between $200,000 and $250,000. That is a lot of money and for the parents reading this you may be thinking ‘and the rest!’

The process of deciding to have children for same sex couples is one not only of an emotional preparedness but also the upfront financial investment that options such as surrogacy or international adoption will require. Some friends of mine who are in the process of surrogacy have termed it their “elephant gestation” (elephants are pregnant for 645 days or 23 months).

So how should parents-to-be start planning? My suggestion is start with a blank sheet of paper. List the main life stages your child will experience; this may require pre-birth travel or other costs, the birth itself and adulthood. The key here is research; think about what your ideal financial goal is for each. Surrogacy could cost more than adoption for example.

COSTS FALL INTO THREE BROAD CATEGORIES. The first are those costs you will incur having your child: Surrogacy, adoption, co-parenting for example will each have certain initial costs along with medical expenses along the way.

The next are those you’ll incur as your child grows: Will you need childcare? Do you want protection for your family with private health cover or child trauma insurances? Do you want private or public education?

Should you plan for TAFE or university costs and how do you do this with maximum flexibility?

The final category deals with investing for children on their behalf for expenses they’ll need as adults or for gifts you may want to provide: To what degree do you want to help them beyond age 18 or age 21? Will you help fund their first car? Will you help them buy their first home?

It may start to sound a little daunting when you start the process but if you have the desire and love to be a parent, doing some initial research and planning will ensure that you can help set your children up for life and pass on some good money behaviours!

FUSE 26

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

The information provided on this document is of a general nature only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before acting on this information you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.

}

FUSE 27

EAR CANDY

I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD WHEN I FIRST REALISED SOMETHING WAS WRONG! I never enjoyed time with my male friends. I hated boys’ toys, clothes and having short hair. Out of jealousy I used to break all my sister’s toys because I wanted them. As I grew older, the feelings grew stronger, I used to watch my sister get ready to go out, and remember wishing that I could wear that make up, those clothes as well as wishing they would accept me as one of their group.

With the onset of puberty came absolute disappointment, my worst fears were coming true, I was becoming too tall, my voice was deepening, my features became ever more masculine and my body started to grow way too much hair! Puberty also brought a confusing awareness of my own sexuality, I found myself attracted to both girls and boys. I can’t put into words how desolate and confused I felt during those adolescent years, it really was the worst time of my life.

I used to ‘dress up’ behind closed doors to try and make myself look the same on the outside as I felt on the inside, eventually getting caught while dressed as a girl by my sister and mother.

My sister initially found this funny while my mother tried to support me. To my lasting regret I lied to my mother about how I felt and hid my true feelings from her. Thinking back, I guess I was scared, on top of everything else I was trying to cope with, I could not face people making fun of me.

I suppressed my feelings for a number of years but eventually the strain was too much. I tried to kill myself on a number of occasions; I tried overdosing, jumping out of windows etc. All in all, I thought that I was at rock bottom. Then at 19, my mother died and I lost forever the chance to tell her who I really was. I have few regrets, but leaving telling my mother the truth ‘til it was too late is definitely one of them!

A few years later, I ‘came out’ to my long-term girlfriend. She supported me and helped me to ‘come out’ to my father. I told him about being bisexual and transgendered, expecting the worst, I was pleasantly surprised when he said, ‘I kinda knew’ and ‘you will always be my son no matter what… sorry to call you son but you know what I mean’. It didn’t bother him and it was such a load off my chest. This gave me the courage to go and see my doctor who referred me to a specialist Psycho-Sexual Counsellor who later further referred me to a Gender Psychiatrist. A few months later I was prescribed the Hormone treatment that I wanted.

I had been living ‘full time’ as a woman for a couple of years, life was starting to be what I had always wished it could be when I was savagely beaten in my own home, my only crime was that of being transgender! After this, I retreated, my relationship broke up, on top of this, my last grandparent died, my uncle too and then my father all in one year. I was lost; I never left the house and started to drink too way too much. Then one day, I don’t know why or what sparked the change, I woke up and resolved not to let anything or anyone beat me.

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I started once again to do things that meant a lot to me, such as indulge my love of photography, film and music. Music is, and has always been my first love. I made music for years but never let anyone listen to it, as I hated my voice so much. But something just clicked and I started letting my friends listen to me.

TO A DIFFERENT TUNE {

By Chrisie Edkins. Chrisie is a solo music artist, vocalist, composer and lyricist signed by Play Records in London. Check out her website at www.chrisie.net

With their encouragement I became more confident not only with my music but also in myself, I appeared on The Trisha Goddard Television Show supporting transgender issues, and was signed by two respectable modelling agencies. I have been featured in a number of magazine and Internet articles and even started to play my music to live audiences; I got to the semi finals in the recent Queer As Talent Competition.

Today, I am more content than I ever felt possible; I am developing my passion for music as a solo artist by working with Play Records in London. I now have three completed singles ready to be released, (the pre-production versions of which are available on the Internet) and 63 further uncompleted songs that I have written using my life experiences, emotions and feelings for inspiration.

Before I go, I would just like to say, I, and others like me go through the mill, living testaments, if you will, to the phrase ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’.

If at this point, I am supposed to sign off, leaving you with an enduring thought, it would be this...‘Never give up on your dreams and don’t be afraid to be yourself!’

Whether that is an enduring thought or not is for you to decide, but I like to think it is what my mother would say if she could. see me now.

Tilley’s

Devine Café Gallery

TILLEY’S IS NESTLED IN TREE LINED LYNEHAM JUST 4KM FROM THE CITY For over 26 years Tilley’s has been famous for its breakfasts, lunches, and dinners... and of course its fabulous coffees. Tilley’s attracts not only ‘regulars’ but visitors from overseas and interstate who enjoy the all-day menu specials, and oh such lovely cake!

Internationally renowned for legendary blues, jazz and classical concerts, Tilley’s continues to attract artists of international calibre who prefer the intimacy of a warm theatre atmosphere clad in red velvet, brass and dark timber booths.

With a fully licensed bar, one can enjoy champagne with breakfast, or in the evening savour our broad range of wines, spirits or boutique beers on tap.

OPENING HOURS Serving you breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days.

Monday to Saturday : 9am – 10pm Sundays : 9am – 6pm

THE CALL IS YOURS! TILLEY’S CAN DO IT FOR YOU...

To reserve your favourite table or booth phone us on 6247 7753 Corner of Wattle & Brigalow Streets, Lyneham • www.tilleys.com.au FUSE 29

HEALTH

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that some people develop after seeing or living through an event that caused or threatened serious harm or death. Symptoms include flashbacks or bad dreams, emotional numbness, intense guilt or worry, angry outbursts, feeling “on edge,” or avoiding thoughts and situations that remind them of the trauma. In PTSD, these symptoms last at least one month.

SEXUAL MINORITY ADULTS HAVE DOUBLE THE CHANCE OF EXPERIENCING PTSD AS A RESULT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD VIOLENCE, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH FROM THE HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER LIKELIHOOD DOUBLED IN GAY MEN AND LESBIANS

{

By Ed Plant from Night Vision

The research found that 45% of women and 28% of men who have had a same-sex partner experienced violence or abuse in childhood.

This is compared to 21% of women and 20% of men in the general population. Of these numbers 9% of men and 20% of women reported symptoms correlating to those of PTSD. These figures are double that of the general population.

This is the first study to directly link higher rates of PTSD in gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and anyone who has had a same-sex partner, to greater violence exposure.

PTSD can be debilitating and occurs as a result of a traumatic or lifethreatening experience. In the past it has most commonly been linked to people who have served in the military. But the results from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Children’s Hospital of Boston suggest that greater numbers of people suffering with the disorder are showing up outside of the Defence community as awareness of its symptoms grow.

WHAT CAUSES PTSD?

Any traumatic event can lead to PTSD. Reported cases have been linked to people who have been victims of sexual abuse; involved in a lifethreatening vehicle accident; suffered physical abuse; or been involved in an armed robbery or minority abuse. PTSD can affect those who personally experience the catastrophe, those who witness it, and those who pick up the pieces afterwards, including emergency workers, law enforcement, friends and family.

In reality, any experience that threatens, to some degree, one’s physical, social or emotional wellbeing can cause PTSD — so anything that threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless. This is because during any trauma, the body is overloaded with physical and emotional responses and is unable to respond normally.

HOW DOES PTSD PLAY OUT?

A person with PTSD continually re-experiences the event that led to their diagnosis, often causing them to live in a hyper-aroused, numbing, avoidance or depressive state. Quite often they have trouble sleeping, and suffer increased heart rate, sweating, panic-attacks and anger as the event plays over again in their mind and body.

Following a traumatic event, almost everyone experiences some of the symptoms of PTSD — but for most people they are short-lived. If you have PTSD, however, the symptoms don’t decrease, and you don’t feel better each day. PTSD can take weeks, months, or even years to develop.

Symptoms can arise suddenly, gradually or come and go over time.

Sometimes symptoms appear seemingly out of the blue. At other times, they are triggered by something that reminds the sufferer of the original traumatic event, such as a noise, an image, certain words or a smell.

FUSE 30

IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET OVER PTSD?

When you have PTSD, it can seem like you’ll never get over what happened or feel normal again. But help is available — and you are not alone. If you are willing to seek treatment, stick with it, and reach out to others for support, you will be able to overcome the symptoms of PTSD and move on with your life.

Another former Canberra-based military officer and I have begun the program, Night Vision, to help PTSD sufferers. We believe that PTSD does not have to be a life-long thing and that people suffering PTSD can have a great quality of life. Through facing and feeling memories and emotions associated with trauma, people can overcome PTSD. If you’re reluctant to seek help, keep in mind that PTSD is not a sign of weakness, and the only way to overcome it is to confront where you are in life and learn to accept it as a part of your past. Avoiding the painful memories and feelings associated with trauma will ultimately harm your relationships, your ability to function and your happiness.

Ed Plant works with Night Vision. For more information on their work with PTSD sufferers, or the National PTSD day 10th October 2010, contact: info@nightvisionconsulting.com.

For immediate support call Lifeline: 131 114.

FUSE 31

{ POLITICAL OP.ED

These activists have forgotten about those who don’t meet the marriage mould or are suffering from the oppression of the US defence force.

Instead of fighting to end oppression, many are working simply to allow exclusive entry to these clubs for those who manage to fit into the mould of these institutions.

COURT CASES CHALLENGE DISCRIMINATION IN THE US, BUT DO THEY REALLY MATTER? Two landmark court cases have recently sent shockwaves through the US in what have been described as significant wins for the US queer movement.

In early August, a Federal judge ruled that Proposition 8, the initiative banning same-sex marriage in California was unconstitutional. Although a ‘stay’ has been placed on any same-sex marriages until an appeal of the decision can been heard, if it is upheld, this case could end up in effectively legalising same-sex marriage in the United States.

Following this, a US district judge declared in September that the policy Don’t ask, don’t tell (DADT) — the policy that makes it illegal for queer people to be open whilst serving in the US defence force — was unconstitutional. Whilst this decision has not been acted upon yet, a vote is now scheduled in the US Senate to repeal DADT, with many expecting it to be abolished by the end of the year.

Within two months these two cases have severely challenged two of the flagship anti-queer measures in US legislation. DADT and Proposition 8 have been the target of many queer activists for years, and these two court cases have brought action on these two issues closer than ever before.

Yet, as a queer activist who has a keen eye on the United States, I am not too excited by either of these decisions. Although they look as though they will lead to real action on both of these issues, in the long run, I believe they pose a real risk to the US queer movement.

THERE ARE TWO REASONS FOR THIS: First, I think these decisions are a symptom of a poor focus that has been taken on these issues. Whilst the abolition of legal discrimination is important, I think many have allowed this goal to overtake what should be the broader goal of eliminating oppression on the whole.

By campaigning to gain entry into marriage and the defence force, many have forgotten to fight for changes within or the abolition of these overly oppressive institutions. Instead of fighting against oppression as a whole, many are simply fighting to ensure that particular members of the queer community are excluded from this oppression.

FUSE 32

By Simon Copland

Secondly, I believe that the fight for queer liberation should be one about building movements to change society, not just laws. These decisions however, don’t do that. These exclusive court challenges (which normally involve a small group of activists with a lot of money) do very little to build a movement to end queer oppression.

If we want to break down the heteronormative society, we can only do so through a mass change in our community. A court challenge does not do this. The queer movement could have been better off putting resources into building a people’s movement, rather than through using exclusive means to achieve legislative change.

No matter what happens, these two court cases are historic. However, it is the way that the queer movement reacts to these decisions that will write the real history. Either we could see this as two of the greatest possible achievements and declare victory, or we could use them as a motivation to continue to fight for the breakdown of these and other oppressive institutions. If we want to truly achieve queer liberation, the second path is the only viable one available.

FUSE 33

OUT & ABOUT

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

}

Halloween Party

HALLOWEED — FRIDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2010 FROM 9PM

Make your way down to Cube this 29th of October for the ultimate Halloween Party. With the club dressed to look like something out of your worst nightmare plus FREE entry if you come dressed in theme and awesome prizes for the best costumes — you’re in for a treat (or trick!).

FUSE 34

The incredibly talented DJ Matt will be working his magic on the decks from 10pm. Plus be sure to get in early so as not to miss our special Halloween drag show it’s going to be awesome!

FREE ENTRY & TWO FOR ONE DRINKS TILL 11PM

FUSE 35

OUT & ABOUT

COME DINE WITH HUSH THURSDAYS! Come by and enjoy a fine wine and dine in with HUSH on Thursday evenings with our exclusive new menu options for both meat lovers or vegetarians. Something delicious for everyone.

THREE-COURSE MEAL WITH ONE GLASS OF WINE OR BASIC BEER FOR ONLY $35.

The menu is a set menu with a vegetarian option. This event will be held every Thursday and the menu will change from week to week.

BOOKINGS CALL JOEL @ HUSH

0433 858 467

CHILL OUT EVERY WEDNESDAY @ HUSH, WITH LIVE MUSIC AND $10 PIZZAS!!!

Every week at HUSH we now have Acoustic Wednesdays with Rock Nation Unplugged, organising local musicians to sing and play.

That means that every Wednesday night we turn down the lights, turn down the volume and unplug the amps for an intimate session with Canberra’s finest musicians — this is not a rock event, so come and chill out with us.

Crn of Launceston & Irving Streets Phillip www.hushlounge.com.au ~ 02 6282 1944

FUSE 36

}

WWW.HUSHLOUNGE.COM.AU CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE FULL LINE UP OF LIVE MUSIC, KARAOKE NIGHTS, SPECIAL EVENTS, PARTIES & MORE!

I

y a d r i fa 0 1 0 2

SATURDAY Canberra’s biggest LGBT event!

30

th

OCTOBER

WESTLUND HOUSE RESOURCE CENTRE

12 noon to 5pm at Westlund House 16 Gordon Street Acton

westlundhouse.org.au/fairday FUSE 37

{

BODY SHAPE

IT’S TIME TO GET READY FOR

By Scott Williams from Alive! Health & Fitness

SUMMER

It’s springtime and as the days get longer and the weather warms up, it will soon be time to shed those winter clothes, get that shirt off and head for the water. If you’re carrying that extra bit of weight you’ll need to plan around two to three months to safely drop any extra kilos you put on over the winter and tone your muscles so you’ll be fit and confident in swimwear and in your summer clothing.

The key to achieving a healthy body is having a plan. When you have a plan for fitness and nutrition, you’re more likely to stick to it. Write down your “Healthy Body by Summer” plan and sign a contract with yourself to help you stick to your goal.

EAT FIVE MEALS A DAY .

PLAN MENUS .

It’s better to have five or six small meals a day than to skip meals or eat only two or three larger ones.

Depending on how active you are, each meal should have 200 to 400 calories and contain protein and carbohydrates. By eating small amounts frequently, you will maintain your energy and stabilise your blood sugar levels.

Make healthy menu choices; a healthy diet is one that emphasises fruits and vegetables.

During spring, fill up on non-starchy, seasonal vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, and greens. To help curb hunger, have some protein at every meal such as fish, chicken, and lean meats. Grill, bake, or broil your foods rather than frying them in fat. If you plan your meals around these healthy foods and leave out choices with empty calories, such as soda and chips, you’ll be better able to maintain a healthy weight.

HERE ARE SOME STRATEGIES YOUR DIET AND FITNESS PLAN CAN INCLUDE

It’s easier to follow a healthy diet when you have the proper foods to cook with at home. If you’re busy during the week, prepare meals and snacks during the weekend and freeze weekday meals. That way you’ll control your portion sizes and also have healthy, low-calorie foods ready for taking to work or when you’re short on time.

FULL-BODY EXERCISES .

That’s where you add functional multi-jointed movements into each routine, like a lunge curl or a squat with an overhead shoulder press. You can use bands, weights, kettle bells, dumbbells, or medicine balls — anything that creates resistance will improve your fitness.

Find out more about losing weight by building muscle.

PLAY WITH A FRIEND .

Partner with someone who is also motivated to be swimsuit-ready come summer. You will get better results if you exercise with a friend. This not only gives you camaraderie, but can provide some healthy competition. An experienced friend can also show you the fitness ropes.

WEIGH IN .

Every two weeks, weigh yourself first thing in the morning.

Step on the scale after using the bathroom, and weigh yourself without clothes to accurately chart your progress.

Watching your weight on the scale go down can be very motivating, however, it’s possible that you’ll lose body fat but not overall weight, so get a tape measure and wrap it around your waist at your belly button to assess your progress.

FUSE 38

The spring weather can be a great motivator to drop your winter weight gain and improve your health. Follow these simple diet and exercise tips and you’ll be in swimsuit-ready shape for summer!

FUSE 39

FEATURE

TO KEEP OUR SNOW INTERESTS ALIVE AFTER THE LATE END TO THE SEASON, HELEN STEVENS TALKED TO BRITISH PRO-SNOWBOARDER, JO CHASTNEY ABOUT WHAT SHE LOVES ABOUT HITTING THE SLOPES AND WHY YOU SHOULD GIVE IT A CRACK NEXT YEAR. Helen Stevens: So Jo, you hail from Bournemouth in the UK. Last time I checked there is not a lot of snow in those parts. How and what got you started in snowboarding?

Jo Chastney: Well my parents went skiing every year.

Eventually they took me and my sister when we were old enough. We all started off skiing then did the last day snowboarding. Then I couldn’t wait for the next year!

It’s now been ten years since I started with them and I’ve done five seasons.

HS: Awesome. What competitions do you compete in?

JC: It depends where I am based. Usually it’s in Morzine in France, which is in an ideal location in the Alps. It’s really accessible, so I can get about to competitions all over. I’ll usually do a few Nikita competitions in Switzerland, maybe a video contest in Tignes (France) and the British Championships in Laax, Switzerland.

{

By Helen Stevens

HS: What has been your career highlight so far?

JC: I won the British Championships a few years ago, which I’m quite proud of. Just staying consistent the last few years and getting some nice photos in magazines.

HS: Nice one. What board do you ride? What size and stance are you?

JC: I ride a Forum Spinster 148 Chillydog. I have the stance as wide as it goes. I think it’s about 21/22 inches.

HS: What is the best thing about being a pro-snowboarder?

JC: Being able to snowboard all the time! Having your riding pushed, by friends, contests, photos and sponsors — and the free stuff! And being able to say ‘I’m a Pro Snowboarder’ may have helped in a bar once or twice.

HS: What is your favourite discipline(Slopestlye, Boarder X, Big Air, rails)?

HS: I bet it has. That’s why I say ‘I’m a writer’. I read that when you’re not snowboarding you’re a tree surgeon? How much of your time is devoted to boarding vs fixing trees?

JC: I really like riding the park, so big-ish jumps! And I like rails and boxes, bonks, hips. I like doing different things as it keeps it fresh and fun. But I’m not too keen on racing, that’s just pretty scary. Ha!

JC: I’m generally away for five months with snowboarding, unless I’m injured. That leaves me around six to seven months having a few weeks to get sorted either side. I love doing both and they are both quite seasonal so it works quite well.

SNOWBOARDER

JO CHASTNE FUSE 40

EY

JO

CHASTNEY PROFILE

Age: 25 Hometown: Bournemouth, UK Birthday: 2 March, 1985 Occupation: Tree Surgeon/Snowboarder www.soulsports.co.ukprofile.html?jochastney; facebook and twitter

HS: Have you considered competing in the Winter Olympics?

JC: I have been asked a few times to join the Great Britain team for the Olympics and other World Cup events, but to me it’s not what snowboarding is about. I’ve always been really into sports, and got quite far in football, hockey and volleyball which is all about team sports with coaches, training schedules, and politics!

It was then I decided to try and get somewhere in snowboarding, because it’s fun, it’s up to me how far I push myself and I don’t have to rely on anyone else. The Olympics and other World class events go back to being in a team and make it all serious! I’m not serious.

HS: Fair enough. The industry is somewhat male dominated, so as an out lesbian, how have you been received by peers and the industry?

JC: I had no problem whatsoever. At first I was a bit worried, as everyone is when they’re coming out. But as snowboarding is so relaxed and times are changing it was fine. My team managers are super cool about it. I think they were pretty stoked when they found out actually! As a professional athlete you are a marketing tool and me being a bit different helps them to attract new customers.

HS: Are there many professional lesbian snowboarders, skiers or groups who you connect with?

JC: Yeah, there wasn’t, but after me (coming out), they all seemed to have come out of the wood work! I get a lot of people talking to me when I’m away about coming out, or just not being sure on their sexuality. It’s really nice having someone you don’t know feeling like they can talk to you about personal things.

HS: Do any competitions bring you out to the Southern Hemisphere? Have you toured any resorts in New Zealand or Australia?

JC: Not yet but I would love to travel over to Australia and New Zealand at some point. I’m also really keen to surf over there.

HS: What would you say to any girls interested in trying snowboarding or snowsports for the first time?

JC: Do it! It is so fun. Try and get as fit as you can before you go, as it is hard! Stick with it, it’s an uphill struggle for a while then it’ll click and all the bruises will be worth it.

HS: I agree, it requires a lot of stamina. Anything else you’d like to share with us in Australia!

JC: Do you really have BBQ’s for breakfast lunch and dinner?

Thanks for recognising me all the way over there. It’s pretty awesome for snowboarding and being an ‘out’ lesbian.

Happy shredding!

Photos by Rhys Atkinson & Route One

FUSE 41

TOP QUEER

MAKING YOUR CAR

PERSONALLY YOURS THIS SUMMER {

By Stuart Poole

What car we buy and what we do with it once we have our pride and joy (or daily hack) in our driveway is a topic only limited by our imagination. The list of accessories available these days is as long as your arm, and frankly I am amazed at some of the trash on the market.

Let me just preface what I am about to say by the following statement: Every car leaves the factory as the best possible compromise between performance, handling, economy and price available. Also every accessory we add to it will only add weight, thus decreasing performance and increasing fuel consumption.

Ooops, I sound like my Dad! But he is totally correct. How could you expect that bolting on 200kg of fibreglass body kit will actually enhance performance? It was never really going to help! Formula one cars benefit from spoilers, stock standard Lancers or Corollas don’t.

Some alloy wheels sold now days are actually illegal — ‘so what?’ you say? What if you were to crash your car and the insurance company wiped you like a dirty bum for having wheels outside the manufacturer’s specifications? How would that sit with you?

Don’t believe for one moment that an insurance company wouldn’t do it! How about a car so low it can’t go over a speed hump or your average driveway. Looks great, but is it what you want to drive every day? How will your spine cope with the bouncing up and down? The fact is there are actually lots of very illegal cars out there that the insurance company would not pay out on if something were to happen them.

There are many things you can do. You can lower your car within limits, or raise your four-wheel drive within legal limits. You can change the size of your wheels within prescribed increments, and believe it or not, there is no law against those stupid hibiscus stickers if that’s what floats ya boat.

The most important thing to remember is to check with your local RTA and your insurance company before you part with your hard earned cash for potentially illegal products.

My Mini has been extensively modified, but remains within the law. My 4WD has also been modified to increase comfort and offroad performance. They both have alloy wheels too. But it has all been done in such a ways as to keep the authorities happy.

FUSE 42

Some of the car accessories we thought of while writing this article are: suspension kits, spoilers / body kits, fully sick stereos and sub woofers, DVD players with screens in the back of the headrest, blue tooth and ipod connectivity, sunroofs, leather seats, dead lamb seat covers, mag wheels, fog lights and carriers for bikes and skis etc. The list is practically endless.

We could have shown you photos of alloy wheels and stuff... but we decided on this guy instead!

On a recent trip to Vietnam I noticed that in the south they fitted vases to their grilles to put bright coloured fresh flowers in (WTF?). They also fitted aluminium “eyebrows” to the headlights and taillights of practically everything. The purpose of which still deludes me. In Thailand nearly everyone had a sticker of a little boy (Kalvin) pissing into their petrol tank. Also remarkably useless, and far from individual!

So do what you like with your car, after all, it is yours.

Just be mindful that some other people, who have a fair bit of authority, have a vested interest in your car being safe. And at the end of the day, so should you.

AUNT DOROTHY’S

MOTORING SPRING TIP

I just love my ’58 Morris Minor with its fully sick subwoofers and its awesome sound! But did you know that in some states you can actually be done for having your car stereo up too loud?

So keep the really loud disco on the dance floor kids!

FUSE 43

OUT A& ABOUT The Annual AIDS Action Council Trivia Extravaganza — A fundraiser for the Westlund House Community Development Fund.

FUSE 44

Photographers : Wolf Sverak and Doug Robinson

FUSE 45

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY REGULAR QUEER EVENTS

GLBTQ COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

HANGOUTS

Q RADIO ON 2XX FM98.3 Canberra Queer Radio Show.

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

CUBE NIGHTCLUB Canberra’s premier gay night club venue along with ARIA accredited resident DJs playing a mix of music beyond the charts.

DYKE DINNER & MOVIE GROUP More info on FUSE website or see Canberra Lesbians on Facebook.

GAY & LESBIAN TENNIS Mondays 6pm – 9pm. Turner Tennis Club, Cnr McCaughey and Condamine Streets. Bring a tennis racquet, shoes and $7.

GAY ACT SQUASH GROUP Wednesdays 6.30pm – 7.30pm.

National Sports Club, Mouat St, Lyneham. More info see: groups. google.com/group/gayactsquash

COMMUNITY GROUPS 46

GIRL THING ON RAW FM 87.6 Wednesdays & Sundays from 7pm For girls who like girls. Presented

by Tori Mac, an hour of sexy house and electro served up girly style.

QWIRE WANTS YOU! Want to be involved with Canberra’s own gay and lesbian choir? Singers and non-singers encouraged. More info: canberraqwire@yahoo.com.au RAINBOW BOWLERS Meet new people on ‘Gay Bowling’ Sunday nights at Belconnen Bowling Alley. 1 Emu Bank from 7pm.

RAINBOW BUBS A playgroup for same sex parents and their kids. Email Michelle at hoogied@yahoo. com for info.

ACTQUEER A free email list for LGBTI people in Canberra and surrounding region. groups.yahoo.com/group/actqueer

AIDS ACTION COUNCIL The AIDS Action Council provides information, support and services.

More info: www.aidsaction.org.au

BIT BENT YOUTH GROUP Meet other young people, get support or just hang out. Mondays at Belconnen Youth Centre 6pm – 8pm and Thursdays at the Woden Youth Centre 5pm – 6.30pm. For more info email: bit_bent@hotmail.com

ACTOUT ACTOUT is an informal outdoorsie activities group for Canberra’s gay and lesbian community. More details: www.fusemagazine.com.au UNI OF CANBERRA LGBTI GROUP A social group for all LGBTI students staff at the University of Canberra.

Queer Space is located at the UCSA building 1 Uni of Canberra. Info email: sexuality@theucsa.org.au LONG YANG CLUB ACT A social club for Asian and nonAsian gays and their friends. More info: lyccanberra@gmail.com

FUSE

BENT LENSES Canberra’s very own Queer screen culture group. www.bentlenses.org

FRUITS IN BOOTS A social and support network for rural GLBTI members outside the ACT. Email: fruitsinboots@gmail.com

CANBERRA BEARS Bears at the Bar is held at 4pm, first Sunday of each month HUSH. For the bear facts: www.bearscanberra.com

33 Petrie Plaza Civic, Canberra City. www.cubenightclub.com.au More p34 THE HUSH LOUNGE Hush is a unique and stylish gay and lesbian (GLBTI) lounge bar. It has a friendly, relaxed and chilled feel about it with regular live music, shows and great food.

Cnr Launceston & Irving Streets, Phillip. www.hushlounge.com.au More p36 TILLEY’S DEVINE CAFE For over 26 years Tilley’s has been a gathering place for the gay and lesbian community. Warm and sumptuous, it’s famous for its food and fabulous coffees and cake. Tilley’s is a place for everyone.

With a fully licensed bar, you can enjoy champagne with breakfast, or in the evening savour a broad range of wines, spirits or boutique beers.

Corner of Wattle & Brigalow Streets, Lyneham. To reserve your favourite table or booth call us on 6247 7753. More p29 BAR32 Bar32 is gay friendly bar and nightclub with a mixed younger crowd. Indy and alternative dance music and bands.

32 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City. www.bar32.com

RAINBOW BUBS Rainbow Bubs and IVF Support Group is a playgroup for same sex parents and their kids as well as a support group for GLBTQ people who are thinking about starting a family.

More info: hoogied@yahoo. com

CHAMPIONS MEN’S LOUNGE Canberra’s men’s space. Champions Lounge is located within Mustang Ranch and is a venue for men who want to meet men. More p47

CANBERRA GAP GROUP Gap group is a monthly coffee/drinks group for same sex attracted women and gender diverse people. Contact: meganmunro2001@yahoo.com.au

Want to know ‘What’s On’ or be listed here, then visit us at www.fusemagazine.com.au

lithium helping your business bloom

graphic design corporate identity branding print advertising website design email newsletters call 0412 309 992 www.lithium.net.au

FUSE 47

DEAR ROSE

Dear Rose, I’m in a three-way relationship, which is going very well — it’s been almost two years since ‘J’ joined our relationship. ‘J’ now wants to move in with us. I’m concerned this could ruin everything, but as he says, he feels ready for more commitment from us.

Matt

Rose

Dear

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

Dear Matt, What a fantastic arrangement you and you partner have with ‘J’. Most folks can’t get past the emotional and insecurity stuff it takes a special group of people to be able to have this kind of relationship and have it work for such a long time.

A word of caution though, this relationship may have worked really well because of the fact that at the end of the day you can all retreat back to your own lives and to some degree it would be no harm, no fowl. Moving in, however, is a very different thing.

If you do have ‘J’ move in, you need to be absolutely clear on establishing some rules between the three of you on how you move into this chapter of your relationship. Be honest and open about the practical things such as money, household chores and of course anyone else coming into the house besides the three of you. I would also be clear on what the rules would be regarding intimacy and how that will work for all of you being under the same roof.

Dear Rose, My BF and I have been dating for just over a year. He has just moved to Sydney for work, when I have to stay in Canberra for UNI. We have decided a long distance relationship should be ok — it’s not really far to Sydney. I can’t help worrying that some hot Sydney boy will steal him away when I’m not around.

Worried

I have said it before and I will say it again, the hardest relationship that folks will ever do is the long distance thing. But you are absolutely right; Sydney is really not that far away.

I give you permission to be mildly concerned, as yes there will be hot guys in Sydney, but remember whilst your BF is in Sydney there are hot guys in Canberra as well and while you are worried about him, he is probably worried about you.

My best advice is this (repeat in a mantra like trance): ‘Communication, communication, communication.’ It’s the secret to making this work. The hardest thing to do is to be there when you need each other on a day-to-day basis. The key is finding the balance between communicating well and trusting each other. Firstly, you both need to agree on how you will manage visiting each other; I would suggest that you alternate each weekend from Canberra to Sydney, this gives something both of you can look forward to.

Be imaginative on the ways that you communicate, send old fashion letters about each other’s day, postcards, anything that is fun and interesting and creates special moments that you and the BF can share.

FUSE 48

Dear Rose, I have been with my GF for a long-time (10 years) and I love my GF, but I am bored out of my mind. She doesn’t like socialising with other lesbians or community and I find it incredibly dull and lonely. Do you have any ideas on how to tackle the problem?

Signed, Bored Dear Bored, Ya poor love, I would be bored stupid myself!

Having said that, you have been together for a long time and it is really easy to get into a rut or get so comfortable that you cocoon yourselves into your own world. It sounds like you are ready to break out of the cocoon and become a Lesbionic butterfly.

Your partner seems as though she is the quiet/shy type, I would suggest that you be the first to venture outside of the comfort zone and find some new and interesting things to do.

Dear Worried,

Keep in mind that at some point you both may need to consider that a move to Sydney will be needed in order to move forward with your relationship. Successful relationships are the ones that move and flow and develop resilience to all kinds of changes.

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You can try new hobbies or sports, maybe some volunteering! By you leading the way you can find activities that would interest you both, maybe salsa dancing or maybe something that the GF used to do but doesn’t do any more! By getting out there you will increase your contact with the outside world and start meeting new people that will bring a new zing to both your lives.

My other great tip would be to start a new group in the community and get the community to come to you. I know one of these groups, who are just a Lesbian couple that have a few women over once a month and get together over a BBQ. With summer around the corner there is no time like the present!

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DEAR ROSE’S

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