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Popbaby, one of Ireland’s most exhilarating theatre companies, brings performer Neil Watkins to the Richard Wherrett Studio at Sydney Theatre with the hit show The Year of Magical Wanking this Mardi Gras.

Watkins is a 33-year-old homosexual with a Jesus complex, and Wanking is a searing tale of internet porn addiction, Catholic guilt and the journey to happiness.

INFO: www.sydneytheatre.org.au

Photo: Peter Fingleton

Artist Jebila Wolfe-Okongwu was born in London, raised in Africa then settled in Australia. These diverse cultural influences have coloured his work as he reclaims symbols from his African heritage, but always with tongue planted firmly in cheek. His Banana Republic exhibition shows as part of Mardi Gras until March 10 at Gallery Barry Keldoulis, Waterloo, with an opening celebration on February 16, 6-8pm.

INFO: www.gbk.com.au

Gaynor Tension has spent a lifetime struggling under greats like Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli and Ethel Merman.

Ever the understudy, this remarkable diva (of indeterminate age) finally has her chance to shine for two nights only at the Seymour Centre on February 15 and 16.

INFO: www.seymourcentre.com

Bring your lover to Sydney’s blackcat lounge on Valentine’s Day for a night of cabaret, music, art, food and booze.

You’ll see all the season’s artists through snippets of their individual shows.

The theatre will be pumping with cabaret stars galore.

INFO: blackCat lounge, Sidetrack Theatre, Marrickville, Tuesday, February 14, 7.30pm

As the old saying goes, “the personal is the political”.

Both personally and as an active community member, I have huge concerns about Margaret Court’s remarks about practising conversion “therapy”. I have been on the receiving end of it and don’t want anyone else to experience this — let’s call a spade a spade — brainwashing and torture.

In 1995, then aged 29, I finally told a friend about “wanting to look like a woman”. Factual information about trans was scarce back then so I decided to see if a psychiatrist knew anything about it.

Unfortunately, this person used the psychological form of conversion therapy on me. I was bombarded with comments like “So you first remember this when you were six. What happened in your life then? What happened then?”

Of course nothing had happened, but the intense interrogation pressured my mind into trying to find something that obviously wasn’t there. And the more it looked for that non-existent “cause”, the worse I became.

My … mental … functioning … became … slower … and … slower. (I write it that way because that’s how I was speaking at the time.) I believe no one deserves to be pushed away from their soul/true self and damaged to this extent.

Another friend of mine has spoken about receiving electric shock treatment to “cure” her. I believe as a human race we condemn these sorts of behaviours as torture when they happen in Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo Bay. It is impossible to justify them any time — and certainly not as “health” treatments.

I can understand those who have been on the receiving end of these approaches may be reluctant to speak out due to reliving any distress. I can only urge people to find the strength to speak out — it may spare one person somewhere this distress.

Saying such approaches don’t work is a good start. I wonder if Joe and Mary public really understand how dangerous these approaches are?

Finally, I pose some questions openly to Margaret Court if somehow, Margaret, you choose to read this. I was 29 at the time of my experiences and these brainwashing and interrogative tactics caused me massive damage. I hope, Margaret, that there is no suggestion these tactics of interrogation, brainwashing and physical torture are ever to be used on anyone under 18.

I also ask how, given that three of the largest bodies of experienced and qualified health professionals in Australia (see below) reject these approaches, you claim to know better than they do.

Now, at 46, I’m alive, happy, healthy and achieving my human potential as a bisexual and transgender woman. I want all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to be the same. And a good starting point for that goal is to ensure conversion “therapy” is made totally extinct.

P.S. See you with pride at Melbourne Pride March this Sunday!

INFO: Sally Goldner is VGLRL treasurer, Bisexual Alliance treasurer and TransGender Victoria spokesperson.

http://www.ranzcp.org/images/stories/ranzcp-attachments/Resources/College_Statements/Position_Statements/ps60.pdf

http://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/reparative_therapy.pdf
http://ama.com.au/node/552

During my six years of involvement with youth organisation Minus18, I’ve seen thousands of same-sex attracted and gender diverse teens struggling with their sexuality come through our doors.

It’s crucial to note, that for an overwhelming majority of young people, the ‘struggle’ isn’t with identity itself. Most are happy, if not excited, to be exploring their newly discovered sexual and gender identities.
It’s the fear of homophobia that causes the most damage, and it’s this fear that increases a young person’s risk of depression, anxiety and, in some cases, suicide.

That’s why when I read Margaret Court’s most recent comments, drawing a link between being gay and being abused, my stomach dropped. Amongst other things, she insists, “It is not something you are born with” and her “concern is that we are advocating to young people that it is OK to have [same-sex] feelings”.

When 75 percent of Australian same-sex attracted young people are still experiencing homophobic abuse, it troubles me deeply that the very same people Court is claiming to want to protect, are those whom her words will impact the most negatively.

While it might be easy for us to dismiss Court’s comments as nothing more than those of a zealot, the broader impact of her words are the most worrying part.

She’s not only undoing the efforts of groups such as Freedom2be, who work to bridge the divide between sexuality and religion, but she’s condoning the actions of those who perpetuate hate, and (very loudly) telling gay teenagers all over Australia that who they are is wrong, and should be changed.

Yet amongst the ignorance, and the hate of Court’s comments, it’s heartwarming to hear from those who are expressing their support for same-sex attracted young people. They include headspace CEO Chris Tanti and comedian Tom Ballard, amongst hundreds of thousands of comments on Facebook and Twitter.

Court’s words bring to light how vital it is to raise our voices about comments that perpetuate hate or bigotry, and the importance of organisations like Minus18 in continuing our efforts to support same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people throughout Australia.

INFO: Micah Scott, 23, is Minus18 general manager.

Minus18 is a youth-led organisation for same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people throughout Australia. www.minus18.org.au

All the cool kids will know where to go at this year’s Mardi Gras Party, as the iconic pink triangle descends over the Dome and the STARFUCKERS come out to play.

With their unique style of pump, the STARFUCKER DJs have delivered a new experience to the Sydney club scene, creating a space where gays and straights seemingly collide at Kings Cross’ Club 77.

“When we started out, breaking down the barriers of the straight/gay clubbing dichotomy was not on our agenda, but it ended up something our party was known for,” Kristofer Hutchison, one of the DJs known better by his stage name Mr Disorder, said.

“Our party at Club 77 every Saturday night became a place where people who were disenfranchised by the ghettoisation of both straight and gay clubbing experiences found a second home.

“The continued support of the gay community means a lot to us. They really got behind what we were doing from day one.”

STARFUCKERS have become synonymous with the club sound ‘pump’, which Hutchison describes as “like a stir-fry of upfront electro house, pumping pop, big room bangers and stadium stompers”.

“Our sets incorporate our remixes and original material, including our debut single Make It Drop. We are currently in the House of Fun studios working on our follow-up single that we hope is ready for a road test at the party.”

And they are very excited to come out and play for Mardi Gras.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be invited to perform this year. The Sydney Mardi Gras is a world-renowned event.

“Any artist, regardless of their sexuality, would feel humbled to have the opportunity to perform there.”

On whether they might draw a more prominent heterosexual crowd, Hutchison said, “We hope being on the bill this year will draw a large crowd of people, both gay and straight, who haven’t been to Sydney Mardi Gras Party before.

“It’s in the long-term interests of the gay community to be open and inclusive to all people who want to show their support.”

Hutchison also believed that the mixing of gays and straights contributed to STARFUCKERS’ success.

“It didn’t matter what your sexual preference was. It became the gayest straight party and the straightest gay party.

“In the wise words of Madonna, ‘Come join the party, it’s a celebration’.”

INFO: STARFUCKERS play The Dome ‘Backlot’ this Mardi Gras Party. www.mardigras.org.au

Sex happens in all sorts of places, many times in public spaces. Sixteen percent of men surveyed at the Melbourne Gay Community Periodic Survey in 2011 said they had found sex partners at beats.

While common, beat use has always posed a risk to those who frequent them. Legal risk, risks to their personal safety, and, of course, sexual health risks. Some in the community have argued that these risks point to why people shouldn’t use beats.

We feel that it’s better to educate about how to be prepared and protect yourself.

It’s important to remember that you can’t get into trouble with the police for just being at a beat — it’s a public place, after all. You only start to break the law when you are caught showing your cock or arse, or engaging in any sexual activity in public (this may include in a public toilet cubicle if the door is open, or in a car).

It is not offensive if the activity cannot be seen without the observer having to take abnormal or unusual action to observe it, such as looking underneath a locked cubicle door. It is usually best to cooperate with police if they appear on the scene.

However, if they wish to conduct an interview, and you feel you may have been in the wrong, it may be best to answer “no comment” until you have a solicitor present. If it sounds a bit tricky, it’s because it is.

To make things worse, there’s the risk of homophobic violence at beats. There are some ways you can provide yourself with some protection from personal violence:

• Leave your wallet and valuables at home. Attacks at beats may involve theft, and you don’t want anyone finding your ID either.

• Wear clothes and shoes you can run in if need be.

• Keep the iPod out of your ears — you need to be able to hear what’s going on around you.

• Stay away from anyone you think is suspicious — even if they look like your type. Be especially wary of groups of people. If threatened, run away if you can, and try to attract help by shouting. If you see anyone else being hassled, call the police or yell, and take note of their appearance, car registration, etc.

If you do experience violence at a beat, be sure to report to the police via the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers, and the Anti-Violence Project.

Even if the violence has happened at a beat, you are entitled to the help of the police, and they will take the assault seriously. They are there to help, and reporting the attack can help protect other users of that particular beat.

As with any casual sex, it’s important to keep getting regular sexual health checks at least every six months, depending on how many partners you have. Check out The Drama Downunder for a referral.

By JASON ASSELIN, Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre

INFO: Gay and Lesbian Liason Office 03 9247 6944
Anti-Violence Project www.antiviolence.info
The Drama Downunder www.thedramadownunder.info
Wherever Sex Happens www.whereversexhappens.org.au

Imagine a man leaving Melbourne to escape his Catholic Italian family to have a gay identity in Sydney at 43 years of age. True story. Years of internalised feelings of self-loathing and depression.

Or what about a 26-year-old country gay pretending to be straight because his mates constantly call each other “poofter” or “fuckin’ queer”. This is real and happening in today’s world, not 1960.

Constantly living with ethnic homosexual censorship or being surrounded by rural life that only supports heterosexual identities or, worse still, has perceived homophobic attitudes causes great distress to many gays, young and old.

Geoff is 24 and is from the central NSW coast. “I was too scared to tell anyone I was gay. I played sport and made friends with the town’s studs (who surprisingly I don’t talk to any more) but inside I was very, scared and depressed.”

Here are some nasty statistics. Eighty percent of rural gay adolescents suffer verbal abuse and bullying at school, gay teenagers are 10 times more likely to commit suicide than straight peers and 30 – 40 percent of homeless kids are gay. These are awful numbers.

So what can you do to improve your gay identity, improve feelings of self-worth and create better mental and physical health?

Thank God for the internet and publications like the Star Observer for contact with the gay world. But this is not enough to help a guy feel he is not the only gay in the village.

It would help young country gays enormously if retail outlets placed a welcoming triangle sticker in their windows. Guys, you could ask those you deem friendly. You could buy gay music so you rejoice in your gay identity when playing it anywhere. Purchasing gay literature is also helpful.

You could join city gay sporting clubs or the SGLBA as an associate member and visit the big smoke now and then. Schools could be requested to run sex identity and anti-bullying courses. Improving rural gay identity, and corresponding self-worth, is all about changing the present personal and public environment.

And then there’s coming out which is still very frightening for many rural and ethnic gays. But the more you talk about it the better it will be for your mental health. Find a mentor or friend you can trust and then come out to more friends. And don’t forget the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service, regional NSW and ACT (1800 18 4527).

And what about ethnic gays? We could all make a bigger effort with these guys. You might surprise yourself and find these guys really interesting to talk to. Ask them how difficult it has been to come out in their ethnic worlds.

I know someone is going to email me saying tell them to just get ‘ova’ it but believe me there is still widespread homophobia out there. And guys, tell those twits on Grindr and other social media that racist comments on their profiles is not on. Silence condones their awful behaviour.

We can all do to something to lessen either our loneliness or the loneliness felt by our rural and ethnic gay friends. Please email with your stories or advice on living well in these environments.

INFO: Gerry North is a gay counsellor. Contact Gerry on www.gaycounselling.vpweb.com.au or email gerrynorthcounsellor@gmail.com

Let’s get one thing clear. I am a massive fan of Madge, although I know she’s gone off the tracks occasionally in recent years, but haven’t we all?
Let’s not forget Madonna has been pumping out hits since 1983 when she released Holiday and had several smashes only a few years ago with Hung Up and 4 Minutes.
Not bad going for a woman in her 50s, who has helped shape music culture with massive hits over the decades like Vogue, Like A Virgin, Cherish, Express Yourself, Ray of Light and a string of other smashes.
In fact Wikipedia places the Material Girl at number 4 in the biggest-selling artists of all time with more than 300 million singles and records sold.

This year Madonna intends making a comeback and from what I’ve read she is serious about getting back on the radio and dancefloors. It seems she will be ditching the leotards and her flirtation with hip hop and going back to her pop roots, something Madonna specialises in.

She’s also enlisted the help of legendary producer William Orbit who was behind the success of her Grammy Award-winning album Ray of Light in the ’90s.

Rumoured song titles include Turn Up The Radio, Birthday Song, Masterpiece, and of course Gimme All Your Luvin, which was leaked last year.

Madonna sued the person responsible for leaking the track and has since tweaked it to her liking.

Even if you’re not a fan, you have to admit this woman is a survivor and a megastar in the fickle world of pop music, where artists are often lucky to have a two-year career. And you know what, I think she will do it again this year!

By GEOFF FIELD

INFO: www.GeoffField.com.au