The SSO A-Z guide to queer Sydney

G is for:

Gaymers Eschewing the bars and clubs that dominate the gay community, gaymers would rather just stay home and play with their joysticks. Ridiculed as fags in the macho world of video game players and written off as nerds in the gay community, this crossover of two subcultures is much misunderstood.

But what could explain the ambiguously gay video game characters like poncy Link from the Legend Of Zelda other than a subtle nod from knowing game makers? More than one teenage boy has caught himself starring wistfully at hunky Duke Nukem long before he knew a real Muscle Mary.

In recent years gaymers joined the pride movement, seeking full recognition for their same-sex orc-character relationships in the multiplayer world as well.

Following the suppression of a gay and lesbian online guild in the multiplayer World Of Warcraft, gaymers joined forces with straight teenage girls and became a force to be reckoned with in their struggle to hold butch-barbarian hands.

Thanks to their efforts there is now every chance the hot elf lesbian couple you meet in a swordfight might actually be a real lesbian couple rather than two pasty teenage straight boys playing out a fantasy.

Gina Gershon When Gina Gershon shimmies onto the screen in the special Mardi Gras screening of camp classic Showgirls at the State Theatre later this month, she will confirm her place in the league of all-time gay icons.

Though not considered the biggest of the big-screen divas, Gershon has been steadily building her gay and lesbian fan base for decades. Following her role in camp favourite Pretty In Pink, Gershon stepped out in that other 1980s classic Cocktail.

But it was the following decade that would yield her most memorable -“ if not always most accomplished -“ celluloid outings.

Starring in trash classic Showgirls might have relegated Elizabeth Berkley to the Hollywood wilderness, but Gershon followed her role as Las Vegas revue diva Cristal Connors with a star turn as lesbian tough Corky in 1996 thriller Bound.

Since then Gershon has shored up her gay icon/ dykon status by playing Sally Bowles in a Broadway run of Cabaret and with a bit part in TV series Ellen. A surprise live appearance at the Mardi Gras Showgirls screening would only enhance Gershon’s gay favourite reputation.