Sutton to Chill Out

Adam Sutton, the Australian gay cowboy whose story inspired Heath Ledger’s performance in Brokeback Mountain, is heading to Daylesford in 2008.
Sutton will be the guest of honour and Parade Grand Marshall at the 2008 Daylesford ChillOut Festival, 7-10 March.
Sutton, whose story Say It Out Loud will be re-issued in a new updated edition in the new year, has waived all expenses and appearance fees, asking instead that ChillOut donate an equivalent sum to the Communities Caring for Children Appeal, ChillOut’s 2008 charity partner, raising funds to pay for the introduction of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s Better Buddies anti-bullying program into local schools.
“I’ve brought a lot of gay rural people’s stories to the forefront through my story, which has been a godsend to a lot of people,” Sutton said.
“The feedback we’ve got from my story from rural Australia has been incredible and I’m willing to continue doing that.
“I just find it so rewarding to know that you have the ability to change someone’s life, help someone out, and put a smile on their face that wasn’t there to start with. The biggest reward anyone can give themselves is to be able to help and give.”
Sutton will lead the parade, open the carnival, and kick up his heels at the bush dance with Say It Out Loud co-author and Sydney Morning Herald journalist Neil McMahon.
www.chilloutfestival.com.au.