THE SSO A-Z GUIDE TO QUEER SYDNEY

C IS FOR

Cardio Anyone who doubts that Sydney has one of the country’s highest concentrations of gays and lesbians hasn’t spent much time in an inner-city gym. These temples to bodily perfection sometimes seem like an unofficial warm-up for Mardi Gras. And there’s a reason why the cross-training and other exercise machines at the venues are so heavily patronised. Apart from being of great physical benefit, an intense cardiovascular workout astride one of these machines is the perfect way to take in the passing parade of highly toned bodies. Cardio gym classes can also bring high-camp fun. A weights or aerobics class to music is a guaranteed heart starter, with diva anthems and encounters with hot gym bodies a very welcome bonus. Not that cardio’s big gay following comes from gym junkies alone. The golden sands of Sydney icon Bondi Beach (and no doubt other coastal strips) are another place to get a heart workout and much more. As one Star staff member regularly reports, soft-sand seaside jaunts aid wellbeing while offering invigorating views of a host of heart-stopping hotties.

Cabaret queens They are a unique breed, that beloved group within our community known as cabaret queens. They keep the cabaret stages busy as they strut out their latest shows, singing a variety of showtunes and pop anthems, coupled with their own tales of exploring love, loss and life in the big city. These are also the talents that can be relied upon every time for a fundraiser, charity concert or community event to get up on stage, take to the microphone and belt out a power ballad to the back row of the stalls, leaving not a dry eye in the place. Shaun Rennie is one of the leaders of the pack, even winning the Cabaret Convention a few years back, while Trevor Ashley began as a cabaret princess and has parlayed his talents into such fields as drag (as Cleopatra Coup? a starring role in Priscilla and as director of Hats Off. Also featured among this esteemed group are the full-throttled belt of Andrew Benson and his alter ego Aunty Mavis, the smooth charm of Andrew Threlfall, the easy sounds of Martin Badoui and the cheeky ways of Enda Markey. While there are many other singers who certainly fit into this category but refuse ever to discuss their private lives, this named group of performers earns points and deserves some respect for being a little more open about who they really are. And with many of them back treading the cabaret boards during the upcoming Mardi Gras season, be sure to cheer them on as they step into their spotlight.