Tales of a scene queen

Bracing against the wind, heart pounding, the din of conversation grew louder. A male voice on a mike reverberated into the night sky.

The doors to the Albury Hotel were in sight; a bright, pulsating beacon. A RuPaul track cut the roar of the crowd, and a multicoloured feathered creation delighted punters.

I must have walked past the doors three times before entering.

Darting eyes sized me up, then returned to their groups. Before I’d worked out how to escape, an American guy offered to buy me a drink. I obliged, gulping it down and accepting a few more. My friend turned up no more than 30 minutes later, apologising profusely.

This was my introduction to the gay scene.

It got a lot easier. I quickly learned other guys found me attractive. These feelings were new and weird. I’d never thought of myself as physically engaging. Just making it through school alive was enough for me. I was ‘fresh meat’ and soon became part of the in-crowd. I was too cool for school.

This was also my downfall.

I became narcissistic and rude. It wasn’t long before I was lost in a world of dance parties, shiny disco balls, and hazy party days. I was oblivious to the inequalities we still faced as a community. I’d found my paradise, that was all that mattered then.

But like most of us, I had to grow up. Things are much different now for same-sex attracted youth.

Last week’s Q and A highlighted a Gen Y panel, which included Josh Thomas and Fuzzy, both of whom did a bang-up job speaking for GLBTI rights. And as if the Pride Festival couldn’t get any better, New York’s passing of the Marriage Equality Act was quickly followed by the WA ALP’s declaration of support for marriage equality, again putting Gillard under the spotlight, with pressure mounting for the federal Government to get with the program.

The overwhelming majority of Australians support marriage equality. It’s only a matter of time.

If you’re thinking of heading out to your first venue, enjoy your newfound attention, by all means. But never take these liberties for granted, as I did. It wasn’t so long ago homosexuality was illegal in this country. I fear I’m sounding a little preachy — yet there’s so much more to our community than bars and clubs and dance parties. Get involved and make a difference.

No one said you can’t still enjoy the occasional shiny disco ball.

info: Don’t forget to follow SSO at @star_observer and Damien @damientweeting