Catholic Fry-Up

If you needed any further proof that Stephen Fry is GOD, have a looksy at his work in this debate about the Catholic Church.

Hallelujah!

Transsexual Empire Strikes Back

And here is what we got up to for the Mardi Gras parade -- The Transsexual Empire Strikes Back float.

TransLondon Boycott Pride 2009

With good cause it seems. Check out the full report at their website:

'Last year, a successful Pride march was marred at the rally in Trafalgar Square when a number of trans women were denied access to the women's toilets by Pride security stewards. One woman was subsequently sexually assaulted after being told to use the male toilets. Roz Kaveney, one of the women targeted in the 2008 "ToiletGate" incident, explained how she felt Pride London had only ever provided a grudging apology under threat of legal action, and that she felt they had never taken the discrimination against trans women in the 2008 rally seriously.

During the meeting on May 19th 2009, members heard how the democratic and transparent structure used in 2008 to co-ordinate participation of trans groups and the funds made available for transgender attendees, through the elected Trans@Pride committee, has been abolished by Pride London for 2009. Instead, Pride London have imposed their own unelected "representative" for the trans strand. Furthermore, requests for information about funding, how decisions were made and who participated in the decision-making process, have been rebuffed.

Last year, the elected Trans@Pride Committee consulted repeatedly with over a dozen groups and hundreds of individuals over before arranging travel bursaries for trans people to attend from around the country, hosting a breakfast for marchers on the day, commissioning artwork from a local queer artist as a rallying point for trans marchers, producing banners and bunting, arranging trans performers for all of the Pride stages including the main stage in Trafalgar Square and publicising the arrangements widely. In stark contrast, the meeting heard of how Pride London's appointed trans "representative" for 2009 has simply imposed Pride’s vision for trans participation in the march and rally.

The 2009 pride participation is, so we are told, to consist of a float at the very back of the parade which would pander to the most tired and inaccurate media stereotypes of trans people. Trans women would, in Pride's vision, be dressed in sequins, high heels and fairy wings and, apparently as an afterthought, a few trans men would be invited to pose in football strips. The Pride representative explained that the trans float would complement a float at the front of the march with members of the cast of the West End musical, "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert". In her vision, onlookers would be delighted to see "Priscilla at the front and Priscilla at the back". As a coup de grace, a visible cordon of security stewards would surround the trans float, ostensibly "for our own protection". '

NEW WORLD WITHOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT-- NEWSPAPER (Just came across a flyer for this)

Launch Night
7-10pm Wednesday 20th May 2009
Free

@ Little Fish Gallery
22 Enmore Rd Newtown

Performance/ Free Resources/ Snax

www.worldwithout.org

Note The Pronouns *SIGH*

Have been trying to formulate some sort of response to this, but have a monster headache so for now here it is as reported by The Age (on SMH website):

'Court lets girl, 17, remove breasts

* Karen Kissane
* May 4, 2009

THE Family Court has allowed a 17-year-old girl to have her breasts removed so she can be more like a boy.

The teenager, code-named "Alex", was on court-ordered hormone medication from the age of 13 to prevent menstruation and breast development. She returned to the court in December 2007 asking for a double mastectomy to make it easier for her to pass as a boy.

The Chief Justice of the Family Court, Diana Bryant, decided it was in the teenager's best interests to have the surgery immediately rather than wait until turning 18. The teenager had been diagnosed with "gender identity dysphoria", a psychological condition in which a person has the normal physical characteristics of one sex but longs to be the opposite sex. Justice Bryant said: "In the end, it wasn't a particularly difficult issue because the only real issue was, 'Would he (Alex) have it at 17 or once he's 18?' Then, he doesn't need permission.

"So the issue was, 'Was there any likelihood he would change his mind in the meantime, and was it in his best interests to have it at that time?'

"Overwhelmingly, the evidence was that it was in his interests. And I made that order. I wanted to make it quickly so that he could have the operation straightaway."

But ethicist Nick Tonti-Filippini said mainstream medicine did not recognise hormone treatments and surgery as treatment for gender dysphoria. He said it was a psychiatric disorder qualifying under American guidelines as a psychosis because "it's a belief out of accordance with reality". "What you are trying to do is make a biological reality correspond to that false belief."

The Chief Justice said Alex had not had any urgent plans to proceed with further surgery when he turned 18. She did not make Alex wait for the mastectomies until of age because the teenager had been living as a boy since the age of 13. "Everyone was absolutely adamant that he wasn't going to change his mind. He was very comfortable . . . that he was going to continue on this path."

The written judgement is due to be published soon. Justice Bryant said it was better for the teenager to have the surgery at 17 because this was an age where she would qualify for support from state social services. This was also a crucial time in her development: "It's a year when he's really cementing his friendships with peers that will stand him in good stead for moving into university and the wider world, and it was very important to him that he be able to do that confidently as a boy."

Justice Bryant said having breasts constrained Alex socially. She had to avoid being hugged by friends, could not go to the beach and had to wear binding. "So it was quite an impediment to his social development, which everyone thought was very important." The decision was not irrevocable: "You can have prostheses and things. So if he changed his mind later on, it's reversible."

Justice Bryant said she heard evidence from medical experts and from Alex, her counsellor and an independent children's lawyer, and she called in the Office of the Public Advocate "because I wanted a contradictor". The vidence was overwhelmingly in favour of the surgery, she said.

Mr Tonti-Filippini said he was also concerned that in previous Family Court cases involving gender dysphoria, the medical experts had been confined to a small group of Melbourne doctors who work with sex changes. Mr Tonti-Filippini said a Melbourne man who had had sex-change surgery at 22 was now suing his doctors because he regretted the decision and felt they had not explored his doubts at the time.


The Family Court's 2004 ruling allowing Alex to take hormones provoked a debate about when children are old enough to make serious medical decisions. There was another furore about a Family Court ruling in 2007 allowing a 12-year-old girl code-named "Brodie", who also wanted to be a boy, to begin a course of puberty-suppressing hormones. The court was told that Brodie had threatened self-harm at the prospect of her periods starting. It was later claimed by a relative that Brodie's mother had had postnatal depression and had "brainwashed" the child by buying her boy's clothing from the time she was a baby and fostering boyish behaviour. Brodie's father had opposed the hormone move.'

Some Days My Brain Hurts

From NineMSN today:

'Educating children as young as two about how gay parents have children should be a low priority for the NSW government, the opposition says. Responding to a book titled Where Did I Really Come From, which also includes in-depth descriptions of sex, opposition community services spokeswoman Pru Goward said the subject matter was not of interest to young children.The book is advertised as being part of the NSW Attorney General's Office Learn to Include program.

"There is nothing wrong with encouraging tolerance and diversity but why you would do that by talking about same-sex relationships? I find it a mystery," Ms Goward told AAP.

She said the book was more about social relationships than sex education - and that was the responsibility of parents to explain to their children. "Most toddlers won't take much interest, they are more interested in toilet training," Ms Goward said.
"I think there should be other government priorities well ahead of this."

The book's author, Narelle Wickham, says the book is suitable to be read to two-year-olds and has defended it as a mainstream publication. "It is just trying to normalise to children that there are many ways to conceive a child," she told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.'


Umm... did I miss something here? "There is nothing wrong with encouraging tolerance and diversity but why you would do that by talking about same-sex relationships? I find it a mystery" .Mysterious indeed. Perhaps someone should call Poirot?

Mixed Business at The Red Rattler

Sex Workers & Lesbians Come Together, Queers, Ho's and Supporters Welcome

'Come and experience the best the inner-west queer sex worker scene has to offer - merchandise, magazines, food, drinks and performance at the wonderful new venue Red Rattler. Dj's. Performers Juliet November, Vashti Hughes, Ginger Schnapps, Mighty Hermaphrodite and Stranger Danger, more to be announced.. $15 waged $10 unwaged entry fee, funds raised go to Scarlet Alliance.'

Host: Red Rattler, Scarlet Alliance, LOTL, and many many more
Type: Party - Benefit
Date: 07 May 2009
Time: 19:00 - 23:00
Location: Red Rattler, 6 Faversham St,Marrickville, Australia

Angles in the Architecture

Two quotes for this day:

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”

and

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”

Both Michelangelo, and both very apt for my current creative situation.

Spending Pennies

The World Toilet Info site is not only quirky, but quite useful if one is to venture to foreign parts. Tells you how to ask for the location of the toilette, and also provides points on what to expect when you get there, in pictures and cute English.

Tools For Actions

A very cute collection of public actions/guerilla art initiatives and whatnot can be found at CCA Action, organised by tool. For example:

'Bristol Food for Free is an online database of edible plants in Bristol. The website generates a map of any of the 113 species identified by its authors. Plants rooted in private lots are included if they branch into public space. The website also contains photo-documentation of potential planting sites selected for suitability. Bristol Food for Free allows inexperienced foragers to find fresh fruits and vegetables quickly and safely. Kayle Brandon and Heath Bunting are part of Irational.org, an international network for information and materials for the displaced and roaming. Irational.org supports non-corporate art and engineering work.'

and

'Pants fitted with high-tension cords, metal clips, and a reinforced seat, the Flee Suspend Pants can be attached to almost any surface, transforming it into a space for people to swing. Wearers are equipped to modify any space they enter just by untying the suspenders and attaching them to the reinforced seat. The design supports up to 91 kg of weight, so there is no age restriction for swinging on the Flee Suspend Pants.'

Today's Theme: Choice

As many of you will know, last night the Monster and I got refused entry into a venue where our mates were DJing, for no valid reason other than the bouncers were most probably homophobic, and complete misogynists. This annoyed us somewhat, as not only was our night thrown out of kilter but we didn't get to support our friends (or any of the other local up-and-coming DJs). Bah.

So, I wrote to the promoter. Though understanding of our miffed state, and having had some of her own friends not allowed in, she did seem rather reticent to admit that there were other choices the organisers could make. Yes, they are a small event, and thus cannot dictate to a big club as to security policy. But if the big club is going to be rude to your clients, to the point of not letting them enter, then MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T DEAL WITH THEM. As this night was originally set up BY WOMEN with the aim of providing a space for female DJs to play, it seems ironic that they are now holding it in such a sexist venue (ie the only 'women' we saw let in were barbie-types in small skirts and big heels).

Which made me, for not the first time this week, consider the choices we all make, and the concept staying true to one's own morals and ethics. Don't support people and institutions who cause you more trouble than provide benefit. Don't do it just because its what everyone else does, just because its a brand name, just because its an easy option in the first instance.

All I need is a badge-maker and a screen-printer and I'm all set for my new revolution. Anyone for a kiss-in?

Help The Rattlers!

From the Red Rattler crew:

'hey there, if you haven't heard, our DA for POPE (place of public
entertainment) license went to the early November Council meeting and
after a bit of lobbying, it was approved in principle! so yay! we're
happening! so what now....? well we're arranging a construction
certificate, then we go nuts putting in fire escapes, safety signage, fire
proofing, more electrical work, significant plumbing, we have to put in
more toilets and urinals as per the DA, set up our water tanks, fix up
upstairs, get a liquor license, waterproof and finish the bar, stock up
and plan a party! so we think we'll be open in February 2009. stay
tuned...

in the meantime, its work mania to the max at the rat. if you'd like to
help with anything, please send us an email enquiries@redrattler.org with
a couple of dot points on what you're willing to do, and what you can do,
like what are your skills, and we'll contact you when we're working on
that area. in the meantime, we're doing some cementing this weekend,
having a clean up working bee this Sunday 7 December, 2-4pm, and some
plasterboard/tiling action next weekend. if you can help contact us here
or just turn up on Sunday arvo with a vacuum cleaner!

the red rattler is run by a collective of volunteers, we're a grassroots
diy labour of love operation for our creative community xxx
--
The Red Rattler Theatre
6 Faversham St.
Marrickville NSW 2204
enquiries@redrattler.org
http://www.redrattler.org '

Cherrie, Pitted

Now, on a VERY disappointing note, the wonderful Katrina Fox is no longer editing Cherrie, as they wish to take it in 'another direction.'

Far be it from me to suggest that they may be wanting it to become the next LOTL, full of mortgage information and exciting stories of lesbian golfing weekends in the US, and avoiding ANYTHING queer, gender diverse, kinky, politically sound or ethically aware but... Of course, I may be wrong, and they MAY be pushing it towards a MORE radical agenda, but I doubt it!

Please let them know what you think via their website at
http://cherrie.e-p.net.au

Thanks

Pride Parade, And Party

Oh, so much has been going on of late I have barely had the time or brainspace to get any proper blogging in...

This weekend was Perth Pride. As most of you will know, the delectable little cub Aram Hosie is the current Pride Patron, and so a pile of his mates volunteered to help build him a float for the parade. To cut a long story short, this involved a bit of planning, a bit of shopping, and a LOT of balloon blowing and tying and banner hanging etc! But it worked, and even though it was small (10 people or so) it got plenty of cheers from the crowds and people actually seemed to respond to the message-- essentially, that trans*/gender variant folk need rights to healthcare, legal recognition and so on. Extra credit points go to Monster for coming up with the 'Lost In Trans*lation' slogan we had on the signs we held-- she's a bloody creative genius, whip- smart and with a wicked sense of humour! And the parade itself was so stupidly warm and fuzzy and 'community', only 30 or so floats and a great vibe to it, like Mardi Gras but all over in half an hour, and the crowd so delightful that I just beamed the whole way... Then quick dismantling of float, back to NeedleNurse's flat to get changed and drink champagne and into the night again, to the official after-party at Connie's. Whilst the music was probably not as bad as it was elsewhere, it was still a bit, umm, lightweight, but had a fabulous time regardless. Soooooooo many people recognised me that I felt like some sort of b-grade Perth-anality already, has only been 4 months-ish since I arrived and it was just crazy! And there was a filthy sexy vibe to the place, and I danced and canoodled ever-so-much with the Monster and flirted plenty (some of it with much intent-- its not a matter of IF but WHEN you know *wink*), and generally just shmoozed and drank vodka and watched drag shows and talked nonsense and giggled and beamed and whirled about! Then we headed home as the sun came up, for Monster showers and cuddling in bed wrapped up in each other, feet sore and bodies aching and with that satisfied exhaustion that comes from such things...PERFECT!

52 Pickups- Just Got The Cards

Oh, they are gorgeous! So many pervy people doing so many cute shoots! And fabulous blurbs, if I do say myself (I write a stack of them). Grab a deck if you get the chance!

Blue Pubes

If you have ever wanted to dye your pubes, chest hair, underarm hair etc and have never quite had the nerve to use conventional hair-dyeing products (full of ouchy peroxide, ammonia etc', then I have the site for you! Black, brown, blonde, aubrun, blue, pink, and a special halloween orange await you at BETTY BEAUTY!

Lordy, Look At That Lineup!!!

If I was in Sydney at this time, I would most certainly be attending THIS:

Dark Carnivàle
The Red Rattler Theatre Stage One Launch, and fundraiser for eco-efficient utilities
doors open 8pm, showtime 9pm sharp
Friday 31 October 2008, 6 Faversham St.Marrickville
$20 / $15 conc

Be titillated and seduced by the talents of MOJO JUJU & the Snake Oil
Merchants, The Kingpins, Lillian Starr & D-Vinyl, Sex Intents & Glitta
Supernova, Brown Council, Justin Shoulder, Janie Gibson, Celia Curtis,
GayLourdes, Wife, Crash and Danni, Kelli Jean and DJ Gemma

Some Days...

I just feel like such a white middle-class COP OUT. Like, when I read call for anthologies like this and can't think of single way I could contribute... (Deadline has passed, yes, but not the point).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHY ARE FAGGOTS SO AFRAID OF FAGGOTS?:
flaming challenges to masculinity, objectification and the desire to conform

· CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS ·

As back rooms are shut down to make way for wedding vows, and gay
sexual culture becomes little more than straight-acting dudes hangin'
out, where are the possibilities for a defiant faggotry that
challenges the assimilationist norms of a world that wants us dead?

Masculine ideals have long reigned supreme in male sexual spaces, from
the locker room to the tea room, the bars to the back alleys to the
beaches. But is there something more brutal and dehumanizing about
the calculated hyperobjectification of the internet? How do we
confront the limits of transaction sexuality, where scorn becomes
"just a preference," lack of respect is assumed, and lying is a given?
How can we create something splendid and intimate from that universe
of shaking and moaning and nervous glances turned inward now groaning?

I'm especially interested in essays about community-building
experiments, public sexual cultures, faggots not socialized or
presenting as male, cruising, HIV, consumerism, transfaggotry,
polyamory, feminism, sexual safety and risk-taking, norms for faggots
outside of the US, and gender transgression (of course). I'm looking
for essays that expose hierarchies of gender, age, race, nationality,
class, body type, ability, sexuality and other identity categories
instead of imposing fascistic definitions based on beauty myth
consumer norms. That's right, honey -- I'm talking about interventions
that are dangerous and lovely, just like you.

The basics:

The official deadline has passed, but if you have something you think
is urgently needed in the book, please contact Mattilda.

Send submissions to:

Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore
537 Jones Street, #3152
San Francisco, CA 94102

Ordinary, Zine

people, places, gardens, happenings, stories, lost and found, shops, polaroids, history

a new online zine to be launched 2009 - a directory of the ordinary

looking for people with web or design skills, writers, ideas, secrets, lies, habits, conditions, questions, strange relatives, bizarre stories

or those tired of the celebrity, publicity, worship machine that devours us

and those who want to work on a celebration of triviality, of shared experience, of extraodrinary everyday stories and ideas
we would love to hear from you

drop caddie and nic an email at ordinarymagazine@gmail.com

In The Pink- Lesbian/Same-sex Attracted Women's Health Project

In The Pink is the launch of Australia’s first ever health strategy for lesbians and same-sex attracted women. Join us in celebration of this special occasion! There’ll be two launches – one in Sydney and one in Byron Bay.

Each event will include an exclusive screening of hot new film Itty Bitty Titty Committee to be followed by an after-party with drinks and canapés. The Sydney after-party will be held at The Bank Hotel. The Byron Bay after-party will be held at La La Land. Special guest speakers at both events include Prof. Kerryn Phelps and ACON CEO Stevie Clayton. The proceeds from both events go to ACON’s unfunded health work for lesbian and same-sex attracted women. Support your community, enjoy the film and catch up with friends!

Sydney-Where: Dendy Newtown 261-263 King St, Newtown
(after-party at 324 King St Newtown)
When: 6:30pm, Wed 8 Oct, 2008
Cost: $20 + b/f (inc. screening + complimentary cocktail and canapés)
Bookings: CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS or call Dendy Newtown: 8594 9010


Byron Bay-Where: Byron Cinemas, 108 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
(after-party at La La Land, 6 Lawson St, Byron Bay)
When: 4:00pm, Sat 11 Oct, 2008
Cost: $20 + b/f (inc. screening + complimentary champagne and canapés)
Bookings: Tickets available at the Box Office on the day, or by credit card pre-sale from Byron Cinemas - 6680 8555

More info HERE.