All posts tagged: lgbt

Review: Briefs Close Encounters

Published by thequeerav

The iconic boylesque boys from Briefs have graced Perth Fringe stages for a number of years, each time gaining popularity and selling out shows. It’s long been a known fact to avid Fringe goers that you’ll never find a last minute ticket to a Briefs show. This is because a Briefs show always makes for an entertaining and unforgettable night out to say the least. This year, not only have the Briefs boys returned, but they have a whole new show; Briefs: Close Encounters. The show is of course filled with a mix of comedy, drag, circus and burlesque that fans have grown to love and expect. Lead by comedy favourite Fez Faanana, the new show follows the boys through fun, fantasy and sci-fi, as they return from the future to communicate what is to come. In doing so they remind the audience to celebrate one another rather than tear each other down, creating a close encounter in the process. Following recent political events that saw arguments for and against marriage equality in the spotlight, bigotry …

Review: ‘I Am My Own Wife’

Published by thequeerav

A lone figure enters. She makes her way to a gramophone placed off centre stage, and talks about her fascination with it, and the other items that belong to her extensive museum of furniture and everyday objects. For the next 90 minutes, this is the only person to grace the stage, playing over 30 different characters throughout the entire performance. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play, ‘I Am My Own Wife’, by Doug Wright, made its WA premiere over the weekend at The Heath Ledger Theatre Studio Underground. Set in Germany amidst the Nazi and Communist regimes, the story follows the life German antiquarian, Charlotte von Mahsldorf, played by Brendan Hanson. Charlotte, who is plagued by memories of her late father, manages to live her life fearlessly and unapologetically as a trans person in a time and place where it was not safe to do so. As she talks about her life to an enthusiastic array of different characters, a fascinating, intricate and emotive story emerges. Sourcing items …

The Australian Marriage Equality Postal Survey: How You Can Get Involved in Changing History

Published by thequeerav

Let’s face it, the marriage equality postal survey sucks. We didn’t want it, much of the Australian public didn’t want it – but we’re stuck with it. Now that the High Court has dashed any hope of getting rid of the postal survey, it’s time to unite to make sure we win a YES for marriage equality. Unlike a regular election, it isn’t compulsory and we know from past statistics on postal surveys that young people aged 18-24 are the least likely to respond to them. It’s up to everyone who is voting yes to make sure we can encourage as many people as possible to vote in favour of marriage equality, even in the face of adversity and lies from much of the ‘no’ side. Here are some tips on how to win the marriage equality postal survey: One-to-One conversations Social media is incredibly important, but the truth is one-to-one conversations with as many people as possible will be key in determining who will win this survey. This means volunteering and making calls with …

The Importance of Self-Compassion Leading Up to the Australian Marriage Equality Postal Vote

Published by thequeerav

News around the upcoming postal vote on marriage equality in Australia has been very topical on TV, social media and in conversations with family and friends alike. The non-binding vote, which will be mailed out on September 12, will show the Australian government whether Australian people agree with LGBTIQ+ people having the right to marry in Australia. When the general population are given the opportunity to express their opinion/s about someone else’s basic human rights, it can change the direction of the conversation immensely. Currently, despite the very positive voices of love and support across Australia, negative and harmful opinions have been amplified. This can, and is, taking a toll on the mental health and well-being of many LGBTIQ+ people in Australia. Everyone will react to the marriage equality debate differently. For some, it might take a while for things to set in, and time to process that this might actually be happening. In these times, when people may be making a lot of homophobic, biphobic, transphobic or intersex exclusionary comments, it’s important to know …

Interview: Urzila Carlson Talks Perth Comedy Festival

Published by thequeerav

South African/NZ comedian Urzila Carlson is performing at Perth Comedy Festival with her show Unacceptable and she’s excited about it! We had the opportunity to talk to her about her style of comedy, sexuality, the financial stability of Perth coffee buyers and more. Perth people are obviously very excited to see you perform, with your shows selling fast and extra shows being added. Are you excited to be performing in Perth again? I am, I love Perth, it’s warm and dry and the coffee cost a fortune! There’s nothing that makes you feel like you’ve succeeded in life than when you walk into a coffee shop in Perth and just buy a coffee…not even worry about the price! Just buy it…. I like Perth and I’ve got friends there so I’m excited to come back. Can you give us a few hints about what to expect from your show Unacceptable? It’s literally just me, not willing to put up with Unacceptable shit anymore. I cover everything that I think is unacceptable and acceptable and things that …

TropOut 2017, Half-Naked Cooking & More: An Interview with MKR’s Jordan Bruno

Published by thequeerav

Jordan Bruno Never stops! Thank goodness though, because he continues to do some amazing and exciting work. Since his time as a semi finalist on My Kitchen Rules with mum Anna, he’s released an e-cook book to raise awareness for LGBTI mental health, started a YouTube Channel, become an outspoken advocate for marriage equality in Australia and more recently, an ambassador for New Caledonia’s TropOut 2017. We had a chance to chat to Bruno about all of this and more! A lot has happened since your time on MKR! How has your life changed since your time on air? It has been a very busy 12 months! My life is almost unrecognisable from where it was pre-My Kitchen Rules. I now get recognised wherever I go, and I’ve also been lucky enough to land ambassador roles with a range of high-profile organisations including my personal favourite, TropOut 2017. You released your own digital cookbook late last year to benefit youth mental health, in particular, LGBTI youth. Can you tell us a bit about that project …

Moonlight: Why Intersectional Representation Matters

Published by thequeerav

If you’re late to the party, Moonlight is a talented film directed by Barry Jenkins based on the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. It has received a lot of buzz since its release in late 2016, and even more so since it won Best Motion Picture at the 74th Golden Globe Awards recently, the first all black cast, queer film to do so. The soundtrack is orchestral, not something most would expect if they’re about to watch a film set in a ghetto of poverty, violence, and an inescapable drug culture. The film was shot in a unique way with a very shallow depth of field making it feel unnerving, vulnerable, and personal. This is because director Barry Jenkins is taking you on an extremely tender and genuine coming-of-age queer journey, portrayed through the main character Chiron. This film doesn’t cheapen itself by following a predictable narrative. The queer characters did not die in the film because they were queer. They were not used as a prop for the dangers of STIs or …

VIDEOS: Nick, Robin & Lex Share Their Stories for Trans Awareness Month

Published by thequeerav

Last month was Transgender Awareness Month. We decided to share the stories of three transgender Australian’s to spread awareness of trans issues and experiences. Nick’s Story Hear Nick talk about his experiences growing up, coming out as trans, and founding TransFolk of WA. Robin’s Story Robin talks about her experiences coming out, transitioning and working with the transgender community! Lex’s Story Lex talks about being trans, the confines of the gender binary and their amazing artwork.

Interview: Jack Colwell Talks About “No Mercy” & Raising Funds For QLife

Published by thequeerav

The rights of LGBTIQ+ people in Australia have been thrust into the spotlight over the past 12 months. From the debate on marriage equality and the plebiscite, to the vicious attacks on young people and their right to learn about diversity through Safe Schools, nowhere feels safe. However, dark periods like this tend to ignite a flame within LGBTIQ+ people to fighter harder for our rights than ever before. One of these people is Sydney musician Jack Colwell. He’s passionate about the rights and mental health of LGBTIQ+ people in Australia and has just released his single “No Mercy” to raise funds for Australia’s LGBTI telephone and web chat counselling and referral service QLife. Firstly, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your music? I grew up listening to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and a Peter Paul and Mary live-in-concert album, singing harmonies with my mother – which was very reminiscent of that painful scene from Nick Hornby’s ‘About a Boy’. Now I listen to Hole and perform most of my material on the piano, …

Finding Hope in the Aftermath of the Trump Election

Published by thequeerav

Since Trump was elected, I have not been in mourning, I have just been numb. I’ve cried, but even the terror and the sadness just doesn’t feel real. I just feel empty. Trigger Warning: sexual assault You can try to make this situation look better and claim that people supported Trump for various reasons that were not xenophobic, racist, homophobic, misogynist, but ultimately many people decided that he was the best candidate DESPITE these things which tells me that my existence as a queer womyn does not matter to them. It tells me that they disagree with my right to breathe and do not think that their actions and words cause me pain. And my mental defense is to just not feel. To be honest, I have not felt much since my sexual assault in September. It happened when I was black out drunk at a conference. I only vaguely remember vomiting in my hotel room, have no idea what happened before that except some memories from the hotel bar. I woke up naked the …