Editorial

by Victoria Devereux, Editor

Happy New Year to all OGT readers and may 2003 be a fabulous year for everyone. Since this is our first issue of the paper for the year and many people new to Dunedin arrive in our city around now to attend one of our tertiary institutions, we've included here lots of information about local services and groups, as well as some articles that discuss the experiences of a range of individuals.

Everyone's situation is different and people have different needs, but hopefully the majority of you can find a niche within the diversity that is our community here in Dunedin and the wider Otago area. And, if there are groups or services that you think the city is lacking, then why not get together a few like-minded people and start it up yourselves. A number of the groups that currently exist are relatively new and are only available now because one or more people took the initiative and dared to give it a go.

It's really great that there are people who are willing to put their time and energy into setting up new groups and organising events. However, it's equally important that we support them in their endeavours, otherwise the groups won't be successful and will not continue to exist. So, why not get involved? Whether you have a political, spiritual, social or sporting bent there's potentially something that you might enjoy being part of - or at least trying out once or twice!

By the time this issue is published one of our collective members who has been involved for nearly three years will have left the OGT and our fair shores to return home to the USA. A very big "thank you" to Tony for all that he contributed to the paper while he was involved with it and we wish him well in his new job. We'll soon be saying farewell to some other collective members as well and welcoming some new ones on board for the next issue. But, there's always room for more, so please let us know if you would like to be part of the OGT.

2003 promises to be an exciting year in Dunedin's queer community with the recent establishment of Pride Dunedin Youth and the progressing forward of services and safe environments for our young queers, PFLAG's new office space, the development of a Rainbow Families group and the changes that are being implemented at UniQ. And, for queer folk a bit further south, there's now a gay group in Invercargill that organises regular social events - yeah!

So, there's plenty to do and plenty that needs to be done. Have a great year - enjoy being part of your queer community and reading the OGT!

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Queer Quiz

1.  Leonard da Vinci was with his lover Giacomo Caprotti for approximately 30 years. What was Giocomo's occupation?

2.  What Australian swimmer recently declared that he's not gay but is flattered that people would think so?

3.  What three portfolios does cabinet minister Chris Carter have?

4.  Head of the FBI from 1924-1972, this man used political and sexual blackmail to harass his enemies while simultaneously concealing his own homosexuality. Who was he?

5.  Louisa Wall was one of the out lesbian Labour candidates in the 2002 elections. Which two sports has she represented NZ in?

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The OGT Is Looking For New Collective Members

The OGT is looking for more people to join its collective and be involved in the running of the paper. It’s painless (quite fun actually!) and involves as little or as much time as you can give. You don't need any specific skills or experience - just enthusiasm and an interest in helping to provide a resource for your community.

During the production of an issue we meet fairly regularly (that is, most weeks but not all) and the meetings generally last about one or one and a half hours.

Here are some of the things that OGT collective members do:

Two specific tasks that we need people to carry out at the moment are taking and writing up the minutes and managing the distribution of the paper (although everyone helps with actually distributing it).

If you would like to be involved or find out what it’s all about, then please let us know. We’d love to hear from you!!!

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The Word Out There

The Word Out There is a column in the OGT that's all about finding out what different people in our community think about certain issues. In each issue of the OGT we ask a range of queer/GLBT individuals a question and print their answers. If you would like to be involved in this, then just let us know.

Question:  What do you think  the queer community in Dunedin needs?

Heather, lesbian, 51 years old

As a parent but not a tertiary student or staff member I am unable to take part in most of the activities. There is no point of contact for what's going on from week to week. The only email contact for midweek social events is no longer in the OGT. Coming from up north I guess I thought that a town this size would have a dining out group (not just sitting in a pub). There is no sign of a movie/theatre group or coffee morning somewhere in town.

Ian, gay man, 37 years old

A leather bar and leather queens; a choice of regular venues in town; lots more straight friends (or friends of alternative sexual expressions); all the thirty and forty (and more) something suburban gay couples to get out there and be role models; some fresh new toys to play with other than alcohol and dance clubs; more compliments and kindness and less criticism and nastiness.

Megan, lesbian, 34 years old

What I think would be a useful addition to the community would be a well advertised lesbian line - somewhere to get info about social events, some support, useful reading suggestions, referrals to lesbian friendly services. It is important that funding is found to pay whoever is involved in such a venture. Such an important service should not be expected to run completely on volunteer goodwill. We'll see eh?

Andrew, gay man, 41 years old

The temptation is to answer this in terms of "more venues, more visibility...”, something like we imagine bigger cities have. Dunedin suffers from a certain "intransigence". It is a student city where young people who are "coming out" have particular social/educational needs and require a special "energy" to meet these. We also have the local, "older" population suffering from "been there and done that". Maybe we don't have the same energy and commitment to put into things. What Dunedin needs is a raft of people who can put something into our community without others letting them get burnt out in the process. We need some new blood, people who are willing and able to settle and stay, giving this place a real vibrancy and enthusiasm.

Patsy, gay boy, 17 years old

Well obviously a decent full-time bar where gays & lesbians can be in the centre of town, where everybody wants to go (that lasts longer than 6 months), with good interior décor and a naked barman who knows how to make decent cocktails. I think that the queer community in Dunedin needs … to get things happening again, sort their sh*t out, make people say “Wow, let’s go to Dunners ‘cos look at all that’s happening there!” MAKE IT HAPPEN rather than sitting around wishing it would!!

Leanne, queer woman, 27 years old

There is a need for Dunedin's queer community to find the right balance between support and social services and events. We need to work towards strengthening bonds between the different facets of the community. We must collectively strive for a singular representative entity that can facilitate the interaction of the many different queer groups with each other and with the wider community so that we do not duplicate our efforts.

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For The Love Of The Games

The Sydney Gay Games from a participant's perspective.

by Roger Le Blanc

It’s all fun and games until someone falls in love, then it becomes a sport I say! This is my experience of the Gay Games held in Sydney 2-9 November 2002; love of self and love of others. For the Gay Games, in my opinion, are not about sport. They foster a playing field where lesbian and gay athletes, many for the first time, are able to feel a sense of pride and freedom never before experienced in the heterosexist world of patriarchal sport organisations.

Although my first Gay Games experience occurred at the Amsterdam Games in 1998, I did rekindle and reconcile in Sydney the joy of being gay with that of being an athlete in an environment where the order of the day focuses on participation, personal best and inclusion. For many like myself, the Games foster moments of personal reflection and taking stock of our personal achievements outside the sporting arena. Just being and participating in the Games is, for many, a milestone in itself.

Walking into an Opening Ceremony’s stadium full of supportive fans and spectators cheering you on for who and what you are is an overwhelming personal experience of love of self. Every 13,000 of those marching in, knowingly or not, were expressing a culminating moment of overcoming fear, isolation and prejudice. In a metaphorical way, they made it to the finish line long before any of the races and competitions had even started. The Games are more about our personal journeys of getting there than actually being there. They are more about self-respect and integrity than physical attributes and individual abilities.

The Games are also about loving others by encouraging them to be the best they can be and respecting them just for being there. The common bond of being part of a minority group helped participants at the Games understand each other without even knowing each other. This was most apparent by the positive and supportive atmosphere generated in the streets, restaurants, bars and sporting venues around Sydney. Even cab drivers asked if we were having a good time! Maybe it was because we were the majority for once.

On a personal note, my achievements were far from sportive. Although we finished in a miraculous second place in ice hockey to a stacked Montreal team and last in touch rugby with Americans who just didn’t have a clue at touch, I’d have to say my best results came off the field. Firstly for sharing the experience with my straight ice hockey player buddies and showing them that gay guys can shoot, hit and score just as well as they can and secondly, and most importantly, for finding that one special person, my soul mate and the love of my life. A New Zealander … living in Sydney - go figure!

Needn’t stretch much of the imagination to state that I and other athletes left the Games with more than just medals; most of us returned home with much acquired personal power knowing that somewhere, somehow, someone has and will always cheer us on! … and, in addition, some of the lucky ones brought home their love of the Games.

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Out Takes 2003 - Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

by Victoria Devereux

(And thanks to Gavin Hamilton from Reel Queer for providing the details)

Out Takes gay & lesbian film festival will be coming to Dunedin once again in 2003. This will be the third year that a selection of films from the main festivals (which happen in Wellington and Auckland) has been brought down to the deep south for a weekend of queer cinema. This year Out Takes will take place at the Dundas St Academy Cinema.

Out Takes is organised nationally by a Wellington-based group called Reel Queer Inc and has been supported locally by Dyke Works. However, if anyone is interested in helping to promote the event here, then we'd love to hear from you. (Contact Victoria - [email protected]  or 453-1108.)

The next issue of the OGT (which will be published in mid-May) will contain more details about Out Takes and the films themselves, but here's some early information:

Towards the end of last year Reel Queer received $17,450 in funding from Creative New Zealand for the Out Takes film festival nationwide (4 main centres - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin) and this application included Dunedin within its scope for the first time. In both 2001 and 2002 Dyke Works and Reel Queer successfully applied to the Dunedin City Council for funding to run Out Takes in Dunedin.

This is a wonderful development for Dunedin and so a big "thank you" to Reel Queer for being willing to include us in their funding application and their planning and a "thank you" also to the local queer community for supporting Out Takes during the last couple of years. This film festival is one of the few opportunities we get to see queer movies on the big screen and so I would encourage all of you to note the dates in your diaries now and prepare yourselves for a mid-year weekend treat.

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A Lesbian's Perspective

by J E Libeau

Sometimes as I walk into a café or bar, something dawns upon me. Nothing new, nothing profound but an acknowledgement of how my life as a lesbian has its vicissitudes in a social way. I witness in every day life how we as sexual beasts play the mating game, or at least how heterosexuals do and these scenarios are more prevalent in a social setting like cafés and bars.

It is not easy for this single lesbian to enter a straight arena and approach a woman whom she is attracted to. In showing some interest, I risk the possibility of verbal abuse or worse, physical assault. This risky business of asking an attractive woman has had its pitfalls. Fortunately, the rejections were conveyed in a relatively polite and flattering manner, but this still doesn’t take the quest of a love lore lesbian's need to interact with women of like.

The challenges to find a mate, a date or simply a weekend interlude have been difficult and frustrating at times. The gathering of fellow women is rare. The occasional dance and club nights designated for the local gay community are all well and good, but this doesn’t make it easier for a gay girl to pop into a café as a heterosexual girl can and see what’s “on the menu”.

Of course, there are the personals on the web, which are not overly flooded with possible compatible companions. In fact, the submitted applicants are more often disappointing, to say the least. There are some who are not women at all, but men merely trying their chances with what they think are sex-starved dykes or suggesting lesbians need the touch of a man to fix their homosexual tendencies. Phewy! I say.

So the question is, how does a lesbian meet another lesbian? Simply walk down the street and "bump” into a woman, eyes meet and a flirtatious conversation arises? Hmmm! This is the unanswerable question I have when I do see an attractive woman walking down the street and make that eye contact with her - “ is she, or isn’t she? ah probably not!” If I do manage to have one of those moments when small talk does eventuate, is it prudent to ask for a coffee date? Alternatively, more prudent not to? Ho hum! These are some of the predicaments I face every day and ones I have to confront.

When I go into a café or bar I do find myself open to the challenges or chance that I may meet a woman of like. I occasionally approach a woman I find attractive and invite her to join me for a coffee or a dance, but more often than not I receive that deflating rejection. In saying that, I believe it is always worth the risk to ask her.

This comes to another question. When, where or how should I “come out” to my co-workers? In the many jobs I've had I have never had a heterosexual co-worker come out to me and say they are straight. Therefore, I wonder why I should, but I do feel compelled to share my self with those I work with. Moreover, if the speculation is that I am straight I don’t want to live a lie and for them to feel they have been misled by what may be perceived as dishonesty by me. Another predicament to overcome!

I have chosen to “come out” to those people I form a particular bond with, and feel that if their response is a negative one then the friendship was not based on anything reciprocal to begin with.

I feel I have become a little more thick skinned to negative attitudes regarding my sexuality. I am not defensive of who I am. I make no apologies for the “way” I was born or for my choices in partners.

My candid response to those who ask about my sexuality enables me to feel more empowered by the woman I am. I am grateful for my ability to answer so honestly which may stem from the fact that my true friends and family unconditionally accept me for who I am and not because I lead a different lifestyle from them. My basic self is the soul energy I came into this world with and will leave this world with. It would be a fine world if we could all revisit the child we once were and realise we are still the child we once were. I just choose a life that is more natural for me and wish that the public at large were more tolerant and accepted my choices as simply being my choices.

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A Dunedin Retrospective

by Tony Weisstein

Just under three years since my first OGT piece, "A Newcomer's Perspective to Dunedin", it's time for the corresponding bookend. I've already started saying goodbye to people whom I'm very unlikely ever to see again, which, let me tell you, is a very odd feeling. Saying goodbye to a place is in some ways even harder, especially to a city as scenic as Dunedin. Take a good look sometime at the harbour, the uncrowded beaches, the Botanic Gardens, and appreciate what you have here - not many places in the world enjoy such natural beauty. I miss Dunedin already, and (as of writing this) I haven't even left yet.

A lot has changed within the local GLBT community over the past three years. First Lesbian Line and then Gayline closed, leaving the Otago phonebook with no relevant listings under "Bisexual", "Dyke", "Gay", "Homosexual", "Lesbian", "Queer" or "Transgender", and only one - for the entire region! - for "Sex". (I wonder how many calls the Sexual Health Clinic fields from people looking for local queer resources.) Powder closed and Vivace opened, so luckily the city still has a regular GLBT venue. We lost some dedicated community representatives: Stan and Steve from Powder moved up to the North Island, while Alex is no longer organising local events. On the other hand, Pride Dunedin started up and managed, in a dauntingly short time, to organise a fine Pride Week 2002.

When it comes right down to it, GLBT Dunedinites (and New Zealanders in general) have things pretty good. Immigration rights, no job discrimination, no sodomy laws - these have been hard-won, but now that they're in place, it's natural enough to take them for granted. I've also found most Kiwis to be perfectly comfortable with homosexuality, to ask about my boyfriend exactly the way they'd ask a colleague about his fiancee.  And while AIDS is a growing problem, New Zealand has so far been spared the full brunt of the pandemic. So complacency shouldn't come as too much of a surprise … and it's an indulgence most openly queer Kiwis can probably afford.

Unfortunately, too many others still can't. Even in my limited social life, I've met men and women who feel alone, trapped, unable to acknowledge their sexual orientation. These people are hardly in a position to form new organisations from the ground up, leaving them largely reliant on assistance from the broader community. Groups like Pride Dunedin Youth and Icebreakers provide that support for younger people; those coming to terms with their sexuality later in life, however, don't currently seem to have many options. I sincerely hope that my next visit to Dunedin finds a new organisation up and running (or an old one expanded) to fill this void. It'd be a shame for part of our community to be a victim of our overall success.

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View From The Other Side

by Enne Eskay

Coming out. A phrase well known to queers. Perhaps even a phrase that's the scourge of all queers. For some it embodies bad memories; for others it embodies fears: of discovery, of rejection, of disapproval. Yet for others it just represents an uncomfortable feeling of something they have yet to do or are avoiding.

When you have an alternative sexuality, coming out is a big deal. It means just getting it over with and telling friends, family and colleagues that you are different, and now let's just get on with the business of life. It means telling the mainstream that you are "fringe", that you are different. It is basically a cry to be told that you're okay, that the difference isn't such a big deal.

But unfortunately it is. And this fact is manifested in the behaviour of queers. It is manifested in queer people skulking only in gay bars and gay areas, and in big cities where alternative sexuality is de rigueur. Or it can be seen in living a lie, where one spends a lot of energy trying to appear as "normal" as the next guy - or girl. Living a lie sure seems a lot easier than being different.

But this is just a time bomb. One can hide within the mainstream, safe from disapproval or rejection. It certainly is possible, and many do it. But the human spirit can bear only so much deception. It will ultimately explode. Many broken relationships, many tears and many doubts later. But it will explode.

So what to do then? As queers our biggest enemy is self-loathing. Many of us have yet to accept ourselves, have yet to "come out" to ourselves. It's one thing to use moral force to make friends and loved ones accept us. It's quite another to come to terms with our alternative sexuality ourselves.

And herein lies the key: if we love ourselves then all is open to us. That love can't help but permeate all attitudes, all mindsets, all people. In this the queer community holds a lot of power. It seems like a daunting task. And yet it's a simple task. We don't have to change anyone else. We only have to change ourselves.

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Living The Rural Lifestyl e

by Halcyon

To have had the opportunity of owning a property on the seaside overlooking the Pacific Ocean has been one of the most pleasant chapters of my gay lifetime. To escape the daily toils of stress, a large workload and the constant beating the footpaths in the city, Shag Point has given me and my partner a place of tranquillity and a wonderful space to live in. Over the years lifestyles from all over the globe have seized the opportunity to own a piece of land in this small paradise and spend most of their leisure time enjoying the sunshine hours, social interaction and opportunities for diving, fishing, walks along with the changing and variable tides that frequent our panoramic views of the Pacific.

While Shag Point has a reputation for fine fishing, seals and yellow eyed penguins, it also has a growing population of gay residents all of whom have been embraced by the local residents, some of whom are now retired after a life time of living there. The shear diversity of talent includes interior designers, antique collectors, a unique wood carver, business people, home stay hosts and a voluntary fisheries officer who keeps the naturally rich fishery stocks protected from abuse. The history of pre-historic discoveries at Shag Point can be seen on display at the Otago Museum and the early Maori settlements from the area are also well documented and form a part of our unique location and history.

Shag Point was best known for its local coal mine with a seam of coal extending out to sea and most of the dwellings that can be seen today were originally used as miners’ homes and accommodation. It even boasted two hotels, a school and a general store. For the sun lovers, gardeners and outdoor people there are ample sunshine hours and a rainfall which is minimal in relation to both Christchurch and Dunedin climates.

Two things I like about Shag Point are its residents and the name. We even have a crib called “The Shag Inn” and many of the gay residents refer to it as “Fag Point”, if you’ll pardon the pun.

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Farewell Armageddon: A Transgender Woman's Experiences Of The UK & NZ

by Stephanie

It would be perfectly natural, I guess, for a Kiwi to think that life for a Transsexual Woman would be far easier in the UK than here in NZ. From my perspective that couldn't be further from the truth. By comparison, I've had seven years of a living hell full-time as a woman in the UK, and two years of tranquillity in NZ.

I transitioned in 1994 in a North Yorkshire town and was immediately met by extreme hostility which I found difficult to cope with. Transsexualism is not an easy condition to work through. Acceptance from family, friends and society in general seems to be a tad more hard to swallow than being gay or lesbian. Perhaps this is because of what society deems acceptable for "their" male/female stereotyped standards? Perhaps this is because of the extreme surgery involved?... Who knows?

Too many judge the outside appearance of a TransPerson rather than the person inside. And the fact is that a lot of M to Fs tend to be on the large side while F to Ms tend to be quite petite. However, the desperate need for change by those needing cosmetic surgery is still as intense as that person who is already blessed with extremely feminine/masculine features. This, combined with an initial lack of hormones and/or hair removal/growth immediately draws attention to the individual concerned.

These aren't usually issues faced by gays and lesbians who can at least mingle with society in general, incognito if you like, without attracting that certain curiosity. And without that flashing light on their heads beaming out vibes such as "I AM TRANS"!

Wanting to change gender and actually doing it are two completely different scenarios and one couldn't really put themselves in many other public situations where personal change is so extreme. Not only the clothes have to change, but the mannerisms, voice and deportment as well. All major issues on top of the original one of gender dysphoria. Changing the inner self successfully so that things flow naturally are only achievable with time and the actual experience of living in the role. Just another major issue for the gender dysphoric person.

My 1st  UK job interview as a woman in 1995 was quite an ordeal. I was told that my application would have to be put to a vote with the workers there. I was informed the following day by management that 19 workers voted for me and 1 against. I took up the position, but then found some people had complained about me using the female toilet. Many issues arose in my time there and in the end I found it far easier to hand in my notice and continue to be self-employed as a dressmaker. I had no rights as a Transgender Woman in the UK workplace which was difficult to swallow. Basically, I was treated as a second class citizen. Strange as it seems, the only person to wish me well when I left the job was the one who voted against me in the original poll!

Personally, I feel that those who discriminate against transsexuals are themselves very insecure about their own sexuality. If that be the case this would then mean that Kiwis are a lot more secure about themselves and who they are than their English counterparts. I've personally found this to be very very true.

The mid 90s was a time in my life when I really needed support and understanding having transitioned at a time of major bereavements as well. Ostracised by my remaining family, I searched in vain for support. That basic need in me was met by death threats, arson attempts and constant daily abuse from townsfolk which was severe to say the least. I was at my wits end, in complete turmoil and very much in exile. It took a Kiwi psychologist 20 miles away in Leeds and a very dear Kiwi friend 12,000 miles away in Auckland to pull me through the ordeal. Those two people did more for me than all the English people put together with continuous daily phone calls of support which gave me the strength to strive forward.

I flew to Auckland in 1999 to spend 4 months with my friend there and was immediately greeted with warm friendship, acceptance and positiveness. I was overwhelmed by the trans-community spirit and blown away with the friendliness of everybody. The fact I was able to go about my daily life without discrimination was really strange. The fact that people stopped in the street to talk and hug and share friendship was mind blowing.

I travelled with my Kiwi friend all over Auckland, further north, right down to Rotorua, across to Opotoki and every which way and, despite the fact that I'm no oil painting, the whole experience was a breath of fresh air. Kiwis are positive, accepting and full of fun. Shopkeepers are bubbly, talkative and extremely courteous and polite compared to some UK counterparts who tend to be negative, depressing and sometimes blatantly rude.

New Zealand is far more liberal than the UK could ever be, from the adult content that is screened on the television to the issues chatted about on the radio. And especially the fact that gay, lesbian and transgender issues are acknowledged by "our" Helen! Good on yer Gal! But from the people I've spoken to I really wonder if Kiwis realise just how liberal this fine land of people really are? And all of this in contrast to the UK's trait of sweeping relevant issues under the carpet. And the little "sexuality boxes" that the English love so much which cause friction, disharmony and isolation among gays, lesbians and trans people in the UK. The fact is that Kiwis are far more united in all they do!

And so it was after 4 months in NZ that I flew back to "Armageddon" a new me! - an assertive person and a very happy person. It was a shock for people in the UK to see me so assertive and positive and for a while I was left alone by the "mob". And, for the first time, while in Auckland, I was able to tackle my personal sexuality issues which had taken a back seat for so many years. I found myself making contact with my present partner in Dunedin and we struck up an intense distant relationship on my return to the UK. This gave me immense strength and hope when the discrimination started up again after a short while back in England.

I left the UK on a cold, dark, depressing morning on the 12th February 2001 aboard a 747 and returned to my Shangri-La but this time to Dunedin. I was united with my kiwi partner on St Valentine's day and we have been together ever since. The fact I'd travelled non-stop for 48 hours, done six legs and four countries and looked like the proverbial "bag of shite" didn't deter the hospitality and courteousness of Air New Zealand! Such a blessing!

I have met so many people from the Queer Community down here and have attended two camps at Warrington which have been ab fab mind blowing. The sense of belonging is overwhelming and I've never experienced anything like it before. I can be myself, lead my life the way I want and smile a smile.

Living in a very very beautiful part of Blueskin Bay in a small accepting community has given me inner peace. The simple fact that I don't get abuse from the dustman, the shopkeepers, the children and the neighbourhood has given me strength and I have excelled in my sex change journey. I now have direction, motivation and a future. And all because Kiwis are being themselves in a very fine and beautiful land.

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Queer Pride Symbols

What Do They Mean & Where Do They Come From?

by Victoria Devereux

Over several issues of the OGT we've examined the history and meaning of queer pride symbols. This instalment brings us to the end of a fairly long list of flags, shapes and designs that we the queer community have claimed to represent us and use to show the world that we're proud of who we are with all of our diversity and history.

Here's a list of the symbols that we've already looked at: the pink and black triangles, the rainbow flag, the labrys, the lambda, the leather pride flag, the double gender symbols, the bisexual triangles and the bi pride flag. This time we're focusing on a transgender symbol of pride.

Transgender Pride Symbol

A widely recognised symbol of the transgender community and transgender pride is the one pictured here. This was originally designed as the logo for the International Foundation for Gender Education, an organisation concerned with the issues facing transgender people.

This symbol was inspired by the gender symbols - the male gender symbol being the pointed symbol for the planet Mars, while the female one the symbol for Venus with the cross. Within this symbol of transgender pride the male and the female symbols are joined by another new one which is a combination of the male and the female. In this way, the symbol includes everyone and the different genders are connected by the ring or the circle, a symbol of wholeness, thereby implying that a whole society includes not only male and female, but also transgender people The three gender symbols are generally a bright blue colour while the triangle they sit in is pink or lavender.

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Local Groups & Services

A Walk On The Queer Side

by Tor & Barb

We've had some wonderful weather for the queer walks recently - long may it last! - and those who have come along have enjoyed being out in the bush and stretching their legs a bit. These walks aren't overly strenuous and everyone is welcome to come, including kids and dogs. We've got a mixture of walks planned for the next three months, so hopefully there's something to suit most people.

If you have any questions or need a ride, then phone Barb and Tor on 453-1108. Also, if you know of any walks that are dog-friendly and that you think would be good for the queer walking group, then please let us know.

For all of the walks, meet at the duck pond at Woodhaugh Gardens (Duke Street) at 2:00pm.

Sunday February 23

After meeting at Woodhaugh Gardens we'll drive out to Outram Glen where the walk starts. This walk follows the Taieri River upstream from the Outram bridge and ends at Lee Stream, a lovely spot for the dogs to have a dip. Allow a couple of hours for this walk and it could be muddy if there's been some rain so make sure you wear appropriate footwear.

Sunday March 30

We haven't done a beach walk before and someone at a queer walk recently suggested it and we thought that it was a great idea. After a short walk to the sand from the car park we'll wander along the beach towards Blackhead for as long as people want!

Sunday April 27

This walk actually leads up to Mount Cargill but we won't go all the way because that would take several hours. The track goes through some lovely forest and bush.

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Are You Feeling Left Out?

Has coming out alienated you from your church family? If so you might feel at home at Glenaven.

Glenaven is a Methodist Church with an ecumenical congregation and a special ministry to the gay and lesbian community. Even if you don’t think of yourself as Christian you can belong and be valued.

Theologically, Glenaven is at the cutting edge and our Sunday sermons are followed by some pretty lively dialogue. Be prepared to be challenged.

Try us out on Sunday mornings. We have coffee and cookies from 10:40am and our service is from 11am to 12pm. You’ll find Glenaven in Chambers Street, just two blocks along North Road from the Garden’s supermarket.

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$1000 For Pride Dunedin Youth

Pride Dunedin Youth (PDY) has gotten off to a promising start with close to $1000 in the bank to go towards realising its vision for a Dunedin “where all young people whatever their sexual orientation are both valued and supported".

The Schwarzkopf Professional Summer Fashion Stage Show 2002, which took place on November 28, raised $500 for Pride Dunedin Youth. Many of the members of the PDY working party assisted with the show - namely Andrew, Pamela, Clare, Nathan and Konrad Kahuroa as director. PDY was thrilled with the show not just because of the money it raised but also the profile it generated for Pride Dunedin Youth and the other recipient, Youthline Otago. "Having both a gay youth organisation and a mainstream youth organisation benefiting from the show meant that it became the product of the gay & straight communities working together to create something fantastic, a true celebration of youth and a model for a community that is truly accepting of all forms of diversity,” said Konrad.

Public Health South offered another $500 before Christmas to cover start-up costs. This money will mostly be used to pay for the promotion of Same Difference - a social network which is tentatively underway - and the rental of office and meeting space for $10 per week at the Dunedin Methodist Mission in Moray Place, a deal that will see PDY sharing space with PFLAG South.

From the October 16 meeting that took place in the Municipal Chambers (and which was attended by a cross section of about 20 people from welfare organisations and the queer community), a mandate was accepted for a working party to begin planning a structure and framework for PDY to support young people who think they may be same-sex-attracted. Built into the mandate was the necessity for any new organisation to be professional, accessible, inclusive and sustainable, with realistic goals.

Since then a working party of not more than 10 people (including new UniQ Co-ordinator Nathan Brown (Co-Chair), Pamela Dwyer (Co-Chair), Clare Fairbrother (Youthline Otago), Konrad, Corry, Andrew and Emmie) has met almost every week to begin to build concepts for programmes and a framework in which they can operate properly. Co-Chair Pamela said "The support of key advisers who have attended almost all the meetings has been wonderful and so so valuable." These have been Jan Hudson (Internal Affairs), Sue Willoughby (DCC Community Youth Adviser) and Euan Thomson (PFLAG South).

The next priority for PDY is to report back progress to the community and for the October 16 group to seek further input and direction to take PDY to the next step.

A Special Invitation From Pride Dunedin Youth

PDY invites all those who are interested or who have relevant experience to attend a presentation on March 16 by the PDY Working Party outlining the proposed strategic plan for our new community organisation to support young Dunedin people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or confused about their sexuality. See the back page of the OGT for details.

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Gay Group In Invercargill!

In April 2002, a group of Invercargill men concerned by the lack of gay resources in the area established Rainbow Connection, a social group for GLBT/queer people of all ages. The first meeting attracted wide interest, and the group has hosted events about once a month ever since, culminating in popular Halloween and Christmas parties. Events are casual, with emphasis on meeting others and just having fun: the only real rule is to respect others (including honouring their privacy).

To learn more about the group or upcoming events, visit their website at http://rainbowconnection.orcon.net.nz , e-mail them at [email protected]  or call (03) 216-4709.

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Rainbow Families

A Rainbow Families Group is being formed in Dunedin so those who have, want or are trying to have children can get together for support and social activities. The group will meet on the first Saturday of each month. Below are listed the events that have been planned for March, April and May. (In February the group met for a picnic at Bethunes Gully.)

For more information about the Rainbow Families Group, contact Jacinda on 471-9495 or Barb on [email protected] or 453-1108.

Saturday March 1

Saturday April 5

Saturday May 3

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Dunedin Rainbow Labour Branch

by Victoria Devereux

Last year a Rainbow Labour Branch was formed in Dunedin. There are 5 other Rainbow Labour Branches throughout New Zealand - two in Auckland, one in Hamilton, one in Wellington and one in Christchurch. These are branches of the Labour Party with a specific focus on queer issues.

Although New Zealand enjoys relatively advanced human rights legislation, many rights and protections accorded to some people under the law are still denied to others only because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

So, what do Rainbow Labour Branches do? Well, they exist for a wide variety of reasons including the following:

The issues that the Dunedin Rainbow Labour Branch is focusing on at the moment are adoption and civil union, but the group will deal with whatever issues the members choose to put time and energy into.

If you would like to get involved with the Dunedin Rainbow Labour Branch or you would like some more information about it, then come along to a meeting or contact Victoria on [email protected]  or 453-1108. Meetings are held on the last Saturday of the month at 2:30pm at Kirkland Chambers, 83 Moray Place (2nd Floor). Anyone is welcome to attend a meeting and/or join the Dunedin Rainbow Labour Branch.

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Quiz Night Fundraiser

The Dunedin Rainbow Labour Branch is going to be holding a quiz night as a fundraising event on Wednesday April 30. This will take place at the Shiel Hill Tavern (140 Highcliff Road, Andersons Bay). Every Wednesday the pub runs a quiz night and each week a different community group is responsible for getting people to attend in order to raise funds for their activities. So, we need lots of queer people and their supporters to come out, form teams and take part in some fun entertainment while raising money to help the Dunedin Rainbow Labour Branch. If you'd like to be involved, then just let us know!

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Purple Passions

The Purple Passions women's soccer team will be playing again this year. Here are some early details:

For more information, to get involved or to go onto the mailing list contact Shar on [email protected]  or 454-4229.

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W.A.Q.D.

W.A.Q.D., founded in 2002, is a Dunedin-based community group for queer women (lesbian, bisexual, questioning) and their friends. Basically our aim is to provide a safe space for queer women in the community to hang out, have fun and meet new people.

Weekly social lunches will be run in the Women’s Room on Campus (times to be arranged for an early March start). We hope to arrange more fun activities such as ice skating, picnics, movies, beach trips, café hopping and whatever else you want! We are particularly keen to provide events where children (and dogs!) can come along and have fun too.

We hope to have associated events with UniQ throughout the year and hopefully provide them with volunteers to make campus and the community an active fun place.

If you’re interested, contact us at [email protected]  or leave a message addressed to W.A.Q.D. at OUSA (PO Box 1436, Cumberland St, Dunedin, Ph 479-5332, Fax 479-5346). We look forward to seeing you!

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Check Out The Public Library

by Fiona Stuart, Customer Education Librarian, Dunedin Public Libraries

The Dunedin Public Libraries network consists of the city central library in Moray Place, 4 community libraries at Mosgiel, Port Chalmers, Blueskin Bay and Waikouaiti and 2 bookbuses visiting a total of 51 stops in the greater Dunedin area.

It's free for residents to join - if you own a house, rent, board, live in a hostel - basically, if you live in Dunedin for 3 months or more, it costs nothing to join the library. All you need to get your library card is proof of your Dunedin address (recent account, bank statement, student fees slip, etc.) and some personal ID such as a driver's licence, passport, student ID etc.

There's a wide range of queer literature available in the library, but because of space limitations some items are in the basement and you'll need to ask someone at the Information Desk to get them for you. This is most likely with adult and young adult fiction, although it does include some older non-fiction. The McNab New Zealand Room on the 3rd floor has New Zealand specific material including some magazine titles. The McNab Room is reference only, but there are often borrowing copies available from the first floor.

If you think we should have a particular title in the library, you can make a suggestion for the library to purchase it. We can't guarantee that the library will buy everything that has been suggested, but please let us know if you think we should have specific titles. Suggestion forms are available at all libraries and bookbuses or online (http://www.dunedinlibraries.com/home/?page=email).

There is a library booklist of selected gay and lesbian literature available in the library - The Word Is Out. A Gay/Lesbian Booklist at http://www.dunedinlibraries.com/home/?MIvalObj=gaybooklist.pdf

It covers gay and lesbian history, biography and memoirs, living the life, homosexuality and religion, books for parents and others, travel, science investigates homosexuality, gay fiction, gay short story collections, lesbian fiction and lesbian short story collections. This is a good place to start, and if the title you want is out, you can reserve it by placing a hold. This ensures you go into the priority queue, and it only costs 50c.

Have a look at Gay And Lesbian Characters And Themes In New Zealand Novels From 1947-1998: An Annotated Bibliography. The library may not have all of these titles, but it's a good starting point. Check the University Library too - they have a selection of gay and lesbian literature, so between us we can provide you with a good selection of reading material.

Dunedin Public Libraries, the University of Otago Library and the Bill Robertson Library (Polytech & Teachers College) all have the same library catalogue system, so if you learn to use one, you'll be able to use all of them! The internet addresses are:

Dunedin Public Libraries: www.cityofdunedin.com/library/catalogue/webclient.html

The University of Otago Library: www.webpac.otago.ac.nz /

The Bill Robertson Library: www.library.dce.ac.nz/webclient.html

A useful hint when you are using the library catalogue - use a keyword search if you don't know an exact title - either title keyword or subject keyword. If you need help, please ask or book in for a free library catalogue tutorial!

We also have loads of fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, full-text databases, free access to online newspapers, magazines, CDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs and videos. We run regular library tours, database classes and internet and hotmail classes which are all free!

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PFLAG Office

PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) now has an office. Here are the details:

1st floor, 326 Moray Place, Dunedin (within the offices of the Dunedin Methodist Mission)

Office telephone: 477-2000

Help line: 025-686-9304

Email: [email protected]

Postal address: PO Box 5266, Dunedin

Hours: 10am to 2pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday

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Round The Bend

91FM Sunday Nights at 8pm (note the new time slot!)

A one hour + special blend magazine type rad1 stylez show that looks at the week gone by and the week ahead in big ol' queer Dunedin.

Changes this year will see the show presented in association with UniQ and while the DUNCSTER will still be the main stay DJ, expect a new range of supporting presenters including the sexiest dyke to get on the mike in a long time, Em Ellis!

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A Long Road Ahead For UniQ Otago In 2003

An independent UniQ Otago review commissioned at the end of last year and carried out by 2002 MUSA President and UniQ veteran, Huia Welton, is now complete.

“OUSA is delighted with the outcome of the review, especially the degree of autonomy it seeks to give queer students on campus. With the appointment of a dynamic Queer Student Support Co-ordinator, Nathan Brown, we now have an amazing opportunity to set up a lasting structure that will best meet the needs of queer students. In doing so, the most important thing is to actively involve the queer community and ensure that queer students are happy with the direction we’re heading in,” said 2003 OUSA President Nick Lanham about the review which may be viewed by contacting the UniQ office.

New Co-ordinator Nathan says, “The focus of discussions throughout the year will not be limited to just UniQ but will also seek a broader understanding of how queer students and student groups would like to be supported, using the review as a starting point. Then we can collectively choose the best direction for UniQ that reflects that preference. This is partly the reason for suggesting my title change from UniQ Co-ordinator to Queer Student Support Co-ordinator, to help broaden the objective of discussions by queer students.”

One of the main recommendations Ms Welton makes in her report is “that the structure of UniQ changes to incorporate improved governance". In the review, Ms. Welton suggests that such changes come in the formation of a functioning elected UniQ Otago Executive, providing a formal avenue for representation of LGBTTF/queer students, which would largely determine the way that UniQ funds are spent in consultation with OUSA.

Other less significant parts of the report have already been accepted, the role of the UniQ Assistant has been scrapped and the UniQ Co-ordinator’s role increased to 20 hours per week. Some of the submissions received in the review called for two staff members of different genders to ensure both men and women were catered for. However, Ms Welton concluded that "the focus should be not on the gender of the individual doing the job but rather their ability to fulfil the job description".

Previous Co-ordinator Alex Nichols, who resigned mid-way through last year, is only too aware of the conflicts that developed between himself and specific queer students that saw the UniQ membership become polarised and which largely undermined the positive work that UniQ was established to do. "I hope that UniQ can move forward from here afresh and set out to achieve its original purpose, to support all queer students on campus," Alex said. Alex's advice for Nathan is to have an idea of his boundaries and to develop good time management skills.

See the “What’s On” section for confirmed UniQ events which are open to students and the entire Dunedin LGBTTF population.

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Out There!

A Joint Queer Youth Development Project

by Amy Donovan

FAGGOT, DYKE, LESSIE, POOFTER and GAY are words that we have all heard echoed in homes, classrooms and on the sports fields around New Zealand. These names are used as weapons to inflict pain and put down youth who do not conform to the stereotypical gender constructs that go with being male or female. Within the current New Zealand social climate, stigma still exists around queer identities. This may result in queer young people being discriminated against, and feeling isolated and unsupported.  Understandably this can have a major impact on the wellbeing of queer young people.

Finally there’s a national initiative that has a big picture focus on changing the environment to increase the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity! Out There is a new project created by the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and Rainbow Youth (an organisation run by young people providing support, contact and education for queer youth currently based in Auckland) that aims to improve the wellbeing of queer youth within Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Amy Donovan, the Health Promoter for Out There, is based in Wellington at the NZAF Awhina Centre. Underpinning the project are community psychology values, which include social justice, health promotion, community development, networking, collaboration and prevention. It is a really exciting initiative and we have three years to show that this project is beneficial for queer youth. The ways in which Out There will achieve this are outlined below.

Developing personal skills

Contributing to the creation of supportive environments for queer young people

Contributing to the reorientation of health and welfare services

Developing community action

Inter-programme work

Being a new project there is a significant amount of scope. David Morris, a colleague based in Auckland, and myself have enjoyed meeting with relevant people around the country to help determine ways in which we can achieve the objectives. Right from the conceptualisation of the project, consultation was seen as a key factor in establishing the project and ensuring its success. We have had meetings with a diverse range of people all of whom have given us positive feedback on the project as well as some great ideas.

We would love to hear from those of you who are involved in the youth and/or health sector who have an interest in this project. You can email Amy at [email protected]  or phone her on 04-381-6640.

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I Do ...

Recently Belgium became the second country in the world to legalise same-sex mariage, the first being the Netherlands. Like other European nations, Belgium had already granted limited legal protections to same-sex unions, including tax and property rights. The new law's expansion of those rights was celebrated as a "breakthrough" by many.

However, the new law in Belgium is unlike its counterpart in the Netherlands in that it does not allow same-sex married couples to adopt children.

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In town I hid around a corner to avoid my close friend … Why?

by Sue Thompson

This story is from the experience of a PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) parent.

At the time I was firmly resident in the closet! I knew that my friend was wondering why I had been cool and distant with him  for some months. But I was afraid to tell him what was really going on for me, about my son being gay. I knew I would not be able to cope with what he might say, from his conservative church and rural background. So I just ducked around a corner to avoid him, odd behaviour for a grownup!

Several months later, I felt I had to explain what had been wrong with me. On this day, scared to death, stomach churning, I managed to get the words out. It was as I had dreaded. His reaction was: “Homosexuality is a mental disease isn’t it?”! (Luckily by then I was feeling stronger and was able to discuss it with him rather than just walk away.)

About the same time, another friend, an academic, assured me that homosexuals were paedophiles, and that they hid in public toilets! Someone else I know had a happier experience when her Irish friend called her “an eejit’" for not sharing her worries and said ”What was wrong with her daughter being gay anyway?”

When even good relationships cannot be taken for granted, no wonder parents go into the closet! All parents could no doubt tell their own stories. These would almost all have something in common: A conflict between their love for their child on the one hand, and on the other whatever ideas they have been taught about homosexuality and the ideas of the people around them. This conflict reaches into every area of life: friendships and family, workplace, church and even between spouses. It is a time when everything has to be reassessed.

Although parents need information and to talk with someone they can trust, they are often too afraid and don’t know where to look. At every PFLAG meeting we set aside time when people can share the things that happen. Sometimes it’s like in the story above - fear, relationship worries, or dealing with awful things that people say. Other times people might report a real happiness or triumph when they have challenged someone. We understand and learn from each other. We laugh too. It is great to be amongst friends you can trust. People become stronger, and frightened people sometimes become stroppy about homophobia!

(The end of the story above. The parent reports that the first two people, since meeting the young man, have decided that he is a wonderful person and has nothing in common with what they thought gay people were like!)

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Men Who Have Sex With Men

It's time to get real about HIV. With new HIV infection occurring among gay and bisexual men in Dunedin and elsewhere in the South Island, including among young men, it's time to put away complacency about HIV/AIDS.

There is no cure. An effective vaccine is unlikely, at least not in the near to mid-term future. Medication is hard to take, has many side effects and doesn't work for everyone. Men of all ages and from all areas are being infected - it is a myth that HIV is only in big cities or only among older men.

Prevention is still the best option!

The New Zealand AIDS Foundation's Gay Men's Health Programme is hosting a meeting for men-who-have-sex-with-men in the Evison Lounge, Clubs and Socs Building, University of Otago on Tuesday 25 February 2003 from 7.30pm. Come and get the latest facts on HIV and other issues to do with gay/bi men's health and sexuality. Open to all men, not just university students.

Supper will be provided.

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Gay, bi, takataapui or straight?

Living in Southland or Central Otago …

Whatever the label, if you’re a man who feels attracted to, or sometimes has sex with, other men and you want confidential, non-judgemental information about your sexuality, HIV/AIDS and other issues, then you’re invited to attend a men-only meeting hosted by the New Zealand AIDS Foundation’s Gay Men’s Health promoter.

Queenstown - Monday February 17 at 7:30pm at the Cigar Bar, Steamers Wharf

Invercargill - Wednesday February 19 at 7:30pm at Tillerman's Cafe and Bar

(Note: Both spaces have been booked exclusively for these meetings.)

For more information contact Steve Attwood, NZAF Gay Men's Health Promoter (South Island) on 03-379-1953, 027-496-5427 or [email protected]

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The Ettie Rout Centre

The Ettie Rout Centre in Christchurch provides the following services:

Appointments are recommended and are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, and Tuesday evenings between 5pm and 8pm.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Ettie Rout Centre

269 Hereford Street, PO Box 13-618, Christchurch

(NOTE: The Ettie Rout Centre has recently moved to this new location.)

Phone: 03-379-1953, Fax: 03-365-2477

E-mail: [email protected]

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Book Reviews

Poppy's Progress by Pat Rosier (2002)

Reviewed by Victoria Devereux

Poppy's Progress tells the story of 47 year old lesbian Poppy Sinclair who lives in Auckland and works as a primary school teacher, a job that gives her a great amount of satisfaction. Despite connections with family and friends, Poppy often feels very alone with just Mrs Mudgely, her cat, for company on a day-to-day basis.

The book starts in the present but moves backwards and forwards in time taking the reader into Poppy's past where we learn about her family, her introduction to feminist politics in the 1970s and her relationships. An unexpected visitor, Jane, arrives from England to stay with her and the woman reminds Poppy of her partner of 13 years, Kate, who was killed in a sailing accident. This provides the opportunity for us to learn more about Kate and their relationship - Poppy describes Kate as "the love of my life" - and we also become aware that nearly ten years after her death there is certainly still a big hole in Poppy's life as Poppy continues to miss Kate.

Poppy becomes somewhat distracted by Jane as the two get on well together and Jane easily fits in. Indeed, it is their compatibility that makes them decide to travel around New Zealand together before Jane has to head back home. It is during this trip that their feelings for one another grow but are also challenged by circumstances and personal values.

What's engaging about this novel is that we are exposed to all of the facets of Poppy's life and not just certain elements. Consequently, the book moves not only in time but also from topic to topic as Poppy's interactions with her environment and the people in it take her thoughts from one thing to another. So, within a couple of pages the reader can be taken from Poppy communicating with Mrs Mudgely about how much she misses Kate to checking her e-mails to her brother's family and some of the issues they're facing.

Poppy's Progress is Pat Rosier's first novel, although she is already known in New Zealand as a former editor of Broadsheet (a NZ feminist magazine), a contributor to two poetry collections, co-author of Get Used To it! Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents (1999) and author of Workwise: A Guide To Managing Workplace Relationships (2001), a management book for people who work in the not-for-profit, voluntary or service organisations and collectives.

The Family Heart: A Memoir Of When Our Son Came Out by Robb Forman Dew (1994)

Reviewed by Euan Thomson

It was our first reading of this book which inspired Malcolm and I to explore the possibility of starting of a chapter of PFLAG here in Dunedin. I remember being quite emotional as I followed this story of a family’s response to the revelation that one of their sons was gay. I wondered how I would feel reading it again some 5 or 6 years later. I discovered I was still moved and inspired.

This is not an unusual story. It’s set in a small town in New England, USA where History Professor, Charles Dew, and his novelist wife, Robb Forman Dew, live and work. Their family, two boys Stephen and Jack, are away at university and boarding school. Stephen, the elder son, just 19, comes home on vacation and divulges that he is gay. Both his parents immediately reassure him of their unconditional love which never falters throughout the remaining pages.

What this book documents are the issues which then arise within this family and their community. How do we talk about this together? When do we tell the second son? How do we respond to homophobia within the extended family and wider community? How do we deal with the knowledge that our golden-haired boy has suddenly fallen from grace in the eyes of many in our society? Who can we trust to tell?

What makes this book so readable is that author Robb Forman Dew has fleshed out the pages with anecdotes revealing the personalities of the individuals who inhabit this story. Scenes are set with considerable detail. Earlier interactions with friends and family are related in preparation for post “coming out” encounters. We even learn about extraordinary weather phenomena which are used to describe the emotional upheavals which Forman Dew experiences.

An issue they had to face which I hadn’t previously considered was that in focusing on the needs of their gay son the parents left their other son feeling that his needs were secondary to the main issue facing the family. Until this situation was addressed relationships were strained and family ties threatened. It is a salutary reminder of our need for balance to all of us who campaign for changes in society’s attitude towards GLBT people.

This is no text book. In fact many of its insights come from clumsy encounters and failure. Good intentions come to grief. Despite this it is a triumphant story. The Dew family remains loving and united. Robb and Charles are inspired to start a PFLAG chapter in their community and work in particular to change the attitudes of school administrators.

(This book is available at the Dunedin Public Library - reference 306 7662 FOR)

The Skeleton Woman by Renee (2002)

Reviewed by Barb

The Skeleton Woman is Renee’s fifth novel and much longer in length than any of her previous works.

Rose Anthony is a soon to be fifty year old lesbian woman whose life is complicated by her fiery relationship with her partner, her inconsiderate neighbours and the recent death of her mother. As the title implies the novel also explores the mythology of the skeleton woman (the keeper of secrets who never lets on when your secret will fly), as well as some secrets in Rose’s past.

However, Rose’s life becomes extremely more complex when a baby is left on her doorstep. The baby has a clearly labeled tag “for Rose Anthony” so there is no doubt the infant is meant for her.

Tracing the baby’s family, coping with her own problems and possibilities, Rose discovers the secrets of her past, the intimacy of her relationships and her inner strength.

Set in 2001 with a stunning opening abstractly describing the events of September 11, this well plotted novel keeps the reader entertained until its end.

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Poetry

One Moment In Time

by J E Libeau

Recognising transformation

Subtle truths revealed

Acceptance of self

Self being healed

Days spent in thought

Voiced within a word

The theatre of life whispered

The listener wants to be heard

The space between time

Amidst the inward and outward breath

Life too short to let it linger

As it meanders toward death

The time to say I AM

Is the juncture to let it be

One moment in time just look

You won't steal the real me.

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Mediterranean Fish

200 grams white fish (blue cod, sole)

5 stuffed green olives

1 dsp capers

1/2 firm tomato (cut into strips)

1 tsp capsicum pesto

1/2 orange (cut into segments)

1/4 red onion

salt and pepper

flour

olive oil

Heat pan until fairly hot.

Season fish with a little salt and pepper.

Lightly flour the fish.

Pan fry fish in a little olive oil, cooking lightly on both sides.

Remove fish from the pan, place on a baking tray and put in the oven (160-180 degrees C) for a few minutes to keep warm.

Pour the remainder of the olive oil into the pan in which the fish has been cooked and add the rest of the ingredients.

Saute the ingredients lightly until the red onions are tender.

Take fish from oven and place on a warm plate.

Spoon the sauteed ingredients over the fish and garnish with fresh herbs.

Wonderful with a Greek salad.

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Film Review

Frida

Reviewed by Victoria Devereux

Ever since I took a women in the arts course in the States some years ago I have been intrigued, fascinated and almost haunted by the paintings of Frida Kahlo (and I've been lucky enough to have seen some originals in Washington D.C.).

Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) was a Mexican painter and one of the things that distinguishes her work is the many self-portraits she painted which was quite unusual for a female artist. Kahlo's paintings are vibrant, bold and full of emotion reflecting their creator's own spirit and personality.

Frida (which is based on the biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera) is an amazing film for a number of reasons. One of things that struck me immediately was the uncanny likeness between the actress who played Kahlo (Salma Hayek) and Kahlo herself. In a superb performance Hayek presents Kahlo as a passionate, radical, strong, determined, creative, political, proud woman living life to the absolute full despite (or perhaps because of) the tragedy and immense pain that she experienced throughout her relatively short life.

Kahlo was married to and obviously deeply loved Diego Rivera (even though their relationship was an extremely tumultuous one), but the film also portrays her sleeping with women and, interestingly, her interactions with the women are conveyed much more sensually and provocatively on the screen than the heterosexual sex scenes. (Although that might not be an objective observation!)

Another aspect of the film that added interest and enjoyment was the very interesting way in which the film was constructed and the integration of Kahlo's paintings into the movie itself - paintings would gradually come to life and vice versa thereby ensuring that the artist's works remained central throughout the film. Frida is a very visual, sumptuous film, full of colour and life, flamboyant and passionate - just like one of Kahlo's own paintings. And it has a real South American/Mexican flavour which is important because of Kahlo's intense pride in her country and its culture.

While the story itself is a sad one (a brilliant artist who experiences a terrible accident at the age of 18 that nearly leaves her unable to walk and causes her pain throughout her whole life and who dies at the age of 48), it's the power, beauty and richness of the woman and the paintings she left behind for the world to experience and enjoy that is the overwhelming feeling I was left with at the end of the movie.

Having Kahlo's life and works brought to life so magnificently was a real treat. If you didn't get a chance to see this one at the movies, then I'd recommend looking out for it at the video store.

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Video Reviews

by Andrew Metcalfe

In this issue of the OGT Andrew continues his video review column. All of the following videos are available from Picture Search Video, 709 Great King Street, North Dunedin (next to McDonald's). They all have a GLBT theme somewhere in them – or prominent queer actors in leading roles!

Boys Life  (1990)

Starring: Anne Zupa and Dennis Christopher

Three short films from three directors, each carving out their own individual tale of coming out and growing up. Walking the gangplank toward adulthood, the heroes of these fresh, often poignant shorts, stumble unsteadily out of the closet. Their first dive into love and sex recalls those all too familiar first date traumas. Three parts After School Special, two parts Playgirl, one part Melrose Place. Bathrooms, gyms, discos and much, much more.

The Wedding Banquet  (1993)

Starring: Mitchell Lichtenstein and Jeanne Kuo Chang

This 1993 international hit by Ang Lee is a funny and poignant story of a gay Taiwanese-American man who goes to some lengths to fool his visiting family that he’s actually straight. The results are far more complicated and entertaining than anyone could have guessed. The film seems all the more rich now since Lee has become a major Hollywood director. That same sensitivity and mild bemusement he brought to such stories of manners as Sense and Sensibility and The Ice Storm in recent years are in full bloom in this earlier work. A definite “must see” for the clash of two different cultures and sets of expectations.

My Own Private Idaho  (1990)

Starring: Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix

My Own Private Idaho is one of those films that touches your emotions and creates a real connection with the audience and characters, regardless of the subject.

On the outside it seems an incredibly strange premise for a film: a necrophiliac male prostitute searches for his real family and along the way falls for his wild-child male best friend, whose ultimate aim in life is purely to defy his father until his twenty-first birthday before becoming a prodigal son. Mixed up in this is an assorted collection of people that make up the underbelly of the American crime world.

The filming is exquisite, spanning a wide range of effects, including a particularly successful take on theatrical “freeze-framing”. Many of the scenes are highly memorable, especially the sublimely surreal funeral and the camp fire conversation.

The cast is amazing. River Phoenix plays the lead with Keanu Reeves as his love interest in probably the only film he has ever actually “acted” in. Also of note is the casting of Flea, from “Red Hot Chilli Pepper” fame, as a psychotic (what else) gun-wielding, pixie-dancing hard man in his debut film role.

I can vividly remember watching this movie years ago at an International Film Festival where someone in the row behind began to snore rather noisily part way through! It is not a mainstream movie and does take a bit of getting used to, but is worth the effort.

Fried Green Tomatoes  (1991)

Starring: Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary-Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson

Kathy Bates stars as an unhappy wife trying to get her husband's attention in this amusing and moving 1991 screen adaptation of Fannie Flagg's novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. After befriending a lonely old woman (Jessica Tandy), Bates hears the story of a lifelong friendship between two other women (Mary-Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson, seen in flashback) who once ran a cafe in town against many personal odds.

The tale inspires Bates to take further command over her life, and there director Jon Avnet, in his first feature, has fun with the film. Bates develops a real attitude toward her thickheaded spouse at home and some uppity girls in a parking lot, but dignity is generally the key to Avnet's approach with the story's crucial relationships. Tandy is a joy and clearly loves the element of mystery attached to her character, and Masterson and Parker are excellent in the historical sequences.

The main disappointment of this movie is the way that it seems unable to handle the lesbian love between two of the key characters, but it is a good yarn nevertheless.

Beautiful Thing  (1995)

Starring: Meera Syal and Linda Henry

A grim, gritty South London housing estate makes an unlikely setting for a romantic fairytale, but Hetti MacDonald's gay teenage love story all but brings it off. Adapted by screenwriter Jonathan Harvey from his own stage play, Beautiful Thing tells how teenage loner Jamie falls for next-door neighbour Steve, one of the tough kids who bullies him at school. Amazingly, he finds his feelings reciprocated, and the two progress to a tender, tentative affair.

Sidestepping conventional notions of working-class homophobia, the film succeeds in presenting its central relationship not as anything startlingly different, but simply as a teenage romance - with all the joy and heartbreak it implies - that happens to be between two 15 year-old guys.

Problems of brutality and deprivation are acknowledged but never allowed to dominate, and under the influence of love even the harsh walkways and terraces of the estate take on a sunlit glow. Certainly one of the best “teen gay” movies around and one that has aged well!

Rock Hudson’s Home Movies  (1992)

An acclaimed, revealing and outrageous look at this star's on-screen and off-screen hints at homosexuality, otherwise well-veiled by Hollywood hype. Director Rappaport uses a similar mix of archival footage and character acting to demystify another Hollywood icon in From the Journals of Jean Seberg.

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CD Reviews

by Victoria Devereux

Sean-Nós Nua (2002) by Sinead O'Connor

Sean-Nós Nua, Sinead O'Connor's latest album, is a collection of 13 rearranged traditional songs and reflects O'Connor's passion for her Irish heritage and current day Ireland. In the booklet that accompanies this CD O'Connor writes the following: "I've been dying to make this record all my life as I've always loved these songs, many of which I learned as a child growing up in Ireland."

The sound here is typical O'Connor - strong and proud yet also gentle and tender, haunting and emotional. As you listen to O'Connor's rendition of these old folk songs you can feel the intensity of her connection with her country and its culture, and her belief in its future.

According to O'Connor, "many of the songs on this record are stories of enduring and unconditional love, love that can't be quenched by fires or floods. They are the beautifully borne pain of real people". In many ways the stories told in these songs take on another meaning in this modern context and symbolise O'Connor's (and other Irish people's) relationship with her country and its history.

If you like O'Connor's voice and traditional Irish music, then you should definitely have a listen to Sean-Nós Nua.

Let It Rain (2002) by Tracy Chapman

Let It Rain is Tracy Chapman's 6^th album and the songs here have quite a folksy, gospel sound as a result of the rhythms and the use of instruments like the tambourine and the accordion. Chapman's usual acoustic guitar takes more of a back seat on this album, but her voice and lyrics are as emotive and powerful as ever - yet mellow and easy to listen to at the same time.

The songs that make up this album provide insights into love and life. They range from the soulful "Give me hope/That help is coming/When I need it most" to the defiant "Let 'em talk you down/Call you names/My mind's made up/It ain't gonna change/I'm sure in my heart/Happy and free/You're the one you're the one/You're the one for me"; from the melancholic "For me/It's all in what you say/Though you've tried to be kind/It's all in the words/From the lips that once touched mine with a sigh/Goodbye" to the introspective "Should be happy to be loved/Happy to be/With someone who knows/And understands me … Every time we get close/I just run".

So Much Shouting. So Much Laughter (2002) by Ani DiFranco

So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter is Ani DiFranco's second live double CD - the first being Living In Clip (1997). In addition to DiFranco's hard-hitting lyrics, her fresh original sound and the rapport she develops with her audience at performances, this artist's sheer output is phenomenal - about 16 albums and a couple of EPs since 1990. The songs on So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter were all recorded with the 6-piece band that DiFranco toured with from 2000 to 2002 and they have been taken from a variety of venues in different countries.

Like Living In Clip, the songs on this new album are often preceded by DiFranco's interaction with the audience which includes banter, giggling, jokes and uncertain starts. All of this makes DiFranco real and like one of us. She has a real presence on stage, but she also comes across as being a bit nervous and unsure of herself, and she seems okay about not always getting it 100% right. This creates a sense of trust and intimacy between the performer and her audience. DiFranco works with and relies on the energy of the audience which combined with hers makes each performance a unique experience.

Disc 1 of So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter is titled "Stray Cats" and is described by DiFranco as "a feral collection of set lists standards and a few anomalies". And indeed there are new versions or interpretations of some Ani-classics here. As DiFranco herself says, "songs are living things; the same song, like the same person, is a very different thing after 5 years. Or after 5 minutes, it seems sometimes". Despite the changes that happen over time and with different musicians, DiFranco's sound remains raw, intense and defiant.

The songs on Disc 2, "Girls Singing Night", are predominantly more specifically DiFranco's feminist ones, as well as a previously unrecorded song-poem called "Self-Evident" which was written during the days after September 11 and which clearly conveys the singer's strong political views.

If you're an Ani DiFranco fan or want to find out what she's all about then So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter provides a great selection of both her music and her personality.

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Queer Quiz Answers

Answers to the Queer Quiz are:

1.  He was Leonardo's apprentice

2.  Ian Thorpe

3.  Conservation, Ethnic Affairs and Local Government

4.  J. Edgar Hoover

5.  Rugby and netball

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What’s On

A Walk on the Queer Side (See article for more details)

For all of the walks, meet at the duck pond at Woodhaugh Gardens (Duke Street) at 2pm.

UniQ Orientation Tent, Monday February 24 to Friday February 28. Visit the UniQ tent during Orientation Week on the Union Lawn at Otago University to get information about UniQ and other organisations/groups providing services to the queer community.

Rainbow Families (See article for more details)

Queer Students General Meeting, Friday March 21, 3pm, Evison Lounge, Clubs & Socs (Albany Street). There will be speakers from relevant community and campus organisations and a discussion on proposed changes to UniQ Otago. A great way to network and learn about what is happening in the community. Everyone is welcome - students and non-students alike.

Pride Dunedin Youth 2nd Public Consultation Meeting, Wednesday March 16, 5:30pm. RSVP by March 10 to UniQ on 479-5449 or [email protected]  - See article on page 6 for details.

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