DIVA Awards 2011

The 2011 DIVA Awards have just finished and were held at Fox Studios Australia. The night was full of pizzazz and glamour where the cream of Sydney’s drag scene were recognised.

Decoda Secret was named Entertainer of the Year

Joyce Maynge was named Queen of Hearts award, while Mama Shirl took out Costume Designer of the Year

Chelsea Bunn was named Miss Congeniality while the Variety Award went to Rock Your Box Flash Mobs

Most Popular Male Performer went to Ripley Waters and Most Popular Venue to The Midnight Shift

Charisma Belle was named as Sydney’s Favourite Drag Personality and Kitty Glitter Sydney’s Favourite DJ

Most Popular Show went to Twisted Fairytales and Bitch Of The Year to Tora Hymen

Lil’ X took out the Rising Star category, while Christy McNicol was inducted into the Hall Of Fame

The Technical Achievement award went to Hank Adam while Dallas Dellaforce and her production team from the 2011 Mardi Gras Show were recognised for their Big Diva Moment.

Now all we need to know is who is ready for next year?

Charisma Bell (Pictured Above) named as Sydney's Favourite Drag Queen

'I DO' - Australian Marriage Equality Ad

Australian Marriage Equality have released their latest video campaign on YouTube to promote the growing support for Gay & Lesbian Marriage. Hundreds of people attended the event which was held at Sydney Town Hall on the 25th September 2011.

Have a look if you haven't seen this already

Barry O'Farrell Backing Gay Marriage Conscience Vote

The NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has said that he would allow Liberal MPs a conscience on the issue of same-sex marriage if the issue were presented on a state level.

O’Farrell joins South Australian Liberal leader Isobel Redmond in support of a coalition conscience vote on same-sex marriage.

The NSW Premier expressed his support today in response to an inquiry on the issue from Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich on Twitter.

O’Farrell’s stance puts him at odds with Federal Opposition leader Tony Abbott, whose office has said there would be no conscience vote for Federal Liberal MPs on an marriage equality legislation. Greenwich welcomed the Premier’s comments on the issue.

“The Premier knows that there is growing support for marriage equality within the coalition, and understands the importance of allowing that support to be expressed,” he said

** Reposted from the Sydney Star Observer**

http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/australia-news/new-south-wales-news/2011/10/26/ofarrell-backs-gay-marriage-conscience-vote/64544

Yardhouse is Sydney's New Hotspot

Yardhouse Bar and Brasserie opened last week in Haymarket and should be a hit with Sydney’s urban business crowd and theatre-goers attending the neighbouring Capitol Theatre.

Formerly Paddy McGuire’s pub, a major refurbishment undertaken by the Metro Hospitality Group has created a stylish and contemporary venue while still paying homage to the heritage of the area — particularly the former Palace Hotel which once occupied part of the site.

Metro Hospitality Group chief operating officer George Bedwani said the Yardhouse’s name was inspired by the popular beer-drinking vessel of the 1800s, the yard glass. The front bar off George St has been renamed the Palace Bar and will continue to appeal to the traditional patrons of the area who enjoy a drink after work.

“Yardhouse Bar and Brasserie is an exciting new venue in Sydney’s entertainment precinct,” Bedwani said.

“We wanted to ensure the venue retained links to its important heritage while also expanding its offering to appeal to a broader clientele.”

Chef Daniel Collins, previously head chef at the Russell Hotel, has created a menu that includes light meals to tempt pre-theatre patrons as well as hearty fare for its business clientele.

While the pre-theatre menu includes dishes like spiced calamari with Szechuan pepper salt, chilli, coriander and citrus aioli or beef and James Squire Porter pot pie, the full menu has a selection of four steaks (including a 300g Wagyu rump), four types of skewers with different international heritages, and six mains including slow-braised pork belly, Queensland spanner crab linguine and crisp skin salmon with tomato, white bean and fennel.

At the Palace Bar, choose from more than 60 craft beers, while an all-day bar menu is available.

A downstairs area in the venue has been created specifically for live music. Reggae bands will be featured on Monday evenings while rock bands are expected to prove a popular option for patrons on Friday and Saturday evenings.

All areas can be hired for private functions, providing an opportunity for corporate event managers to combine an evening at the theatre with pre-theatre dinner and drinks in a designated area, or a post-show nightcap.

Food is served in the bar from 11am until late every day while the brasserie is open for lunch from noon-3pm, Monday to Friday, and for dinner from 6pm. On weekends, the brasserie menu is available all day until late.

INFO: www.yardhouse.com.au or (02) 9212 2111 for Reservations and Enquiries

REPOSTED FROM: The Star Observer (http://www.starobserver.com.au/life-style/food-life-style/2011/10/11/sydneys-new-yardhouse-is-a-palace/63657)

Conscience Vote Most Likely on Gay Marriage

Will we ever get the right to marry? This is the question on everyone's tongues at the present moment in time and it looks like a Parliamentary Conscience Vote will be held on Same-Sex Marriage at Labour's National conference later on this year.

All the Labor state and territory branches, except NSW, now support gay marriage after the Victorian Labor Party yesterday voted in support of a resolution calling on the ALP to amend the party platform.

''In a way it feels odd to get up here at a Labor state conference and talk about love but it is such an important and central foundation … to happy lives,'' the co-convener of Rainbow Labor, Sarah Cole, said.

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, supports the current definition of the Marriage Act but says she is prepared to debate the issue t the party's conference.

Although senior members of her cabinet have spoken in support for the change, many MPs remain uncomfortable about a more liberal position. Changing the Labor Party platform to support same-sex marriage would be controversial, painting Labor as beholden to the Greens.

''The easiest way to accommodate everyone is a conscience vote,'' one Labor source said.

Federal Labor's position on asylum seekers was also criticised at yesterday's state conference, with members calling for the offshore processing system to be scrapped.

The government's attempts to amend the Migration Act will be thwarted in the Senate, where it will be voted down by the Greens and the Coalition. The Coalition also wants the changes to be knocked back by the House of Representatives later this week, which it would argue is tantamount to a vote of no-confidence in the government. But the outcome likely depends on West Australian Nationals MP Tony Crook, who has not decided how to vote.

Yesterday, a group of prominent figures, including former prime minister Malcolm Fraser, called on the government to process refugees onshore. In an open letter to Parliament, the group says the government should honour its commitment to take 4000 refugees from Malaysia and expand its current intake of refugees to 25,000 people.

Among the 19 individual signatories are former Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry and former NSW attorney-general and human rights advocate John Dowd.

MPs yesterday played down any suggestion Ms Gillard's leadership would be challenged before the end of the year, citing the importance of getting the carbon and mining taxes passed by Parliament.

But there is anger at the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd, who some MPs wish would ''just shut up''.

Click on the link and send an email via Petition Online to your local Member of Parliament if you agree that homosexual couples should be allowed the same basic rights as heterosexual couples.

Sign the Petition Now (Click Me)

Gay Marriage - Tasmania Passed

The Tasmanian House of Assembly is the first state in Australia to pass an amendment to the Marriage Act, allowing marriage equality for gays and lesbians.

The Greens' motion now calls on the Federal Government to change the Marriage Act.

The passage of the motion was greeted with applause from Labor and Green members on the floor of the House and a standing ovation by same-sex marriage activists in the public gallery.

Liberal members voted against the motion.

The debate was watched by a large national audience on the Parliament's internet broadcast.

Greens leader Nick McKim said the motion provided hope.

"By voting in support of marriage equality, Tasmania has written itself into this country's history books, as a national leader in advocating a compassionate and progressive society," he said. "It is now time for the Federal Government to act to remove legally entrenched discrimination."

Mr McKim said that if the Federal Government did not reform marriage laws by the end of the year, he would push on with plans for state legislation.

Premier Lara Giddings said the vote was a great day for the state.

"Tasmania has come a long way since 1997 when we rectified the terrible situation of having homosexual relationships considered illegal in this state," she said. "We've come a long way to show we are in fact a tolerant and compassionate community."

Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich said people nationwide followed the debate.

"What they heard today was a message of hope. They heard a message of hope coming out of the Tasmanian Parliament that one day gay and lesbian Australians will be treated equally by the law and by the Marriage Act," he said. "This gives us the momentum and the encouragement to go on and keep fighting."

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome said: "If every state and territory parliament were to do what we have seen in Tasmania today, it would be impossible for the Federal Parliament to continue to resist change. If Tasmania can do this, other states and territories can do it too."

Catholic Archbishop of Hobart Adrian Doyle expressed disappointment: "Our position on maintaining the current meaning of marriage is well known and the church will continue to lobby both state and federal politicians to ensure the Act is not changed."

Presbyterian minister Campbell Markham was also unhappy with the result: "Today's Greens motion is an attack on the basic rights of children."

Click the link to see ABC's News Coverage

Australian Government Changing Passport Options

Transsexual activists have welcomed a move to allow Australians to identify themselves on their passport in their preferred gender.

Intersex people, who are biologically not entirely male or female, will be able to list their gender on passports as "X."

Transgender people, whose perception of their own sex is at odds with their biology, will be able to pick whether they are male or female if their choice is supported by a doctor's statement. Transgender people cannot pick "X."

Previously, gender was a choice of only male or female, and people were not allowed to change their gender on their passport without having had a sex-change operation.
The United States dropped the surgery prerequisite for transgender people's passports last year.

The Australian Coalition for Equality said people would now be able to travel overseas without being stopped by officials because their passport doesn't match their public identity.

"From that point of view, it's a huge step forward," spokeswoman Martine Delaney said.

"It's an incredible embarrassment to be a woman for years but still have a passport that says they're male."

Ms Delaney said she knew of a man who had lived as a woman for 25 years but was unable to have a sex change for medical reasons.

In this case, US customs officials had detained her because they were confused about her gender.

Ms Delaney, 53, was born a man but underwent a sex change eight years ago.
The Hobart-based transsexual spent two years in a "transition" period, but did not travel overseas during that time.

She met senior advisers to Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd at Parliament House in Canberra in July to be told about the new guidelines.

Ms Delaney commended Mr Rudd and Attorney-General Robert McClelland, saying the changes would give "greater recognition" to transgender and intersex Australians.
"The flow-on effects acknowledge these people are human beings with rights," she said.

Under new rules unveiled on Wednesday, gender reassignment surgery will no longer be a prerequisite for "sex and gender diverse" people to get a passport identifying them the way they wish.

But they will need to present a statement from a doctor supporting their preferred gender.

The changes are expected to affect only a handful of people.
Mr Rudd said the reform was in line with the Government's efforts to remove discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Re-Posted from News.com.au

Gay Couples to press Julia Gillard over Dinner

Once again the Australian PM has been questioned about her views on Gay Marriage, this all happened a few nights ago at Federal Parliament in the King's Hall. The ticket price for the event was AUD $12,000.00 per head and six lucky members of the GetUp! Political Activist Group secured seats through bidding for the tickets.

Australia is aware that Julia Gillard is personally against gay marriage and also the Labor party and conservative opposition support Australia's current ban, despite polls suggesting growing public support for the law to change. It is the second time GetUp! has won the annual raffle, and I can only hope that by writing this that Australia will assist Gay Communities everywhere in Australia to come together and show their support to allow this and hopefully Julia Gillard will listen to the mass population and start the process of legalisation of Same-Sex Marriage.

Currently there are ten countries around the world who have legalised Same-Sex Marriage, remember that I am not counting Civil Unions which are currently present in other countries around the world also.

If you would like to see Gay Marriage Legalised, then please sign the petition by clicking the link below.

Petition to Legalise Gay Marriage

KYLIE

IT'S BEEN MORE THAN TWO DECADES SINCE KYLIE MINOGUE LEFT RAMSAY STREET TO TACKLE THE POP-MUSIC INDUSTRY. SINCE THEN, SHE HAS CRAFTED A CAREER IMPRESSIVE BOTH FOR ITS LONGEVITY AND RANGE. A VERY PUBLIC BATTHE WITH CANCER HAS PROVED HER PLUCK.

Clem Bastow - The Big Issue's Music Editor

It’s difficult to pinpoint precisely why people and critics hate Kylie Minogue. Maybe it was because the critics and mass population of Australia were trying to impress some knob-end rock snob who proudly boasted that they hadn’t listened to commercial radio for 15 years. Maybe it was just because they wanted to be contrary.

For a number of years the mass population of Australia and critics would roll their eyes at the mere mention of Australia’s ‘Singing Budgie’. The thing about the anti-Kylie brigade: membership to that club requires a subscription to the tiresome old mentality that pop-music is inherently empty-headed. These comments are all well and good, except that this stance requires a person to forget that many of the artists we now consider legends (Aretha Franklin and Frank Sinatra) rarely, if ever, wrote their own songs.

As the juggernaut that is her $25 million dollar Aphrodite Les Folies Tour prepares to roll into Australia and additional tour dates are being released it shows that Kylie should no longer be seen as the ‘Singing Budgie’ but as the ambassador for all Australians.

As Kylie once sung: We all have our cross to bear, But in the name of understanding now, Our problems should be shared. Kylie will be performing around Australia from the 3rd June 2011 to 22nd June 2011 in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Excerpts taken from Clem Bastow's article from The Big Issue

http://www.bigissue.org.au

Click Here to purchase Kylie Tickets!

Midsumma Melbourne celebrate Queer Culture

Midsumma, Melbourne’s premier queer arts and cultural festival, will bring the city to life over summer when the festival begins in the middle of January.

The festival spans three weeks, finishing on the 6th February, and includes art exhibitions, theatre, live music and nightlife events with queer-centric themes for the queer and wider community.

Celebrating its 23rd birthday, Midsumma has grown in stature and audience and plays a significant role in the broader Melbourne arts festival scene as well as the cultural life of Melbourne’s queer community.

“Midsumma enhances the sense of a ‘queer community’ in Melbourne, strengthens the sense of identity, and deepens the sense of belonging within our community, which in turn makes the community more resilient” says Adam Lowe, General Manager of Midsumma.

“By showcasing queer culture to the broader community, it helps destigmatise the queer community and reduce levels of marginalisation” Adam says.

Lisa Watts, Chairperson of Midsumma adds “The festival also provides a supportive forum for queer youth, by giving them a sense of belonging and overcome the sense of isolation they can feel”.

Midsumma attracts over 100,000 people from Melbourne and interstate. making it a significant tourist and cultural contributor to Melbourne’s economy.

The festival opens with Carnival, Midsumma’s single largest event, and features food, entertainment and activities.

Melbourne Apartment Accommodation at Metro Apartments on Bank Place

(Source: Visit Victoria web site)