‘We’re not going straight’ - Mardi Gras Sydney

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) has moved to quash conjecture it is “going straight” after it changed the name of the parade and festival to the Sydney Mardi Gras.

“The objects and policies in the organisation’s constitution have not and will not change and SGLMG remains committed to producing LGBTQI events and advancing LGBTQI interests,” Mardi Gras CEO Michael Rolik told the Star Observer.

“It seems the fear is that the name change signifies a content change as well. It does not. Participation in all our events — including Parade and Fair Day — remains subject to the same criteria and these remain unchanged.”

Rolik acknowledged that some people felt there had been a lack of consultation over the name change, but said it had come out of a survey of members and non-members conducted earlier this year.

“An overwhelming majority said we should call the organisation Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, rather than keep it as New Mardi Gras,” he said.

“A substantial number also suggested other names — the lead being ‘Sydney Mardi Gras’, with comments stating that it was a more inclusive and internationally recognised name, and that everyone knows it’s a queer festival.”

Feedback from SGLMG’s Youth, Women and Community Engagement committees also informed the move, as had a unanimous vote at the company’s AGM this year to include intersex people in the organisation’s constitution — meaning there were now four groups left unrecognised in the name.

Rolik said it was unfortunate that confusion over the name change had overshadowed it’s first season 2012 announcements.

Parade producer Victor Petroff and artistic director Ignatius Jones will return in 2012, while SGLMG will double funding for the production of in-house floats. Community floats will receive additional cash from the Big Gay Weekend funds.

Attendees have also been told to expect an extra-special 30th Mardi Gras Party.

“We’re promising a party like never before in the Entertainment Quarter, transforming it into a theme park — Mardigrasland,” Rolik said.

“You can expect not just a huge RHI production number from Ru Paul but also a bonus intimate show in our little Retroland and there will also be sublime and ridiculous cabaret from the amazing Dame Edna
Experience coming over from London.”

UK electronic act Chicane will close the Hordern Pavilion with a two-hour live set.

SGLMG will also resurrect the Laneway recovery party in 2012.

Glamazon! Featuring RuPaul

So this has to be the biggest news to come out for the Mardi Gras 2012 period!

RuPaul, the world’s greatest drag supermodel is heading to Australia for the first time in over a decade to perform live at “Glamazon”, a one night only dance party spectacular held in honour of the drag diva herself.

Boasting an impressive line-up including girl group sensation The Margaritas, The Wild Spirit Aerialists plus 3 of Australia’s most recognised DJ’s: Jimmy Dee, Dan Murphy and Kitty Glitter, the night will culminate to an spectacular live performance by RuPaul.

Glamazon presents a rare opportunity for Sydney fans to have an audience with their Queen in a night of glitz and glamour. Without a doubt the most anticipated event this coming Mardi Gras season. One night only, tickets limited.

When: Sunday 04 March from 20:00 to 23:00
Where: Metro Theatre, Sydney Australia
Ticket Price: $85.00 (plus booking fee)


This is an 18+ Event, so if you buy tickets and are under-age you will not be permitted.

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''.

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