It’s our big birthday and 2010 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras photo issue. See all the glamour and glitz, plus we explore the political history of the Mardi Gras — From the first march in 1978 to the biggest parade in the festival’s history in 2010. They live in sumptuous quarters and wear tight fitting outfits. How gay are Batman and Robin really? The Rev Chris Ayers muses, if he were transgendered and a cranky middle aged queer writes about those damn young people! Oh and don't miss all the buzz with Tina Fey, Justin Bieber, Lindsay Lohan and George Michael — the Sydney Queen! Enjoy FUSE Magazine Issue 12

Editors Rant

Have you ever noticed that some things seem to have a timeless pattern about them, not just in nature and the universe but also in human concepts and ideas? Take the birthday for instance. Some people like to forget them. Others prefer smaller celebrations. But for some, the day must be a flag-waving, band-playing, joyous merry-making occasion.

We are so used to celebrating birthdays that it seems like it’s been a tradition almost forever! But there is a place and time where it all began.

Before people tracked time, little attention was paid to the anniversary of a person’s birth. Only when people started to take notice of the moon’s cycles and the changing seasons — as they repeated themselves over and over — did mankind start marking dates when things occurred.

Birthday celebrations began as a form of protection. It was a common belief that evil spirits were more dangerous when a person experienced  a change in their daily life — such as turning a year older. To protect them from harm, friends and family would gather around and bring good cheer, thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good luck to ward off the evil spirits, and noisemakers were used at parties as a way of scaring away any lingering nasties. The custom of birthday candles originated with people believing that the gods lived in the sky. By lighting and blowing out candles they were sending a signal or prayer up to the gods so the universe could fulfil their wishes.

Our feelings about birthdays often change as we get older. As young children we are carefree and honest about our birthdays, proudly telling people (even complete strangers), “I’m five”. Most teenagers all want to be older and that’s when the birthday lying often starts,“I’m over 18, honestly”. In our 20s and 30s I think most of us are comfortable with our age and enjoy the fun that birthdays can bring. Then the 40s and 50s hit and some of us want to be younger again, “oh no I’m only 30...5...ish”. Before you can blink an eye you’re in your 70s and 80s (if you’re lucky), and you’re back to where you started — care free and honest (and possibly wearing a nappy), “I’m 87...I think”. Birthdays are just another of the many patterns and cycles that unfold around us as we walk through life.

So FUSE is one-year-old and we’ve taken the road of a flag- waving, band-playing joyous merry-making occasion. We hope you have a fabulous time at our big birthday party. Thank you to Tilley’s and all our fantastic performers and volunteers.

I’d also like to give special thanks to everyone that makes FUSE possible, as it takes the efforts of many people — our advertisers for their support of both FUSE and Canberra’s GLBTQ community; all our wonderful and dedicated contributors, who every month send in their articles and photos; the beautiful Yasmin who spends many hours making sure you’ve all spelt the word hippopotomonstroses-quipedaliophobia* correctly; and of course my wonderful partner, Christopher — without him I seriously doubt there would even be a FUSE — thanks babe xx.

So with that in mind I give you FUSE12. Enjoy, Alex

* The fear of long words.

FUSE 12 A big Birhtday and Mardi Gras Issue

It’s our big birthday and 2010 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras photo issue. See all the glamour and glitz, plus we explore the political history of the Mardi Gras — From the first march in 1978 to the biggest parade in the festival’s history in 2010. They live in sumptuous quarters and wear tight fitting outfits. How gay are Batman and Robin really? The Rev Chris Ayers muses, if he were transgendered and a cranky middle aged queer writes about those damn young people! Oh and don't miss all the buzz with Tina Fey, Justin Bieber, Lindsay Lohan and George Michael — the Sydney Queen! Enjoy FUSE Magazine Issue 12.  (VIEW GIRL COVER)