I’m happy to announce that FUSE Magazine just won the AIDS Action Council of the ACT 2010 media and communication award.

FUSE Magazine is successful because of many community members, supporters and friends. A very special mention to Christopher and Yasmin who both work very hard helping me make sure everything comes together and the magazine looks great every month. Of course without all our talented writers and photographers there would be no FUSE magazine — even after being hounded constantly about deadlines, they all still stick in there and help us produce possibly Australia’s best GLBTI community magazine. You should all be very proud. There is also another factor that is integral to FUSE and its success, and that’s advertising. I would like to thank all the businesses and individuals that have supported us. Some of our advertisers have been with us from the first issue and have continued through to our current edition — which is an amazing commitment and I think they deserve a very special mention: Form Haircutters, Money Mechanics, Hang Ups, Cube Nightclub, Hush Lounge, Alive Health and Fitness; and from our early days we have also had ongoing support from Tilley’s, Herm Legal, The Canberra Theatre, The Street Theatre, The Q and Dendy Cinemas. I’d also like to mention the AIDS Action Council of the ACT who have shown us a huge amount of support right from day one. If it was not for businesses and organisations like these FUSE would not be possible — and on that note, remember that your support of our advertisers in turn supports FUSE!

So what have we got for you all this month? With SpringOut 2010 already started you’ll find the special FUSE SpringOut calendar of events on p24. This year SpringOut includes days in the park, picnics, rallies, workshops, queer films, drag, pride awards, live music and of course the very popular Canberra Bushdance — oh and on p42, you’ll find photos of the opening event Fairday which was held at the end of October.

We have some special features and Op.Eds this month as well. Andrew Barr MLA (ACT Minister for Planning) shares his thoughts on the future of Canberra and suggests there may be some lessons to be learned from the The Simpsons when it comes to leaving the past in the past and moving on! p06.

Tony Hamlyn, our entertainment and celebrity guru, reviews a new gay book written by Marc Andrews — Revelations: 2 Weeks in Tel Aviv. It’s a fictional take on some very real events and a gripping insight into what it must be like being gay in Israel. p14.

Recently young gay teens have been committing suicide at an alarming rate —  four teenage boys dead in the space of just three weeks. One of latest being Tyler Clementi, studying music at Rutgers University in the US, who killed himself after two classmates secretly filmed him having sex and then uploaded it to the internet. It’s not surprising that the Australian national depression initiative Beyond Blue found that same-sex attracted people are the most susceptible group to depression and suicide in the broader community. Simon Copland writes about this crisis which desperately needs addressing, and shares some of his own personal insights. p20.

While we are discussing young people, our youth writer Zara Jackson-Martin, gives us her spin on same-sex parenting and discusses how different environments, behaviour and upbringing can affect our children. p16.

Yep, all this plus all our regulars — which we know you love. Oh and BTW don’t forget to check out the FUSE website www.fusemagazine.com.au for the latest news, special FUSE features and what’s on in Canberra and around Australia.

Until next month — enjoy. Alex