FUSE70

FUSE71 Be the rainbow in someone’s cloud

Cover Story: Katrina Gorry, Matildas star midfielder, shares her amazing journey from sports hero to mum. Cover Story: Holden Sheppard talks about the grit and heart of queer regional Australia. Can anger, our most feared emotion, be used constructively, we look at taming the beast. Other highlights include a story about a flock of all gay sheep. Our fiscal guru Scott Malcolm explores the relationship between money and happiness. What to watch from the comfort of your couch. And be sure to check your horoscope out before you get a little heartfelt advice from Dear Rose.

FUSE | Editors Rant

Welcome to our Spring issue. As we emerge from another chilly winter, the season changes once again. The cold weather can leave us feeling a little blue, but seeing the leaves return and the flowers bloom, I’m reminded that nothing is permanent and nothing ever stays the same. It brings me a sense of comfort in troubling times.

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FROM THE EDITOR
BE THE RAINBOW IN SOMEONE’S CLOUD

Scrolling through the news and our social media feeds, it can be hard not to feel disheartened, if not a little ragey — but knowing that change is inevitable and embracing that can be a lifeline to hope and an eventual path to inner peace.

Of course, we each carry our emotions and the weight of the world differently; for some, it’s pretty tough going at the moment. I feel fortunate to be less affected and am often uplifted when I see others bringing hope to those who may be struggling or need a guiding light. Many people who, without even knowing it, are being a rainbow in someone’s cloud. Something we always hope to do on the pages of FUSE.

In this issue, you’ll find writers, healers, spiritual leaders, professionals and sportspeople doing just that. People in our community who use their privilege, heart and skills to help others. It’s incredibly heartwarming to see.

On one cover this issue, you’ll find Matildas star midfielder Katrina Gorry, an LGBTIQ+ trailblazer who is no stranger to overcoming challenges. We discover how, as a gay woman, Katrina has carved a path to both motherhood and a successful sports career, becoming an inspiration to women and fans in Australia and the world over, p23.

Author Holden Sheppard, featured on our other cover, was recently thrust into the spotlight after his critically acclaimed novel Invisible Boys was adapted into a television series, highlighting the challenges of being gay in a country town. With the release of his new book King of Dirt — his first work for adults — he delves into the topic of mental health and its impact on the behaviour of gay men from rural Australia.

We spoke with Holden about damaging stereotypes, masculinity and his belief that we can all change for the better, p27.

Anger, an emotion that is causing some serious issues throughout our communities, seems to be at epidemic levels. Healer and breathwork expert Joshua Wrest unpacks anger and its role in our lives. He shares ways we can transform this challenging emotion and tame the beast within, p16.

The trans community is undoubtedly facing angry people at the moment, so a ray of light from an unlikely religious source is a welcome development. Stephen Kerry from Charles Darwin University writes about the Dalai Lama’s spiritual connection to Avalokitesvara — a figure who transcends the gender binary — and how he has become an unexpected source of hope, inspiring many trans folk and queer Buddhists worldwide, p31.

Other highlights of this issue include a story about a German man and his flock of all gay sheep, p15. Our fiscal guru Scott Malcolm explores the relationship between money and happiness, p37. What to watch from the comfort of your couch this spring, p43. And be sure to check your horoscope out on p47 before you get a little heartfelt advice from Dear Rose, p48.

My partner and I are both incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to share and support our community through FUSE, and hope everyone finds a little insight and inspiration in this issue.

Alexander Thatcher — Executive Editor