The queer community is in shock after the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras confirmed it has cancelled the iconic Mardi Gras party. New CEO Jesse Matheson described the move as a heartbreaking but necessary decision to protect the future of the festival.
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Horoscopes
What do the stars hold for us in 2026
Whether you’re a believer or not, astrology has offered people and communities guidance, affirmation and foresight for thousands of years. And if the cosmic chatter is to be believed — planetary shifts coupled with the dawning of the Aquarian age and its increased influence — 2026 marks a genuine t…
Wellbeing
Achieving an Authentic Life
We all seem to be searching for authenticity in a society that is estranged from reality and truth. Do you have what it takes to break from your deepest fears and be completely honest with yourself and others?
That is the price of true authenticity.
Islamic Pride
Islamic societies onced embraced queer love
For centuries, Islamic literature openly celebrated queer love as a symbol of beauty, devotion, and spiritual longing? From Persian poetry to Sufi mysticism, desire between men was once a powerful metaphor for the soul’s journey toward the divine.
FUSE NEWS & VIEWS
Sydney
In a message to community members, CEO Jesse Matheson explained that the organisation has been working to stabilise its finances after two years of significant losses, with the Mardi Gras Party being a leading contributor to the deficit since the loss of the Royal Hall of Industries venue in 2020.
WHAT'S ON
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Sydney & Regional NSW LGBTIQ+ Festivals & Events -
AfterGlow : The Climax Is Just The Beginning -
The Normal Heart -
Hot Department a high-camp, sexy sketch comedy -
Julius Caesar by Bell Shakespeare -
Mardi Gras Fair Day -
Frank-N-Furter Fridays -
Geraldine Hickey — A Weight Off My Chest -
& Juliet -
Canberra Comedy Festival
Spirit
Aussie LGBTIQ+ Buddhists feel pressure to hide their identities
New findings by Australian researcher Stephen Kerry, Lecturer in Sociology at Charles Darwin University, have found that LGBTIQ+ Buddhists in Australia are struggling and feel pressure to hide their authentic selves. It's not very Buddhist!
USSR
Russia Declares ILGA World 'Undesirable
Russia has just taken another swing at queer rights. The Russia Ministry of Justice has added ILGA World – a global LGBTIQA+ rights federation linking 2,000+ groups in 170 countries to its list of “undesirable organisations”.
Technology
OpenAI will put ads in ChatGPT
OpenAI’s decision to introduce advertising into ChatGPT marks a major turning point in how artificial intelligence will be funded, used and possible trusted.
ACT
The ACT moves for stronger anti‑vilification laws
The ACT Labor Government has confirmed it will review and toughen the Territory’s hate crime and vilification framework, including looking at whether the worst forms of hate speech should become criminal offences.
Catherine O'Hara lit up the screen every time
FIM & TV
Funny, tender, goofy. Beloved LGBTQ+ ally and queer icon Catherine O'Hara will be very much missed. She was celebrated for her unmatched comic timing and chameleon-like character work.
FILM
Heated Rivalry : Rewriting Masculinity & Queer Joy
Heated Rivalry shows how queer joy can disrupt hockey’s culture of masculinity.
Review
A Night in Wonderland: Cirque Alice Dazzles Canberra
★★★★☆ “A spellbinding dive down the rabbit hole. Bold, beautiful and brimming with wonder.” FUSE Magazine
Interview
The creative sparks & genius behind Hot Department
We had a chat with Honor Wolff from Hot Department about sketch comedy, creative sparks, and what it means to push boundaries in humor. From their award-winning webseries to their unique writing process, these comedic superstars know how to make people laugh while keeping it smart!
QUEER BOARD
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She Leads Diploma of Leadership and Management -
All In : Excerise for the LGBTIQ+ Community -
Live your best life and listen to the Financial Freedom Podcast -
The Mustang Ranch a safe place for Men who like Men -
Financial abuse in LGBTQIA+ relationships: hidden harm, real impact -
Find what you want on the LGBTIQ DIRECTORY -
Do you (or someone you know) think about suicide? -
LGBTIQ+ Tourism Volunteer Position Available -
Domestic, family and intimate partner violence: a family law perspective -
The perfect blind or curtains for every room of the house
LASTEST ISSUE : APR/MAY 2025 : FUSE70
NEVER STOP BELIEVING, CHANGE IS INEVITABLE
In this issue: Prince of Polyester Bob Downe. Bangs on about forty ridiculous years in showbiz. Sparklemuffin steps up & out for inclusion Kaleidoscope artists’ stories of creativity & self-discovery. 2026 stars predicting profound change, Lesbian Space Princess. plus Another rapture another day! Never stop believing, change is inevitable. on crafting a story about queer youth, intimacy and masculinity.
FUSE72 NOV/DEC 2025
Under a new proposal, Australians may be able to live and work across Europe for up to four years without needing a job secured before arrival.
USA
Travellers forced to provide social media details
The US will demand all your social media details before considering entry. Screening by the US will expose LGBTIQ Australians to officials targeting travellers whose identities or views they dislike.
NSW
Popular gay 'Kings Beach' beach under threat
For decades, Kings Beach in northern New South Wales has been more than just a stretch of sand and surf — it’s been a sanctuary, a place where gay men and LGBTIQ+ Australians can drop their guard, their swimwear, and, for a few precious hours, be with nature.
Realtionships
Dos & Don’ts Dating In The Workplace
Are you crushing on a co-worker? Do you go for it or walk away? Read our how to guide and handy hints on navigating a relationship in the workplace (or not).
Wellbeing
Cannabis use among sexually diverse youth
Sexually diverse youth are facing more challenges and stress than their heterosexual counterparts which is driving Cannabis use.
Gender
Critics claim gender clinics are seeing an excess of trans boys. But new data suggest otherwise
Despite its lack of evidence, a social contagion theory has been used by critics to help fuel an international backlash against adolescent gender care.
Community
The umbrella of hate & social attitudes
We are all lumped under one umbrella of hate’: when social attitudes change, what is life like for people who don’t agree?
POLITICS
Australian LGBTIQ+ politicians experiencing abuse
LGBTIQ+ politicians in Australia were hit with vile online abuse at the last federal election. The coming campaign could be even worse.
Social Media
Meta's new policies will harm the LGBTIQ+ community
Experts have been talking about the negative effects of social media on our mental health for years, and things are about to get worse. James May writes about how Abuse and Hate are now OK on Facebook and Insta and how it may affect our rainbow communities.
HIGHTLIGHT
What do the stars hold for us in 2026
Whether you’re a believer or not, astrology has offered people and communities guidance, affirmation and foresight for thousands of years. And if the cosmic chatter is to be believed — planetary shifts coupled with the dawning of the Aquarian age and its increased influence — 2026 marks a genuine turning point.
TRAINING | 2026
She Leads Diploma of Leadership and Management
Gain a nationally-recognised qualification while completing a transformational leadership development program. Next course commences February 2025
CBR | 2026
All In : Excerise for the LGBTIQ+ Community
Do you identify under the LGBTIQ+ umbrella and find it
difficult to access mainstream exercise services?
COMMUNITY
Find what you want on the LGBTIQ DIRECTORY
The LGBTIQ.DIRECTORY is a community-focused project for all LGBTIQA+ people. It's proudly published by FUSE Magazine and its partners.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Do you (or someone you know) think about suicide?
When life doesn't seem worth living anymore, it may seem that the only way to find relief is through suicide. When you're feeling this way, it may be hard to believe, but you do have other options. Start by talking to someone now.

