Do you know how to say Generic Homogenized Faggot? Pardon my cynicism but i’m finding it a little tricky to smile back while you look down your perfect nose. 

Murder Gras does accurately represent and successfully entertain some parts of the community. The parts with sanitary pre blow floral scented cock wipes and anal bleaching. And good for them. How great must it feel to have your own arts festival. 

It’s just such a shame the rest of us are left scratching around the edges. Forced to settle for a short mention in the festival guide and no funding while Murder Gras ships stale and expensive Divas into town. 

Someone asked me why does everyone suddenly care about a festival that actively misrepresents the wider Queer community just because it’s turning 30? Why do we attend? 

I guess for me the answer is that it’s the closest thing there is.

A bunch of courageous Queers got bashed by police in 1978 and look at what a mess we have made of it. There is a strange new conservatism in our community and some directions that terrorize me. This gratuitous mime of white male dominated heteronormative society. It’s as though we are playing out a children’s game of making culture like daddy, complete with a social structure governed by classics like race and wealth. 

I suppose I care about Murder Gras and will go to some of the events because I have some hope that we’ll mature as a culture and I hope that I can contribute to those changes.

This Murder Gras I’m performing at Quick and Dirty at the Carriageworks on Friday The 22nd. It’s an event in the tradition of Club Bent which was always my favorite thing in the Murder Gras festival many years ago. I think this event is going to make it’s mark this year and become a respected part of the festival again. 

So I’m back in Sydney after a week and a half in sunny / not sunny Melbourne. I had a really fantastic time performing at Upstart Alley and catching up with a few old friends.  

Upstart Alley is a passionate and supportive event which nurtures actual queer art. Seeming uninfluenced by Melbourne’s famous concern for what is fashionable and palatable they put on an event which is truly queer and I strongly recommend to artists and punters.  

It’s always great to visit Melbourne to remind myself why I live in Sydney. I can never quite put my finger on exactly what aggravates me so much about Melbourne. Some air of pretension or overt self consciousness that always leaves me wanting.  

I think it’s clear that ultimately one is either a Sydney person or a Melbourne person and forcing any kind of cross pollination is foolish. In my six years living in melbourne I always felt as though the “Gay” and “Queer” and “Bear” scenes were so much more uptight than i had hoped for. Perhaps it’s me. Beware expectation for disappointment follows. Something puts me on edge.

Obviously I’m not welcome among “the gays” because i’m too Queer. Apparently I’m not welcome among the Queers because my work isn’t featured in some underground magazine thats about to be fashionable and I’m not welcome among the Bears because i’m too Queer.   

The great thing about Sydney is that we know were a seething a pit of filth and were not pretending to be anything else.

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