Jason Akermanis is having a gay ol time

33-year-old Western Bulldogs AFL player Jason "Aker" Akermanis, has jumped on the homophobia bandwagon, and been exposed as a closet homophobe.

In a provocative column in the Herald Sun he says "locker room nudity and homoerotic activities are normal inside footy clubs", but tells young gay players who are "thinking of telling the world about their sexual orientation to forget it."

"The homoeroticism around football clubs ... what workplace would you be able to see 20 men nude all the time if you wanted to?," Akermanis said in a wekeend TV interview. "When you're slapping blokes on the bum and just having a bit of fun, what would that do to a man in there when you actually work out, 'Oh wait a second, wait a second. I don't know if I can handle that guy'"

Akermanis has subsequently said he wasn't homophobic, but believed that "it would cause discomfort in that environment should someone declare himself gay."

A heap of AFL figures publically distanced themselves from Akermanis' statements, including Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade, Paul Roos from Sydney Swans, and AFL Players Association Pippa Grange, as did the CEO of the AFL, Andrew Demetriou.

Here's some of Akermanis wisdom...

• "If a player wants to out himself, then I say good luck. But I believe the world of AFL footy is not ready for it. To come out is unnecessary for a lot of reasons.
  
  Imagine the publicity associated with a current player admitting he's gay. It would be international news and could break the fabric of a club. Football clubs are very different environments. Locker room nudity is an everyday part of our lives and unlike any other work place.

Really? Rather profound stuff Jason. He says it would be "international news and could break the fabric of a club." What a lot of bullshit. What happens when one comes out as a wife-beater or an adulter, or is involved in one of the many AFL groups sex rings whilst on tour? Would that break the fabric of a club?

• I believe it would cause discomfort in that environment should someone declare himself gay.
  
  I have played with a gay player in the twos for Mayne in Queensland in the mid-1990s who was happy to admit his sexual persuasion. He was a great guy who played his heart out and was respected by everyone in the team. The only time I noticed a difference was when I was showering with 10 other players after a good win and I turned around to see all 10 heading out in a second with their towels. Sure enough, our gay teammate had wandered in.
  
  For some reason I felt uncomfortable, so I left. I am sure most players these days would do the same. I know he wasn't about to try and convert me to his way of thinking, but I was uncomfortable all the same. What I should have done was to sit down and talk with him in an attempt to understand his life.

Well, it's rather easy to see who has the problem, and it's not the single player from Mayne.

• If you thought suicide was bad among young men, it is four to six times higher for people who are attracted to the same sex. It clearly can be a difficult and lonely road, one that hopefully can be made easier. Now try being the first AFL player to come out. That is too big a burden for any player.
  
  I know there are many who think a public AFL outing would break down homophobia, but they don't live in football clubs. It's not the job of the minority to make the environment safer. Not now, anyway.
  
  We have made massive steps in other areas of society and in time I hope the environment changes to a degree where coming out isn't a big deal.
  In women's sport - tennis, golf, cricket, hockey and soccer - being gay carries no stigma. But men's sport is well behind in acceptance.
  
  In an athletic environment the rules are different from the cultural rules for men.
  Never in a mall will you see two straight men hugging, a--- slapping and jumping around like kids after an important goal.
  
  Locker room nudity and homoerotic activities are normal inside footy clubs. Young people from the ages 15-24 are the main participants in organised sport in Victoria. Some of them must be gay and I hope they thoroughly enjoy their sporting lives without having to experience any form of prejudice. But if they are thinking of telling the world, my advice would be forget it.

Cairns Regional Councillor Kirsten has joined the Facebook group supporting AFL players coming out.

Welcome to Red Neck AFL, aka Akermanis style. Here's his TV interview...

History Bites: Wangal Djungay or Double Island

CairnsBlog brings you our weekly column, History Bites, a series of historical vignettes, pertinent to our unique and special region.

Produced by Dr Timothy Bottoms, a published and widely respected historian based in Cairns, North Queensland. He has spent ten years researching and writing City of the South Pacific, A History of Cairns.
History Bites is a series of unique and easily readable pieces for CairnsBlog readers. Dr Bottoms is a specialist in Aboriginal and North Queensland history and has wide experience in writing, producing and presenting radio documentaries and music biographies.

Double Island or Wangal Djungay from the foreshore of Palm Cove, with ‘Scout Hat’ Island to the right. Haycock Island looks like a scout hat during low-tide when the base is exposed, as it then resembles the brim of a hat.

Captain Owen Stanley in H.M.S.Rattlesnake who “brought up finally under a small unnamed islet in Trinity Bay. This island, viewed from our anchorage on its north-west side, presents the appearance of a ridge connecting two rounded eminences….On the windward side there is a long gradual slope, covered with tall coarse grass…and an extensive mangrove bed runs out upon the reef in one place…stretching out to windward upwards of a mile, as far as a small rocky isle like a hay-cock.” 3 July 1848 [MacGillivray, 1852] HMS Rattlesnake, Bramble, Midget and Asp came together on the other side of Double Island for three quarters of an hour on Thursday morning 6 July 1848, some 159 years ago.

In 1848 Edmund Kennedy and his expedition landed near Hull Heads, in Djirru rainforest territory, slightly north of the future Cardwell, on their ill-fated journey. Captain Owen Stanley’s survey ships had assisted in getting Kennedy’s party ashore from the transport Tam-O’Shanter at Rockingham Bay. They sailed on in convoy, and began their survey of the inner Barrier Reef route north to the Torres Strait.

Early on Thursday morning of 22 June 1848, members of Stanley’s survey team landed at Fitzroy Island [Gububarra] and made their way to the highest peak. Three days later while still at Fitzroy they were observed by the Gungganydji of Mirra Warrigala [King Beach].

Eight days later the Rattlesnake anchored in the lee of Wangal Djungay [Double Island], sheltering from the south-east Trade-winds. Here the mother-ship was re-joined by the two smaller survey vessels, Asp and Midge. The next morning (Thursday, 6 July 1848), the large survey ship, H.M.S. Bramble, also ‘came-up’ to complete the convoy. Such a flotilla of European vessels could hardly have gone unnoticed by the coastal Djabugay (Yirrganydji), although no contact was recorded by either MacGillivray or Brierly while off Double Island.

Wangal Djungay, meaning place (home) where the fast-moving Storytime boomerang landed. It is also associated with Gudju-Gudju [the Rainbow Serpent] and and Budaadji [carpet snake] and is linked to the Mirra Warrigala Gungganydji of King Beach, Cape Grafton. There are also Storywaters relating to links with Tableland Yidinydji.

This is an extract from: A History of Cairns – City of the South Pacific 1770-1995, by Dr Timothy Bottoms, PhD, Central Queensland University, 2002, Photo 2.1, p.72.You can contact Dr Bottoms via email. There is more information on his website.

Violence against indigenous Australians is ignored

Cairns historian Dr Timothy Bottoms, says the conspiracy of silence about the colouring of Australian history, is a story that needs to be told.

"The violence against indigenous Australians in early Queensland played a role in the characteristic of amnesia on our national psyche," Dr Bottoms told CairnsBlog.

Bottoms, the author of Djabugay Country (1999) and Bama Country (2008), presented a keynote address to the Q150 conference in Brisbane today, following the opening by Penelope Wensley, Governor of Queensland.

He says the violence from Myall Creek in 1838, to Cullin-la-Ringo in 1861, the massacre of the Mitchell River, 1864; and Battle Camp north of Laura in 1873, in Far North Queensland, are events that have somehow disappeared from Queensland’s history.

"They are replaced with the artificially peaceful pioneering myth," Dr Bottoms said.

"I will present to the conference, the role of the colonial Queensland government and their operation of the Native Mounted Police in implementing the policy of violence on the expanding frontier."

"Apparently this is part of a national sense of forgetfulness. This appears to be linked to our national amnesia regarding Australia’s convict ‘birthstain’. Perhaps we have seen a similar approach in the last decade with the implementation of Australia’s foreign policy," Timothy Bottoms says.

"The brutality of the frontier and the near century of authoritarian control of Indigenous Queenslanders, has left a deliberate legacy of selective memory. Is this one of the factors that has made Queensland different from the rest of Australia?," Bottoms asks.

Timothy Bottoms’ inclusive approach to all people who have populated Cape York Peninsula provides an important insight into North Queensland's cultural history. He completed the definitive A History of Cairns (1770-1995) in 2002, and produced a DVD Frontline Cairns (1940-1946).

Over the last five years, he has been researching massacres on the Queensland frontier. Earlier this year, Bottoms' work was recognised by being awarded a Visiting Fellowship at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

"I managed to complete a bountiful research trip which along with a Sydney publisher’s interest decided me on producing a book on the subject along with a map which I have been working on for several years," Tim Bottoms said today.

The Professional Historian’s Association invited Dr Bottoms as the keynote address at the Q150 Conference.

The photo was taken on his road trip south to Canberra in March. This is the site of Cullen-la-ringo, south of Emerald, and the sign highlights how ‘victors write the history’.

"Like the way the Labor Government silenced the people of Cairns out over the preservation of their historic waterfront Yacht Club, our indigenous residents also suffered by the way their plight and treatment was silenced and ignored," Dr Bottoms said.

Former Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne refused to support Dr Bottoms work, after a State grant in conjunction with the Council. A heated outburst ensued in the run-up to the March 2008 election, captured on CairnsBlog video.

"You signed something with a previous Council," Mayor Byrne said at a community election meeting. Byrne dismissed the History of Cairns publication and the surrounding issues. "You left us with a can of worms."

The 700-page book is still awaiting a publisher. It is hoped the Schier-led Council will support the publication.

Turtle Cove gay resort sold

After 16 years Turtle Cove resort, on just over half a hectare of beachfront between Cairns and Port Douglas, has been sold.

The owners, Turtle Creek Pty Ltd, was a collection of five business men from Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney, including Cairns Doctor David Bradford, who sold his share in 2005. His partner Michael Williams was a manager at the property.

In April, Turtle Cove was passed in at auction for $3.5 million, well under the asking price, reputedly once to be valued around $15 million. Only two telephone bidders took part in the proposed sale.

The advertising blurb read:

• "Great in ground pool, restaurant and bar overlooking a sandy beach. Most rooms are about 10 years old and in good condition.
  
  Surrounded on four sides by National Park, this is an outstanding operating property in good condition, ideal for family operation."

The former Douglas Shire Council had granted development approval for a swimming pool, tennis court, six townhouses and a caretaker's residence.

In 2005, the former owners attempted to open up their share and market the resort to anyone, ceasing to advertise exclusively to the gay and lesbian market, however it failed to turn the business around, and confused those that were booking.

Mark Proffit of Rainbow Tourism says that the resort lost the gay market due to overpricing.

"Discounted prices to attract travellers, which ultimately means less is invested back into the resort," Mark Profitt says. "There are newer properties in Port Douglas and Cairns which visitors are choosing."

"All of Cairns tourism is suffering but i think the location has worked against them [Turtle Cove] and they stopped reinventing themselves. They certainly didn't reinvest back into the market," Proffit says.

The resort has not been renovated for a long time, and is run down compared to what it used to be like. Rates have plummeted over the last year from $280 to $99 in an attempt to gain more reservations. An $88 special is now offered for past guests, including breakfast.

The new owner, a Melbourne-based investor, has cleaned the website up and taken off all reference to "gay and lesbian resort", and move expected to attract more customers:

• TURTLE COVE RESORT AND SPA is one of the best known and most popular gay resorts in the world...

now reads...

• TURTLE COVE RESORT & SPA has become one of the best known and most popular destination resorts in the world.

What an amazing claim to make.

• Turtle Cove Resort & Spa welcomes gay & lesbian visitors and their totally friendly friends.

now reads...

• Turtle Cove Resort & Spa welcomes visitors and guests to the resort for short or long term stays. Day visits, for both locals and visitors alike, are also encouraged. The Bar and Restaurant together with all resort facilities are open to the public seven days a week.

Tony McGrath listed the property for sale at $4.5 million.

Once lauded as one of the world's top gay resorts, it's now needs a substantial make-over in order to compete with beachfront locations like the Kewarra Beach resort and Thala Beach near Port Douglas.

Some guests has been far from impressed about the condition of the property, that was once a favourite with weekend locals.

"This resort was okay two years ago when I first visited, but you can tell that the owners are very over it and trying to sell it," Nukiwi of Sydney wrote on TripAdvisor.

"They have bare-bones staffing, including only one person in the kitchen at night. The whole atmosphere screams save money. The public spaces are filthy, contributing to the gloom. The physical location, is great, right on a private tropical beach. But the whole place needs a big scrub and clean-up. I can't recommend this place to the discerning gay traveller. Stay somewhere else."

Turtle Cove originally housed accommodation for Christopher Skase's workers in the construction of Port Douglas' Sheraton Mirage. The property subsequently became backpacker accommodation. The owner couple toyed with the idea of turning it into a gay hotel, but the husband wasn't keen, and sold which became a well-known gay holiday destination in 1993. The story goes that the wife returned three years later with her new girlfriend.

Some things are not as straight as they seem.

Sunday video: F*%k you very much

Lilly Allen's 'Fuck you very much' and the hit video created by Stevie Bishop.

• Look inside, look inside your tiny mind
  and look a bit harder
  cause we're so uninspired
  so sick and tired
  of all the hatred you harbor
  so you say it's not okay to be gay
  well I think you're just evil
  you're just some racist who can't tie my laces
  you're point of view is not legal
  Fuck you, fuck you very very much
  cause we hate what you do
  and we hate your whole crew
  so please don't stay in touch
  fuck you, fuck you very very much
  cause your words don't translate
  and it's getting quite late
  so please don't stay in touch
  do you get, do you get a little kick out of being small-minded?
  you want to be like your father
  it's approval you're after
  well that's not how you'll find it
  do you, do you really enjoy living a life that's so hateful
  cause there's a hole where your soul should be
  you're losing control of it
  and it's really distasteful
  Fuck you, fuck you very very much
  cause we hate what you do
  and we hate your whole crew
  so please don't stay in touch
  fuck you, fuck you very very much
  cause your words don't translate
  and it's getting quite late
  so please don't stay in touch
  Look inside, look inside your tiny mind
  and look a bit harder
  cause we're so uninspired
  so sick and tired
  of all the hatred you harbor
  Fuck you, fuck you very very much
  cause we hate what you do
  and we hate your whole crew
  so please don't stay in touch
  fuck you, fuck you very very much
  cause your words don't translate
  and it's getting quite late
  so please don't stay in touch
  

Who would Kevin turn gay for?

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says he will not support gay marriage, however welcomes a debate on the issue.

The Labor Party's national conference starts today in Sydney, with the hot topic of same-sex unions on the table. Rallies are being co-ordinated around the country, including Cairns. The Party banned the issue prior to the last election.

"We are consistent with the policy that we took to the last election," Rudd said yesterday. However her said that the Party "fully respects the integrity of same-sex relationships."

"We will not change our opposition to same-sex marriage. Marriage should be a union between a man and a woman."

The Tasmanian branch of the Party has voted for the Marriage Act to be amended to allow for same-sex unions, whilst a recent poll said 60% of Australians support gay marriage. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has said it will count same-sex couples in the next national census.

New Zealanders enjoy a far more progressive and liberal social environment across the Tasman.

The Homosexual Law Reform Act was passed in 1986, 49 votes to 44. It was preceded by the infamous "Nuremberg Rally" on the steps of Parliament, when a petition against the proposed legislation with 810,000 signatures was presented. Less than half were later validated.

In 1993 the Human Rights Commission Amendment Act is passed, outlawing discrimination on sexual orientation, after only a day or so of debate in the House, and in 2004, Civil Unions were passed into law. Prostitution was decriminalised in 2003.

Australia almost stands alone with the USA, as one of the last remaining western countries to recognise a Civil Union, as an alternative to marriage.

Over one third of all marriages, end in divorce. A similar trend occurs in New Zealand where half of the marriages dissolved lasted just over 13 years.

The National Day of Action for Same-Sex Marriage, will co-rdinate events across the country at 12 midday. The Sydney march will go from the Town Hall to the National Labor Conference at Darling Harbour, where participants plan to stage the nation's largest 'illegal' same-sex wedding.

• Contact Janine Aitken for more information about the Cairns rally.

Springborg chastised by his own pink party

Former leader of Queensland's LNP, Lawrence Springborg, has caused a bitch-slapped

Springborg, now the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, who also holds the titles of Shadow Attorney General, Shadow Minister for Trade, and is the Member for Southern Downs.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Springborg referred to Union as "pansies", after holding up a a punnet of the flowers in Parliament. He suggested that unions change their emblem.

“I want to say to the average Queenslander that the unions are the very definition of a pansy—pathetic and wimpy,” Springborg said.

His statement challenged unions to start "standing up for their members instead of meekly accepting the Bligh Government’s fire sale of assets. Last week’s capitulation on the sale of Queensland assets is something the unions should hang their heads in shame over.”

However, the use of "pansies" has offended many in the LNP, including members of the Party in Cairns. The have asked for a public apology.

"Lawrence, in a time when we see the Conservatives in the UK reaching out to the gay and lesbian voter in a positive way; realising that social inclusiveness is not only right but also a legitimate way to boost the conservative vote – it was disappointing to read the press release issue by the LNP under your name," wrote a senior Party strategist.

"Whilst you may claim that the definition of a pansy is 'pathetic' and 'wimpy', for many of us who are members of both the LNP and the Queensland community, the usage of the word 'pansy' is used a derogatory term for gays and lesbians.

• Urban Dictionary definition:-
  “Pansy - someone very pathetic and wimpy, generally used as an insult against both sexes. Often confused with fag, sissy and other rather small-minded terms for a homosexual man. “

"Yes it does say pathetic and wimpy, but it does continue as you see," wrote the LNP member. "Lawrence, you can do better; you do know better."

"I think you deserve to be chastised and the many gay and lesbians who are members of the LNP to be apologised to."

"I'm sure that there were other measures that you could have taken, or words that could have been said, that did not also (and perhaps unintentionally) insult the gay and lesbian community," the LNP member wrote to Lawrence Springborg.

Since Springborg's statement, he has received a flurry of letters and emails against his “pansies” comment, including from Dennis Quick, who directed the campaign during the last State election.

I'm sure that former Federal Liberal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, who is the Regional chair for the LNP and an advocate for a more progressive approached to gay and lesbian legislation, would be far from impressed.

It's an outdated attitude to say the least, and while the deposed leader was trying to make a point about Unions, and be funny, it was hardly well-thought out.

The press release has been pulled from the LNP website overnight.

FestiVAL 09 launched

Shangri-La Conference and Events Manager, Jillian Causer, welcomes
Cairns Mayor Val Schier to the Pier and hotel for the launch ceremony.

Festival Cairns 2009 has been launched, at a selected special invitation-only event at Shangri-La.

Many of the media weren't even invited, thanks to lack of co-ordination between the Council media team and external event PR consultant. Some things don't change.

However this year's programme is a great deal different, and not before time.

Festival Cairns will run between Friday 21 August and Sunday 6 September.

The Festival website was also launched today.

The theme this year is "Telling our Stories", which his appropriate for the kick off with an inaugural Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. Three weekends are incorporated into the Festival’s 16 days, ending with the 20th anniversary celebrations of Carnival on Collins on Sunday September 6.

“For the past 47 years Cairns has held a festival to celebrate our culture, unique tropical lifestyle, talents and multicultural diversity," Mayor Val Schier said. "This year we have taken Festival Cairns back to its community roots under the direction of the Cairns Regional Council to ensure a reinvigorated program with a comprehensive line-up of free and ticketed events combining art, music, dance, film and large public events,” Schier said.

“With this Festival we can differentiate ourselves from the rest of the world because let's face it - this is best place in the world to be and we have a unique history and culture that makes it even more exciting."

“I am pleased to say we have achieved our aims by keeping Festival Cairns 2009 community-focused with a great percentage of the program taken up with local content. Also, we have managed to attract top entertainers and celebrities who will add national appeal to our unique event," Val Scier says.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2009

- inaugural Cairns Indigenous Art Fair on the opening weekend of August 21-23. with incredible talent Aurukun Songmen, King Kadu (Ricardo Idagi) and the Ariu Poenipan
dancers from the Torres Strait, Will Kepa, Uncle Seaman Dan, Zennith and Christine Anu.

- the Grand Parade which attracts crowds of 35,000, has been moved to a new timeslot at the beginning of the Festival Cairns celebrations on August 22, instead of the end. New creative director from Scott Maidment and his team who are responsible for Adelaide’s Fringe Festival parade.

- Free family events new to the program include a beach party at the Esplanade Lagoon with a "dive-in movie" on a giant inflatable screen.

- Market Square, City Place and an Esplanade Stage at the Lagoon have been designated Festival hub sites with entertainment every day and night of the Festival.

- Walking around the city you might discover a music or visual elements, from brightly painted pianos for anyone to play, roving ukulele player or street performers.

- enjoy Night Light–Short Films in the City, a series of local, silent films which will be projected on to existing walls, floors and interesting spaces around the city.

- Foodie events have been expanded this year with celebrity chef Gary Mehigan from TV’s Masterchef, giving free cooking demonstrations using local seasonal produce and seafood at The Pier’s Farmgate Markets.

- Also new to the program is the Taste of Palm Cove on August 23.

- Bird Tour Walks have been added, with 25 guided walks and events

- Joining Festival Cairns for the first time are existing festivals Tropic Pride and the Illumination White Party, is for gay and lesbian family and friends, on August 30 at AJ Hackett’s Smithfield.

- a special under 18 community concert will be held at the PCYC in Manunda on August 21.

INFO
Belinda Griffin, Festival Cairns Coordinator
Tel 4044 3593 / 0407 966 530

Get back in the closet, Mr O'Halloran

Richard O'Halloran of Yorkeys is a knob.

The Cairns Post must have checked the letter writer this time, as he's a real live person.

Yesterday O'Halloran wrote a letter in the Post as if it were still 1977.

"There is a time and place for everything," he wrote. "I object to having a gay and lesbian choir... and having to explain who the hell they are to my son."

Well, for a start, I'd stop using the word 'hell' to to your son, otherwise Lucifier might pay you an early visit.
He was referring a performance at the 5th annual Festival of the Knob, which attracted a crowd of 5,000 over the weekend.

"Let's keep a bit of civil pride in our suburb," O'Halloran writes, whatever that's meant to mean. "I am not homophobic, I enjoyed their routine but please keep it away from kids."

Why? What will happen? Will they want to take up singing? Wear bright-coloured shirts?

I know this writer reads CairnsBlog because anyone with that amount of time to scribe a hate-filled letter about his fellow citizens, must surf the net for dodgy websites.

He says he's not 'homophobic and that Yorkeys Knob "should be taken in proper context, and not for the exploitation of a minority. Right, let's kick those rich wankers out of the Half Moon Bay Boat Club. They a damm minority. How dare they flaunt their rich-arse boats driving along Varley Street, past Mr O'Halloran's house, showing off their knobs.

Should we stop Henry's Tae Kwon-do group using the community hall, because only a few are interested?

O'Halloran's angry letter says more about himself and his upbringing, than anyone else when he said the choir should "not frighten the parents." Well, I know there's a few ugly mugs in the line up, but they really didn't frighten anyone I think.

OutLOUD's Musical Director, Cliff Anderson says the choir were invited to perform due to their identity as a community musical/social group, not as a minority.

"There was absolutely no political agenda," Cliff Anderson told CairnsBlog. "Secondly, there was nothing blatantly sexual or 'gay' in our performance. This was hardly a case of jockstraps, bare chests and 'Gay Rights Now' posters."

"We are a group of men and women entertaining the crowd through song, as simple and harmless as that. The very large group of people [at the Festival of the Knob] was cheering at the end of our performance, and seemed to agree with this."

The fact that they're a gay social group has nothing to do with why they were there," Anderson says.
"I take great offence at being told to 'keep it away from the kids'," he says. "My mother and my fifteen year old son were at the Festival and thoroughly enjoyed the entire day. Perhaps you Dick [Richard O'Halloran], could explain to my son why 'the hell' people jeer at my partner and I holding hands in the street?"

The choir, made up of 25 amateur singers from across the Cairns region, has been performing for just over a year.

Yorkeys Knob festival co-ordinator and a member of OUTloud, Maurice Milliner, who also sung in the choir on Saturday, says that such a letter is simply 'great publicity'.

"This will simply get the gay community's voice out there," he said in response to the letter. "I have had nothing but positive response from those I have spoken with and the response from the crowd on the day said enough to not be too worried over it."

Veteran ABC Far North radio presenter, Pat Morrish, back in town after a well-deserved holiday following her retirement last August, infamous for utterances about Mrs Slocombe's pussy, was the MC at the weekend community festival.

"Well, how can you follow that, after such a wonderful performance by our own gay and lesbian choir," Pat Morrish said on the day.

You can contact OUT Loud via their FaceBook group or telephone 4041 5451.

They're always looking for new members. You don't have to be any great singer. Incidentally, they're on the hunt for a new musical director, as Cliff is heading south in a few months.

Residents' Association president, Pam Bigelow (pictured with Pat) doesn't see what all the fuss is about.
"We're a great community and made up of many different people, and that's why we come together as a community to celebrate. Everyone's welcome," Pam Bigelow says.

Even Mr O'Halloran, it seems. Just please keep your narrow mind in the closet before you walk out the door. Your kids will be richer in a world without hatred and prejudice.

Here they are performing Rainbow Day and Take These Wings, at the World Aids Day Vigil, Cairns City Place, last December.

Do ask, do tell

We know what you did last session!

Outrage, a new documentary about closeted gay politicians that promote anti-gay legislation, is set to shock the US.

Politicians include Florida governor Charlie Crist, California congressman David Dreier, former New York City mayor Ed Koch, and former Louisiana congressman Jim McCrery.

When asked about the ethics of outing politicians for the choices they make in their private lives, the film's director said they take the position that we don't look into politicians who are in the closet but are not voting anti-gay. Here's an interview on CNN last week.

Can you name the out gay Australian politicians? I mean, beside Senator Bob Brown, and Climate Change Minister Penny Wong. Or how about local pollys or candidates? Nah, I won't out any.

Meanwhile, UK's shadow environment secretary Nick Herbert, has defended expenses he has claimed on a new home. His civil partner, Jason Eades owns half of the West Sussex home.

“Their sole objection was that my second home is co-owned by Jason, but they did not raise this concern in relation to other MPs whose second homes are co-owned by their husband or wife," Herbert said.

Outrage premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last month.

Pink elephants

What Syd Walker is doing trawling Polish websites, is beyond me.

However, he pointed me to a rather interesting story after a Polish politician criticised a local zoo for acquiring a gay elephant named Ninio. It turns out that Ninio prefers male companions. Local media report that he will probably not procreate.

"We didn't pay 37 million zlotys ($15.4 million AUD) for the largest elephant house in Europe to have a gay elephant live there," Michal Grzes, a conservative councillor in the city of Poznan said. "We were supposed to have a herd, but as Ninio prefers male friends over females how will he produce offspring?" Grzes says.

However, the Zoo keeper says that 10-year-old Ninio may be too young to decide whether he prefers males or females as elephants only reach sexual maturity at 14.

Readers may, or may not, be surprised that many animals have homosexual behaviour. Many mammals, birds, and even fish are gay. Bruce Bagemihl in Biological Exuberance showed that indeed they are.

I recall National MP John Banks, at the height of the 1984 homosexual law reform debate in New Zealand, infamously claimed "You wouldn't get sheep doing it!"

Have a giggle at Ricky Gervais, talking animals.

Single, but not desperate

If you're single, would you wear a badge to publicly let everyone know this?

The entrepreneurial folk at Yes, I am Single certainly hope so, in what has to be the most crass marketing opportunity to surface in years. For $23, you can tell everyone that you're on the market.

"You can use the badge to attract a person of the opposite sex," the service states (what about the gays?).

They also say you can use the badge, on the bus, train or ferry; at the gym; at the pub or at a restaurant; at the shopping mall; at the theatre or cinema; while walking the dog; on vacation or at a sporting event; on a bucks/hens night when out with friends; at the beach (dunno where you wear it?); or at church.

I'd like to see the places you should wear such a badge, like at your wedding breakfast; during an argument with your other half, or a funeral, which I hear is one of the best places to hook up.

Former PM Clark off to New York

Most astute readers will be aware that former Kiwi PM Helen Clark, has been appointed Administrator of the United Nationals Development Programme.

The role is the third most senior at the UN, has been confirmed by the UN General Assembly. The UNDP is the largest of the independently funded of UN agencies. It's aim is to eradicate extreme poverty and promote good governance in developing countries. It has a $7.5 billion budget, mostly spent on African programs.

Clark served in the New Zealand Parliament since 1981, and was Prime Minister from 1999 to 2008.

In her valedictory speech to Parliament yesterday, 27 years to-the-month since she made her maiden speech as a 32-year-old, said it was inevitable that New Zealand would give up the British monarchy as head of state.

"It's a question of not if but when." Helen Clark's government abolished knights and dames but the new National Prime Minister, John Key, has since re-instated them.

"I have no regrets, I repeat no regrets, about leaving Parliament at this time," Clark said, who ushered in huge social reform under her leadership. From gay civil unions; prostitution law reform and hate crime legislation; it makes Australia a conservative backwater.

I've met Clark on a number of occasions through my time serving as a political research officer in Wellington, and while Lance Royce will vehemently object, I wish her the very best in this challenging new role ahead.

At least she has comfortable shoes.

BRÜNO coming out in July

Here's the trailer from the creator of Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen's highly anticipated new film BRÜNO.

Bruno is a gay Austrian supermodel. The film is due out July 10.

Out, loud and free

Out Loud - Cairns gay and lesbian choir is celebrating it's first birthday with a free concert this Saturday.

All you have to do is bring your own drinks, a plate to share and enjoy the performance. Acting a little gay is also welcome, but not mandatory.

WHERE: Rondo Theatre, Greenslopes Street, Cairns
WHEN: 7:30pm , Saturday, April 4, 2009
Email: outloud@live.com.au

Fruitloops this Friday at Blue Sky

Cairns' monthly gay and lesbian social business networking, Fruitloops is on again this Friday at the Blue Sky Brewery in Lake Street from 5pm, meet in the back bar.

Nibbles are provided and a gold coin contribution on the night is appreciated. This time they have great giveaways including 3 x 1 hour complementary lessons for aspiring pole dancers from Pole Play Studios.

Fruitloops organisers, Gigi and Andrea are also taking over the management of Port Douglas Pink Flamingo resort. "It's a beautiful resort, perfect for a weekend getaway, even better for a longer stay," says Gigi. "We'll offer local rates and pets are welcome, however, no children!"

Check out the calendar for 'what's on' and the business and community directory for heaps of contacts.

Caption Contest - after the party

Well, I had to do it.

1. "My promises were this big, almost as big as the State debt I avoided talking about for the last month. Suckers!"
2. "I said, 'Lawrence it's either your lies or mine. They obviously liked mine a whole lot better."
3. "I really didn't want this job again. Like Desley, I also had two concession speeches ready, but I needed an outing for this new red number."
4. "I told Oliver not to wear that Abercrombie & Fitch top. It makes him look a bit gay."
5. "Now we can carry on with what we were doing before this election: borrowing, spending, building - all those things great for a recession."
6. "I'd like to extend my love to regional Australia, you know how much I care for you and how much I listen to you up there."
7. "................your turn......................"

Cairns Post 'Busted'

In a new regular column, I'll be focusing on our local daily, the Cairns Post, and watching when they stray from the line of proper journalism. I

While there's some great exposes made on Not the Cairns Post, and I've held to account a number of stories and depictions of photographs under the leadership of former editor, Mark Alexander, it's time to make this a regular feature.

On Thursday (March 5th), the Post carried an article on about an increase in international student enrolments at James Cook University.

A picture of two African students was used to personalise the story. They only problem is the two men pictured were not international students.

Although both attend JCU, they are not in Cairns as international students. They came as refugees through the United Nations Humanitarian Program. One is now an Australian citizen and the other is well on the way to achieving citizenship.

The two men were approached by the Cairns Post for the story and both told the reporter in question that they were not international students. However this was completely ignored along with the students’ comments, thereby taking advantage of the good nature of the two young men.

Of course, this is not the first time the Cairns Post has invented stories, falsified details, been guilty of sensationalism, or got its facts wrong or deliberately distorted them, or misused its power and influence. Take for example the story about the so-called 'makeshift' morgue in Karumba at the time of the large scale Cape York flooding that isolated the town back in late February.

The follow-up story the next day, another story was published, showing what utter nonsense the original article was. It was an idiotic, sensationalist and untrue piece of work. How any responsible newspaper could publish it is beyond belief, but then again this is the newspaper that had as its page one story some time ago, an article and photograph about an eye-sucking leech.

These stories raise some questions about the Cairns Post. Specifically, to whom is The Post accountable? Is it accountable at all? Is its power and influence used in a way to benefit the community and individual Cairns residents?

Do its journalists have any enforceable ethical guidelines, and if so what are they? How are they enforced, who enforces them, and what are the penalties for any breaches?

Does the Cairns Post reflect the community of which it is supposed to be a part? For example, is the relentless diet of crime and mayhem that it serves up harmful to the community? Does it deter tourists? Is our city the extremely violent place that the Cairns Post makes it out to be?

Cairns is a remarkably diverse city. It is the home of several thousand Aboriginal people whose country it is, and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders live here.

There is a substantial grouping of migrants and descendants of migrants, and it is the home of a large gay community and is a well-known gay holiday resort destination.

We have protestants and catholics, Buddhists and Muslims, animists and followers of Confucius and presumably members of every other religion and belief under the sun. Why are these never represented by the major daily?

We have the aged and the frail, the homeless the destitute, people with a disability, and they are all as entitled to be respected and to have their voices heard.

Are all these beliefs and customs and practices and ways of life, are they understood and respected by the Cairns Post? Is this typically Australian diversity reflected in the Cairns Post?

If a person is wronged by the Cairns Post, how do they seek redress? Does the Cairns Post admit its mistakes and correct them as a matter of course, rather than as a result of legal pressure? Is redress confined to the rich and powerful who have ready access to lawyers, or who can apply pressure through threats to withdraw their advertising?

CairnsBlog plans to irregularly present this column, focusing on our local daily. I'd love to hear your views about "our" newspaper. In particular, CairnsBlog would like to hear local experiences of the Cairns Post, in particular whether they had a complaint and how it was dealt with.

Goes to show, not everything that is black and white, is read all over.

Homo and Away

Cheap trashy TV soap Home and Away is going a bit gay, or lesbian.

A romance between policewoman Charlie Buckton and her new love trawler-worker Joey Collins, is about to hit the early evening screens.

"They share a dance and a kiss, and over the following five weeks their relationship blossoms into love," the report says.

And as expected, family groups have got their straight knickers in a knot, who say the PG-rated show has a big teen following, and shouldn't have such subjects in the programme.

"They continue to market to kids and they continue to develop quite sexualised plot lines," Angela Conway of Pro-Family Perspectives says.

"The plot lines that young kids and teenagers should be presented with should be about really authentic relationships that are not just sexualised."

However actor Esther Anderson, who plays the cheeky lesbian character, said that you learn pretty much everything at school.

"I don't think it's like I'm lifting the lid on something they don't already know about. To me there's no difference - love's love," Esther says. "The fact that your partner's the same sex is no different. You just want to be loved."

Five years ago the long-running Neighbours was attacked when two female schoolgirl characters kissed.

Sex, sex, sex, that's all you talk about

The Australian Sex Party is not a naughty night down some dodgy back lane. It's a new political party, and they're serious about issues to raise.

Organiser Fiona Patten is planning to run candidates at next year's Federal election. Issues of censorship, sex education, legal abortion, gay marriage, the sexual rights of the elderly in nursing homes and the age of consent are top of their list.

"There is a different age of consent in Queensland for men and women," she said.