Events: Community

A darkly funny and honest exploration into the power of the dance floor and the possibility to create magic when the world shuts you out. Inspired by Sydney’s historical queer lineage and those that came before us. Can you fall in love under the light of a bathroom stall?

The Flying Nun by Brand X
Created and Performed by Tommy Misa
Sound Design by Jonny Seymour
Supported by Dino Dimitriadis

Photo credit: Dean Tirkot

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Tommy Misa is an Australian multidisciplinary artist of Samoan, British, Chinese and German ancestry. Tommy often devises work with focus on the intersections of lived experience and with common themes of race, class, mental health, addiction and queerness, often using humour as an approach. Tommy has trained at the Atlantic Acting School in NYC and locally at NIDA, The Hub Studio and the Australian Theatre for Young People. Tommy has worked across film, theatre and extensively in the queer club/performance scene in Australia and has performed at the Sydney Opera House, Secret Garden Festival, Sydney Mardi Gras and for Gay Times Festival and the Sydney Biennale in 2020.

See plus size performers dance, strut, shimmy and strip in Australia’s first fat only burlesque show. Everything you thought you knew about fat bodies and who belongs on a stage is about to be shattered.

Created by Kelly Heylen

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Fat, femme and fabulous, Glamazon is new to burlesque but experienced in all the ways that count. She is on a mission to smash tired old stereotypes about who gets to be on stage and isn’t afraid of smashing the patriarchy along the way.

L to R: Mim Loftus, Pam Stein, Suzanne Hollis. Photo: Phillip Potter

Given the dominant patriarchal approach to history, it’s unsurprising that the role women played in the early lesbian and gay movement is often given minor consideration to that of men.

Yet lesbians played a pivotal role, despite being faced with misogyny and sexism, even from some homosexual men. The place of lesbians within the Women’s Liberation Movement was also initially contested by some of their sisters. Against these odds, gains in the areas of the status of women, lesbian mothers and opposition to the harmful practices of psychiatry were many.

To explore these issues and mark the 50^th anniversary of the founding of the Australasian Lesbian Movement, the Pride History Group and First Mardi Gras Inc. a community organisation for 78ers, are holding a joint forum – A Lavender Menace? Australia’s Early Lesbian Movement.

Speakers will include lesbians who were pioneer members of CAMP and other early lesbian and gay groups.
 

2 - 4pm Saturday 15 February
Beneledi House, 194 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
(next to the library on the corner of Wigram Road)
RSVP: info@78ers.org.au

This event is the first in a series planned to celebrate 50 Fabulous Years of Liberation.

Lifesavers with Pride have been saving lives and celebrating Surf Life Saving since their first parade entry in 2007. Now, as part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival, they are ready to welcome you down onto the beaches and into their surf clubs so you can get all up close and personal with the very handsome girls and fit fellas.

What better way to prepare for the Mardi Gras parade the following day, than to head down to Tamarama Beach for a late afternoon dip in the summer waters, then up to the Tamarama Clubhouse, where you can hang with the folk for a few drinks looking over the beach as the sun sets into the evening.

We'll have some tunes spinning by the ever popular DJ Dan Murphy (a lifesaver himself at one of our local beaches when he's not on the decks), plus we'll do the Aussie thing and throw some snags on the BBQ for you to soak up that alcohol. Enough of an early mark for either a good nights' sleep before the big parade day, or for you to head out to do some serious clubbing for those who just can't get enough of your time in Sydney.

So regardless whether you're a Sydney local looking for some fun, an 'out of town'er here for the weekend, or an interstate or international visitor here for a week or so, swing on by to say hi to the team in the red and yellow. Our sexy lifesavers are keen to welcome our travelling visitors the only way they know how. By teasing you with their six packs, cracking open a cold one and showing off their skills with the kiss of life.

Ticket gives entry to Tamarama Clubhouse and free BBQ. Drinks available for purchase at the Club Bar.

A new name on the Sydney fetish scene. A space to be yourself.

The EAGLE Sydney - a pop up fetish bar from Feb 22-28. Located in the Dugout Bar, Burdekin Hotel Darlinghurst - entrance Liverpool Street.

Each night a different fetish theme - come in the fetish of the night and receive a free drink. Leather, Rubber, Pups, Sports Gear+Sneakers and more. All fetishes welcome every night. GEAR is encouraged, not enforced - come explore yourself.

Free Entry every night. DJs most nights
All sexes and sexualities welcome.

Sat 22 - BLUF Social and OPENING NIGHT
Sun 23 - RUBBEr
Mon 24 - BIKEr
Tues 25 - MAXIMUM FETISH
Wed 26 - KICKr
Thu 27 - WROOF
Fri 28 - UN:RUL:LE

Details and information on facebook or the website!
 

Join us for SPARK’s Youth History Walk this Mardi Gras season!

Well before Oxford Street became the Gay Golden Mile, King’s Cross was the centre of Sydney’s gay nightlife. How did the community grow and why was there a later move to Oxford Street? Along the walk down King’s Cross and Oxford Street, we will be revisiting Sydney’s LGBTQ history with stories about important bars and venues that carved out spaces for members of the community in those early days, and the legacy of the first Mardi Gras in 1978.

Commentary will be by former gay activist and community historian, Robert French, who has been leading history tours for over 30 years, often in conjunction with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. He has also published on homosexuality in Colonial and mid-20th Century Sydney.

The walk will take roughly 90 minutes. We encourage you to bring a water bottle and wear some sun screen on the day.

This event is for people of diverse sexualities and genders aged 26 years and under.

Sydney's small gay bar for Bears and their friends has supersized for Mardi Gras and pops up in the main bar of the Burdekin Hotel on Oxford street for a week of fun and games. Expect comedy & drag, pool & pizza plus great party nights with some of the best Australian and International DJs.

Appearing at Bear Bar for Mardi Gras 2020 are comedian Dean Arcuri, popular London DJ LCB and Sydney based DJ Hamo who'll also be spinning at the Mardi Gras Party.

Join the friendly crowd at Bear Bar for eight action packed days including a special Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Party on Feb 29th. This will be the place to be this Mardi Gras, everyone welcome ...not just Bears!

Open Saturday, February 22nd to Saturday February 29th. Visit BearBar.com.au for all the event details!

Understanding drugs in social and sexual lives

Substance use has long played a role in the social and sexual lives of gay, bisexual and queer men. Dr Max Hopwood and Dr Kerryn Drysdale from the Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW will present the fourth annual Sex Lecture, drawing on insights from the Crystal, Pleasures and Sex between Men research project on gay, bisexual and queer men who use crystal methamphetamine for sex. The lecture will be followed by an expert panel who will discuss how we can better encourage practices of safety and care for people who use drugs for sex or socialising in our communities.

This is a free public lecture, delivered by the Centre for Social Research in Health at UNSW. Tickets are $0 to attend, but attendees must register via our Eventbrite page here.

Introduction: Emeritus Professor Gary W. Dowsett
Gary Dowsett, PhD, FASSA, is Emeritus Professor at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, Melbourne, and Adjunct Professor in the Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW

Event MC: Scientia Professor Carla Treloar

Panellists include Leon Fernandes, Joe Lonn and Suzie Hudson.

Leon Fernandes is a harm reduction and adult educator for over 20 years, with intimate knowledge of illicit and injecting drug use and its relationship with sex.

Joe Lonn is a gay man from the United States living in Sydney, working in LGBTQ inclusive practice education for mainstream services.

Dr Suzie Hudson is an accredited mental health Social Worker, with over 20 years’ clinical experience, and is the Clinical Director at NADA as well as maintaining a private counselling and clinical supervision practice.

Join Sydney's Super-Hero Diva and Glambassador of Love and Equality as she takes you on an exploration of Oxford Street - Sydney's LGBT Hub!

From Hyde Park we will go on foot to visit a series of fabulous LGBT entertainment venues, shops and landmarks in the gay hub of Sydney! Slide Bar, House of Priscilla, The Oxford, and much more! We'll discuss facts and tidbits of each place as well as a brief history of venues new and old! We'll do some shopping pitstops and even stop at Swiss Bakers if you want a coffee or snack! Lots to do darlings!

During the tour Wonder Mama will also give a run down of the world renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade which she herself has participated in numerous times! The tour will end near Taylor Square at the delightful Sydney Rainbow Crossing where you can stay to take photos and then depart the tour to grab dinner or enjoy a drink at a number of the bars open for happy hour!!

$5 from every individual booking during Mardi Gras Season will be donated to The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation.

Sydney’s very own Super-Hero Drag Queen and Glambassador of Love and Equality, The Fabulous Wonder Mama, will be hosting a FREE 'Super-Hero Drag Story Time' at the Inner West’s Club Five Dock RSL On Friday February 21, 2020 from 4.00-5.30pm!

Wonder Mama is the semi-retired super-hero that has attended many charity fundraisers, comic conventions, and community events and has even travelled to New York for World Pride and Wonder Con in Anaheim California!

Join Wonder Mama as she reads some of her favourite super-hero stories plus the kids can come dressed as their favourite super-hero and a chance to home a prize for best super-hero costume! Super-Hero Story Time with Wonder Mama will be followed by Club Five Dock RSL’s Monthly Jitterbugs Kids Disco at 6pm which kids can also attend for just $7 a ticket.

Club Five Dock RSL Promotes inclusitivity and acceptance of the LGBTIQ Community hosting a number of events for Sydney Dykes on Bikes and other LGBTIQ functions so come along for a FREE Story Time Family Event open to everyone!

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Dayenu (Sydney’s Jewish LGBT+) Group, in association with Emanuel Synagogue, invites you to their annual Shabbat Service, followed by a communal dinner.

Emanuel Synagogue takes pride in its long history of support for the LGBT+ community, including offering same-sex marriage ceremonies and a raft of political initiatives in support of LGBT+ issues.

The service is free of charge and open to everyone.

Booking required for our strictly Kosher-catered dinner - last year sold out so don’t wait! (BYO wine)
$50 for Emanuel Synagogue / Dayenu members, and $65 for non-members.

For more information: (02) 9389 6444 or info@emanuel.org.au

Service commences 18:15
Dinner to follow from 19:30

Partner dancing learning Street Latin Moves! Learn Salsa, Merengue, Bachata Basics.

Come with a partner or come by yourself - it's a fun way to meet people!

Book by SMS: 0411 808 451 or email keepsafe@ihug.com.au.

Free Self Defence Workshop for LGBTQI community and allies to keep you safe when you're out and about.

The workshop will include:
Prediction
Prevention
Physical Strategies
Dealing with being punched, ground techniques, being attacked by a group

Tips For Safety:
1. Keep your eyes and ears open
2. Make sure you have back up and know where the nearest Safety Zone is (where there are sympathetic people or people in authority)
3. Keep emergency phone numbers on speed dial
4. Run to safety rather than from danger
5. If you have no choice strike vulnerable areas of your attacker/s and run if you feel you don’t have a choice, but talk them down if you can 

For these and more detailed tips and techniques, come to the Free Self Defence Workshop.

Bookings via SMS to 0411808451 or email Keepsafe@ihug.com.au

www.selfprotectionconsultancy.com.au

Happy Mardi Gras! The Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by Lord Mayor Clover Moore at Sydney Town Hall is the first official welcoming event of the Festival each year.

The rainbow flag originated in San Francisco in 1978 and was designed by artist Gilbert Baker for the Californian city's Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade. Since then it has become a worldwide emblem of pride and LGBTQI+ friendly areas. The red in the flag symbolises life, while orange signifies healing, yellow is for sunlight, green represents nature, blue stands for harmony and violet signifies spirit.

City of Sydney is proud to show support for its many LGBTQI+ residents, workers and visitors. As a government partner of Sydney's Mardi Gras Festival, the City will fly the rainbow flag above Sydney Town Hall throughout the 2020 Festival from Friday 14 February until Sunday 1 March.

OutStanding Short Story Competition presents … The Launch of MINIATURE (for micro-stories of 50 words or less) A special event for the Mardi Gras season! Great prizes! And a fun get-together for Sydney’s Queer Lit community!