Ron Hughes: Community Matters

We have a great community issue this time out, with contributions from the AIDS Council on the success of IDAHO day and also calling on input from the community so they can plan the most effective way to combat the ongoing problem of HIV.

It’s important that members of the community get involved, because without feedback, how do our community organisations know they are reaching the people they need to reach, and are effectively sending the message they need to send? There’s a ‘Revving Up’ community forum on Wednesday June 6 staring at 6pm. Check out the article for details.

We also have an article from guest writer and legal eagle Poppy Matters on the disparity in parenting laws in this state that makes a mockery of recent changes to the Family Relationships Act 1975. We were pleased to report the passage of those changes, which allow lesbian couples to have both partners’ names on their child’s birth certificate. Problem is, that only applies to babies born through assisted reproductive technologies, which... wait for it... are not available to single women and same-sex couples in this state! Thankfully legislation has been passed through the upper house to open up ART to same-sex couples and single women. We urge the MPs in the lower house to approach this issue with open hearts and show the same overwhelming support as their colleagues in that other place.

Also dear to our hearts is the annual Feast queer cultural festival, which is in its sixteenth year. This year’s theme is ‘coming of age’ and the poster artwork by young artist Rachel Lobban features, appropriately enough, a birthday cake. As usual the poster and theme launch on Thursday May 24 was a fun, friendly and informal affair. Thanks to my mate Rod Lewis for running around taking photos and to Ian Buckland for sending through some great shots for us to publish; check out the galleries online.

You will have noticed, our cover this issue features a very subversive-looking Kate Ceberano, who has firmly put her own stamp on the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. The effervescent songstress sat down with Peter Burdon and outlined her vision and the veritable constellation of stars she’s lured to what has become arguably the best cabaret festival anywhere.

More community matters: check out the upcoming Daring Conference, held by the Uniting Church. This year it’s in Adelaide and is set to explore issues concerning spirituality, sexuality and the concept of “family”.

Don’t forget to check out gaynewsnetwork.com.au for all our breaking news. Oh, and ‘like’ us on Facebook, too. ’Til next time, stay safe.

Ron Hughes is the editor of blaze.