If you  are struggling with anxiety or depression, support and counseling are available from:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636 and www.beyondblue.org.au

QLife: 1800 184 527 FREE and www.qlife.org.au (QLife are a counselling and referral service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people.

June 3rd, 2015

Sydney producer Elizabeth Rose has released a song that aims to speak out on marriage equality.

Rose’s track ‘Division’ debuted on triple j this morning. Entitled ‘Division’, it is a direct statement about marriage equality in Australia. Following Ireland’s historic referendum last week, Australia is one of the only English-speaking countries that does not recognise same sex marriage, and politicians and artists alike are raising discussion as to why it’s taking us so long.

“Australia is tipped as the ‘lucky’ country, but reflecting upon what we stand for, I’m not sure that we are all that we’re cracked up to be. Our peers fall victim to acts of discrimination and are denied the right to equality. For a country that boasts of multi-culturalism and acceptance, why aren’t we accepting of this?” Rose said in a statement.

“Less than a week ago Ireland became the nineteenth country to allow same sex marriage, they join the Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil, Sweden, Norway, France, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Spain and the U.K. We are moving towards this significant moment in Australian history and I urge people to accept and embrace this need for equality in our country.”

For the next two weeks, ‘Division’ will be available via Rose’s website on a pay-as-you-choose basis with profits going towards Australian Marriage Equality.

You can listen to ‘Division’ on THUMP and download the song on Elizabeth Rose’s website.

Sophie Joske

Image: Cybele Malinowski, story originally published on June 3rd as ‘Elizabeth Rose releases song for marriage equality.’

The post Elizabeth Rose releases video for marriage equality appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Lilly Singh’s online moniker ‘Superwoman’ (or ‘IISuperwomanII’, as is styled on YouTube), is by no means an overstatement. The twenty-six year old has a vast following worldwide and she’ll be meeting some of those loyal fans on the world tour of her show ‘A Trip to Unicorn Island’. She chatted to OUTinPerth all the way from her home country of Canada. Singh has visited Australia twice before, and she shared with us what she’s looking forward to about her third visit.

“I feel like every single time I go to Australia I have to go see kangaroos. I feel like it’s mandatory. I can come ten times and all ten times I’ll go see them. Oh! And also eat Tim Tams.” she said.

‘A Trip to Unicorn Island’ is the first live comedy show that Singh is performing internationally. She told us what inspired the show and its evocative title. “Unicorn Island is a pseudonym for my happy place. Essentially this show is a trip to my happy place that lives in my brain and heart.” she said.

“The concept for Unicorn Island is that everybody has their own, and everyone has their own happy place and things that make them happy so mine looks like there’s cupcakes everywhere, there’s lots of popcorn, possibly shooting out of a volcano. There’s lots of free food and sunshine and lots of cute possums.

“It’s very adult and mature as you can see.” she laughed. Singh’s YouTube videos are typically comedy-based, featuring herself playing a number of characters including a cartoonish version of her Indian parents. Most fans will be familiar with Singh collaborating, acting or speaking her mind in a short video format. She explained what she had in store with her stage show.

“There’ll be comedy, there’ll be inspiration, there’ll be music, there’ll be dancing, there will be my parents out there for the first ever time that they’ve been on live. I think more than anything there’s a really strong message and connection. From beginning to end I actually am taking the audience on a journey through my life and to my happy place and my experiences. So, I think that’s what I want people to take away the most.”

Singh’s trademark positivity with a dash of sarcasm has made her immensely popular online. She’s got over 5 and a half million subscribers, currently outweighing the population of Norway.

Singh herself seemed unaware that her online popularity had earned her enough supporters to fill a Scandanavian nation. “Oh my God, I’m impressed with myself!” she exclaimed.

Having a country’s worth of subscribers wasn’t something she could have possibly conceived of when she posted her first YouTube video as Superwoman. “When I started making YouTube videos I had finished my psychology degree and I had been on a year off, literally to figure out what I wanted to do in life and I had no clue by the end of that year. So I started to apply for my Masters because my dad was really adamant about that. And then I posted a few videos and was like ‘No, you know what? This is what I’m going to do.’ I’m going to at least try and do my best at something.”

It’s a decision that paid off. As well as touring internationally, Singh also posts two videos a week. She explained how she manages to keep thinking of new ideas after more than four years in online showbusiness. “I always have my thinking cap on, so I can be out with my friends, and something will happen and I’ll be like ‘Oh my God, totally gonna put that in a video.’ It’s about having your brain moving around. Otherwise, to be honest if I’m really stumped for an idea I’ll ask the people who watch them. I’ll be like ‘Hey guys, what do you want me to do today?’ It’s a combination of my own ideas and the ideas of my audience.”

Singh’s interaction with her audience is an integral part of what she does, and she’s found that her LGBT fans in particular connect with her message of positivity and self-acceptance. She’s also collaborated with a number of well-known queer YouTubers including Hannah Hart and Connor Franta. When asked if she had a particular message for her LGBT fans, Singh was reflective.

“I think genuinely if I was to answer that question it would be that they are some of the strongest people I know. I think parts of the world are not ready for humanity to get along and I think it’s very tough, and then also at the same time beautiful and awesome that people like that exist. I really mean that. Like I said, I have a lot of friends that experience a lot of things and I think every single person that is openly gay is doing something wonderful for the world, and for humanity in general. Or even who are not openly but just who really want to find themselves, I think everything about that is just beautiful.”

Lilly Singh’s ‘A Trip to Unicorn Island’ will be at the Astor Theatre on June 7th. Tickets available from www.lillysinghtour.com

Sophie Joske

The post Superwoman arrives appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Jebediah are one of Perth’s most successful bands. While they’ve recently found themselves making it onto every online list of underrated Australian bands of the 1990s, for many, the fact that they’re celebrating twenty years of making music together is something of a reality check. For bass player Vanessa Thornton and lead guitarist Chris Daymond, the anniversary is as good an excuse as any to go on tour.

“It’s a convenient year to sort of put a spotlight on. A double decade, but it’s probably in lots of ways a good excuse to look back on the fact you’ve come this far. At the same time being together for 18 years was pretty special. Or 19, I think.” Daymond said.

To celebrate their double decade, Jebediah are releasing a compilation entitled ‘TWENTY’, compiling their most-loved tracks from their five albums. They’ll also be touring around the country, where as well as playing recent favourites like ‘She’s Like a Comet’, they’ll also be playing their explosive debut album ‘Slightly Odway’ in its entirety.

Thornton explained the decision. “It is referenced as being part of the popular soundtrack to the alternative ‘90s or whatever. Factual wise it’s our biggest selling album, and it’s the one that gave us the opportunity to be a band that continued. Not that we wouldn’t have done it otherwise if we had never had made that record, but you know, the fact is that it’s there and we’re not ashamed of it.”

According to Thornton, it allows the set to have a bit more breathing room. “If we can just get the Odway thing in one set and do the whole thing then in the first set we’ve just got a bit more scope to give a bit more airtime to other songs.”

“You can play a set without people yelling out ‘Leaving Home!’ from go to woah. Even after you’ve played ‘Leaving Home’. “Play leaving home!” “We played it.” “Play it again!” she laughed.

The band have made their way onto a number of pop culture list articles and retrospectives about Australian ‘90s music. While the band are aware that ‘Slightly Odway’ has a place in the hearts of many, it’s not something they’re used to. “It seemed kind of like a new phenomenon to me, I don’t think we’re a critical darling in any way. Previously we haven’t made lists… This year has been a change in that, it seems.” Daymond said.

Thornton said that ‘Slightly Odway”s popularity years after its release has come as a surprise to the band. “We never would’ve forseen what was going to happen with that record. I mean obviously we were hoping that some people would buy it and we’d be able to play shows and people would come to the shows but  I mean it far exceeded what I thought would’ve happened with the album.”

Jebediah’s longevity is unsurprising when Daymond explains their laid back group dynamic. “I think when we get together as a group it seems very natural, the way we interact. And the result of that interaction musically is what our music is, so nobody tells anyone else what to play or what to do, and I don’t think that’ll change.”

Both Daymond and Thornton are still Perth-based, which is uncommon for those in the creative industry who’ve tasted success. When asked if they think the city is supportive of musicians, they are enthusiastic. “I definitely think so. I feel like it always has been.” Thornton said. Daymond concurred: “I feel it as well. I think anyone that labels Perth as dullsville or whatever is just a reflection of themselves. More than anything, so. It’s as simple as that to me. There’s plenty going on and if you want to be involved you just make that decision and get into it.”

The suggestion of a forty year anniversary tour is met with laughter. “That’d be hilarious.” Daymond said. Thornton chimed in; “I think that’s how much we would have laughed if twenty years ago someone would’ve said twenty years. I would’ve said ‘you’re crazy’.”

Jebediah will be playing at the Astor Theatre from June 26^th-28^th. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Sophie Joske

The post Jebediah celebrate 20 years appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Julia Zemiro, Australia’s queen of Eurovision and former host of RockWiz, is returning to the ABC this month with a brand new season of ‘Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery’.

In its third season, this unique interview program will be venturing into the childhood homes, schools and important places of not only beloved comedians but also some of Australia’s best loved personalities who’ve made a name for themselves in the public eye. Media trailblazer Ita Buttrose, chef Matt Moran and host of ‘7.30’ Leigh Sales are just a few of Zemiro’s distinguished guests.

Zemiro explained to OUTinPerth why the show decided to expand its repertoire in the new season. “I think we were just curious. Curious to see who else we might like to talk to.” she said. “I think comedians in general are pretty good at telling stories, even the horror stories of when they were young and telling them to you in a way because they’ve used it in their stand up material, they’ve had a bit of a go at themselves. So when I bring it up for them again it’s not too traumatic, you know. They’ve got ways to talk about it. But really anyone who’s in the public eye, no matter what they do, they’ve had to tell stories before.”

In each episode of ‘Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery’, Zemiro takes her guest on a journey through their early years, visiting the places they once called home. It’s often highly personal and can reveal a new side to the subject of the episode. This was especially true for Olympic champion Ian Thorpe, Zemiro’s first guest of the season, who was interviewed following his highly public discussion of his sexuality with Michael Parkinson.

“No one should ever have to be forced to come out. No one’s ever asked me why I’m straight, or if I’m straight… It’s just bullshit. I think he was 16 when journalists, not even in friends were asking him that question. It’s none of their business. So I suppose that interview with Parkinson was about him doing it on his own terms. And so a year later we were interested to see where he was at and he looks great, he sounds great and he’s really at ease with himself and his new life.”

Another of Zemiro’s guests this season is Matt Lucas of ‘Little Britain’, who recalled a happy childhood despite losing his hair at an early age due to alopecia. Zemiro recalled when their conversation got philosophical. “He said ‘You realise that growing up is about realising that the world isn’t what you imagined it was as a child.’ You know, and it’s a catch 22 because parents want to give their children the best childhood possible but then part of leaving childhood and getting to adulthood is ‘Oh my God, it isn’t beautiful, it is hard, it is difficult.’ I suppose that’s the journey, and how do you get through it? We’ve all got to get through it.’”

It seems that the unique premise of ‘Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery’ is the product of a healthy appetite for adventure on Zemiro’s part. “When the ABC and CJZ who make the show said ‘Oh we’d like you to do an interview show’ the thought of being stuck in the studio with bright lights. I didn’t like that idea because I felt like that’s the sort of show where you have to be a bit confronting. And so Damien Davis our director came up with this idea of taking them through their childhood and it’s such a great idea because we’re always on the move, and I think when people are on the move they relax more. And then we find our moments where we sit down in a classroom and we sit down in a house and we talk a bit more- we ask sort of more direct questions. But just that nice idea of moving, driving, talking, Especially with comedians, some of them do really great physical comedians. So to be able to be physical and do stupid things while you’re walking down the street, I love all that.

“Bill Bailey, somewhere in the notes, in the research we found that he had won- he was quite the sportsman in school and he’d also won a backwards running race. So I put it to him when we were in this cricket oval and we had a backwards running race. Now you can’t do that in studio. Even though Graham Norton tries, Graham Norton will get Mark Ruffalo to get on a unicycle and make him cycle around and do all that. So it absolutely is possible. But I think what I love is that I was able to do that running race with Bill and he beat me, just quietly. Outside, in Bath, where he grew up.”

‘Home Delivery’ is on the ABC on Wednesdays at 9pm.

Sophie Joske

The post Julia Zemiro: Homecoming Queen appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Greenland has become the latest country to legalise marriage equality after its parliament passed a bill on the issue on Tuesday.

Greenland is an autonomous country that has been operating as a self-governing nation within the Kingdom of Denmark since 2009. It is located within the continent of North America but is politically associated with Europe.

The country adopted Denmark’s law allowing civil unions for same sex couples in 1996 but did not take on same sex marriage when Denmark did so in 2012.

In February this year it was announced that a bill to adopt those laws would be debated in parliament. The legislation, which legalises same sex marriage and adoption for same sex couples, was unanimously passed by the parliament with a vote of 27-0 with two absentations.

The law will come into effect on October 1st.

The post Greenland Approves Marriage Equality appeared first on OUTinPerth.

The popular Womens’ Sundowner at Connections Nightclub has had a sexy makeover and is back this Friday under its new name: Lush.

So why should you forgo the comfort of your couch after a long hard week and instead party it up at Lush? Well, gosh, here’s five reasons:

1. It’s for Ladies Who Love Ladies: according to a scientific study undertaken by the Institute of Stuff I Made Up But Is Generally Agreed Upon to Be True, queer gals are the best company for a Friday night and always smell delightful.

2. Its at the Lounge Bar: If you weren’t already aware, Connections’ snazzy and recently-renovated lounge bar is complete with leather couches, flattering lighting and it opens up to the terrace, were you can look out onto the city with a drink in hand.

3: Awesome music: There’s not just one but two of Perth’s best DJs taking the reigns at Lush. Milly and Cinnamon will be keeping you dancing all night.

4. FREE BARBEQUE: Is there a finer pair of words in the English language than ‘free barbeque’? This journalist certainly doesn’t think so. Free barbeque usually only happens at awkward family get-togethers. Even at Bunnings you have to give a gold coin. At Lush, you can BBQ to your heart’s content without having to explain to Aunt Ruth why you’re still somehow not married.

5. Drink Specials: While it may not be quite as enticing as ‘free barbeque’, ‘drink specials’ would certainly be in the running for the next best combination of words in the English language. Because why should your drinks be anything other than special on a Friday night?

Lush is at the Lounge Bar at Connections from 6pm-9pm. More information available on Facebook.

Sophie Joske

The post Lush: For Ladies Who Like Ladies and Barbeque appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Following the result of Ireland’s referendum on same sex marriage, the debate on the issue has accelerated around the world, and in Australia a number of politicians and commenters are calling for Australia to follow suit.

Conservative commentator Andrew Bolt has chimed in on his blog at the Herald Sun, stating: “The battle for same-sex marriage has been won”, and that if same sex couples win marriage rights they must “defend marriage as fiercely as we conservatives tried”.

The article goes on to suggest that same sex marriage could “weaken the glue of marriage by making its form and obligations — to commit for life, be faithful — seem just optional dishes in a serve-yourself smorgasbord.”

Bolt expands on this statement by saying that “gay culture is far more tolerant of promiscuity” and that the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a “raucous celebration of random sex”.

He argues that same sex couples who choose to get married should “become more conservative”.

Bolt also stated that while the introduction of no-fault divorce has some benefits, like “a second chance of happiness for loveless couples”, it was also harmful. He goes on to state: “A million Australian children now don’t have one of their parents live with them and a third of those live in poverty.

“For many parents, caring for their own children has become an option as disposable as their marriage.”

Bolt isn’t the only commentator arguing that marriage as an institution should be “For the sake of the children”.

On Triple J’s program ‘Hack’ this week, the Australian Christian Lobby’s managing director Lyle Shelton argued that the introduction of same sex marriage would bring with it an obligation to provide unregulated access to means of reproduction.

“You cannot provide the benefits of marriage equality to two men unless you’re prepared to provide unfettered access to surrogacy and that means women need to be available to donate eggs, that means carrier wombs need to be available. These are huge ethical issues and I think we need to discuss is it right to sever the primal bond of a child with its biological parents not through tragedy or desertion but to meet the desires of adults?”

Buzzfeed’s Rob Stott suggested in an article today that recent comments from Bolt and the ACL are indicative of conservative Australia coming to accept the legalisation of same sex marriage as an inevitability. In the article, LGBT advocate Christine Forster, who is also Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s sister, concurred.

“It was clear as soon as the Irish result came in that this would be a watershed. It told everybody that this change was inevitable. You can’t hold this tide back, and that was clear from the time the Irish results started to come in. In the wash-up over the last few days, people have just come to terms with that.”

In the past week, debate on the issue has been accelerated in parliament with Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young announcing that her marriage equality bill would be debated in parliament on June 19th and voted on in November this year.

On Monday Labor leader Bill Shorten announced his intention to introduce a marriage equality bill into parliament next week.

“I believe the time has well and truly come for the Parliament to debate marriage equality.” he said.

Sophie Joske

The post Andrew Bolt Calls for Gays and Lesbians to "Defend Marriage" appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Ireland’s widely popular all-female musical sensation Celtic Woman are on the road for their 10th anniversary tour!

Celtic Woman have released eight albums and have a repertoire featuring traditional Celtic tunes and modern songs.

The ensemble have been touring since January, doing 80 performances throughout Europe and America.

In September they’ll be coming to Australia. For their Australian dates only, they will be joined by special guests the Celtic Tenors.

Celtic Woman’s violinist Mairead Nesbitt said she was excited to have the Celtic Tenors on board.

“We’re thrilled to have The Celtic Tenors joining us in Australia in September, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the guys in the past and I know this is going to be an extra treat for our Australian fans and we look forward to some very special moments.”

The Celtic Tenors are a vocal trio who have three platinum albums under their belts. Founding member Matthew Gilsenan, said:  “It’s fantastic to be given the opportunity to perform alongside Celtic Woman.  The girls really are an institution, what they’ve achieved over a 10-year career is just astounding. We can’t wait to join them in September and introduce our friends down under to the new songs from our album ‘Timeless’.”

Celtic Woman with special guests the Geltic Tenors will be performing at the Perth Areana on Friday September 25th. Tickets available from Ticketek.

The post Celtic Woman Will Come to Perth appeared first on OUTinPerth.

David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about the cutthroat world of real estate has found it’s way to the Heath Ledger Theatre courtesy of Black Swan State Theatre Company.

‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ tells the tale of a group of real estate salesmen at the risk of losing their jobs if they fail to make enough sales. Smooth-talking Ricky Roma (Damian Walshe-Howling) is at the top of the sales board and on his way to being rewarded with a brand new Cadillac, but his success hangs in the balance of one more sale. Shelley Levene (Peter Rowsthorne) has fallen on hard times and is desperate to claw his way back to the top. Dave Moss (Kenneth Ransom) is a manipulative bigmouth whose scheming could be the downfall of the hapless George Arronow (Luke Hewitt). Meanwhile, John Williamson (Will O’Mahony) runs the office with an iron fist, aware that his management of the prime sales leads gives him a great deal of control over the fortunes of these audacious men.

The play is arguably Mamet’s most iconic work, and anyone familiar with the play or its screen adaptation of the same name will be aware of its snappy dialogue peppered with swearing and often bordering on verbal abuse. The richness of the language brought forth characters that are fighting for their livelihoods makes ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ an actor’s dream, and the ensemble took to the script with fervour. Some may not think of a play whose climactic speech involves several thoroughly articulate and creative uses of the word c**t as terribly poetic (a couple of older ladies I overheard in the bathroom after the show certainly didn’t seem to think so), but anyone who appreciates dialogue that is direct, realistic and wholly representative of its native time and place and can handle some foul language will find much to enjoy.

While it the pace and energy of the piece took the first couple of scenes to pick up, once it did, it was a roller coaster ride of gleeful manipulation, bravado and rage, as it very well should be. It is clear from Damian Walshe-Howling’s enthusiasm and precision that this is the role he’s been waiting for, and he takes to it like a duck to water. Peter Rowsthorn is appropriately desperate, downtrodden, and at times triumphant following the swiftly moving fate of Shelley Levene, who is not quite the salesman he once was.

Will O’Mahony as the authorative and no-nonsense Williamson provides an able antagonist for the other characters to bounce off. Ben Mortley as Detective Baylen and Steve Turner as James Lingk bring clear intentions to their comparatively smaller roles and round out the piece well. Richard Roberts’ set and costume design is faithful to the time period and provides a clear picture of each character’s status.

Black Swan State Theatre Company’s ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ is a faithful to the iconic script, and brings it to life with a high standard of performance and design. For those familiar with the Mamet’s work, this production may not necessarily shed a different light on the story or offer a new take on the play, but it is an enjoyable and engaging production.

Sophie Joske

Image: Gary Marsh Photography

The post Review: Glengarry Glen Ross appeared first on OUTinPerth.

The Greens have announced that they will bring on a vote for marriage equality this year.

Following the result of referendum on marriage equality in Ireland, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has stated that now is the time for parliament to address the private members bill she introduced.

The debate on the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill will take place on June 18th this year. The vote on the bill will take place on November 12th 2015.

“The Australian Greens welcomed the historic vote of ‘YES’ for same sex marriage in Ireland and the time is now right for Australia to follow suit”, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said in a statement.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight, all Australians deserve to be treated equal before the law.

“Gay and Lesbian Australians deserve better than being treated as second-class citizens, it’s well time the Parliament acted.

“Cupid doesn’t discriminate and neither should the law.

The Greens’ new LGBTI spokesperson Senator Janet Rice has echoed her sentiment that the time for marriage equality in now.

“The time for marriage equality has well and truly come,” said the Greens new LGBTI & marriage equality spokesperson Senator Janet Rice.

“The rest of the world is leaving us behind, with Ireland and 21 other countries leading the way.

“Marriage equality in Australia will go a long way towards removing the systemic discrimination and inequality faced by so many LGBTI Australians and their families.

The post Greens Set Date for Marriage Debate appeared first on OUTinPerth.