Out and about

ACCIDENTALLY WICKAM STREET
Big Gay Day returns for its tenth anniversary, and this year’s line-up offers a nostalgic array of performers and entertainers. Let’s start with home-grown group Frente! who had success in the early ‘90s with hits ‘Accidently Kelly Street’ and ‘Ordinary Angels’. They’ll be joined by the Queen of Drag, RuPaul, who some of you may remember as Jan Brady’s school councillor in the camp classic, ‘The Brady Bunch Movie’. Her aesthetic will leave you stunned that she was born a man, but also her talent for acting and singing will no doubt engage the big gay crowd. DJs are also on the menu, with sets by Les Smith, Wayne G, ACraig, Ish, Magnus, Kylie Rose and Mikey B to set the night alight. With hilarious hosts Miss Synthetique, Trixie Onassis and Penny D, there is something for everyone when the Big Gay Day takes over Wickham St, Fortitude Valley March 11.

MESSAGE NOT RECEIVED
The Sydney Mardi Gras Parade Committee has objected to a proposed banner that ARAMIS (the Raelian Association of Sexual Minorities) wanted to use at this year’s event. The banner read: “Homophobia is criminal bible bullshit” and included the recognisable symbols of the Abrahamic religions (the Star of David, the Cross and the Islamic crescent). ARAMIS have pulled out of next month’s event, having taken part in the event for 12 years. Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras chair Peter Urmson said the decision was based on concerns over the “expression of their message, not their message”.
Spokesperson for the Raelians (and regular feature at the parade since the 1970s as Pope Alice) Luke Roberts has retaliated. “It’s an absurd request considering that mainstream religions created homophobia in the first place. And use of the word 'bullshit' is really pretty mild when there isn’t a word despicable enough to describe the religious killings of millions of LGBTIQ people for centuries, or for the ongoing bullying, gay bashing and murders inspired by religious leaders and texts.” And in case you weren’t aware what the Raelian movement is: “The group teach that life on Earth was scientifically created by a species of extraterrestrials, called the Elohim, who in ancient religious texts have been mistaken for angels or gods.”