As I’ve reached the big 3-0, more and more people have begun to ask me if I want children. Being the big 3-0, the conversation topics among my friendship circle have turned inevitably to children. Most of my straight friends are already having babies left, right and centre. Of course, for us gays, the topic of child bearing is rarely simple.
After all, even if you decide to have kids, you can’t just get knocked up the old-fashioned way so there’s so many questions. There’s the completely clueless: who asks if you can still have kids? (Answer: Um…yes). There’s the practical: “Which one of you will carry? Who will be the father or the donor? Do you go anonymous or ask some guy you know?” And then there’s frankly weird: “Why don’t you just go out and have a one night stand with a guy, and not use a condom?”
From where I sit, this lesbian couple from North Carolina in the US have taken a sensible approach. Melanie and Vanessa Iris Roy each wanted to have children, and made a pact to each have one child, a year apart. Last year, Vanessa gave birth to their son Jax, and this year Melanie had daughter Ero to the family. Last week, they sent Instagram into a viral spin when they posted a picture of their hers-and-hers matching baby bumps. When the pair posted their gorgeous photo of each of their respective pregnancies under the tag “Trading places”, it was liked over 14,000 times in just a matter of days.
The biggest LGBT news has of course been the long-awaited relegation that Bruce Jenner – former US Olympian and long-suffering patriarch of the Kardashian clan – is transgender, and undergoing gender transition to become a woman. While the gossip about Jenner’s “feminine” appearance has been swirling for months, it was empowering to see Jenner given the opportunity to have the first word on the subject. The most surprising thing was to hear that it was Kanye West who actually encouraged Kim Kardashian to accept her stepdad, making him suddenly appear ever so slightly less douchey in our eyes.
Meanwhile, in another positive sign that transgender is starting to be accepted in the mainstream, the lovely Laverne Cox appeared naked for Allure Magazine.
This week, we were thrilled to discover that Eurovision’s most interesting song contest winner since ABBA, Concita Wurst will be heading Down Under to appear at the Logies on Sunday May 3. Before she launches her self-titled debut album, the bearded lady of Austria will certainly make our annual TV awards fest more interesting, and remind us all of what a missed opportunity it was to give Guy Sebastian the gig as Australia’s first Eurovision contestant.
On Friday May 8, InTheDark’s gay R&B party Swagger is turning five, and celebrating with a bash at the Bottom End. For next Friday’s party, Swagger have upsized to the middle level at the Bottom End. Presales are available online from $10.
This Thursday April 30, So You Think You Can Drag? will host a drag race and face off that would do Ru Paul proud. Aspiring drag queens will have their chance to strut on stage in front of an audience, hosted by Ell Bella, for the chance to win prizes including a $1,000 People’s Choice. The preliminary finals are from 7pm at vaudeville bar Speakeasy HQ, 377 Bourke Street, CBD.
Melbourne’s longstanding monthly soiree Sundaylicious will be throwing their final Sunday session of the season at The Wharf Hotel on the river this Sunday May 3. From 1pm – 4pm, there will be acoustic tunes, while Djs Jason Conti, Paul Watson and KDJ kick off from 4pm. Entry is free, and the event is inclusive.
CLOSET’s spin off CHURCH is back this Sunday for its first monthly service. CHURCH is the Sunday session for the north side. DJs Salvador Darling, CC:DISCO!, Mimi and Tali (making her debut) will grace the decks from 3pm till late. Gospel hour runs till 5pm with cheap cocktails and Bloody Marys to help wash away your sins. For details, visit facebook.com/closetpartyoz.
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