Perth fashion’s night of nights moved to the recently refurbished ballroom at Burswood for 2008, and what a difference a few years and some renovations can make. The last time StyleAID was held at Burswood, in 2002, the utter beigeness of the venue threatened to deflate the glamorous event. Not this year.
The new Burswood ballroom and foyer looked and felt remarkably like the Convention Centre in layout, but with everything on a much more human scale. The airport hanger vastness of the Convention Centre is a definite drawback for StyleAID, but this year there was a sense of warmth and intimacy from the moment guests entered the foyer. Burswood's renaissance was StyleAID's 'Renaissance'.
The evening was ably hosted by Paul O’Brien (Home and Away) and Network Ten newsreader Neralda Jacobs. The high-tech stage was eye-catching and the parade absolutely top notch, as is always the case. What would StyleAID be without the tireless Aly May?
The shows, including Absolute Kylie, were fun and local drag identity Jemina Beam seemed to be having the time of her life, while the guests were glittering and stylish. Of course they were, it’s StyleAID. There was a healthy contingent from the GLBT community present this year, all dressed to the nines.
Over 12 events StyleAID has raised more nearly $650,000 for the WA AIDS Council. More than $130,000 was raised this year alone, a testament to the popularity of the event.
Mark Reid, fundraising, marketing and events officer with the AIDS Council, was happy to declare this year’s StyleAID the best yet. “It was a sensational venue and the service and food were amazing,” he said afterwards. “The feedback has been exceptional with the social writers from all the papers calling me to say it was the best event they had been to this year.”
It’s hard to argue with that; the waiters were very attentive and on the ball and the food was very modern and tasty. The choice of duck for main course was very daring, but dessert, as is usually the case, was left to its own devices as everyone left their seats to party once the shows were over. And party we did.
View, download and e-card Nigel's StyleAID photos at GAYinWA Photos.
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GLBT
lobbyists have slammed the Federal Opposition over its claims that a Bill
seeking to remove discrimination against same-sex couples will effectively
legalise love triangles.
Pride WA hopes
to ramp up the competition among entrants in this year’s Pride Parade four cash
prizes on offer for the best floats, groups and costumes.
Patrons at Pride WA's annual Fair Day should expect some major changes this year, with the employment of a management company to
oversee the event and the introduction of an entry fee for the first
time. Fair Day is the most popular community event on the Pride calendar.
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Things get worse for GLBT Iraqis
With Iraq's sectarian war cooling off, it's apparently open season on gay men, lesbians and others who infuriate religious hardliners according to Newsweek, which has investigated the problems homosexuals face after hearing reports
of Baghdad's secret refuges from the militias' morality police. More here.
Pioneering lesbian activist dies at 87
Pioneering lesbian rights activist Del Martin has died at the age of 87 following complications from a broken arm. Ms Martin married her
partner, Phyllis Lyon, just two months ago in California, on the day same-sex
couples were granted the right to wed. More here.
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The world's most famous greeting card company has launched a range of same-sex marriage cards in the United States. The move by Hallmark has pleased many but not surprisingly some stores are refusing to carry them. More here and here.
Homophobia-free zone just a PR stunt
Sydney's only gay councillor has slammed a proposed homophobia-free zone centred on Oxford Street as a PR stunt. Shayne Mallard says the community needs more police and security guards, not a gimmicky token effort to deal with a serious violence problem in once gay Darlinghurst. More here and here.
Did NBC censor Matthew Mitcham's partner?
GLBT media are skeptical about American television networks NBC's claim that it didn't censor Matthew Mitcham's boyfriend out of their coverage of the Aussie diver's win in Beijing. Their claim that they "don’t discuss an athlete’s sexual orientation" holds no water. More discussion here and here.
Sometimes
I get dismayed as to the lack of comments on some of our news articles
and blogs, but occasionally we get an issue that people are passionate
about and we get a truly interesting discussion. So
it is with our article on the changes this year's Pride Committee is
putting in place to make this year's Fairday event viable.
It appears that the current State election campaign will be the first
in recent history to run its course without a divisive debate on gay
and lesbian issues. This is in large part to Colin Barnett dropping
the policies he took to the last election - an outcome that all
activists that fought him in 2005 should be very proud of.
The 2008 Olympic Games were just that little bit more interesting because they
were in China, for one thing, they featured the incredible Usain Bolt,
cyclist Anna Meares made a massive comeback against incredible odds,
and because a lone openly gay man was competing for Australia.
This week’s news that a lesbian couple in California filed for divorce
just three days after their June wedding – citing irreconcilable
differences – just confirmed my complete lack of interest in the
dreaded, world shattering, election clinching “gay marriage”.
Irreconcilable differences?
So, Madge's little bro, Christopher Ciccione, has written his autobiography, and it’s called Life with My Sister Madonna.
That tells you something before you even get to the very
unflattering photo of her Madgesty on the cover, looking every one of
her nearly 50 years.
Jeff Kennett should be sacked as Chairman of national depression initiative Beyond Blue for his homophobic support for the Bonneydoon Football Club, which recently sacked a trainer upon learning he was gay. We shouldn't be surprised though - homophobia in professional sports is rife.
GLBT
lobbyists have slammed the Federal Opposition over its claims that a Bill
seeking to remove discrimination against same-sex couples will effectively
legalise love triangles.
A Christian lobby group's description this week of same-sex families as
"biological fiction" has drawn an angry response from GLBT rights
activists.
Pride WA hopes
to ramp up the competition among entrants in this year’s Pride Parade four cash
prizes on offer for the best floats, groups and costumes.
With 
Pioneering lesbian rights activist Del Martin has died at the age of 87 following complications from a broken arm. Ms Martin married her
partner, Phyllis Lyon, just two months ago in California, on the day same-sex
couples were granted the right to wed. More 
The world's most famous greeting card company has launched a range of same-sex marriage cards in the United States. The move by Hallmark has pleased many but not surprisingly some stores are refusing to carry them. More 
Sydney's only gay councillor has slammed a proposed homophobia-free zone centred on Oxford Street as a PR stunt. Shayne Mallard says the community needs more police and security guards, not a gimmicky token effort to deal with a serious violence problem in once gay Darlinghurst. More 
GLBT media are skeptical about American television networks NBC's claim that it didn't censor Matthew Mitcham's boyfriend out of their coverage of the Aussie diver's win in Beijing. Their claim that they "don’t discuss an athlete’s sexual orientation" holds no water. More discussion
It appears that the current State election campaign will be the first
in recent history to run its course without a divisive debate on gay
and lesbian issues. This is in large part to Colin Barnett dropping
the policies he took to the last election - an outcome that all
activists that fought him in 2005 should be very proud of.
This week’s news that a lesbian couple in California filed for divorce
just three days after their June wedding – citing irreconcilable
differences – just confirmed my complete lack of interest in the
dreaded, world shattering, election clinching “gay marriage”.
Irreconcilable differences?
So, Madge's little bro, Christopher Ciccione, has written his autobiography, and it’s called Life with My Sister Madonna.
That tells you something before you even get to the very
unflattering photo of her Madgesty on the cover, looking every one of
her nearly 50 years.
Jeff Kennett should be sacked as Chairman of national depression initiative Beyond Blue for his homophobic support for the Bonneydoon Football Club, which recently sacked a trainer upon learning he was gay. We shouldn't be surprised though - homophobia in professional sports is rife.
