Lance Leopard part 1 columns 1993-1994

I used to look forward to reading Lance’s columns every fortnight, it was such a highlight. They were in On The Street, Capital Q, the Sydney Star Observer (6 June 1996 to 18 Sept 1997), then back to Capital Q.  I had been a journalist since the early 1980s and was totally blown away by Lance Leopard’s stream-of-consciousness columns and his chatty style and I cut them out as they were very inspiring. Over time, Lance’s writings gave me a vision of how I could write about the everyday social events I attended. He could make a trip to the convenience store next to the Taxi Club at midnight sound hilarious. He was a witty gossip writer who truly captured the 1990s GLBTIQA+ social scene.

Continue reading Lance Leopard part 1 columns 1993-1994

Picnic

The Sydney Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence held a picnic at the weekend to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the local house, the second one of its type in the world (the first is in San Francisco.) Several nuns were dressed in their homemade habits among the Gathered Faithful at Long Nun Point Birchgrove (used to be known as “Long Nose”, now Yurulbin Park) because this was where the Sisters held their first event in November 1981.
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Intersex/transgender dinner

Went to an intersex and transgender dinner last Saturday to support the cause and met some lovely people and old friends too.

Support for this case was also mentioned: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/transgender-inmate-suicide-not-preventable-20110407-1d5oo.html

Amish transcendentalism

Went to an inner-west party recently where late-night discussion turned to Thoreau and Emerson, rebellious utopian 19th-century communes, and Amish transcendentalism.

J wearing an authentic bonnet made by an Amish lady.

What keeps Amish society together? (from here)

Transcendence: making the individual feel like an integral part of the larger organisation.

Persecution strengthens bonds. Hostility from outside world increases unity.

“Worldy” people are thrown out.

Different language and dress increase isolation and separation.

Living in rural areas to be separate. Encouraged to feel fearful of the “evil world outside”.

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