A year and a half ago I saw Kiki & Herb perform at the opera house. Is it too much to say this was a life changing event for me? It was a moment of crystalisation, of everything I heart about being queer (politics, performance, hot men etc), summed up in the enormous talent of Justin Bond and Kenny Mellman. Since then I’ve followed their work closely, and longed for them to come back to Australia so I could see them again, as with most cabaret, it’s best live. Last saturday I got to see them again, with the added bonus of taking along some of my best friends. The following night I went out to loose ends and during the course of the night, got to meet Justin and Kenny, which was amazing and somewhat embarrasing (you know, cuz I couldn’t think of anything to say. Luckily my flatmate was there, who’s much better at the whole talking thing than me. she can actually converse! with people! about their lives!). I just stood there thinking to myself, gee, Kenny is way cute up close.
But I think what gets me about all this is that I feel so enormously privileged to be part of this community, this great creative community, that extends far around the world. And while the gay scene does revolve around pubs and clubs and venues, it also revolves around these networks of just the most amazing people, these great amazing creative and political people. Performers and DJs and bar staff and writers and musicians and crafts people and activists and technicians and audiences, all exchanging ideas and perspectives, all finding strength and inspiration to keep going, keep fighting. And me, a sometime writer-activist-craftsperson, I’m a part of that. And Justin and Kenny, they’re a part of that too.
In the book Chemical Palace, Slip gives a radio interview about her work, and Mr Hyde takes a soundbite and mixes into a track he’s working on, plays it back to her at a party. Have fun, keep going… keep creating. Have fun, keep going… keep creating. Have fun, keep going… keep creating.
I know it’s this community and the art we produce, this community, the art we produce, that does it for me, that let’s me. And there’s no shame in that.