There are moments when an issue just comes to a head and something has to snap. In a kind of ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’-type situation, it can be set off by something relatively small – or something much larger can bring an issue to the fore in a number of ways. And when that happens, often the only appropriate response is to get mad.
Newtown is mad. And something has to change. The recent bashing of Stephanie McCarthy at the Town Hall Hotel started two main conversations: one around bringing down transphobia, and the other about the changing Newtown nightlife, brought on by the lockout laws.
The lockout law conversation we’re having now isn’t new. It’s been quietly bubbling along since Barry O’Farrell introduced the changes in March last year, but this attack seems to have brought the issue loudly to the surface. Newtown, once considered a safe place for alternative types, appears to have been overrun by beige city/Kings Cross folk, who don’t understand our ways.
It’s been clear in the atmosphere down King Street on the weekends for a while now. Friends experiencing blatant homophobia in bathrooms; people staring as women in (shock!) overalls, boots and facial piercings pass them by; drag performers experiencing confused, silent reactions to their shows rather than the usual screams and cheers. The beige weekenders just don’t get it.
For a while, Newtown has been getting boring, and the feelings of queers being in danger have been there, lying quietly behind the curtain. Until now.
The actions of a few have now proved that the lockout laws are not safe. The nanny state has literally, paradoxically, forced queers into dangerous situations in their own backyard.
Is there a solution for this? I don’t know. Studies seem to show that the laws have made the Cross safer and reduced violence generally, but anecdotally, on King Street that doesn’t seem like the case. The community feels unsafe; many of us avoid our own neighbourhood on weekends. For now, I’m just going to retreat to [redacted – secret safe haven venue that bigots don’t know about].
The other debate these events have raised is that of the very real issue of transphobia in our own community. While violent attacks (or at least, those reported to the police and in the media) on trans people in Sydney seem rare, transphobia exists, and is experienced almost daily. Whether it’s misgendering Caitlyn Jenner, or referring to her by her old name (seriously, let’s never use that name again), transphobia is a too-often-felt phenomenon that needs to be remedied.
We can thank Caitlyn for bringing transgender people visibly to the fore this month, and we can stand in solidarity with Stephanie and condemn what happened to her. But now we need to do more. We need to step up and work to erase transphobia. And we can start by listening to those affected most: trans people, and particularly trans people of colour.
It’s not enough just to get mad. And while it really sucks that we have to have a catalyst as awful as the bashing of Stephanie McCarthy to get us talking about these issues, at least now we’re not ignoring it. We can’t hide from it, shove it back under the rug, because now it’s out in the open: an ugly stain on Sydney that can’t be washed away until we do something about bigots, violence and transphobia.
This Week…
Wednesday June 17 is Goodgod Trivia, this time all about RuPaul’s Drag Race. From 8pm, head along to see if shante you’ll stay, or if you’ll sashay away.
Fridaze continues every week at the Oxford Tavern, including from 9pm this Friday June 19.There’ll be music from House Of Mince favourites Victoria Kim, Kato, HipHopHoe, L’Oasis and more. Get down earlier for margarita happy hour (6-8pm).
On Saturday June 20, the Harbour City Bears will be hosting their very own Bear Bake Sale at Bunnings, Alexandria, to raise money for the club. I’m not sure yet whether there’ll be cubcakes, but you should head along to find out.
Also on Saturday June 20, Arq will play host to RuPaul’s Drag Race season seven queen, Pearl [pictured].These events are always pretty bland in my mind, but worth it if you’re a fan.
