1 May 2012

Gaycrash Canberra Update

| GaycrashCBR
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Hey lovers/haters, thought we would get you a bit of an update from our last Gaycrash event 😉

So as our Facebook friends would know, last friday (the third of every month) was our fourth Gaycrash.

113 people RSVP’d to the event, and we estimate approximately 90+ gays, lesbians, queers, trannies et al descended on the Old Canberra Inn in Lyneham.

Getting there early to suss out the venue, there were mainly tables of high visibility clad tradesmen and their mates having friday night drinks- a very “blokey” crowd. From 7pm, more and more punters came through the door, the crowd suddenly became more diverse (and fabulous), and soon the front and back rooms of the Old Canberra Inn were standing room only.

Not only did us queer folk get to experience a new venue for the night, but our new straight mates had a drink and some laughs with our eclectic crew.

Initially, it seemed the bar staff were shocked, but actually they were more concerned about pulling enough brews for their massive new customer base.

Talking to the owner of the Old Canberra Inn, Mr Glen Boorne this afternoon, he reported that “it was a great night”, and that “we would love to have that many people back every friday”

He also commented that the night was “no trouble”, the girls on the bar said they had a good night, and their new patrons were “good fun”.

Apart from putting a BIG slug of cash behind the bar, and taking over the jukebox with terrible camp hits, the only trace us Gaycrashers left behind, were our signature beer coasters, declaring that the venue has been Gaycrashed. Mr Boorne commented that the staff had a laugh when they came across them the next day.

So on behalf of the Gaycrash crew and our fabulous guests, thanks very much to the Old Canberra Inn, its staff and its regular punters for a great night. Lots of “pink” cash and fabulous homosexual love to you all.

xoxo Gaycrash

PS: The chicken parma at the Old Canberra Inn is AMAZING and is topped with bacon… BACON!

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Really good to see that Gaycrash has changed his tone from last year’s paranoid, aggressive, confrontational and unfriendly tactics. Being friendly is a much better way to make friends, and when you go out among any bar crowd in Canberra it will already include gays – just not camp & flamboyant ones from among the 89 Facebook members.

The theory, concept and exercise itself I am largely apathetic about. To be perfectly honest I wouldn’t have thought there was too much issue surrounding exposure and acceptance. I know certainly amongst my peers there would be no concern or issue surrounding such a thing. Gay, not gay, who cares. Regardless of sexual orientation some people are just jerks.
I’ve spent over 10 years running nightclubs here and abroad and many of them have included an obligatory (and always successful) ‘gay-night’ and even a stint at a ‘designated’ gay club. I only make that point in an attempt to remove any ‘homophobic’ replies.
I was @ the OCI for another function that night – there were about 30 of us. We had no need to be ‘confronted’ by homosexuality, in fact throughout the broader connections of our group there are many gay connections. What was confronting was:
-being told we should leave and ‘why are you still here – this is gay crash.’
-Being blocked from the toilets from (from the outside) because ‘they’re occupied’ – apparently this means the whole facility.
-One of our party was harassed because of his choices of music because it clearly wasn’t in keeping with the fabulous camp music otherwise that should have dominated.
Similarly, sexually provocative behaviour and sexually aggressive approaches that would be frowned upon in any public arena were quite frequent. Much like anyone, I don’t appreciate being obnoxiously looked up and down and loudly graded and told what would be done to me by people that I clearly have no attraction toward. The 3 times it happened to me – which at other times I would find somewhat flattering – were not isolated incidents. Many of our party had similar encounters, some not as generous.
These are all behaviours that can be exhibited in any large group of people and this was nowhere near its worst – think Mad Mondays *shudder* – so these comments aren’t made on the basis of the group promoting gayness, just that any large group can contain jerks.

On a side note though – I still don’t understand the benefit in not advising the venue – especially a smaller venue – that a group of up to or over 100 people will be arriving at some point. The OCI certainly wasn’t staffed for the amount of people there and it only resulted in long delays in service an unnecessarily stressed bar staff! (This shouldn’t be misconstrued as casting negative aspirations on the two ladies behind the bar. They were lovely – just stressed!). I would think a bit of notice which ensures appropriate staffing levels therefore quicker service (MORE DRINKS QUICKER!!!) would be to everyone’s benefit… or maybe queers just enjoy waiting in queue?

Jim Jones said :

nsn said :

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Heterophobia?

+1

The comment about the “blokey” tradies in hi-vis gear seems unfortunately judgmental for a group that is supposedly all about acceptance and diversity.

BWAAAAA AHAHAHAHAHA

Because tradies aren’t blokie at all and are traditionally sooooo accepting of homosexuals.

Have you ever been in the video booths at Spice of Life? Obviously not.

Jim Jones said :

One swallow does not a summer make

How about a spit?

One swallow does not a summer make

Jim Jones said :

nsn said :

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Heterophobia?

+1

The comment about the “blokey” tradies in hi-vis gear seems unfortunately judgmental for a group that is supposedly all about acceptance and diversity.

BWAAAAA AHAHAHAHAHA

Because tradies aren’t blokie at all and are traditionally sooooo accepting of homosexuals.

And there has never been a gay tradie, I suppose?

Jim Jones said :

BWAAAAA AHAHAHAHAHA

Because tradies aren’t blokie at all and are traditionally sooooo accepting of homosexuals.

As are bikies, soldiers, cowboys, cops…. and an American Indian.

nsn said :

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Heterophobia?

+1

The comment about the “blokey” tradies in hi-vis gear seems unfortunately judgmental for a group that is supposedly all about acceptance and diversity.

BWAAAAA AHAHAHAHAHA

Because tradies aren’t blokie at all and are traditionally sooooo accepting of homosexuals.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Heterophobia?

+1

The comment about the “blokey” tradies in hi-vis gear seems unfortunately judgmental for a group that is supposedly all about acceptance and diversity.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back1:09 pm 03 May 12

Heterophobia?

chewy14 said :

I like offensive stuff, there should be more of it.

+1

Jim Jones said :

chewy14 said :

GaycrashCBR said :

We’re just out to have a bit of fun. Growing up in this heteronormative world can be difficult and tiring. So we’re gonna have a laugh about it, because we’ve had more than our fair share of tears. And on the third friday of every month, a beer or three.

LOL.
“I’m gay, so any offensive comments I make is because I had a tough childhood.”

I’m sure you apply the same rules to other people who might make homophobic jokes, they were just trying to have a laugh you know.

I can’t see anything offensive on the page.

Regardless, were the ‘offensive’ jokes bigoted in nature?

No, as Taurean says the worst ones were removed.

I didn’t actually find anything offensive myself but I just didn’t like the attempted excuse that they were OK because of having a hard gay childhood. They were OK because its a facebook page and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to look at it.

I like offensive stuff, there should be more of it.

chewy14 said :

GaycrashCBR said :

We’re just out to have a bit of fun. Growing up in this heteronormative world can be difficult and tiring. So we’re gonna have a laugh about it, because we’ve had more than our fair share of tears. And on the third friday of every month, a beer or three.

LOL.
“I’m gay, so any offensive comments I make is because I had a tough childhood.”

I’m sure you apply the same rules to other people who might make homophobic jokes, they were just trying to have a laugh you know.

I can’t see anything offensive on the page.

Regardless, were the ‘offensive’ jokes bigoted in nature?

GaycrashCBR said :

We’re just out to have a bit of fun. Growing up in this heteronormative world can be difficult and tiring. So we’re gonna have a laugh about it, because we’ve had more than our fair share of tears. And on the third friday of every month, a beer or three.

LOL.
“I’m gay, so any offensive comments I make is because I had a tough childhood.”

I’m sure you apply the same rules to other people who might make homophobic jokes, they were just trying to have a laugh you know.

Taurean274 said :

I must say, this post re: Gaycrash is a pleasant change from whoever it is that narrates Gaycrash on Facebook. While I think the idea is amazing, the Facebook statuses (including terms such as ‘fingerbash’) are absolute filth. Such a shame for what should be a wholly positive concept.

It wholly (nice word, by the way) depends on what the aim of the page is. If what they discuss is not illegal, and is not being forced upon others, then it should be a case of live and let live, right?

Don’t like something on Facebook? Unsubscribe from the particular page, or block it.

Is there a reason then that the ‘most’ offensive Facebook statuses have been removed?

Taurean274 said :

I must say, this post re: Gaycrash is a pleasant change from whoever it is that narrates Gaycrash on Facebook. While I think the idea is amazing, the Facebook statuses (including terms such as ‘fingerbash’) are absolute filth. Such a shame for what should be a wholly positive concept.

Apologies if our Facebook is too “crude”… Well actually, not really. We’re just out to have a bit of fun. Growing up in this heteronormative world can be difficult and tiring. So we’re gonna have a laugh about it, because we’ve had more than our fair share of tears. And on the third friday of every month, a beer or three.

Given the amount of violence and ovurtly sexualised images in our mainstream media, that children are exposed to indiscriminately, I think some crude jokes amoungst a circle of adults is all in good fun. It’s certainly not in good taste 🙂

Well played, sirs, ma’ams, sir/ma’ams etc.

Brilliant idea, sounds like great fun, and the OCI and Glenn being such great sports, I can just imagine they would have absolutely loved it.

I have to admit that when I first heard of this I thought there was a good chance that it would end in tears.

I’m glad to hear that it’s been going well, and I hope it continues to do so. Good onyez all.

I must say, this post re: Gaycrash is a pleasant change from whoever it is that narrates Gaycrash on Facebook. While I think the idea is amazing, the Facebook statuses (including terms such as ‘fingerbash’) are absolute filth. Such a shame for what should be a wholly positive concept.

OverLord said :

EvanJames said :

OverLord said :

Erg0 said :

Innovation said :

What happened at the previous three events.

http://the-riotact.com/the-battle-of-queanbeyan/71733

Oh sweet Jebus that’s funny. Terrible, but funny.

ditto. there’s some quick funny buggers here!

Im still laughing.

But mostly because I got a mental picture of people streaming onto Quangers main street, fighting on, with loud coloured clothing everywhere.

Some guy in a fluro vest on the ground being strangled by a tranny using a feather boa. Other people just dancing in the background while zany music is playing like a scene out of Blazing Saddles or Caddy Shack.

Awesome.

OMG it was exactly like that! Except the tradie in fluro getting strangled with the feather boa threw his zebra print clutch and it took out one of the trannies fake lashes. They actually ended up going home together…!

LOLs aside, most of “us” dress no different than the usual punter….

Diggety said :

Do you take suggestions for venues? The AMC would be funny.

We do!

chewy14 said :

What’s the regular number of people at the Old Canberra Inn on a Friday evening?

Every time I’ve been there the place is hardly packed so I don’t think you would have been doing much crashing, gay or otherwise.

The owners would have loved it but, you probably tripled their usual Friday night takings.

Disagree- filling an empty venue just makes for even more impact

Innovation said :

Well done. It’s good to see some barriers being broken down. I’d like to see more of these reviews. What happened at the previous three events.

Friend us on Facebook and find out 😉 You might even score an invite

EvanJames said :

OverLord said :

Erg0 said :

Innovation said :

What happened at the previous three events.

http://the-riotact.com/the-battle-of-queanbeyan/71733

Oh sweet Jebus that’s funny. Terrible, but funny.

ditto. there’s some quick funny buggers here!

Im still laughing.

But mostly because I got a mental picture of people streaming onto Quangers main street, fighting on, with loud coloured clothing everywhere.

Some guy in a fluro vest on the ground being strangled by a tranny using a feather boa. Other people just dancing in the background while zany music is playing like a scene out of Blazing Saddles or Caddy Shack.

Awesome.

Do you take suggestions for venues? The AMC would be funny.

Mysteryman said :

Jim Jones said :

I’d be interested to see the difference between this and say, Mooseheads, perhaps.

Hahahaha. +1.

You know I think the only three clubs it would cause dramas at would be Meche, Academy and Capital Men’s Club…

devils_advocate12:29 pm 01 May 12

Well crap nobody told me there were going to be commemorative beer coasters.
Had I known I would have taken the 10 minute walk from my house down to the pub to have a beer and steal a coaster.

OverLord said :

Erg0 said :

Innovation said :

What happened at the previous three events.

http://the-riotact.com/the-battle-of-queanbeyan/71733

Oh sweet Jebus that’s funny. Terrible, but funny.

ditto. there’s some quick funny buggers here!

Erg0 said :

Innovation said :

What happened at the previous three events.

http://the-riotact.com/the-battle-of-queanbeyan/71733

Oh sweet Jebus that’s funny. Terrible, but funny.

🙂 Delighted that it was such a great night. Congrats to the OCI, its staff and its regulars.

Innovation said :

What happened at the previous three events.

http://the-riotact.com/the-battle-of-queanbeyan/71733

Poofs eh? Bless…

What’s the regular number of people at the Old Canberra Inn on a Friday evening?

Every time I’ve been there the place is hardly packed so I don’t think you would have been doing much crashing, gay or otherwise.

The owners would have loved it but, you probably tripled their usual Friday night takings.

Jim Jones said :

I’d be interested to see the difference between this and say, Mooseheads, perhaps.

Hahahaha. +1.

Old Canberra Inn is a great old place, and always very friendly and welcoming. Not surprised to hear that the owners/staff were happy and everyone had a great time.

I’d be interested to see the difference between this and say, Mooseheads, perhaps.

Concur on the chicken parmigana, and go one further with the kiev.

Glad to hear it was safe/fun/etc.

Well done. It’s good to see some barriers being broken down. I’d like to see more of these reviews. What happened at the previous three events.

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