GenQ - For the not so straight individual

Living as I do in a smallish rural town I find myself watching for other signs of life by that I mean queer life. The quintessential queer rainbow, the rainbow people, you know them the porcupine haircuts the swagger, the tailored suits, the manicured hands, the colour, the vibrant outfits. The hidden ones, the silent ones...

This thing known as gaydar, I'm never too sure if it exists I only know It's frequently right.

So I drive around town feeling disconnected trying to rainbow spot. You may ask why'I feel a strong need to connect with other people like me. The irony is that there will never be anyone like me. That's the whole point of our human individuality but maybe there is someone similar. I feel a closer affinity to people who just have that touch of queer about them. Its like rainbow sprinkles on ice-cream it just seems that much more magical.

But imagine my frustration; I drive up and down, I spot a few rainbow sparkles and then what? Do I stop mid street rush onto the road screaming ?oh thank you thank you I detect rainbow sparkles thank you for being here lets go get coffee and laugh at the world??,

Besides the terror I would instill in my fellow rainbow sparkles, I would probably be placed in our rather fine medical facility and have clinical experiments conducted upon my fragile mind. Or worse, arrested for stalking! As much as my wilder fantasy's lead me to prison type, police officer scenario's the reality is bound to be less exciting.

We had a wonderful place here in Goulburn called the Brewery it was a kind of cabaret affair you went and drank fresh brewed beer and watched drag shows. I didn't go each month and after a time the building owner decided he wanted to charge entry so then poof it was gone. I hate every time I stayed home and missed it.

So now we drive to Canberra on occasion and we dance at the Cube. I watched Canberra change through time watching the coming and going in popularity and existence, The Meridian, Tilley's cafe, Heaven, The Cube and probably a few other incarnations I'm unaware of or else too young to know about.

This club The Cube exists now which was enough for me.

Until one day I wrote online that I was grateful to have The Cube, I then received a response from a fellow sparkle. He told me it wasn't ok to be grateful just to have somewhere to go. He was right and I thanked him.

Why should I be grateful to spot another sparkle person? We should be everywhere. I shouldn't be feeling isolated in the world. I know of many communities where I can meet other queer sparks, that isn't the point. We should be everywhere, safely, proudly, lovingly. I shouldn't be grateful to have one gay club to play in. I should have a wealth of choice from dingy to dynamite. I will not be grateful for what should be my right. I want to dance with my girlfriend on sparkling floors in fine hotels whilst people cheer. I want to live my life the way I want, have children, have retirement, have healthcare and all services will be provided for in a caring non judgmental way.