We at The Australian Sex Party love it when things get a bit weird. We like pushing the boundaries and opening people's eyes to new and unusual things. We believe in freedom of expression, in freedom of sexuality and freedom to be who you are and do what you love doing. This is part of the reason we are so excited to have Mat Fraser and Julie Atlas Muz coming to Melbourne Fringe to perform their fantastic show Apocostrip Wow. And the other part of the reason is that they are both bloody cool people with amazing stories, skills and lives.
Mat is a thalidomide baby who has shortened arms as a result and goes by the stage name The Freak (with nicknames of Seal Boy or Flipper Boy), but don't think this disability has stopped him from living a full life.
He is trained in martial arts with a second degree black belt, is an accomplished drummer and keyboardist and has been performing on stage and screen since 1996 in everything from documentaries to mainstream TV shows.
Julie is a multi-award winning burlesque performer based in New York City who has performed in burlesque and cabaret shows around the world to critical acclaim and who has been seen in everything from Gossip Girl to playing a lesbian zombie nun in a Lola Rocknrolla film, Night of the Living Gay.
They truly are a remarkable couple and, not only that, after a chat over the phone yesterday to tell me all about their upcoming show, I also discovered that on top of their fantastically full resumes, they're both super nice people to boot.
The Australian Sex Party is a registered federal political party. We represent a diverse group of more than 4,000 members, who are united in a belief of free speech and sexual expression. Since the party was formed in 2009 we have campaigned on a range of issues including law reform in the areas of sexual equality, sex work and gender expression.
We believe that all changes and additions to the existing federal law should serve stated purposes of anti-discrimination law. These include extending legal equality to all people(1) and to eliminating, as far as possible, discrimination based on protected attributes(2). Accordingly, we consider that changes to the federal law should only be adopted if they strengthen existing legislative protections. Anti-discrimination law is enacted to affirm the right of every individual to the protection of the law(3), and as such, we believe that the definitions contained within the Consolidated Act should be broad and inclusive.
This submission does not intend to address all the questions posed in the Attorney-General’s Consolidation of Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination Laws Discussion Paper (Discussion Paper)(4). In drafting this submission we have focused on questions related to our policy areas of sexuality(5), gender identity(6) and sex workers' rights(7). However, our decision not to answer certain questions should not be taken as an indication that we are satisfied with the existing law in that area. We believe anti-discrimination law could be much more effective in achieving its aims than it currently is.
The way the terms 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity' are protected in the Consolidated Act are a high priority for us and our members. The existing State and Territory protections based on sexuality(8) are inconsistent, inadequate and accordingly, should not be relied on to form the basis of how these terms are defined in the Consolidated Act. Further, we submit that the Consolidated Act must provide far greater protection to people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity than currently exists under State and Territory law.
Dress in your finest Navy/Sailor outfit and join us in the park on the corner of Lakeside Drive and Fitzroy Street, Melbourne at 1pm. March at 2pm sharp. More details.
If you are going to be part of our all singing all dancing Sex Party troop, here are our lyrics, and our fantastic "In the Sex Party" song. ENJOY!
We want you We want you We want you for a new recruit x4
Where can you find pleasure Save Australia's treasures Bringing bigots to their knees
Celebrating freedom Liberties - we need 'em In our homes and in the streets
We have come to fight For total equal rights The way the world was meant to be
Things are picking up - Its time to join the club And love your sexuality
In Australia you can have freedom of choice In Australia you can sing with your own voice In Australia you should have an equal right Public transport should run all night! In Australia we have many different types In Australia, where the nanny state is rife In Australia, get on board and get on deck Government's breathing down your neck!
We want you We want you We want you for a new recruit x4
If you’re feeling sick Of governments restricting Everything you say and do If you’re sick to death Of censors who object To what you can and cannot view If you smoke a herb The cops should not disturb you There are bigger fish to fry Marriage isn’t perfect Anyone can work it Lesbian, gay or bi
For the Information of Australian Sex Party Members
Please join us for a NSW Sex Party members meeting on: Wednesday 1st February 2012
The Local Taphouse Level 1, 122 Flinders St Darlinghurst (5 mins walk from Taylor Sq) From 6:45pm (Please note the new start time).
We will be discussing our NSW membership drive and our upcoming stands at Mardi Gras Fair Day and Sydney Sexpo.
This is a members only meeting. Please
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if you are able to join us.
Calling all Sydney Sex Party members and supporters!
The Australian Sex Party is looking for lots of lovely volunteers to give us a hand at our stall at Mardi Gras Fair Day. Sunday 12th February 2012 10am - 8pm Victoria Park, Camperdown, NSW.
Mardi Gras Fair Day is a really fun event with lots to see and do. Our stall is always really vibrant and we have a great time. If you are able to donate a couple of hours, we would really appreciate your help.
Our theme is going to be "In The Navy" (which will be so much fun.) We are asking all volunteers to dress up - tailor your outfit for the theme - Sex Party t-shirt, sailor / navy gear is all encouraged. You don't have to be a member to volunteer, so please feel free to pass this information on to friends and family - anyone who you think might be interested.
Oh, and dont worry if you don't know our policies word for word (we don't expect you to). We will give you plenty of information and prompts on the day. And there will always be someone right there on the stand to give you a hand if needed.
To volunteer (or get more information) please email Rebecca:
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