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| Don't assk don't tell | |
Nothing succeeds like excess, and the Annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras may be a case
in point. Severe financial problems (specifically lack of money) may mean that
the show does not go on. After several decades of shock tactics, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,
the Dykes on Bikes, the Giant Percys and those muscle-bound men with Bulls-eyes painted
on their bottoms, just became a bit ho-hum. Even the sight of a nipple-ringed
Bob the Builder failed to titillate a blase and jaded public. The main thrust of the movement was about acceptance of homosexuality as a
valid lifestyle choice. Having achieved this goal there is not much interest
in it any more. The modern age doesn't really care about someone's
sexuality. Even the once homophobic US military now has a don't-ask-don't-tell
policy. There is something a bit sad about grown men running around the street
saying 'notice me', 'notice me' when there is nothing to actually protest
about. The beginning of the end must have come when the Rev Fred Nile finally
stopped his annual praying for rain to wash away the heathen festivities.
Apparently he realized that in the permissive age it was inconsistent with his
main goal of preying for reign - particularly as rain dances are regarded as a
bit .. well .. primal if not actually carnal. There was some suggestion of the government bailing out the
Mardi Gras, but in
the end, the average tax-payer wasn't very comfortable with the prospect of the
gay lobby putting their hands into their pockets.
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