Andrew Benson is quick to say what being one of the Same Same 25 means to him. “I hope it opens a lot of doors,” he laughs, “and I hope I get a lot of VIP seats.” He quickly gets serious, however, when discussing the importance of the award. “I think it’s a fantastic idea. I think unfortunately in the media gay and lesbian people are either branded as sexual deviants or people who are passé. They are not seen as normal people who live normal lives in loving relationships,” he states. “You never see positive stories about gay and lesbians on the television, or if you do it’s fleshed up with tits and bums. Its never ‘here’s someone who is the CEO of a company.’ It’s all very sexualised.”

A self-professed “wearer of two hats” – one as the critically lauded tap-dancing, tea-swilling comedy circuit regular, Aunty Mavis - Benson’s work outside of the public eye has also drawn much praise. As a high school teacher at a local Sydney school who “never tried to hide [his] sexuality,” Benson has been a champion for the development of a stronger voice for gay youth. “One of the biggest issues gay youth faces in the school system is having a profile,” says Benson. “The school system says we don’t want schools to be sexualised places – but they are. They might teach ideas about safe sex – but they often only teach ideas about heterosexual sex. So these issues are something I try and put on the table.”

Benson also realises the importance of being a homosexual figure. “I think it’s important to be a role model for gay and lesbian students. But respect is earned not forced. If a student respects you, they can see part of themselves in you, and see that you’ve turned out okay.”
One of Benson’s most praised teaching experiences is for his work gaining representation and acceptance for a young transgender student. “It was a big thing for me,” he reflects. “Being gay, I thought that I ‘knew’ transgender. But I didn’t. So it was a really empowering thing to be able to get people talking about that. That person was able to express who they really were. They weren’t forced into being something else. That kind of model would be fantastic around the entire country.”

Benson reflects upon his own experiences when discussing final words of advice for the younger queer generation. “When I moved to Sydney I was blinded by the enormity of the gay scene. I felt very alienated. I felt like I didn’t fit in with being gay,” he says. “I think it’s important to make young people aware of difference - especially that it’s okay to be different. Don’t feel the need to try and belong. By being yourself you will belong. And eventually you’ll find something out there that you connect with.”

And where does Andrew Benson see himself fitting into this? “If I could be a role model just to one gay and lesbian student,” he says slowly, “then I’ll feel like I’ve done something good.”

By Blake Price