About The Same Same 25 The Same Same 25 is an annual celebration of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians. They are publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. For the past two years, the announcement of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians has attracted widespread national media attention and focused on the achievements and influence of a varied and inspirational group of people. View the Same Same 25 for 2008 here. View the Same Same 25 for 2007 here. About Same Same
The Judges - The Same Same 25 judges are drawn from a wide cross-section of the community, representing a broad field of influence and experience in their chosen professions. Andrew Creagh (Editor, DNA Magazine), Cec Busby (Editor, LOTL Magazine), Rachel Cook (Editor, Cherrie Magazine), Christian Taylor (Editor, SameSame.com.au), David Wilkins (ACON), Kevin Golding (Business Analyst), Peter Walton (Publisher, Evolution), Libby Clark (Co-founder, Sound Alliance), Tim Duggan (Co-founder, SameSame.com.au)
The Process - The Same Same 25 is publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. Anyone in Australia can nominate someone for the Same Same 25.

Nathan Hudson

Singer

Whether you love Sydney rock-band Faker or not, front-man Nathan Hudson agrees it takes guts to be openly gay in an unforgiving industry.

Faker has been a work in progress since Hudson formed the band with a friend in 1996. Attending an all-boys Catholic school in Sydney's west, Hudson says internalised homophobia was definitely a problem before he came out in the media in 2008.

"My association with being gay was that it was bad and dark and not good for you. I had trouble finding people to look up to," Hudson told Sunday Magazine. "I’m happy to talk about being gay for that kid in the suburbs who’s 15 and scared."

Hudson quite obviously throws himself into his music and is flattered and humbled by his 25 nomination, indicating in the past that he himself has found it hard to find people to look up to.

Currently working on a new record and rehearsing for New Year's Eve performances, the Faker front-man says his musical process is a rewarding, but emotionally a little tough.

“Performing is like the emotional equivalent of crying, screaming or laughing,” says Hudson, “so sometimes it can be very draining.”