K stands for an epic battle of the half-brothers, a pint-sized singer, a cartoon coming out, and letting your fetishes run wild…

The Katters

Queensland’s Bob and Carl Katter, two half brothers who’ve made headlines for being on opposing ends of the fight for marriage equality.

Federal politician Bob Katter, also known to many as ‘Mad Katter’, a name which concisely sums up most of his ideas, has regularly made the news with his long history of speaking out against LGBTIQ people and their rights. In 1994 he voted against the Rights (sexual Conduct) Act, which decriminalised homosexuality in Tasmania, but prompted further gay rage when he claimed there were no homosexuals in his Northern Queensland electorate of Kennedy.

However it was in August of 2011 when Katter said the prospect of same-sex marriage “deserves to be laughed and ridiculed”, that his younger gay half-brother Carl Katter leapt out of the shadows and onto Ten News in an interview with George Negus saying of his brother’s comments: “It’s hurtful, it’s dangerous, and it’s really inappropriate.”

In an interview with Same Same, Carl explained “well I hadn’t really looked at it as ‘coming out’. I came out when I was 18 and made damn well sure I had got out of there [North Queensland] before I did so. Why did I choose to speak up on this issue? Well honestly, I was simply disgusted and appalled at seeing what was going on at that rally, held in the Great Hall of our Parliament House! The hate that was being perpetuated there had floored me… I really haven’t seen anything like it before, the only comparison I could make would be with that of the Cronulla Riots. I am very keen to find out how such a rally of blatant hate could be held in the Great Hall. I am pretty sure the groups I support would never be able to have such a rally in the great hall… and those groups would be promoting love over hate. Truly Bizarre!”

In retaliation, Bob put Carl’s actions down to an old family feud, however the younger sibling claims “It’s easy for him to say it’s an old family feud, that it’s not about me doing the right thing. Simply put, he is a supporter of hatred, bigotry and homophobia!”

Since then Carl has found himself at the forefront of the equal rights movement, regularly speaking out against the numerous inappropriate comments made by the “Mad Katter” and fighting for equality within Australia, while inspiring many who relate to his story of being bullied for being gay growing up in a country town to speak out against homophobia. It goes without saying we at Same Same do have a favourite Katter and it definitely isn’t the one with the trademark akubra hat!

Kink

It’s OK to broaden your mind with naughty ideas and kinky images. Pick the pockets of your desire and turn them into a visual reality. Be yourself, be someone else and live your kink.

A ‘kink’ is any sexual behaviour outside of the norm. And we all have them. Fetishes, paraphillia, BDSM play, perversions… kinkiness manifests itself in a multitude of ways. And thanks to the internet, various kinky people are finding out what their strangeness is more common than they first thought. ‘Vanilla’ sex can be great, but a sexual adventure can open up a whole new world of enjoyment.

Happening in Melbourne right now is Oz Kink Fest, where various fetishists unite for parties, performances, workshops/skill shares, community building and personal networking, education and fun. Find out more here.

In NSW, ACON has gloved up and headed into a new realm with sexually adventurous women. Recent research by Kath Albury titled ‘Safer Sex Beliefs and Practices in Multi-Partner Heterosexuals’ has led to a pilot sexual health project targeting women who have sex with women in the Kink scene. This project aims to increase the ability of sexually adventurous women across different ages, geographical locations, cultural backgrounds and sexual identities to accurately assess the risk of sexually transmitted infections and blood borne viruses associated with different sexual and play activities and take relevant precautions and responsive actions. It’s launching soon – in the meantime, discover the world of Uber exploration here.

Kevin Keller

Kevin Keller is a new character in the long-running Archie Comics series. He first appeared in Veronica #202 in September of 2010 as the comic book series first openly gay guy. In his initial storyline, “Isn’t It Bromantic?”, Veronica expressed her interest in dating Kevin but was surprised when the feelings are not returned. Later, when he befriends Jughead as they bond over their love of food, Kevin explains that he’s gay.

Archie Comics’ co-CEO Jon Goldwater explained that including an openly gay character was a way to keep the Archie Comics inclusive and updated saying, “Archie’s hometown of Riverdale has always been a safe world for everyone. It just makes sense to have an openly gay character in Archie comic books.”

In June of 2011, the new series focused on Keller’s life before he arrived in Riverdale, including the struggles he faced in junior high school. In July of 2011 Archie Comics announced that Kevin Keller would have his own ongoing title. The new series made its debut in February this year. Keller also appeared as an adult in the forward-looking issue titled ‘Life with Archie’ in which featured Kevin’s wedding. Published in January 2012, this story began in issue #16 with readers learning that Keller would meet his future husband, Clay, in a military hospital after Keller was wounded serving in the Unite States Armed Forces.

Kevin’s addition to the Archie comics universe broke records with his first appearance in Veronica #202 proving so popular that the issue sold out, prompting a reprint for the first time in Archie comics’ history. Kevin’s creator Dan Parent was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in 2011, with GLAAD’s then-president praising Kevin’s creation: “It’s thrilling to see Riverdale High welcome its first openly gay student, and give readers a window into the lives of gay youth today. As images of gay and transgender people become more frequent on TV and in film, people are embracing and expect to see images of our community across media platforms, including comic books.”

Kylie

What is it about Camberwell School girl turned actor turned pop star that is like gay catnip? Kylie Minogue is currently celebrating 25 years of been a superstar gay pop icon. Is it her bubbly pop happiness in her music from the days of producers Stock Aitken and Waterman right through to Aphrodite that makes her so fluffy and delightful to us? Is it her upbeat persona that makes us want her to be our BFF? Is it that she is such a pretty girl, if we were a girl we would want to be her? Lesbians aren’t immune either – ladies have loved her since her dungaree wearing days as Charlene on Neighbours and just haven’t been able to get her out of their heads.

She knows what her fans want. There are always scantily-clad muscle men on stage or in her clips to satisfy the adoring gay audience. Her Creative Director William Baker is gay and described as her gay husband.

No matter what it is, we have her and we aren’t letting her go, even after 25 years she is still a class act that we are happy to call our own, not because we are Australian but that we are gay and somehow she just fits with us. We may not know why or even care. Kylie Minogue just makes us happy.

This page was co-written by Chad St. James, Jono Francisco and the team at ACON.

Discover more letters of Same Same’s gAy to Z here.