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pinkyboisyd
20th June 2007, 03:26 PM
I've just been reading the Forums on the "Death of Oxford Street" and "Drugs in the Clubbing Scene".

2 things that really stuck with me in both forums is that

1. The "gay culture" that once lived on Oxford St seems to be dying out.

2. Whatever institutions that are left are filled to the rafters with drugged up anti-socialites that aren't that interested in anyone but themselves.

I'll say it now before anyone points fingers. I'm usually a big time party goer myself. I love to have a good time and although i'm not anti-social. I do like to drink very heavily and usually am acting too stupid to strike up a good conversation to begin with. That or i'm so tired of people only wanting to pick me up and not really interested in what i have to say that i usually fob people of as it is.

Getting back to the point the sad part about it all is - clubbing and going to bars sometimes seems like the only opportunity available to be around other gay people. I'm only 20 and although i have a nice circle of friends i'm comfortable with, i do love to meet new people to talk to, share my interests with and hey if the opportunity comes along maybe something more.

I think a big problem with Oxford St' Dying Culture is there is nothing during the day thats fun or an opportunity to bring people together. I for one would love to see more things like fair day, food festivals, hell even a gay sports carnival. Anything really but an opportunity to meet, greet and be around a diverse range of gay people without having to get out the old alcoholic-social-lubricant to fit in.

I'm not sure about anyone else but i would even be willing to volunteer to help out at a gay recreational/social centre if there was one readily available - as i'm sure spending my weekend mornings chatting/working with new people, playing games etc etc would be way more fun then sitting hungover over moronically infront of my t.v.

I dunno i may just be being young and naive. I just think that an opportunity to meet and greet and to grow our social networks with other people outside of a club or pub environment would help strengthen the gay community.

Opinions Anyone?

robbie
20th June 2007, 05:47 PM
Totally agree with you Pinky and so does Same Same.. don't tell me you've not spotted the groups section on the site? There's a heap of current groups to chose from and if there isn't one that tickles your fancy, why not create your own and invite like minded people? The Same Same culture club will soon be organising movie nights and other social activites so there's a great place to start.

Tim D
20th June 2007, 05:51 PM
I went on this last year and it was heaps of fun:

http://www.samesame.com.au/news/local/930/The_Wheels_On_The_Bus_Go_Slur_Slur_Slur

Sure there's alcohol involved, but there are also daylight hours!

Zakalwe
20th June 2007, 06:17 PM
What a pity Gayskate isnt on any more. Sure it was an evening activity, but it was social and fun. Anybody own a skating rink? ;)

pinkyboisyd
21st June 2007, 11:56 AM
Don't get me Wrong i love my alcohol - so i have nothing against events having alcohol at them -

I just think there needs to be more then just Pubs and Clubs available - I like the idea of the Skating...... although i just know i'll be the person who hurts themself.

meezon04
21st June 2007, 12:27 PM
What a pity Gayskate isnt on any more. Sure it was an evening activity, but it was social and fun. Anybody own a skating rink? ;)

Gay guys skating? Omg that I've got to see, if only to see the queeny guy going 'OMG I broke a nail!..."

Zakalwe
21st June 2007, 04:49 PM
Gay guys skating? Omg that I've got to see, if only to see the queeny guy going 'OMG I broke a nail!..."

Actually it was quite a diverse bunch that used to turn up every Tuesday night.
Gays and Lesbians from all over used to come along, from camp to straight acting and all flavours in between, straight friends and family too. Everyone got on and you had a chance to meet and chat to people you maybe wouldn't have when out on the scene.

robbie
21st June 2007, 05:13 PM
So what happened to gayskate then?

Zakalwe
21st June 2007, 06:09 PM
The Rink closed down, for various reasons.

Mostly due to huge public liability insurance increases. The owners were getting old and over it. Gayskate was the only time they had anyone using the rink and it wasn't providing enough to pay for the insurance.

There aren't many roller skating rinks left in Sydney now. Certainly none as close to the city.

Christian Taylor
4th July 2007, 09:54 AM
bobby goldsmith bake off was a great community event on a couple of weeks ago. it was just CAMP and such a great crowd. brought everyone out of the woodwork. you should definitely go along next year.

also to say that everyone is a drugged up socialite - well, that's a bit of a sweeping statement. if i can offer you any advice, it would be to keep exploring our scene. there are all sorts of pockets everywhere - it's just harder to find these days.

newtown hotel on thursday nights is an awesome place to go, manacle is great if you are a bit more old school, as tim pointed out there are a number of gay social events that happen - tours, etc.

there are still plenty of ways to get involved. volunteering for mardi gras is a good one. making AIDS ribbons for world aids day is always a hoot - sitting around making ribbons and having a natter...

just keep exploring. it took me years to find my people - but i found them and they're out there.

jackie87
4th July 2007, 10:24 AM
The Rink closed down, for various reasons.

Mostly due to huge public liability insurance increases. The owners were getting old and over it. Gayskate was the only time they had anyone using the rink and it wasn't providing enough to pay for the insurance.

There aren't many roller skating rinks left in Sydney now. Certainly none as close to the city.

They have (I think) a monthly gay skate at the ice rink in Macquarie Centre, I've heard about it through the queer collective at Uni but I'm not sure if its still going on, but I couldn't do it cos I can't skate to save my life lol

Christian Taylor
4th July 2007, 05:45 PM
i know the macquarie ice rink. i went there as a child on a school excursion. i also went there as a grown up. BOTH TIMES i fell over constantly and ended up sitting in the grand stand with the shits because i am too unco-ordinated to skate. i have since vowed to NEVER step out onto the ice again.

Tim D
4th July 2007, 11:13 PM
Ice skating is very much an acquired art form Christian. I used to love doing it as a kid, maybe we can do a Same Same function or a Fag Tag there? Could be hilarious.

jackie87
4th July 2007, 11:23 PM
i know the macquarie ice rink. i went there as a child on a school excursion. i also went there as a grown up. BOTH TIMES i fell over constantly and ended up sitting in the grand stand with the shits because i am too unco-ordinated to skate. i have since vowed to NEVER step out onto the ice again.

Macquarie was like my local shopping centre and even though I didn't and couldn't skate there much for the same reason, I did get drunk on goon with school mates a lot when seeing a movie then sneaking into a few others for many nights.

I did that just this this weekend actually...

Cheetah77
6th July 2007, 01:45 PM
sounds like a great idea for a SS Culture CLub excursion Tim!

taylor-dayne
6th July 2007, 02:20 PM
same same on ice!

(the frozen water version.)