Queers of the Desert

Central Network Handout (1989)

This document is an electronic copy of an information sheet that was provided to people contacting Central Network for the first time; locals, new arrivals or just visitors passing through.

It appeared in a few different versions over the years. This one is from the late 80s when the organisation still viewed iteself as being primarily for gay men. By 1991 coverage had been formally extended to the Centre's lesbian community, although most activities had actually been mixed from the outset. Then, as now, it provides an insight into how we viewed ourselves and what we were trying to achieve.

Central Network

(The Central Australian Gay Men's Network)

PO Box 1738,
Alice Springs, 0871.
(089) 532844.

General:

Central Network has operated since late 1986 as the only Gay society in Central Australia. The network is an informal group of friends formed with the purpose of providing a social outlet for Gay men living in the region. We also extend a welcome to Gay visitors from interstate and overseas, and provide general information on anything of relevance to Gay men living in the Centre, including contact with womyn's circles for lesbians.

This information sheet has been prepared to answer some of the questions that are frequently asked by visitors and new arrivals to the region.

Organisation:

Central Network is an informal association. There are no office-holders, committees or membership fees. Your participation in the group is at your own discretion. Our services and activities are open to all Gay men in the region who are interested in them.

Activities:

Our activities are largely social. We offer a telephone information and counselling service (Gayline Alice Springs) and regular social gatherings, as well as video, book and magazine libraries.

The social gatherings normally happen in response to demand. As a tourist town we experience a rapid rise in Gay population around February each year which normally starts to disappear again around November. Because of this, social gatherings usually wind down over the summer months and peak in the middle of the year.

Over the last few years we have found that monthly gatherings are about as frequent as the local Gay community wants. Currently these take the form of a dance at a venue known as 'the AsyIum' on the first Monday of every month. Details can be obtained from the Gayline on 532844. But there are often other informal activities happening in town - a few friends going out for dinner or drinks - so it's worth keeping in touch to see what's going on.

Central Network also operates an 'open house' where you are welcome to drop in and catch up on local news. You're also welcome to bring contributions of drinks and nibbles to ease the burden on the residents. In the busy season visitors stand a good chance of meeting a new face or two which makes it the closest thing to a Gay bar for 1,500km.

For reasons of security and privacy we reserve the right to get to know you, at least over the phone, before letting you know the address.

AIDS:

There are Antibody Positive people in Central Australia. There are People With AIDS in Central Australia. There are long-term residents of Central Australia who are now deceased as a direct result of AIDS. We can't make it clearer than that. Safe Sex is just as appropriate here as it is anywhere else.

If you require any advice or information regarding AIDS you can ask Central Network, the STD Clinic at Alice Springs Hospital, or the Central Australian AIDS Action Group (PO Box 910, Alice Springs, 53 1113).

All three are totally confidential and specifically equipped to deal with matters relating to AIDS and Gay men. We do not generally recommend the use of local private doctors as there have been a number of unfortunate incidents and breaches of confidence.

The Action Group also operates a Safe Sex information, education and supply shopfront called SafeSexWorks in Turner (Grandad's) Arcade at the top end of Todd Mail. Services include counselling, a drop-in facility and the cheapest condoms and lube in town. SafeSexWorks is also the local agent for "Virgin" condoms, which include a 50c donation to the AIDS Trust of Australia in the purchase price. This facility was established with the needs of the local Gay community in mind. Make use of it!

Central Network participates directly in the activities of the Action Group and encourages local Gay men to get involved in this acutely relevant issue. Volunteers are always needed. Contact Central Network or drop in to the SafeSexWorks.

Escort Agencies:

There are a few escort agencies in town. However, none of them currently offer male-to-male services.

Central Network does not offer escort services.

Bars:

There are no Gay bars in Alice Springs. The nearest ones are in Darwin and Adelaide, and some people don't speak too highly of them. There are a few venues regularly frequented by Gay men in town. These are the Simpson's Gap Bar in the Sheraton, the Casino, and a nightspot called "Bojangles".

The Simpson's Gap Bar is one of the less rowdy bars in town and usually has reasonably good live entertainment. It is also known for the high price of its drinks. After the Sheraton closes, the Casino and "Bo's" stay open until around 5am. The Piano Bar and disco are the main places to hang out in the Casino. "Bo's" is a small, sleazy bar/nightclub with a dance floor and occasional live performers. Both "Bo's" and the Casino are well known for the speed and heavy-handedness of their doormen in hurling patrons out the door. Despite frequent incidents and complaints they remain popular as the only late night venues in town.

The Law:

Homosexual acts performed in private between two consenting males 18 years of age or older are Legal in the NT. Note that "in private" means no other person is present, either participating or watching.

The NT Criminal Code contains penalties for offences which it terms "Public Indecency". These are not clearly defined by the law and could be open to interpretation by the courts, e.g. two men kissing or holding hands in the street could possibly be considered public indecency - we have no way of knowing, so be careful.

Gay men and People With AIDS are not protected against discrimination in the NT under existing anti-discrimination legislation.

If you have any need of legal advice while you are in the region, Central Network can provide you with details of sympathetic legal representatives.

Local Attitudes:

The dominant local attitudes are pretty conservative and there have been a few minor instances of antiGay violence. However, most people don't seem to care what you do so long as it doesn't directly affect them.

Many local Gays remain concerned about exposure and prefer to remain fairly quiet. Please respect the privacy of others and don't draw attention to them unless they make it clear that they don't mind. It can be great fun to scream your tits off in someone else's house, but they have to face the neighbours in the morning.

Videos:

Gay XXX-rated videos are legal in the NT, but they are not generally available for hire through local video stores.

Central Network holds a small library of videos at the house which are on loan from guys in town. These are available for borrowing by local residents. As long as you don't mind other people borrowing your videos, you are welcome to leave them at the house for as long as you like.

Drugs:

Drugs which are illegal in other states are generally also illegal in the NT. There are the usual severe penalties for possession, supply and use. Because we need to remain free from police attention we must insist that you do not bring any illegal drugs to the house. If you do, you will be asked to remove them and/ or yourself immediately. We are quite serious about this.

Amyl Nitrite (Rush, Heavy Duty, Action Aroma etc) is legal in the NT.

Magazines:

Outrage and Campaign are available in Alice Springs from the newsagent in the Yeperenye (Woolworth's) shopping centre. They usually arrive in the first week of the month. Central Network subscribes and has back copies dating back over several years which are kept at SafeSexWorks along with a small library of books. You are welcome to go and flick through them, but we don't normally lend them out.

Travel:

As an information service in a tourist town, we expect a few inquiries about things to see and do and places to stay. While it's easy to answer these in person or over the phone, we generally don't extend to written advice, gathering brochures or booking tours or accommodation. Your local travel agent specialises in these services.

We also have a policy of not offering accommodation to visitors at the house.

John & Paul, for Central Network.