FUSE72

FUSE72 Never stop believing, change is inevitable

In this issue: Prince of Polyester Bob Downe. Bangs on about forty ridiculous years in showbiz. Sparklemuffin steps up & out for inclusion Kaleidoscope artists’ stories of creativity & self-discovery. 2026 stars predicting profound change, Lesbian Space Princess. Plus Another rapture another day! Never stop believing, change is inevitable.

FUSE | Editors Rant

Welcome to our special CBR Pride edition of FUSE Magazine, with our covers featuring 80s spandex model and comedian Bob Downe and drag King Sparklemuffin. This issue includes the full Canberra SpringOUT Festival Guide.

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FROM THE EDITOR
NEVER STOP BELIEVING, CHANGE IS INEVITABLE

Did anyone else blink, and another year was almost over again?

Time is a funny old thing; sometimes it feels like a day will never end, and then suddenly you blink and you’re another 10 years older. As humans, we can perceive time very differently throughout our lives. Those hours can move fast when we’re having fun or in a state of heightened emotional processing; and conversely, can feel incredibly slow in our daily routine, which invites a low psychological intensity. However we perceive it though, time carries with it constant change and nothing stops its march endlessly forward.

It’s certainly been a year of high emotional processing. Without wanting to launch into another editorial about the world being an absolute sh*t show, I will say how incredibly grateful I am to be living in Australia and that I hold hope for a better future for those living in pain at the moment. I truly believe that change is inevitable — and as uncomfortable as it may be, before we all know it, time will have passed and the world will look and feel very different.

Talking about time, in the lead-up to his new show celebrating his glorious 40th anniversary in showbiz, we interviewed Mark Trevorrow about life in spandex and what it means to be the indelible and hysterical Bob Downe. The years must feel like they have been on fast forward for this Prince of Polyester, as he’s created his very own time bubble and filled it with fluro hairbands, shoulder pads and mix-tapes chocked full of all his favourite bangers.

If you’re an ’80s or ’90s queer kid, you’ll most likely be a fan and aquainted with Bob’s special brand of quirky camp humour. Considering the current state of the world, it is a refreshing break to include something in this issue that’s light and ultimately drenched in the silliness it deserves. You’ll find Bob’s smiling face on our cover and feature interview on p15.

Our other cover is dedicated to local entertainer, drag king and producer Megan Munro, aka Sparklemuffin, who also brings joy to others via the stage. As a disabled person, time can move incredibly slowly for Megan, which is just one of the reasons why they work hard championing inclusion and visibility. We talked to Megan about The Queer Variety Show that they produce, why it’s so important to create space for people with disability, and what to expect from their SpringOUT show lineup, p18.

Yes, another SpringOUT is here and we are proud to once again publish this year’s festival guide, which is jam-packed with queer happenings. We’re in for another exciting month as we celebrate Pride in Canberra, p33.

You'll find the 2025 SpringOUT festival guide on p33.

We have some fun with a review of a new animated film, Lesbian Space Princess. The story follows the adventures of Saira, a princess who has magic hands and hails from the planet Clitopolis — a place reputed to be hard to find, but actually quite easy. Saira embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she romps through space attempting to rescue her ex-girlfriend from the evil Straight White Maliens. It’s insightful and hilarious, see p20.

Over on p23, stargazer Krystal Balz looks to the future and predicts profound new beginnings for 2026, both globally and personally. About time, right!

What do the stars hold for us in 2026?

In our final feature, we chatted to seven talented artists who are all exhibiting in this year’s Kaleidoscope exhibition, about creativity and how art influences their lives. Kaleidoscope IV is running until 30 November, so make sure you get along to Belconnen Arts to check it out, p27.

I hope this issue brings joy and that everyone has a restful and enjoyable holiday season. Until next year, never stop believing. Change is inevitable.

Alexander Thatcher — Executive Editor