Welcome to FUSE issue 74. November / December 2026. It's our special SpringOUT pride edition. We have some great interviews with musicians, artists, performers and a witch, so grab a drink and jump into our queer mix of chaos, colour and pride.
FROM THE EDITOR
LASTING HAPPINESS GROWS WITHIN
It’s pride in the capital and this year’s theme is ‘Be yourself in Canberra’.
It’s a fabulous theme because being your true self is a perfect starting point for developing a peaceful mind, which is the root cause of lasting happiness. I love that our queer community encourages authenticity and the joy that comes with it. There is no doubt we serve as an example of how to embrace and celebrate life, even in the face of adversity.
Despite this, it can be challenging to be happy when our minds are frequently agitated and life is hard for many beautiful queer souls. But even in difficult circumstances, we can all find lasting happiness by cultivating inner peace — and that often starts with self-acceptance, a foundation for genuine contentment, regardless of what’s happening around us or to us. I talk more about this and how it can help with the stress of seasonal family gatherings in my article ‘Protecting your peace and creating meaningful moments’ on p24.
Being true to yourself can be tough when the world constantly promotes happiness through material and external means, and AI seems to be the latest thing promising to set us free from our suffering. A useful tool for sure, but most certainly a dead end in the search for happiness, and it could be our ultimate undoing if we don’t proceed with more caution.
With the highly anticipated release of Dune’s final chapter in theatres this December, p4, its author Frank Herbert’s warning could not be more timely. “Once men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.” As AI becomes increasingly capable (and devious) at breakneck speed, it raises a critical question: is it really enhancing our lives, or are we inviting
laziness and surrendering the very things that give us agency and meaning? Without these, we become agitated and true happiness becomes impossible.
I chatted to the very creative Timothy Christopher Ryan about his thoughts on the rise of AI and how he’s woven meaning and joy throughout his life, whether on stage, at home or deep in the Aussie bush. For those who want a casual night of giggles that morphs into a psychedelic trip of fun, chaos and colour, make sure you get tickets to his show Creative Juices coming to Tuggeranong Arts in November, p16.
Local performer Stella Eve says that her queer joy comes from spinning out surf-rock bangers or tugging at heartstrings with intimate girl-to-girl ballads. In our up-close interview, she shares candid insights about music, community and love. We’re all in for a treat as she brings her signature mix of sugar and sass to this year’s SpringOUT Fair Day stage. Expect a performance full of energy, verismo and queer celebration, p14.
In keeping with our theme, Hayden Crosweller joins us again this issue to bust some myths about practising yoga without clothes, and shares how this can foster a deeper sense of body acceptance while also nurturing your soul, p28.
We’re thrilled to be this year’s SpringOUT media partner once again. In this issue you’ll find the full festival guide, packed with events and activities to help you ‘be yourself in Canberra’, lift your spirits, and dance with your hands in the air and joy in your heart. Dive in, connect with the community and make the most of this vibrant month — it’s for you, p33.
I hope everyone enjoys this issue of FUSE. From my heart to yours, may this season — however you choose to celebrate — bring unexpected moments of laughter, meaningful connections and the simple joys that make life bright.
Alexander Thatcher — Executive Editor
FUSE74 HAPPINESS GROWS FROM WITHIN
FUSE MAGAZINE: MADE IN AUSTRALIA
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Alexander Thatcher
CREATIVE DIRECTOR & ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Christopher Powell
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Maxwell Elliff
FUSE CONTRIBUTORS
- Daniela Koulikov
- Dwayne Lennox
- Rose Pappalardo
- Scott Malcolm
- Hayden Crosweller
- Danny Corvini
PHOTOGRAPHERS
- Cassie Abraham
- Kat Fogarty
- Simom Caban
- Ante Hamersmit
- Artem Kovalev
PUBLISHER
Published + designed by Lithium Innovation Pty Ltd. ISSN 1836-8387
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