SSO STILL GOING STRONG
Australia’s longest running gay and lesbian publication, Sydney Star Observer (SSO) is celebrating its 1,000th issue this month with a special launch event in Taylor Square. The 1,000th issue is the second major milestone for SSO this year as the publication celebrated its 30th birthday in July. ‘One thousand issues is a significant milestone in any publication’s history,’ SSO Media publisher Scott Abrahams said. ‘But to be celebrating it at a time when so many other gay publications around the globe are closing down makes this an especially proud moment.’

HELP FOR THE QUEER BLUES
After the release of the Feeling Queer and Blue Report in 2008, Beyond Blue (the national depression initiative) has released a series of resources for the GLBTI community. The resources include fact sheets and a review of literature on depression and related issues among GLBTI people. It is hoped the recourses will promote awareness of the issues and available help services. They are all available in hard copy or can be downloaded by going to the ‘Get Information’ section of the Beyond Blue website: www.beyondblue.org.au

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RETIREMENT VILLAGE IS COMING
The much anticipated GLBT retirement village, Linton Estate may finally begin construction next year. The project has been in planning stages for years and despite being approved by the local council and receiving government support and funding, construction had been delayed by the Global Financial Crisis. The $26 million development will be situated in Ballan, country Victoria 78km north west of Melbourne.

PEEL TURNS 21
One of Melbourne’s most iconic gay venues, The Peel Hotel will be celebrating its 21st birthday with a huge party on December 5. The event will be absolutely Hen’s Night and Fag-Hag free as The Peel Hotel was controversially awarded an exemption by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2007. ‘We are also unique with some of our exemptions — we are the only venue in the world that can legally stop straight people coming in,’ Peel owner, Tom McFeely told Melbourne GLBT publication Southern Star. ‘We’ve only had to use (the exemption) a handful of times. We are still having to explain to people that the venue is for gay men — if other people come along and enjoy themselves, that’s fine, but they’re not our target audience, and they need to be respectful.’

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