http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/i-forgive-you-prince-tells-fergie-report/story-e6frfku0-1225871732288

So lets get this straight. Prince Andrew spends years vilified and made fun of for his Marriage to Sarah Ferguson, suffered total indignation when the image of her Toe Sucking Texan Adviser was splashed for the whole world to see coupled with her cheapening of her royal status as a 'for hire' Duchess.

Despite all this Prince Andrew , like his Mother, has remained dignified throughout, keeping his former wife in his own home with an annual living allowance and taking on the full costs of their children.

The latest furor over the Duchess' antics involve her falling for a well known undercover reporter (The Countess of Wessex was well and truly sprung by this smooth operator a few years back) and offering access to her Trade Ambassador ex-husband for 500,000 Pounds and a $40,000 USD down payment.

There would be few men who would after all this continue to have nothing to do with a former spouse However Prince Andrew proves himself to be of extraordinary character and all seems to be forgiven.

Sarah Ferguson has done much to make her own way in the world and that should be applauded, lets just hope that this is a wake up reminder that she needs to continue to make it on her own, however the one good that can come of this is the acknowledgement that our Queen is not an anomaly of her family, but her dignity and ability to face the world regardless, have been passed on to her children.

I was honoured to be invited by Shelly Argent the National Spokesman for PFLAG to launch her book, 'Opening the Door', a Mothers Journey when her Son Comes Out'.  As I have never even been to a book launch the idea was rather novel and I didn't really take in the enormity of it (when Shelly rang to ask me I was marking and drenching lambs out on the property). However after I had let the sheep go and closed all the gates and began wondering back to the cottage in the dark, I did realise what she had asked, I started to get very apprehensive and nervous about the idea.

Shelly and I have a long and very interesting history together.

About 5 years ago when I came out to my mother I gave her the contact details of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) after the  initial shock died down mum called and spoke with Shelly Argent, after a meeting, Shelly felt she hadn't helped enough so set about thinking of a way to cross the city/country cultural divide. 

She came up with an information pack 'Longreach for Outreach', to help rural people understand sexuality and its impact on their family. As unusual as the universe works a year later, unaware of Shelly's work with mum and her drive to do more I had nominated PFLAG as my charity the Quiz Show 'Australia's Brainiest' and the $20,000 prize actually help pay for the production of 5000 packs.

It was a great event, the Westend 'Avid Reader' Bookstore auditorium was packed out, with PFLAG supporters, Academics and General punters interested in the opening. Though I knew my speech after about 5 minutes of speaking I was overwhelmed with a sense of familiarity, that all those Parents there were a room full of My Parents. It was a very stange feeling and made me realise that i still have some acceptance issues at home.

Click here to buy the book

There was no time to celebrate too long into the night as it was up at 4:45am to catch a flight to Mackay to open their Inaugural Tropical Alternative Film Festival. It struck me within the first few hours of being in Mackay how important have a few driven community members can make such a huge difference. Helping the small band set up for the festival, I was roping in people who came early to buy tickets to give a hand and help set up, some were genuinely shocked that 'some guy' was giing them tasks to do, however it was the theme of my speech, 'the importance of getting involved and getting others to be involved'.

The films were great by and large with the unusual situation of having a few friends pop up in a couple of the short films. Unfortunately the festival was not packed out, however as long as the community has people who get involved and get others involved in organising events it can like all festivals grow to the point that it becomes a fixture on the calender.

After the credits had rolled it was off to 'Casino Night' an LGBT Dance Party at a local venue, where I was able to to talk each and every member of the community about life in the Mining Town, turn out here was much better than the film festival due to the fact that as a 7 day a week working town everyone seemed to be busy paying off their mortgages during the day time.

Well the northern Folk do no how to get the most out of a night, 'cause the next day saw myself helping the local Youth Groups Chairman pack up from the previous shenanigans thanks to the rest of the mob nursing hangovers. They did start to turn up out of the woodwork for the monthly BBQ by the river at which I interviewed many of the interesting characters on life in the Regional Town for DNA Magazines OUTback section.

Returning to Brisbane it was straight to work training dogs out of misbehaving. Onroute to one dog in Redcliffe a lady behind us must have been off with the fairies and forgot to break smashing the hell out of her radiator on our toe hitch.

Each of the dogs I was treating were filmed for an upcoming DVD and also my website on training www.lovesdogs.com.au.

On Wednesday I was invited to speak with kids at 'Open Doors' a fantastic organisation in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley which acts as a drop in centre for 'at risk youth'. I was fortunate to meet many young people living lives that are very far removed from my privileged outback childhood away from the dangers many young people in the city are faced with. and it made me realise how much work the social workers dedicate to keeping these guys on the rails.

The culmination of the week was at 'Paniyiri' Brisbane's Annual Greek Festival to do a charity gig in 'Greek Dancing with the Stars'. Arriving uncharacteristically early with a few mates we sampled the dozens of foodie tents and came across the honey puff eating competition, where by kids were smashing their faces in to bowls to eat as many doey balls as possible in a 60 second period. It was hilarious so of course when they call out for nominations for the olive eating comp I join up.

Unbeknown to me whist off checking out the Greek Beer tent they had roped 'Big Wal' from the Biggest Loser into having a 1 on 1 eat off against me. So intimidated doesn't come close to how I was feeling seated next to him in front of the crowds with nothing but a big bowl of olives to protect me from ensuring annihilation. If you don't know of he , he would be easily 7 ft tall and 150+ kgs...

However it seems size doesn't matter and I took out the Gong de-pipping 14 olives to his 3...the trick was getting the little suckers in your mouth which was much hard for a guy with a big head in a deep bowl. Departing with a big smile and a sore gut we headed off to learn how to dance Greek style...and the ladies held nothing back filling me with Ouzo...that rather terrible aniseed vodka like drink Greeks think is a good idea.

Learning to dance in half an hour is hard enough let alone doing it half cut. But hey I looked the part all dressed as a Greek Dancer, red sash and all...

Effie.... the Greek Goddess was the hilarious Host for the 20,000+ crowd and had me in stitches when trying to comprehend how I went from being a Sheep farmer who sold Lamb at Farmers Markets to a Dog trainer in the city.

Up against Big Wal again as well as two Girls from Channel 7's My Kitchen Rules and a Calender boy from the Firey's I didn't get off to a very good start at the dances (I can remember their names other than the Zorba) until I hit the Belly Dance...then I was in my element scoring a Perfect 10 from DWTS judge Mark Wilson...it seems there is a style of dance I am good at ;)

Well its been a crazy week and its back to Sydney in a few hours to complete editing of all the footage from the weeks filming....and my bed which I can't wait to get into. 

'Paniyiri' Brisbane's Annual Greek Festival

It seems timely that a day after Jason Akermanis' comments regarding his advice for those in his profession not to speak out about their sexuality (well only that which involves sex exclusively with males...as footballers heterosexual and bisexual behaviour has been widely reported) that a Minister in the NSW government has been forced to deal with his sexual behaviour with men.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/outed-mp-david-campbell-not-alone-one-in-five-men-gay/story-e6frf7l6-1225869804781

David Campbell is a man who belongs to a very large group of people in two respects. He has clearly led a life of fluid sexuality and being married and father several children as well as continuing same-sex relations during his marriage all the while forced to keep it secret.

In Australia it is a long held tradition, going back to first settlement of Eur0peans for men identifying as 'straight' to have same-sex relations in 'beats'.

Thankfully in their wisdom successive governments have changed laws allowing for the development of SOPV's (sex on premises venues) or saunas which have allowed men a place to indulge in their needs in a much safer environment than the traditional beats in parks and public toilet facilities.

Unfortunately for many men the fear of being pariahed by society for their same-sex attractions has forced them to lead double lives resulting in much hurt and trauma for all those involved.

David Campbell has become a perfect example of the shame in which society hold men doing what is clearly a natural behaviour.

If it was not natural and instinctive he would not do it, after all the risks are clearly very high, though they have lessened from the 14 year jail sentences such behaviour received up until 1984 in NSW.

It is High time that we as a society just dealt with the simple fact that humans have natural attractions to their own sex and such behaviour is not wrong, it is the condemnation and the ensuring trauma and hurt that is what is truly wrong.

I am a strong believer in Monogamy. I believe it creates great strength and character and is something that for me is very important and is a life achievement which shows intense love and commitment. However for many people it is not an option, as they have fluid sexuality or sadly were forced into relationships with a sex that they have less attraction to and therefore need to seek their needs outside of the relationship. Others find monogamy inappropriate and yet have very secure and committed relationships of the heart and mind and look outside their relationships for physical needs only.

I feel very sad for David Campbell and his family for having such a private matter thrust into the public arena, however I hope it does force us to confront our own sexuality. After all from my life experience it is only normal for Australians to have attractions that don't fit what our society has set up as normal.

However I gotta say I think the guy was Shitty Minister for Transport and that was the only reason he should have lost his Ministry, not his personal sexuality.