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RezErection

Each year we advise and warn that the dance party scene in Sydney is evolving and has changed dramatically in recent times. The Mardi Gras Party and Sleaze Ball have been sanitised to the point where they are unrecognisable compared to parties of the past. Police raided Pride last year and removed their “maze”, DV8 expelled people seen having sex at their party, venues we have used in the past are increasingly hesitant to accommodate our “special needs”, Ruby is having trouble coping with the increased workload of medical teams. Sniffer dogs cruise streets and police caused ARQ to be momentarily closed because of guys dropping unconscious on GHB. Police surveillance of venues has increased so that their liquor licenses are now at risk, their duty of care of patrons is being more strictly articulated and their public liability insurance more carefully interpreted if they are in breach of the law. Even the Mardi Gras Parade itself could cause concern. The risk of violent attack from fundamentalist religious and right wing political groups is obvious. Fred Nile’s prayers for rain during the 1980s seem really tame in the current political world climate.

So what chance do parties like RezErection, an Underwear Party which was never a publicly advertised party, the only exclusively male dance party in town, have in this climate?

The options before us are to forget it completely and stick with our core function of organising safe sex parties. Another option is sanitising the party and removing the back room, the condoms and lube, which would be against our core mantra of a safe sex environment. We could adapt the party taking it back to its roots and use an unlicensed warehouse, for example, make it BYO and place a $25 surcharge (ouch!) on the ticket price for public liability insurance or run an uninsured dance party in an underground venue. Our MEN lawyers who volunteer their advice free of charge had apoplexy when that option was suggested.

So, being neither negative nor apologetic, we have decided to skip a year in their interests of the personal safety of our network of friends.

JoJo

Throughout December and January JoJo has spent an inordinate amount of time going around town, knocking on doors, telephoning, negotiating and cajoling every possible venue in Sydney. A true professional with only our interests, our street cred and the reputation of RezErection at heart, he has tried everything to find a solution. We thank him warmly.

Hot yet Warm – Darren

Darren has been coming to MEN parties for ages and always puts his hand up to offer is assistance behind the scenes. Not once has he ever knocked us back when asked to help. Thanks for your support and your pic.

Mr December – The Christmas Party

Again a successful party thanks to Richard S and Tom J and Terry on the bar, Malcolm and Brett, Marcus and Rob, Matthew Huxtable for the invitation card. Charlie and Phillip were at the door, Dominic, Mikey, Michael and Matt at the front desk. Also Napoleon, Luther and Craig.

Special thanks to Will for lending us his house and for David for doing the clean up afterwards.  

Byron Bay - New Years Day

The concept of the “MEN house” worked well in Byron Bay over the New Year period. At just $40 per person per night we were the envy of guys who had not read their MEN newsletter and were paying much more in backpackers’ dorms or camping in local caravan parks. Each morning the group sat down for bacon and eggs, then off to the beach or other places for the day. Many reassembled again for dinner. For 2004 we will refine the reservation queue as we could not possibly cater for everyone, but it was a good option for those who plans were sorta flexible.

The MEN party was the fourth we had held and by far the most successful. Thanks to Matthew Huxtable for the invitation design, Kell, Mikey and Wayne, Phillip, Rick S and Ian B for the relaxed set up and clean up.

Venues

One of the strengths of MEN is the good will of our network. The lengths guys go to in order to put parties on is overwhelming. However, crunch time is with us again as we exhaust all current contacts and the encouragement of friends to offer venues. So thinking positively, with 1000 guys on the mailing list, each with their own personal networks, there must be one of you somewhere who can think of just one place to hold MEN parties. This Mardi Gras party nearly did not happen simply because a place to hold it could not be found. Forward planning (sometimes a year) and for a constant range of options makes the parties happen.

Over the last five years MEN has held nine parties a year. That is 45 locations!! Sure, we double up and re-visit some occasionally but few options are before us other than raising the number of venue options or cutting drastically the number of parties per year.

It is just maths. No venues = no parties.

Website

Rod has continued to up-date the web site and Adrian and Eric have volunteered to expand the options for guys on the MEN list. A record of all the 2003 parties here as well as the policies and philosophy of what we are all on about. It had current information about the Underwear Party, so instead of sending emails asking “what’s happening” your queries may be answered there.

Brought to you by the dedicated volunteers of MEN