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ACT: Canberra transgender scene too shy?
Hi all, I’m from Canberra and my observation is that while there seem to be plenty of people in the transgender scene here, many of them remain closeted and are intensely private.
So it can be hard to make connections which last.
A Gender Agenda http://www.genderrights.org.au is one great place to meet and make new friends, as is The Cube nightclub if you feel secure going out dressed to a club, but apart from that I haven’t found many places which are safe and discreet where I can dress and look fabulous with other gurlz.
Are there any Canberra gurlz out there who have regular meet ups/open houses or other events in Canberra that they would like to share here on TGR?
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13 Replies
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Hi FluidPia
You are very fortunate, as I am, to be TG and live in Canberra. It is a fabulous, cosmopolitan and accepting city small enough to be safe yet large enough to offer a great variety of things to do and places to be.
That said, although I dress 3 or so days a week, I won’t be much help as I don’t know of any places that are ‘discrete’. Interacting with the broader community really is a pleasurable and empowering experience.
Michelle
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You are indeed fortunate to be transgender and live in ‘The Garden Of Eden’ or so we Canberra n’s like to think. Having said that, irrespective of where you live, it’s what yo make of the place, it’s not the place, it’s you. AGA is an excellent point to start, ‘Cube’ I’ve never visited. As was recently pointed out in the media, anyone over 37 years of age ought to be tucked up in bed with bed socks, hot water bottle and a cup of steaming hot cocoa, not forgetting the flannelette nighties. I’ve never had trouble in Canberra, Tilley’s is a point to note, a highly accepting coffee drinkers paradise in Lyneham, however it really is immaterial where you go. Be open to you’re experiences. Good luck.
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Liz wrote:anyone over 37 years of age ought to be tucked up in bed with bed socks, hot water bottle and a cup of steaming hot cocoa, not forgetting the flannelette nighties. .
I always thought Canberra would be a great place to visit, I have long wanted to go to the art gallery and museum and also thought it was a great centre of activity for us.
I have never worn a flannelette nightie, never will, always satin, I have an electric blanket.http://forum.tgr.net.au/cms/forum/F115/6586-canberra-transgender-scene-too-shy/reply/28838#top
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I’ve been planning to go to AGA events and getting out, and yes I know I should be doing, not planning. Not only is there the fear to overcome, its bloody cold here at the moment. Its far easier to curl up in front of the heater than brave those wintry winds and frosty evenings.
There are a couple of cocktail bars that I have seen on Facebook that look to be a little exotic. They are the Polit Bar in Manuka which has burlesque and drag shows from time to time. Then there is Knightsbridge Penthouse in Braddon. They are both on my list when the weather is a little warmer and I’m a little braver. -
Never too cold … great opportunity to bring out the ‘other’ outfits to rug up and wear tights, boots and coats.
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Spot on Michelle…..it is never too cold and never too hot for girlie time x
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Ooh, those sound good. I haven’t been to either of them. Thanks for the tips.
And yes, the cold is a great excuse to “fashion up” with yummy winter outfits. Boots, warm jeans, stylish coat and a warm scarf are my go to outfit at the moment.
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Interacting with the broader community really is a pleasurable and empowering experience..
Absolutely agree with your comment MichelleCaroline
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I’m a member of AGA but as they are based in the city and I live southside, I’ve not been to any of their dinner evenings or drop-ins.
There is also a Canberra Transgender Network though I’m not a member of that so I can’t tell you much more about it.
Whilst the flanelette nightie and hot cocoa combination isn’t my thing, being in my early 60s, neither is Cube. There’s a smallish group of us that occasionally get together for drinks or for dinner at local restaurants. One in Curtin is particularly popular because the staff are always polite and friendly, as they should be for anyone.
As the weather warms up I’m sure we’ll be getting out a bit more. Overall though, I’ve never had a problem here.
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Hi Girls,
I am Canberra based and love getting out, but it is a small town and I’d rather not be outed at work, at this time.
I have been to 16west when it was running, vikings club in greenway, the hungry budda I think its called in Curtin and a mainstream restaurant in civic. All good experiences.
I’d love to try rose cottage inn one day, appears off the beaten track a little.
Look forward to seeing you girls out and about
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Hi I can confirm everything said here about Canberra. Its a very underrated city that has many treats including the ability to get around as you wish. Boots necessity though for winter! I was lucky to work in Canberra on an ad hoc basis in 2012. All my outings were during the day and can’t comment on the nightlife, but found acceptance and tolerance where ever I went. Tilleys in particular become my second office, regularly setting up my laptop there and living the working girl dream. The Dickson shop also became a regular stamping (can you stamp in heels?) ground. Added to that is the lovely sites Canberra has to offer including the many museums and art galleries. In all fond memories of chilly knees but a very warm heart.
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Hi all, been meaning to reply on this topic for some time but internet issues…now resolved, thankfully! One point that hasn’t been mentioned is that by virtue of being the capital, Canberra is actually a pretty small town – a lot of people either work in the public service or are connected to politics in some way, and there’s about a two degree of separation factor between people here. Those of us in that boat who want to maintain our privacy just aren’t that likely to get frocked up and then go hang out at a mainstream bar. Even Cube (which has its own reputational issues) is problematic as Canberra’s gay community is pretty tightknit and gossipy (even worse than elsewhere!). Of the other places mentioned, Tilleys as far as I’ve known it has been better for brunching than a night out (particularly since they stopped doing live music) and I can’t vouch for that one in Manuka (although having drag shows would be a good enough reason not to go anywhere near it for mine). I’ve been to the CTN a few times (they only do things once a month) and the people are fine but sitting around just chatting over microwave pizza isn’t really the most fun Saturday night imaginable, and for some reason that house in Ainslie is the only one in Canberra (or possibly Australia) that doesn’t have a bathroom mirror! Not good when you need to confirm if your wig is on straight. A Gender Agenda doesn’t interest me as I’m not into the politics at all. None of this means that Canberra isn’t a great place to live – it absolutely is! – but if I wanted a fun night out en femme (as I think the OP was seeking) I’d be heading up the highway.
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Thanks Sara, your post hits at the heart of what I was trying to say.
Canberra is a great place and very accepting, but I suspect that there are many hundreds of crossdressers/transgender folk still out there in the city who never venture beyond their own homes.
Places like AGA are great and a good place to make new friends, but it would be nice to have more options for shy girls to come together as they build confidence enough to come out.
