FROM THE EDITOR
HERE’S A LITTLE OF WHAT WENT INTO MAKING THIS ISSUE OF DNA…
Acouple of weeks ago I asked Nick Cook, a former DNA Features Editor, to go to Melbourne on assignment. We’ll be bringing you t hat very important feature next month. Nick, however, always one to take on extra work, suggested catching up with Molly Meldrum while he was t here. Nick and Molly have histor y. A few years ago, Nick interviewed t he media legend for DNA and t hey bonded over quite a few drinks afterwards.
Since then, Molly has survived a near-fatal accident or two, a tele-movie of his life has been made, he’s scandalised the Logie Awards, and won the Australian LGBTI Lifetime Achievement Award. There was plenty to talk about and, as per usual, Molly didn’t hold back. In many way, the follow-up chat in this issue is even more revealing than the first. Despite his recent physical challenges, Molly’s fire still burns hot.
I’d like to mention another DNA contributor, Torsten Hojer who writes our Month In A Minute and Deplorables columns. Torsten is based in London and has years of experience as an editor and journalist. The Deplorables is a regular column that started life as a page called Nuttier Than A Squirrel Turd in which we reported on the offensive and sometimes hilariously stupid things homophobes have said in the press or social media. I honestly didn’t think it would last. Surely, these offensive attitudes are dying out, I thought. I was so wrong. Now, I feel as though these comments are getting worse and there’s more of them. Torsten regularly sends us more items for Deplorables than we can fit on the page. It’s depressing, I know, but I feel it’s important to name and shame those who malign and vilify the LGBTI community. Sometimes I feel smug, scoffing at how ignorant their comments are, but the terrible reality is that their words can have devastating effects on the lives of LGBTI people.
Speaking of Deplorables – Donald Trump. This issue includes interviews with four gay Americans of different backgrounds who talk about what it means to be living under his presidency. Is Trump the most pro-LGBTI president ever, as one of our interviewees claims? Or are he and his inner circle a threat to us, especially LGBTI immigrant Americans? I think you’ll find their perspectives fascinating.
DNA #211 is also our mid-year Grooming issue and our ever-youthful Grooming EditorAt-Large, Will Fennell brings us yet more mortifying stories from his adventures in t he cosmetics closet, and a great feature on how to choose t he best fragrance for you.
As we were putting the issue together, Will asked what fragrance I wear and I had to admit that I don’t. I used to love a Hugo Boss fragrance that was discontinued about 10 years ago and I’ve never replaced it. I would like to, but whenever I visit the fragrance counter I’m underwhelmed by the scents and overwhelmed by the marketing and packaging. It all seems too hard. I secretly wish someone would just give me some but, as Will points out, you should never gift a fragrance to someone else. However, armed with Will’s practical advice and some coffee beans (you’ll need to read the story to find out what they’re for) I feel more confident of finding a new fragrance.
Finally, I’d like to mention photographer Joseph Vumbaco of Joee Vee Photography, New York. Just over a year ago, he sent me a small series of images of a Broadway dancer named Anthony in bed, and asked what I thought. I loved the Anthony shots and suggested that Joseph work on a series featuring models in bed. Bed is such an intimate place; I suggested that photographing different models in the same location could produce an intriguing variety of images.
Joseph liked the idea and started work. This month, I’m thrilled to publish the results. We have more images than we can fit in print, so while there are 8 pages of In Bed With Joe in the print edition of DNA #211, the Digital edition contains many more shots from the series. If you’re a print subscriber you automatically have access to the Digital version. (Go to DNAmagazine.com.au/digital to find out how, if you haven’t already.)
To all DNA readers, I hope you enjoy this issue. Thank you.