Gay Bash

Loop Interview with Nick Sweeney

Images courtesy of Nick Sweeney

Loop: Who chose the name?

Nick: One night a friend blurted out Gay Bash, which was absolutely perfect.

Loop: Why did you choose it and what does it mean to you?

Nick: It’s amazing for a zillion reasons, but we mainly loved the simplicity of the name, and the fact that we could plead ignorant about the double meaning when people were offended. We think it’s the best name in Sydney – the second best was “Tranzac” on Anzac Day, which would have been first if it were more about trannies and less about trance.

Loop: What have been the reactions to it?

Nick: Most people loved it, but some thought that it was a bit offensive, particularly with our early ‘slasher’ posters (attached). A few people even threatened legal action for incitement of violence against gays, which we never took very seriously as we felt that the irony of the name was fairly obvious. The lawsuits never eventuated though...maybe our dumb act worked? Fortunately we doubt that the people who didn’t like the name would enjoy the night anyway. Plus we consider our posters far less offensive than the banal marketing for other Oxford St nights (shirtless ‘hunks’, boring innuendo, etc)

Loop: Nature of the night?

Nick: Very mixed, probably younger than most other Oxford St nights. We avoid professional DJs, dance music, and remixed top-40 – other than that, anything goes.

Loop: Are the organisers homosexual?

Nick: Yes, we are all gaylords...and merry too...when we’re not being sued.