What kind of power would you like?
I wish for the power of creative compassion towards myself and All. This means transmitting the power of compassion through creative means.
How would it manifest? What would enable it?
This could manifest through the short stories I write and perform, through the way I care for and respect myself in daily yoga practice, and reverent self-honouring dressing/costume practice. Meditation and dance are things I don't do enough that would further enable this manifestation.
Who is your favourite superhero/person/public figure, contemporary or imagined?
Frida Kahlo, Patti Smith, Neil Gaiman, Leonard Cohen, and Nai Palm of Hiatus Kaiyote.
What do you admire most about Frida Kahlo and "Freda" Josephine Baker?
A deep 'feminine' kind of queerness, expressive joy and sorrow, colour, and BRAVERY.
What do you think of when you think of them?
I think of the pleasure and pain of a courageous, vivid life.
What would you change in Melbourne? Australia? The world?
I wish for everybody to wake up and begin the work that unfolds from Being-Singular-Plural; for every human to awaken to deep-rooted connectedness. All One!
Are there any other issues that are important to you? Locally? Globally?
An off-shoot of my primary wish is that race, gender and sexuality-related hatred and inequality becomes history. Also, that capital and short-sighted greed no longer drives the decision-making of any person, government or institution - rather, that the good of All in the short and long-term is the motivating consideration. I say this particularly in relation to decisions around global warming, and war-making.
Do you feel like change is possible in these areas? How?
Yes. The growing green movement and trans movement are proof that we can make these basic concepts popular and create a groundswell, forcing politicians to make choices that are guided by care for the greater wellbeing of all people, and the planet. This will be bloody difficult, and I suspect will probably always require compassion-warriors and activists.
Do you think your ideas could change anything?
Yes, largely because otherwise I would have no hope. I write my short stories and practice my daily yoga and question myself and attend rallies and sign petitions and write letters to MPs in order to contribute to building a compassionate culture around me. I know that change is possible, and that the micro level of action that I can achieve in the scheme of things is essential to the overall 'macro' action of a whole movement.
Are you comfortable speaking your mind/putting ideas into the world?
Yes, I insist on doing this but it often requires bravery, vulnerability, and can leave me feeling deeply insecure. I endeavour to continue in this way, while learning to be a good listener to other's ideas, and remaining true to my own.
Do you consider yourself a feminist? Womanist? Why/why not? What does this mean to you?
Yes, definitely. Not only for those who identify as women but also for the 'feminine' aspects in those who identify as men. I see the society I'm a part of as inherently patriarchal, I see our current form of capitalism to be a deep-rooted expression of this patriarchy, and I am committed to living outside of this paradigm, protecting myself from its destructive force, and seeding/tending to the garden of a rich new consciousness that is inclusive, caring and unfettered by the limit-concepts of 'masculine' supremacy.
How often do you subconsciously/consciously think about your desired superpower when you dress on a daily basis?
Every day, I consciously/intuitively select clothing that will bring about my feminist compassion-warrior possibility, care for what needs tending to within me on that day, and what needs tending to outside of me, such as writing, editing, making ice cream at Zebra Dream vegan ice cream factory where I sometimes work, having tea with friends, etc. It's an unfolding of sorts; my dress sense is about unfolding my needs and possibilities, unfolding my feelings and tending to them through my dressing practice.
