Fridae

Leanne is one of the founders and webmasters of Emyko, a website for the Perth Gay and Lesbian Community. The 36-year-old who works as an IT officer runs the site with her partner Emma, a Communications student at University and Jude, a filmmaker. The trio who lives in Perth, Western Australia spends in a total of 15 hours a day to ensure that the site is well oiled and up-to-date.

"We all have very different levels of skills and interests but the common thread between us is we all have a thirst for knowledge, an empathy for nature and an interest in Gay and Lesbian culture and community," Leanne said when asked about inspired them to set up Emyko.

Leanne shares her thoughts about the Internet being a safe, non-threatening environment for isolated gays and lesbians, and more.

About Emyko

æ: Can you tell us more about Emyko, why it was set up and it came about?

leanne: Emyko was created to give a voice to individuals from the GLBT community who may not otherwise have an outlet for their specific talents. The site was designed to be small and arty and has slowly developed into a resource archive. With the addition of a user interactive forum the site has become a meeting place for Perth Gay and Lesbian people.

We have a strong belief in the philosophies of Tim Berners-Lee (developer of the www) who envisioned the dissemination of information via this medium should remain non-proprietary and free.

æ: How has Emyko affected the gay and lesbian community in Perth?

leanne: It would be hard to gauge at this point in Emyko's short life span (6 months) what impact, if any our site has had on the G&L community of Perth. However, the message we are receiving via our survey, emails and general comments are all very positive. Emyko seems to have reached out to individuals who are isolated in their coming out process. Usually for these people the Internet is their first point of call because they can gain an insight and access valuable information about Gay and Lesbian culture in a safe, non-threatening environment.

æ: What are your basic statistics like? Which countries is the majority of your visitors from?

leanne: We have a personal challenge at Emyko to collect visits from every country and city of the world. So we love it when we receive a visit from a relatively small place like Niue. A large percentage of our visits come from Australia, US, Asia and surprisingly, Saudi Arabia. Our visits per month so far have been around 2000 and 78000 hits, which has allowed us to build up the site slowly, maintaining a equilibrium between the time we have allocated to maintenance of Emyko and the user traffic it receives.

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æ: Have you encountered any difficulties of creating or working with a gay business in terms of governmental policies and social pressure?

leanne: I think there is some apprehension from people whenever someone comes along and offers a service for free. I don't believe this fact is unique to Gays and Lesbians; it's more about the way the world operates. It's our hope to build up a good trust base within our community and develop a proven track record by promoting for free Gay and Lesbian organisations and community groups in Perth.

We have received fantastic support from the gay and lesbian media in Perth. Magazines such as Women Out West regularly add to our content in the way of feature articles and reviews.

Leanne's Community

æ: What do you think we need most in Asia's gay and lesbian community?

leanne: In terms of any Gays and Lesbians worldwide, I would say what we need most is tolerance and acceptance of difference between the sexes.

æ: In the context of being an Australian gay or lesbian, do you have any personal role models/inspirations?

leanne: I admire anyone who gets out there and gives something a go, is passionate about their project or cause and is brave enough to expose their personal ideals which often become the focus of criticism and homophobia. These types of people are not famous or become icons which makes them more admirable and deserving of respect.

æ: What advice would you give to someone who is trying to come to terms with his or her sexuality?

leanne: Being honest to yourself is sometimes the hardest skill to master especially with added social pressures and years of conditioning most people endure. Once you become in touch and familiar with "the voice" inside, which is very unique to you and a guide to selecting the right path in life, it's the most powerful and satisfying experience.

About Leanne

æ: When did you realise you were lesbian? What was the process like?

leanne: As soon as I had an understanding to be able to voice what it was I was feeling.

I think I got off lightly in regards the "coming out" experience which was a much easier process then others have experienced, especially in terms of coming out to your family. My family's response to my sexuality was one of support and has always remained that way.

æ: Have you ever encountered prejudice because of your gender/sexuality? How did you deal with it?

leanne: I think most people develop either a thick skin or become very good at judging who to expose your true self to. Personally I don't find the need to reveal my sexuality to every stranger but I am honest and open about my sexuality with people I love and those who come into my personal life.

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æ: Are you out to family and friends? If yes, could you tell us something about it? Is it an important factor in your life?

leanne: I have never had to hide my sexuality from my family or friends. I am not sure what I would do in a situation where being that honest would alienate the people I love. I feel total empathy for those people caught up in that kind of situation and sadness for those who cant overcome their prejudice.

æ: Do you believe in monogamous or open relationships? Are you in one?

leanne: I believe what ever works for a couple is what is right for them. Personally, I couldn't imagine anyone in the world who I would want to engage on a sexual or intimate level, apart from my girlfriend.

æ: What kind of underwear person are you?

leanne: One that likes taking them off.

æ: What's your favourite CD?

leanne: I have many but an early 90s CD, which I think is totally funky for its era, is Tom-Tom-Club.

æ: What kind of pet do you have? Why?

leanne: My girlfriend has a cat which she has had for 10 years. In love with the girl! In love with the cat!

Apr�s Interview

æ: Tell us something about your first sexual experience?

leanne: It took six months of holding hands and three months of kissing to get there.

æ: What is your favorite fantasy?

leanne: Oh! Its pretty tame but it goes something like, Greek villa by the sea, sun, warm skin, soft lips, good food and wine.

æ: What is your kinkiest experience?

leanne: I can tell you the girl involved might read this and the pay-back wouldn't be pretty.

æ: What's the stupidest pick-up line you've ever heard?

leanne: I don't know about stupidest but the most unbelievable lines usual start with "I have never said this to anyone before" or ends with "I don't usually pick up girls".