Thu 7 Aug 2008 In: Hall of Fame View at Wayback View at NDHA
Mike Sanford Born in New Zealand but now resident in Sydney, Mike brings us Gay Ski Week each year, and now Kiwi 'Fag Tag' events. We got to know him a little better... GayNZ.com: Gay Ski Week NZ isn't too far off now. Got any goss to share about what's planned this year? Mike Sanford: There's a lot more Kiwis coming for the week this year which is good to see, plus we have very special guest Miss Kitty Glitter who will be hosting the karaoke night QUEENStown got talent at SkyCity Queenstown, and she is guest DJ at WHITE OUT playing back to back with Dan Murphy. The big goss is WHITE OUT has a new venue, we will be adding lasers again and it has a late license so we can party till day light. Tickets are limited as the venue is smaller than previous years so buy tickets now to avoid disappointment. You held the first NZ Fag-Tag event in Parnell recently. What's planned for the future of Fag-Tag in NZ? Fag Tag will be back in Summer after GAY SKI WEEK NZ. It's now been launched in Melbourne and London. Sydney celebrated its 4th birthday last Sunday with a 40-minute wait to get into the venue. We were pleased with the first Auckland FT and it will grow and grow as word gets out. It's a great event for the local gay scene as FT brings people out of the woodwork who aren't keen on the gay bars for what ever reason, so it grows the gay scene. Where did you grow up? Southland on the farm, then boarding school in Dunedin. You've been a Sydneysider for many years now. How does the city's lifestyle compare with NZ's? I've been in Sydney coming up 5 years. After GAY SKI WEEK NZ my heart's still in NZ. That move paid off as we targeted the Sydney and Aussie market to grow the event and make it financially viable from a business point of view When did you come out as gay, and what was it like for you at the time? I was coming up to my 30th, married with a son had been in denial for years. So I'm actually very lucky to be gay and a have a child. What's your relationship status? Craig and I celebrated our 8th anniversary this month. He's a fashion designer with his own menswear label Craig Lawson. Check out his web site http://www.craiglawsoncollections.com/ What do you think are the most pressing issues currently facing gay people in New Zealand and Australia? In Australia its getting the gay equal rights sorted into Federal law. It's coming just slowly now we have a new government over here. What's your worst habit? Not always switching off when out socially and just relaxing. Are there any books are you currently reading or recommending? Loved the story about the Mad Butcher, keen to read the book about Helen Clark. Your favourite music at the moment? Love Cyndi Lauper's new album - just amazing Which TV programmes have you most enjoyed recently? Prison Break, Desperate Housewives, Lost, Seinfeld. Family Guy, Simpsons, Gruen Transfer. Your favourite movies at the moment? The Simpsons Movie Your favourite websites? GayNZ.com of course, Samesame.com.au, and I read the blog londonPreppy. If you could have one wish granted what would it be? That there was no religion as it's the root of all evil e.g. war, and hatred towards people. GayNZ.com - 7th August 2008