Rhythm

by

John Terry Moore
 

CHAPTER 45

Darcy Sullivan always stood out at these functions.  His trademark grin, under a pair of dark glasses, telegraphed how much he was enjoying himself.  He and Jacob loved catching up with everyone; living several hours away from the majority of their friends had never been a problem; even starting a family didn’t interrupt their regular visits south.  Ingrid was walking now; and their new baby, Nathan, was snuggled contentedly in Jacob’s arms after a feed.  This was a special occasion; they had all agreed to be included in the Dean’s epic tome in the interests of social research.  And by doing so, help ‘normalise’ same-sex lifestyles in a way that no one in this vastly changed society should ever feel marginalised or excluded, now or in the future.  The turnout of families and friends was impressive.  Parents, siblings and children.  Children everywhere! 

In excess of two hundred people.  People at the margins of their lives were also there because they cared about them and they cared about the future of the Australian way.  The Dean was ecstatic.  All the people that mattered were there!  She knew she was preaching to the converted, but there was a very good chance her body of work would be included in the syllabus of most Australian universities in the very near future. 

Adam and Patrick had built a substantial theatre cum presentation room as part of their woolshed complex.  When the ICHP had sent them overseas students as part of their ongoing global ‘community service’, they used this space for lectures and discussion groups.  At other times it was for storage of wool bales.  And sometimes even for the local antique machinery group, which explained the large dark patch on the floor near the podium, caused by fuel oil.  For Margaret Reeve’s presentation, there were long tables, each seating about ten people each, arranged in a ‘V’ formation so everyone sat around them, café style, yet still had a good view of the speakers.  The Wu family, strangely, were right at the front; Andrew wondered why but relaxed when he saw the remainder of The Eight, plus Adam and Patrick at the adjoining tables.  A few well-chosen journalists mixed freely with the group, renewing old acquaintances and marvelling at all the kids.  So many kids in fact, that there was a nursery set up in one corner of the room for the babies; cooled by big fans and staffed by grandparents in shifts.  Jacob took Nathan over and slipped him into his little crib, Mary Church rocking him gently.  Next to him, little Lee, snoring softly, having a rare morning sleep; worn out from extending his vocabulary.  Mary and Melanie Benson-Church were giggling as Melanie, Patrick’s mother, tickled them.  Maurie looked over from their table near the boys; he knew it would be mayhem when they all became hungry! 

*****

It was Praveen who walked to the microphone and introduced Margaret Reeve.  He spoke of her distinguished academic career, which, he said, paled into insignificance when her ability as a capable administrator was considered.  Which in turn, was eclipsed by her astute powers of observation and her love of humanity.  A truly great listener.  That her opinion on social lifestyles and social issues was valued around the world in academic circles.  “That reputation,” Praveen continued, “has been enhanced not because she is seen as another Alfred Kinsey and not because she had discovered new scientific methodology in measuring lifestyle trends in society.  That reputation,” he reminded everyone, “is because time and again she has got it right more times than anyone in living memory!”  There was generous applause.  “Governments around the world are interested in what she has to say,” Praveen smiled; “those that are interested in social change, of course, and those who understand that a minority ignored today, may well come back with the remainder of society taking up their cause, and bite you tomorrow!”  There was sustained laughter, led by President O’Brien, who indeed remembered that very pattern in Australia, thrusting him first into party leadership and then the Prime Minister’s job fifteen years ago. 

Margaret Reeve strode to the podium as cameras flashed, the journalists trying for an emotive shot.  She began by thanking Adam and Patrick for their hospitality; the opportunity to bring the group together for what, she hoped,  “would be the most productive day of their association; ----- ever.  And that’s not because of anything I may say today,” she smiled, her chubby face gleaming, “it’s simply because of the people you are,” she said, making a circular motion over the heads of the boys in the old rowing group, “and you’ll see shortly what I mean by that.  But logically, I suppose I should start at the beginning, shouldn’t I,” she grinned, “like any piece of research.  This background to this story actually began about eight years before you came to university.  “Most of us more senior in years, remember well the campaign that Praveen spoke of, where society became so disenchanted with the status quo, so angry that a significant and important part of society was being discriminated against, that they voted the Labour Party out of office.  The experts said it couldn’t happen but it did because it was an issue that had progressed from sex politics to human rights.  It was Tim O’Brien and Praveen Nayar, who, after gay marriage was legalised in 2015, created the most public of all role models through their own marriage and through their high profile in public life, when Tim became Prime Minister.  Suddenly, where the Australian public had thought of gay people as a separate, sub-segment of ‘mainstream’ society, they began to understand that maybe gay people were actually part of mainstream society itself!  And the voters, were, by and large, the same generation of parents and grandparents, the uncles and aunts of this very group who are the subject of my dissertation; the rowing group of 2018 through 2022.  So when these kids arrived at the university, their mindset was quite different to those who had come along before them.  Of course that wasn’t the case with all the families of these kids, and some of these kids actually changed their parents’ attitude for them,” she grinned, catching Jack Sullivan’s eye, who laughed out loud.  “The remainder, who had little parental support for these attitudes, or who had grown up with enforced religious delusion or homophobia as part of their upbringing; have been the most courageous of all.”  She smiled, nodding at Richard, Andrew and Stephen.  “Those beautiful boys have always been super comfortable in their ‘other’ family; their peers in the rowing group, and those of us from the university and the ICHP; pretty much the same core group that we have here today.  This work began as a very analytical piece, almost another thesis,” she said, rolling her eyes.  “But because of the close relationship I‘ve developed with the boys, and all of you, it now reads like a novel!  An exciting and fulfilling piece of work, because in the process, Viktor and I have become adoptive parents and part of the family group itself.” 

The Dean sipped a glass of water, sensing she had to get to cut to the chase. 

“For the record,” she said, “the reason for this research, this book and this presentation is because I believe this group, in its entirety, to be now generally representative of most people between the ages of eighteen and thirty in today’s Australia.  Yet when they first began to form partnerships over a decade ago, they were still quite unique.  Whilst gay culture, at least in western societies, was busily occupying itself with totally hedonistic lifestyles, going from one circuit party to another, this little group were falling in love with straight guys and embracing marriage!  Amazingly, these boys from the rowing group were hardly old enough to be tired of the club scene, but the example, the influence and the contented lifestyle of Adam and Patrick made them curious, I think!  It is important we tell their story because not only is it a lovely saga in itself, it will give young people a new template of values that actually work well in our modern society. 

*****

“So,” she said, “what really did happen at our university?  How is it we quite suddenly seemed to be inundated firstly with all these lovely individuals, and then later to find them becoming couples in front of our very eyes?  Was it something in the water?  Or even the air?”  The audience tittered.  “The fact of the matter was, my friends, that it was simply an amazing coincidence!  As you know, the university had developed a reputation as a place for free spirits and alternative lifestyles, and there is no doubt that when the International Centre for Human Partnerships became annexed to the university, that a valuable linkage to the international same-sex community was forged.  But that was secondary to our pursuit of academic excellence.  These boys came from broadly similar socio-economic backgrounds and there was a common feeling of consensus among them.  They wanted to learn, to prepare themselves for what lay ahead.  None of them were there to fill in time on their parents’ money.  They all loved the sport of rowing, and I can assure you, it’s not a sport for the faint-hearted.  So even though they were party animals and clubbers like the general university population, they were generally serious in everything they did, including their sporting participation.  And then,” she smiled, “along came Adam and Patrick.  The rowing group and the university population as a whole, suddenly had some real heroes to worship.  Adam and Patrick started winning races and, as if it were all part of a master plan, they fell in love!  Became a couple.  The effect on the university and this little group in particular was quite extraordinary.  Seemingly out of nowhere, some other romances began.  I believe Adam and Patrick re-created a modern ‘can do’ environment where the example of a fine, upstanding same-sex couple in the then Prime Minister and his partner was replicated and repeated in Adam and Patrick.  The division between gay men and straight men seemed to evaporate; the foundation was already in place, and everyone just seemed to become people!  As they should!  Lance and Angelo first, then the two straight boys, Darcy and Jacob!”  There was a further giggle from the group.  “In the meantime, of course,” she continued, we had Adam and Patrick winning everything in sight.  The fact that they had become such a brilliant crew because of their partnership was not lost on anyone, including the media.  The natural rhythm for which they eventually became quite famous was, and still is, a function of a magnificent partnership!”  There was applause again.  “The international media campaign before the 2020 Olympics probably did more to normalise same-sex lifestyles around the world than the all the protest marches and lobbying in living memory!  The only parallel I can think of was a gay character in a well-known television soap opera of the 1960s!  The difference was in this case that Adam and Patrick were a real couple; with hopes and dreams like everyone else.  And whilst they were obviously most compatible from day one, like anyone else, they’ve worked hard at their partnership.  But in doing so, they’ve been most unselfish and always considered their partnership above all else.  A splendid couple!  The global attention the media generated has been a healing force; it has helped to outlaw homophobia, and the world is a better place as a result.  But it only happened that way because Adam and Patrick were the role models and the partnership that they are!” 

Spontaneous applause broke out.  “The effect on Australian society was electric and immediate," The Dean continued.  “Suddenly Australia was seen to be an all-embracing society, unchallenged in its leadership in same-sex rights and privileges.  The homophobes slunk away into the dark corners, pissed off that same-sex attracted people and couples had Australian hetero society watching their gay mates’ backs.  In the meantime, Lance and Angelo turned the university on its ear and decided to marry!  The first of several marriages.  Through this process, this group have married on average eight years younger than hetero couples, and whilst the statistics on hetero marriage have continued to demonstrate an appalling failure rate, these beautiful young men have turned marriage into an art form!  They have returned marriage to where it should have been; the formalisation of a loving partnership between two people, embracing family and friends together, and providing a structure around their children.  One glance around this room today will tell you how successful they have been!  So this minority group has become a major influencer for all society as a whole!  How extraordinary!”  More applause followed.

*****

“This is not a creation where I have used a definitive set of figures,” she said, “because the sample isn’t large enough.  I did however use the entire university population, the boys themselves and their families, friends and associates.  This therefore, is not a statistical analysis, like our dear Dr. Kinsey used.  But a real pattern emerged with this group over the years; so much so, I had to hotly deny to some of the more arcane members of the press, that we were rapidly converting good, upstanding heterosexual males into raving, flag-waving, card-carrying members of the other team!”  There was a groundswell of mirth from the crowd.  “Nothing of course could be further from the truth, because as is quite obvious, same-sex attracted people are the same people as heterosexuals.  This is not about a sexual revolution, my friends, it is a situation where people fell in love.  So to quote Will and Maurie Chapman-Church, ‘It’s not about sex, it’s about people!’ 

“My friends,” Margaret, smiled, “in every discussion about societal trends, one is always drawn to the perennial argument of genetics versus environment.  Human behaviour over time, both good and aberrant, has been loosely classified as the result of  ninety-five per cent genetics and five per cent environment.  And that is probably just as loosely correct.  But I believe in this case that the five per cent has been far more important than the ninety-five per cent!  Because it was Tim and Praveen who helped create this social environment initially and Adam and Patrick who put it into practise at the university, and set a stunning example!  It just goes to show, doesn’t it,” she smiled.  “My late mother was a great supporter of the effect of the social environment!  She would say ad nauseum that there were three rules in raising children; example, example and example!  And whilst this lovely group of boys had all been well brought up by their parents, and were legally young adults, remarkably, none of them had a closed mind about anything!  So I believe a process of growing themselves further, of extending their individual and collective boundaries happened, particularly after Adam and Patrick became a couple!”  The audience continued to respond with nods of recognition.

“I don’t think Adam and Patrick realised what was happening, but Gerry Hansen, who was our senior RESLO at the time, certainly did!  Because,” she grinned, “it is human nature to emulate the people we admire, simple as that!  So it is no accident that because Patrick had grown out of the club scene, and Adam had basically never bothered with it, others in the group began to hang around the university, hang out with each other, have a few drinks at home rather than going out raging, getting wasted on goodness knows what.  Fundamentally because they just all just loved each other; and time has actually enhanced that friendship.  So Patrick started cooking, and then Angelo started doing the big lasagne thing, and the rowing group would sit around most Saturday nights, with good food and good wine, a few beers and have a good time!  One of the things that Patrick loved about Adam was that he always wore funny old-fashioned clothes that actually suited him and made him look even more stunning!  So Patrick, in his own words, ‘refused to be a slave to fashion any longer’ and wore shirts with collars instead of tees; nicely pressed trousers instead of distressed jeans, and comfortable shoes that didn’t bugger their feet up!  Guess what happened with the other guys!  Similar!  And like Patrick, most of them have a real sense of style which has made them even more attractive!  Personal grooming also improved overnight!  To be fair, because the boys came from roughly similar backgrounds, I think their values have always been somewhat similar.  Somewhere, in all of their backgrounds, was a mutual sense of romanticism and a lovely sentimentality which frankly has emerged in every single one of them. 

It all started around twelve years ago at a place called Pearson’s Ridge, about an hour from here on horseback, where Adam asked Patrick to marry him.  Because the Church boys are all wonderfully romantic!  Now that part is genetic,” she chortled.  “Will and Tom were exactly the same.  That story was told so many times; it captured everyone’s imagination, and the romantic proposal was repeated on most occasions!  With the possible exception of poor Peter, who was asked the golden question by Richard in the bathroom!  Whilst his parents waited on the phone!”  Everyone roared; it was what they expected of Richard because that’s just the way he was.  Never demonstrable at all.  Wouldn’t even take Peter’s hand in public!  “But what a late developer a certain person has become,” she laughed.  “Peter gets at least three phone calls a day, flowers when he least expects them, and that certain person is the most tactile and enthusiastically romantic human being I have ever seen.  Look at them now!” she quipped.  Richard had his arm around Peter and looked like he would never let him go.  “Isn’t love grand!” she said.  There was laughter and generous applause, mingled with relief, that one of their number who was on suicide watch at one stage was now where he should have been in the first place, happily married to Peter.  And their little son snoozing away in the corner under Mary Church’s watchful eye, proof positive that Nature had been correct all along.  “And our little family has grown, hasn’t it?” she smiled.  “Gathering in kindred spirits from all walks of life, from different generations, and from around the world.  Believe it or not, we even have a new romance this weekend.  From the President’s security service!  Tarek and Igor!  Take a bow chaps,” she said, waving at them as they stood on one side of the room, arms around each other, Tim O’Brien and Praveen smiling like indulgent parents.  “It must be something about the service,” she said, smiling wickedly.  “Look at our Matthew and Philippe, and their children.  Incidentally, Jon and Luke are being married in September, did you know?”  Jon blushed, and Susie laughed. 

“I’ll kill you,” he said to his sister, obviously the informant, but Luke’s arm dragged him closer, and leaned in for a kiss.  There was almost riotous applause; all of them had helped Philippe and Matthew raise him, and there were a few wet eyes for the kid who had grown up so well.  “And you remember the American crew, the double scullers who roundly criticised our poor Philippe?  Homophobic abuse.  And Mother, here,” she said, pointing at Patrick, “how he reflected on their ability to both breathe and be part of the human race at the same time?  Well, as you know, the US government were so embarrassed, Adam and Patrick were invited to lecture at the American Institute of Sport on several occasions, hoping the public sporting image of US athletes would never be put at such high risk again.  And guess who were in the audience last year?  Guess who had become a couple?  Guess who are getting married next year, here in Australia in the Benson-Church chapel, and guess who are going to be their best men?  Patrick always told me that underneath and behind homophobic language and violence, lurks a deep emotional insecurity; that they are usually so frightened of their own feelings, they often attack same-sex attracted people to reassure themselves. 

So Todd Hamilton and Brett Breuchland, driven together through universal condemnation of their behaviour, finally contacted Adam and Patrick by email and they counselled them, convincing them both to have therapy.  Because having run the gauntlet of damning public opinion and having lost all support from their families, each leaving a trail of broken relationships behind them, they were almost suicidal.”  Richard’s head snapped up, but Peter’s hand was there, stroking his hand, and he relaxed.  The Dean continued; “So in the process of supporting each other these American guys fell in love!  Now if that’s not a good news story, and if that’s not a positive result from an impossibly negative situation, then my name’s not Margaret Reeve!  Then,” Margaret continued, “we had to help our mate Richard, who was in strife.  And in the process of putting together a support team, another little floral arrangement appeared.  Jared Henry,” she laughed, waving at them sitting there with undisguised delight on their faces.  “He slipped under my guard, that one!  Now married to Martin, and their first child arrives next year!  And two of Richard’s workmates, Jason and Cameron.  Extraordinary young men.  Supported Richard and Peter when times were really, really tough.”  The Dean’s voice faltered and she took a sip of water.  “And through that support and close association, discovered a place where they should have been all along, but when they did, there was no time wasted!  They married a month after Richard and Peter and their family is planned for next year as well.  And talking of support, the wonderful GP, Darren Clarke, and his partner Brendan, are also fully-fledged and caring family members!  Whilst it was frightening at the time,” Margaret continued, “Richard’s situation was a most magnificent call to arms for us all.  When someone we love was threatened in that way, it was instantly obvious that none of us stand alone.  And not just the boys themselves; their families stepped up to the task as well.  Which brings me to my next point,” she declared. 

“In any piece of social research, one always pays attention to the key influencers, the people who interact closest with the group under examination.  The clues to behavioural patterns and trends often become clearer through this second level of information.  I was then, and remain now, quite stunned,” she stated.  “The main influencers of course, in this case have been family members.  It was during the Olympics that I finally decided that history would not be served well unless someone told the truth properly about Adam, Patrick, Michael Mitchell, and the Eight.  So, with the boys’ permission, I began.  And it helped of course, that most of this group was already gathered there, just waiting for me!  What I discovered was that you didn’t have to be same-sex attracted to join this club!  Brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews uncles and aunties,” she grinned, looking at Maurie, who shrugged his shoulders and smiled back.  “I have always said,” Margaret continued, “that integration rather than separation works best in all societies.  If we subscribe to the fact that we’re all the same people, then it makes commonsense for us all to be integrated, all part of the one society. 

If you’re same-sex attracted these days,” she said with determination, “there is no need to live in your own ghetto!  Because what has been demonstrated with this group of people is that the bonds between family members are actually far stronger than families who have hetero only children.  That one generation is very much dependent on another.  That they actually enjoy each other’s company; unheard of only a few years ago!  Now I’m not suggesting that we’re all perfect, and we know there have been family difficulties in some cases.  But I believe because Adam and Patrick had instant support from day one, from the whole family group, then that example, that role model, eventually replicated itself.  By the time the Olympics came around, the overall support group was already extraordinary.  And with all the other little flowers that I spoke of earlier, having their families very much on side, that all adds up to around two hundred people!