We’ve just wrapped up our coverage of Queer Screen’s Mardi Gras Film Festival, now in its 32nd year—and officially the biggest film festival in Australia, regardless of genre. It also ranks among the top five queer film festivals worldwide. Widely respected by filmmakers globally, it’s the go-to platform for showcasing LGBTQIA+ films to distributors and exhibitors across the region. It’s a standout event for us at Queerguru and we’re thrilled to announce we’ll be joining as a Media Sponsor for the 2025 edition.
Just as we were preparing to head back to the Northern Hemisphere, some exciting new music caught our ears—this time from queer singer-songwriter Stevie Bankster. We first encountered his work last year, but he’s still a relatively fresh voice on our radar. After a mysterious seven-year break from music, Bankster told us his time away was part of a personal journey—focused on growth, healing, and self-acceptance. That context hit home as we listened to his velvety, expressive vocals—equal parts raw, soulful, and deeply authentic.
There’s something magnetic about an artist who isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. Bankster pulls from old-school Hollywood flair and the grit of modern life, blending aesthetics and emotion into something that feels both timeless and current.
His latest single, Taker, is a poignant yet powerful track about the imbalance of love—giving everything to someone who only knows how to take. It dives into the vulnerability of rushing into connection, trusting too soon, and waking up to a love that’s become lopsided. Yet despite its emotional weight, Taker plays like an empowering anthem—one that honors the depth of feeling and the courage it takes to walk away from toxic cycles. The accompanying music video, directed and styled by Bankster himself, brings this emotional arc to life through bold, evocative visuals, exploring queer intimacy, emotional distance, and self-preservation.
YASS Magazine 