Who is Thomas Banks?
I am a charming gay guy with a disability who loves to dance until the early hours of the morning. I am a speaker, performer and a writer. I live in Geelong.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Maybe I would listen more.
Who inspires you and why?
I am inspired by Sandra Bullock because as a performer no matter what role she plays she brings a little bit of her aura into her character.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Make people laugh.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I love New Zealand because it is a beautiful place. My phone stays switched off. I switch off.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
We’d go out and paint the town rainbow because Melbourne has a great night life.
What are you currently reading?
I don’t spend a lot of time reading. I am a big fan of Maureen McCarthy. I love her take on relationships.
What are you currently listening to?
Pop music – it’s great for dancing.
Happiness is?
Doing what you love. You feel really good within yourself. On top of the world and that you have a good life.
What does the future hold for you?
Too soon to know but I know it will be fun!
Thomas Banks was a teenage member of the Back to Back Theatre Performance ensemble. He has worked with industry professionals and performed on a regular basis. He also worked as a freelance journalist for the online sites Youth Central and Divine. In 2007 his autobiography about living with a disability was published, and was a participant in Platform Youth Theatre’s Provokateur project with The Power of Love (2010). The documentary Thomas Banks’ Quest for Love is currently in production.
Thomas is an active public advocate and has been a committee member for the Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS), the Youth Reference Committee at the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, and is currently a member of the Victorian Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission Disability Reference Group.
Thomas’ latest work, Someone Like Thomas Banks is currently playing at fortyfivedownstairs until 8 November 2015. For more information, visit: www.fortyficedownstairs.com for details.
Image: Thomas Banks (supplied)