LGBTI Conversations: Recent Episodes
LGBTI Conversations
LGBTI Conversations Podcast draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may, or may not, have heard about - someone who has seen and done amazing things with in the LGBIT community for around the Globe.
Critically acclaimed, Nashville-based LGBTQ+ indie-rock artist Abby Nissenbaum and premiering her highly anticipated EP Don't Want to Cry. Nissenbaum writes from the heart, exploring themes of depression, isolation, and heartbreak, but anchored by messages of hope, empowerment, and community. Complemented by her effortlessly honest and raw vocal delivery, Nissenbaum offers relatable, honest and heartfelt lyricism amidst catchy melodies, beautifully contrasting the energetic indie-rock soundscape which surrounds her.
A lifelong musician, classically-trained soprano, and musical theater performer, Nissenbaum pursued a career in social psychology and data analytics before rediscovering her music roots during her time as graduate student at the University of Memphis. Her 2023 debut EP, "Unreliable Narrator," swept international press with accolades from Wonderland, Earmilk, Notion, Clash, Psychedelic Baby Mag, Today in Nashville, andShe Makes Music UK among others. Nissenbaum's emotive, bright vocal performances blend with contemporary indie-alt rock elements to create a compelling and unique sound worthy of the acclaim she is receiving.
Ann Russo was raised in a queer household in the 1980s and 1990s, Russo witnessed firsthand both the warmth of family acceptance and the societal hostility directed at LGBTQ+ people. These early experiences shaped her lifelong commitment to advocacy and healing. She earned a Master's in Theology with a focus on queer perspectives and liberation, which she integrates with her clinical expertise to help clients reconcile spirituality and identity.
Ann also hosting A podcast sharing powerful insights on mental health, sex positivity, and religious trauma. Listen to Ann's full podcast episodes here.
Alethea Crimmins is renowned for her daily motivational mantras, including empowering phrases like "Be Great In Their Face" and "Have A Good Day On Purpose," each punctuated with her signature "Ya' Welcome," Crimmins has established the influential brand and podcast "Pimpin’ Positivity," dedicated to uplifting millions across the globe. Recognized and reposted by influential figures such as Madonna, Viola Davis, and Rihanna, Crimmins is not just a motivational speaker but a global influencer shaping a movement of empowerment, self-love, and positivity. Her new single & Video release of “Shine” is a vibrant anthem of self-confidence, pride, and unapologetic self-expression. This infectious dance track empowers listeners to break free from the chains of self-doubt, loneliness, and fear of failure, urging them to embrace and celebrate every facet of who they are. With its electrifying energy, “Shine” invites you to step out of the shadows and illuminate the world with your true colors.
Aaron Kelly once lived a double life as an Anglican pastor who was encouraged to "pray the gay away.'' After undergoing harmful conversion therapies and being forced to marry, he gave himself permission to live life authentically.
From his upbringings in a Christian family and schooling to a deep involvement in both the Baptist and Pentecostal churches, he now helps others find acceptance, hope and a place in the new community.
Gigi Raven Wilbur was born in 1955 in Houston, Texas. At birth, Gigi’s genitalia did not fit the standard definitions for male or female bodies (a condition known as being intersex or a hermaphrodite). Within days, Gigi’s anatomy was “normalized” via surgery, and Gigi was defined as male. Today, Gigi identifies as intersex, and uses the title Ladyboy to offset the lack of pronouns for hermaphrodites.
Growing up, Gigi struggled with the strict gender roles forced upon her by family, coaches, and classmates. She also suffered from severe learning disabilities. Told she would never go to college, Gigi worked stringing barbed wire on ranches in north and east Texas, until a fellow ranch hand convinced Gigi to give college a shot. Despite being forced to take a foreign language, something experts said would be impossible for Gigi, she graduated with a BA in Philosophy, and later earned a master’s degree in social work.
During college, Gigi finally understood that she was intersex. Armed with this new knowledge, Gigi decided it was time to come out, all the way, as dyslexic, ADHD, intersex, and bisexual. Since then,Gigi has been an outspoken activist for the bisexual and intersex communities. After co-producing AfterHours, a radio program about human sexuality, Gigi created an iTunes podcast called Adult Bedtime Stories to help create a more sex-positive world through adult sexual education and BDSM performance art. Gigi has also served on BiNet USA’s board of directors, and helped established Celebrate Bisexuality Day in 1999. That year, Gigi was awarded the AIB Globe Award for outstanding service to the bisexual community worldwide.
Gigi is also deeply involved with the BDSM world. Today, she advocates for the healing, cathartic, and spiritual power of BDSM as founder and Sacred Harlot of Aphrodite’s Temple, a modern-day sex temple which provides sex-positive education and a sex-positive sacred play space for adults. Gigi’s book is called The Dominant’s Handbook: an Intimate Guide to BDSM Play. Gigi also wrote the essay Walking in Shadows: Third Gender and Spirituality, about her intersex identity.
Michael Waugh is a singer and songwriter, for sure. One of the best, who fellow writers look at with awe: ARIA and Golden Guitar winner Fanny Lumsden says that “his lyrics stop me in my tracks”: the great Eric Bogle labels him “a gifted songwriter … a compassionate and insightful human being”.
He is an out and proud singer/songwriter whose coming out happened well into adulthood, a marriage and a successful career, in an industry that has always favoured safety over bravery. Then there’s the teacher and mentor who takes that role seriously.
“There are young people for whom I’m responsible and where I’m needed but I didn’t have role models when I was growing up,” he says. “I have a responsibility to represent them and speak my truth because that contributes to a world where others can speak as well. You can’t be what you can’t see.”
Yes, all of the above. That is Michael Waugh, and that is all through his new album, Beauty & Truth, which looks at history and looks at today and defiantly declares, We Are Here; which faces the brutal truth of fractured families and the wounds of Father’s Day, and treats with compassion the complicated lives of boys-not-yet-men too easily labelled Young And Dumb; deals unflinchingly with a culture not just antagonistic to half its population in its many Songs About Women, but destructive to the other half who hate themselves and want someone to Fix Me.
Yet it’s only part of the story of this record because “at the heart of that is being in love” and that changes everything.
“I think love between gay men is often complex, especially of my generation, because we come from a place of trauma,” Waugh says. “The journey into the record is you can’t experience some of the love that I talk about in Out and Playlist without comprehending all of that [trauma that came before]. Out of all of that, the love comes.”
And the love and the songs don’t go quietly. Right from the start, Beauty & Truth, tracked with a live band in the studio of his long-time producer Shane Nicholson, was
a record that didn’t so much break from the folk and country-based sound of his previous work as build on it. Build up from it, into a record that doesn’t see boundaries.
Jeffrey Masters specialize in long-form interviews, documenting the stories of the LGBTQ community on LGBTQ&A podcast, His interest in his guests’ stories, as well as his encouraging manner, allows him to get beyond the surface whether he’s interviewing activists or members of the entertainment industry."
Jeffrey is the Senior Producer of the New Yorker Radio Hour and the host/creator of the LGBTQ&A podcast (recommended by The New York Times). The most recent season of LGBTQ&A featured LGBTQ+ elders, including Rep. Barney Frank, Charles Silverstein, Tracey 'Africa' Norman, and Angela Davis
Gary Lonesborough is a Yuin writer, who grew up on the Far South Coast of NSW as part of a large and proud Aboriginal family. Gary was always writing as a child and continued his creative journey when he moved to Sydney to study at film school. He grew up a massive Kylie Minogue and North Queensland Cowboys fan.
Gary has vast experience working in both Aboriginal health, including the disability sector and youth justice system as well as the Australian film industry, working on the feature film adaptation of Jasper Jones.
His 2021 debut novel, THE BOY FROM THE MISH quickly became a best seller and short listed in both the literary awards and children’s book of the year awards before getting published in America under the title of READY WHEN YOU ARE. His much anticipated second novel, WE DIDN’T THINK IT THROUGH was selected as one of the Best Young Adult books in 2023. The story navigates the challenges of racism, family and the youth justice system.
Sue-Ann Post is an Australian comedian and writer and Self described as "Australia's favourite six-foot, lesbian, ex-Mormon, diabetic, comedian and writer", Post has performed as a stand-up comedian internationally and throughout Australia since 1991.
Her debut stand-up comedy stage show, "A Bit of a Postscript" toured internationally and received awards at the Melbourne Fringe Arts Festival and the Wellington Arts Festival, and was adapted to become a best-selling book. Sue-Ann has also worked as a shelf stacker, housemaid, shop assistant and printer's assistant. And one memorable winter in Melbourne she worked as a wood splitter at a woodyard for a guy named Blue.
She has written an autobiography A Bit of a Postscript (1997) and a book The Confession of an Unrepentant Lesbian Ex-Mormon which is about her journey to Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, to deliver a talk to a group of Mormon and ex-Mormon gays and lesbians.
A documentary about her journey, The Lost Tribe, aired on ABC's Compass.She wrote a weekly column for the Melbourne Age for three years and was nominated for the 2002 Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's Print Media Award. Her articles have also appeared in the West Australian, the Freethinker (UK) and Versal (The Netherlands)
Our new regular podcast guest Charlee AKA CHARLEES BOOK CLUB A book-obsessed guy from Australia who tells you what queer books to read next!
fine out more @ https://linktr.ee/grandpasbookclub?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
Alfie Arcuri realized he was gay at age eleven, he came out to his family at age twenty
four and then came out again on national television at twenty six. His fear of coming out was once so great he prepared himself for the reality that his Italian catholic family may not accept him at all. He was working as an architect and felt he couldn’t even sing until he came out of the closet.
Three years later and Alfie found his voice and went on to became a household name in 2016 when he was crowded the season five winner of The Voice Australia. A win he shared with his TV coach and mentor, Delta Goodrem. His heart felt covers of Zayne’s ‘Pillowtalk’, Sam Smith ‘Lay Me down’ and ‘Alive’ by Sia cemented his place as a fan favourite both with teenage girls and gay men.
Alfie went on to sign a worldwide deal with Universal Music and his debut album ‘Zenith’ peaked at #5 on the ARIA music charts. The following year Alfie released his most personal song ‘If they only knew’ about having to hide his relationship with his boyfriend from others. His follow up single ‘Love Is Love’ became a gay anthem during the time of Australia’s marriage equality campaign.
In 2019 Alfie was back on TV screens, first as a top five contender to represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest and in 2020 Alfie co-wrote the song ‘Running’ for the Cypriot Eurovision entry. He returned to the world stage again in 2023 to represent San Marino and proudly qualified for the final.
In his spare time Alfie loves to travel, cook, preform at gay pride events and spend time with his French Bulldogs Susie and Gary. He also returned to the pop charts with a new sound and five new tracks on his EP, Love Is A Dangerous Drug including an infectious dance track ‘Devil’s Lips’ and a sultry cover of Cyndi Lauper’s hit ‘I Drove All Night’.
Chris Lani McAllister is the Co-host and producer and comedian of regular Sydney event Queers of Joy ,which provides a platform for trans and gender-diverse performers. Chris who identifies as non-binary and believes gender to be an expression, not just something assigned at birth. Chris is dedicated in showing the world a positive side to the transgender community through fun laughter and enjoyment!
DAVID KENNERLEY is a journalist specializing in LGBTQ culture. For nearly two decades, he has been an Arts & Entertainment reporter for Gay City News, A New York City based LGBTQ newspaper and website. David’s work has been widely published in other outlets including Metro New York, Genre magazine, and Bravo TV.
Originally from the farmlands of Pennsylvania, David moved to NYC and became addicted to nightlife of the 1990s, where he became a club flyer hoarder and an unexpected expert on queer nightlife.
Massive dance clubs like the Roxy, Palladium, Limelight, and Tunnel drew fiercely passionate crowds and when it was time to leave, promoters handed out flyers for the next week's parties. Most people tossed them on the sidewalk, but David saved each and every one.
Now with a collection of over 200 eye-popping flyers, not only visually stunning but tell a story of a unique movement in the history of LGBTQ communities, reeling from the AIDS crisis and promoting nightspots as a refuge. David Kennerley’s book, GETTING IN showcases the queer nightclub culture and provides a rare look inside a historic decade in gay history and culture.
Reece Carter is an Australian fantasy author who’s debut book, A Girl Called Corpse was first published in Australia and then internationally in the UK, Italy, Spain & Norway. It has gone on to become a beloved and bestselling children’s novel. Since then Reece allowed his imagination to run wild yet again to release his spooky follow up book, The Lonely Lighthouse of Elston-Fright.
Reece was raised in rural Western Australia and began writing short stories whilst in High School. He now resides in Sydney with his flat haired retriever, Hagrid who was inspiration for a character in his books.
love for stories especially those filled with whimsy, magic, and a little bit of weirdness began as a child growing up in rural Western Australia. There was an unfortunate lack of witches and ghosts on his family farm, and so Reece had to find them in books instead.
It wasn’t until high school though that Reece thought to try his hand at writing his own stories. He loved it, and never looked back.
Reece now lives in Sydney. When not reading or writing, he can usually be found talking to his dog, Hagrid, and hoping that one of these days Hagrid might decide to talk back.
Danielle Laidley is the most prominent transgender person in Australia AKA Dean Laidley who played 151 games for West Coast Eagles and North Melbourne football clubs, winning an AFL premiership with the Kangaroos in 1996. She became one of the youngest senior coaches ever at 36, coaching North Melbourne for 149 games across seven seasons. Her amazing career and personal life were never what they seemed on the surface. Danielle faced a private and lifelong battle with gender dysphoria and that constant struggle with her identity had led to legal troubles and addiction issues.
Her transition was publicly exposed without her consent by the St Kilda police when photos were taken and sadly distributed publicly, but this was just the start of her incredible journey.
Danielle’s captivating life story is now a documentary, Two Tribes is now streaming on Stan or you can read all about it, in her revealing memoir Don’t look away.
Eric Marcus is the founder and host of the award-winning Making Gay History podcast, which mines his decades-old audio archive of rare interviews — conducted for his oral history book of the same name about the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.
Eric is also an author of a dozen books including Is It A Choice?, Why Suicide?, and Breaking the Surface, A #1 New York Times bestselling autobiography of Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis.
He is the founder and chair emeritus of the Stonewall 50 Consortium and a founding board member of the American LGBTQ+ Museum.
As a child questioning his sexuality, his parents taught him the word gay, means happy and this lesson has come full circle since Jonathan has come out as a proud gay man, found his decade long partner and gave life to his glamorous drag persona, Miss Betty Confetti.
Jonathan went into his local costume store to try on a super hero outfit for an upcoming fancy dress party and instead of the obvious Superman costume, he left the store inspired to dress as another famous super hero, Jupiter from Sailor Moon. This was the moment Jonathan allowed himself to express a new side of his personality and became Betty Confetti, one of Bathurst newest baby queens.
Betty perfected her act as a finalist of Australia’s got drag and helped to create a local thriving drag scene as well as creating Bathurst first and very own Mardi Gras parade.
Betty Confetti went on to create headlines as one of the recent story time drag queens who’s upcoming Goulburn gig was cancelled as a result of worldwide negative press, hateful social media comments and a personal threat. Find out how a local community fought back and welcomed Drag story time to their small town and allowed Betty’s own courage, uniqueness, nerve and talent to shine and rain down, just like confetti.
Will Kostakis is an award-winning author for young adults. He’s been at it fifteen years, but his mum insists it’s just a phase and any day now, he’ll pursue a real career.
As a high school student, Will won Sydney Morning Herald Young Writer of the Year for a collection of short stories. He also signed his first book deal and published his first novel, Loathing Lola at only nineteen years old.
Will has since contributed to numerous anthologies, including the ABIA Award-winning Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology as well as his contemporary novels, The First Third and The Sidekicks.
In 2020 Will was awarded the Maurice Saxby Award by the School Library Association of New South Wales for his service to children’s and young adult literature.
His latest novel, We Could Be Something is a wonderful story of two young men, each on a journey of self-discovery. There stories converge on the same Sydney street and explains how our dreams shapes us and what they cost us.
Bill Rossi is a successful entrepreneur and business leader and a proud advocate, a partner of twenty - two years and a father of twin daughters. Named Crain’s Notable LGBTQ+ Exec for three consecutive years Bill was consistently seeking ways to stand out and make a difference in the community. He stands for diversity in the workplace and actively fights for equality and inclusion.
Bill’s personal and professional journey has been marked by significant achievements and challenges. This has inspired him to lend his leadership and voice to support others and incite meaningful conversation about issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community, especially young people who face the challenges he once faced.
Councillor Declan Clausen was first elected to the City of Newcastle in February 2015 and has served as the City’s Deputy Lord Mayor since September 2017.
As one of the youngest candidates ever elected to Newcastle City Council, Declan is passionate about sustainability, urban development, equality and his elected city of Newcastle where he lives with his fiancé Steven and cavoodle Toby.
Declan also holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Urban Development,
A Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) with Honours and has completed the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
He was a known ally and supporter of the 2017 Marriage equality vote and his city of Newcastle proudly were the highest YES voters in regional New South Wales.
James Breko is a local Sydney celebrity hustling his brand of Trivia & Music Bingo.
During Sydney's lockdowns as MC work vanished, Breko quickly pivoted into hosting online Zoom Trivia for work teams across the Country. his zany brand of Trivia and Music Bingo has since been featured on The Today Show and on Nine's hit TV show, Travel Guides.
In Sydney Breko hosting events 5 nights a week as well as corporate events. His annual events include a Mardi Gras float, the Sydney Grand Final Eurovision screening & a camp Vivid Dance Cruise. Breko has dabbled in radio, TV and has written for various publications including The Star Observer & The Huffington Post. He is the founder of DIY Rainbow & also served on the Board of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras for 3 years.
James 'Breko' Brechney founded the viral rainbow chalking movement DIY Rainbow in 2013 against the backdrop of the removal of the Sydney Rainbow Crossing. Chalk rainbow crossings went on to be an international success with many global landmarks gaining a chalk rainbow crossing for LGBTI equality. The Facebook page is still active today, regularly sharing LGTBI news to it's followers as well as organising events, rallies and raising funds for local projects.
James went on to work with the United Nations body UNESCO on an anti-bullying and anti-homophobia project across Thailand, where chalking rainbows were used to bring groups together and start a conversation about homophobia in primary schools.
In 2014 DIY Rainbow was named one of the 10 memorable pages of Facebook of all time, celebrating a decade of the social network, alongside The Humans of New York and others, which led to James chalking a rainbow at Facebook HQ in Silicon Valley and celebrating San Francisco Pride with the Facebook and Instagram teams.
James continued to be community leader speaking at rallies, conducting fundraisers, and producing Mardi Gras floats for the community to take part in. He has hosted several live talk show forums on the Oxford Street strip covering topics including Marriage Equality, World AIDS Day and the 78ers.
Barry Charles is a respected member of the 78er’s but his fight for equality started at CAMP Inc meetings in 1971 and participating in several gay demonstrations and activities including the 1973 march from Sydney Town Hall and a 1978 protest march in San Francisco led by gay rights activist, Harvey Milk. On returning to Sydney his longtime friends told him of plans for the Mardi Gras event on Oxford St. “I was particularly happy to chant, ‘Out of the bars...into the streets’ which had been so effective on Castro Street”.
Barry later joined the law reform movement as Co-Convenor of Gay Rights Lobby from 1981 to 1984 and attended the first Police/Gay Liason Committee. He remains active in the fight for equality and was proudly marching alongside the 20th Anniversary float of 78ers in 1998.
Paul Hughes AKA Lee’roy was born in Glasgow, Scotland and completed his undergraduate degree in Film Studies at University of Glasgow. He spent 20 years working in fashion in London, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai before moving to Sydney in 2019.
Paul is largely influenced by fashion, street art and club culture. His style of painting is probably best explained as a palimpsest. They are layer upon layer of versions of the same work. He is an appropriation artist and works mainly in acrylic on canvas using mixed media and collage.
Paul Hughes AKA Lee’roy current work has superhero’s as a central theme. He places familiar characters in compromising positions and imagines how his childhood hero’s would react to some of the political and social challenges we currently face. Super Hero’s represent the very best and worst aspects of human character and it is these contradictions and the explicit nature of the work that demand your attention! Find out more at Lee Roy Styrene.
During Sydney world Pride and as part of PRIDE AMPLIFIED you Can view this free exhibition on Thursday 23rd Till Sunday 26th Feb Cope St Gallery 82 Cope St Waterloo Sydney.
Braden Rhy AKA KARA ZMATIQ is the iconic Live-Singing Drag Queen of Australia, best known for their stellar performances on Australia's Got Talent and appearances on Radio, Feature Films and Reality Television.
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A serendipitous night out at Sydney's Iconic Drag Club, Stonewall Hotel Sydney, took Braeden from being led by prayer, to being on his knees for a whole new reason, embracing his sexuality and newfound identity and alter-ego Kara Zmatiq.
Sure, lip-syncing is where Kara began their career on sticky dance floors and dimly lit night club stages, but very quickly found their voice as a counter-tenor singer and Wedding Venues, Cruise Ships, Hotels, Resorts and Television quickly ushered them into their world and audiences.
Following continually sold out cabaret shows nationally, ‘Australia’s Premier Live Singing Drag Queen’ (Fuse Magazine) and Soiree Cabaret Producer, KARA ZMATIQ brings the best of circus, dance, live-singing drag and burlesque to The Vanguard for World Pride 2023.
Curated and hosted by ‘Australia’s Best Live-Singing Drag Queen’ (Focus Magazine)
Experience a star-studded mix of classic “camp” hit songs set amongst sexy and incredibly risqué circus and dance performances with special guest appearances from some of the country's truly fabulous LGBTQI+ burlesque and cabaret entertainers!
Expect the unexpected in a truly interactive, raunchy and sensory cabaret show.
Soiree Cabaret will “blow” your minds darlings!
TICKETING INFO
Sexy Galexy began her career performing in drag shows and events around her home city of Perth during the 90’s golden age of lesbian and drag king culture before following the bright lights to Sydney to appear in her weekly shows alongside DJ Sveti at Kingki Kingdom.
Sexy Galexy has performed in drag shows and pride festivals in Europe and North Americas and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and featured as a TV host to cover the Mardi Gras Parade for QueerTV
Sexy Galexy stared in "Manliness: The Angle of My Dangle" and "Manliness Mansion", which was performed at festivals including Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Perth Fringe World and continue to fly the flag for aspiring drag kings around the world.
Don’t forget to checkout Behind the Zip , Pride Amplified (FOXY) & Chuffed all part of Sydney world pride 2023.
Ben Graetz AKA Miss Ellaneous is a descendant of the Iwaidja and Malak Malak clans in the Northern Territory and of Badu Island in the Torres Strait, with over 20 years of creative practice spanning both First Nations and LGBTIQA+ identities. Recent career highlights include Artistic Direction of the Arafura Games ceremonies, Creative Producing independently and for companies including ILBIJERRI Theatre and founding with collaborator Marzi Panne PARTY PASSPORT: a LGBTIQA+ and First Nations event production house with diversity and inclusion, fun and fabulousness at its heart.
Ben has a strong knowledge of the arts in Australia and networks extending across oceans to First Nations practitioners in Aoteara (New Zealand), Turtle Island (North America) and Taiwan. He is the founder of Darwin’s First Nations festival GARRMALANG and has been instrumental in the organisation and profile raising of Darwin Pride. The first four shows that are a part of Marri Madung Butbut (Many Brave Hearts) The First Nations Gathering Space for Sydney WoldPride 2023 are on sale now.
Kate studied law and began her career in various legal roles including a one year appointment as Associate to Supreme Court Justice Steven Bailey (NT), and legal positions at Maddocks, Buchanan Group, and Port of Melbourne Corp.
While completing a Master in Business Administration, Kate lectured at University of Melbourne and was a director of mid summa Festival for just over three years. From there, her career pivoted into corporate leadership and she held a NSW Government position as project director for its Future Transport project. This was followed by roles as Partner for Aurecon (NSW and Victoria) and then Head of Change and Communications, Better Risk Outcomes Program with Commonwealth Bank.
Kate was co-chair of the SGLMG board before stepping down to head up Sydney WorldPride. Her devotion to the LGBTIQ community is equalled only by the value she brings to it. Kate has been volunteering for LGBTIQ+ organisations for over 20 years. An outstanding leader, creative thinker, tireless worker, and compassionate human being.
Harry Cook is a British-Australian actor and author, best known for his roles in Accidents Happen alongside Geena Davis & the Australian thriller Caught Inside to name a few.
It was his role in Drown that earned him a Best Supporting Actor Award at the FilmOut San Diego Film Festival in 2015.
In September 2018, Cook's debut memoir Pink Ink Pink Ink was released, followed by his worldwide debut young adult novel, Fin Rye Fireflies, In 2021, Harry released his highly anticipated second novel, Felix Silver Teaspoons Witches. follow harry Cook @ instagram
Ken Felts a ninety-year-old gay man who had never come to terms with his gift of homosexuality. Born in 1930 during the great depression, he grew up first in a small Western Kansas town and was indoctrinated into a somewhat, fundamental Christian church. After his first male-to-male sexual experience, the influence of the church teachings to which he had been exposed forced him to internalize his homosexuality, and most of his life was spent as a straight-acting, closeted homosexual. He eventually "outed" himself to his daughter and then the world.
The Book My Handful of Stars" chronicles now available at Amazon
Danica now describes herself as Bi gender and discovered her sexuality whilst growing up in a remote town with a population of less than 400 people. Her first same sex relationship blossomed during her senior year of school but she was shortly outed and experiencing regular panic attacks. Together the pair escaped to Melbourne but as time goes by Danica felt terrified and bedridden, without a roof over her head, until a beginner course in yoga changed her life. Being able to practise and later teach yoga for twenty years improved Danica’s wellbeing and empowered others to feel good through through movement, tantra and dance.
@ youtube @ LGBTI Yoga danicalani.com & Instagram & Facebook
Danica went on to coach Kings of Joy, a performance group to support first time Drag Kings and has helped shape a bi-monthly event to celebrate the Trans and gender-diverse community. @ kings-of-joy
The story of how Lucretia - a transgender refugee living in Kakuma refugee camp Block 13 - found Queers of Joy on the internet and connected with them. Now Queers of Joy is running regular events to raise money to help the members of Block 13 fight for their freedom and to help them find asylum in a safe country.
Tucker Shaw is an author and editor who first found his own gay tribe in New York City's East Village during the 1990’s.
In 2018 Tucker overheard a young man on his way home from work talking about the AIDS crisis. The nearby voice proposed how that era “galvanized the gay community” and “had spurred change”. He added that it had “paved the way to make things better, in the long run”. Tucker published his thoughts in a Twitter thread that went on to get over 80,000 retweets.
Tucker Shaw’s most recent novel, When You Call My Name is a heartfelt story about two gay teens coming of age in New York City at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It was named "this summer's most powerful LGBTQ+ novel" by GAY TIMES.
When You Call My Name is available now at
Tucker Shaw.com
Darlinghurst BookShop AU
Gay'sThe Word UK
Our next guest coming of age story began in the late 1960’s in the steel city of Newcastle NSW, where Glenda Jackson first walked on stage in drag.
Glenda has worked alongside other drag legends over time like Bubbles Le Gay and Carlotta to name just a few.
Who would have guessed that a city that was built on coal and steel would have such a thriving drag scene, the queens of today would have been envious of all that was going what was happening decades ago.
Glenda, now in her 70’s has not slowdown with age, just like a good bottle of wine that just keep getting better with age, she still can be seen hosting BIG BALLS bingo at her local Carrington Bowling Club every week.
Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell’s journey began in an antiques shop in Dallas when they discovered a photograph of two men, unmistakably in love.
Nini and Treadwell saw themselves in the two men in the photograph and were filled with so many questions about who they were. Neither of them expected that this photograph would become the first of a 2,800-image collection and that they would publish their own book, “Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850-1950”
We all know Carla from Bankstown as the sassy Queen of social media, TikTok influencer, star of Celebrity Apprentice and the comedic personal assistant of NSW Premiere Gladys Berejiklian but now meet the very talanted man behind the character, Benjahmin James who is also equally as fasinating.
Shannon Molloy is an award-winning journalist and author with more than a decade of experience working for major media outlets spanning print, digital and publishing. Shannon is the 2020 recipient of Journalist of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
His debut book Fourteen, a memoir about growing up gay in regional Queensland, is a critically acclaimed bestseller that is now being adapted for the screen. Fourteen is this generation’s Holding the Man – a moving coming-of-age story.
Shannon also contributes to various charity organisations, including as convenor of the annual Clare Atkinson Memorial Scholarship for journalism at The University of Queensland.
Fourteen is showing at QPAC Brisbane. Grab tickets now - they’re selling fast! https://qpac.com.au/event/bf_shake_stir_fourteen_22/
Fourteen the book now available @ Darlinghurst bookshop 15% off limited time.
httphttps://www.thebookshop.com.au/books/gay-men/life-stories/memoirs/fourteen/
Shannon Molloy @ http://www.shannonmolloy.com/
If this story has raise any questions for you, please remember help is available 24/7 anonymous and free peer support service for people wanting to talk about sexuality, gender, bodies and all sorts of queer stuff. www.qlife.org.au
As Sydney’s only Lebanese, lesbian, ex-Jehovah’s Witness, comedian, Naomi Mourra grew up as a door-knocking Jehovah’s Witness and closeted lesbian to Lebanese parents in the 1980s in Cabramatta, Sydney, Australia.
Naomi is your gateway woman to chicks, chickpeas, cults and culture.
Her solo shows, An Open Book, debuted in 2018.
An Open Book, Naomi explores her own anecdotes as well as some of the Biblical stories you may (or may not) know and what lessons our modern world can learn from them. Like why you shouldn’t turn around, why seeds must never be spilled and why it’s really important to be articulate in a registry office.
She’s been around the block a few times and knows that when opportunity comes knocking, sometimes it’s best to pretend you’re not home and that for every door that closes another also closes.
“Laughed out loud! It was like someone holding up a mirror - which they so rarely do!” - God
Naomi who has performed in London and Sydney. She is the co-founder and co-producer of What She Said, the only weekly all women's comedy night in Sydney. She is also in the improv troupe Shut Up Darryl, and has performed at The Factory Theatre and the Belvoir. She has trained at LMA and Second City Chicago.
Naomi NEXT show Work Hacks From The Holy Book is at the Factory Theatre, Marrickville part of the Sydney Fringe Comedy Festival 2022.
Dates are Wednesday 14 and Friday 16 September 2022 @7pm
Buy tickets from https://aucentury.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/76531
https://www.instagram.com/naomimourra/
Lee – Ann is a proud Awabakal woman who grew up in Newcastle and has had extensive experiences in the LGBTQIA+ community, beginning as a Committee member of Rainbow Visions Inc committee from 2004 – 2010.
Lee was involved in a number of significant community projects, amongst many, creating “Mixed fruits in suits” and the annual Winter Ball held at the Newcastle City Hall. Lee passionately believes in equality for all and that Pride groups, safe spaces, festivals and events are vital in regional and rural areas for all LGBTQIA+ people and for the future of our youth.
In March 2018 it became clear to Lee there was a lack of venues, safe spaces and events in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter for the LGBTQIA+ community, leaving people feeling socially isolated and unsupported.
Lee felt it was the right time to launch Newcastle Pride, https://newcastlepride.com.au/
to provide our community with a sense of belonging and safe inclusive spaces to celebrate equality, diversity and our fabulous culture.
Newcastle Pride welcomes everyone who has a genuine interest in ensuring that everyone is treated with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status and their own individuality. https://newcastlepride.com.au/newcastle-pride-festival-2022/
THE NEWCASTLE PRIDE COMMUNITY
HUB PROPOSAL
The Community Hub would be a place that brings people together as a connector and would act as a point of reference for people within the area. The Hub would be a fun, safe and inclusive space for gender and sexuality diverse people of all ages and backgrounds. A place where everyone can express themselves without fear or judgement. It would be a space where health and wellbeing services would be readily available. Queer-friendly support workers and education resources would be within reach and would offer support services in a confidential, welcoming, encouraging and supportive space. The Community Hub would also provide the Newcastle and wider Hunter LGBTIQA+ community with a new level of accessibility to Newcastle Pride as an organisation. The Hub would also allow Newcastle Pride the room to continue to grow, connect and collaborate with relevant partners and community organisations (like ACON Hunter and Headspace Newcastle), with increased visibility in the local community.
St Kilda. Melbourne is the location of the Victorian Pride Centre link blow.
https://pridecentre.org.au/
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
The Awabakal and Worimi peoples are acknowledged by LGBTI conversations as the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters situated within the Newcastle local government area, including wetlands, rivers creeks and coastal environments. It is known that their heritage and cultural ties to Newcastle date back tens of thousands of years.
Andrew Mercado has been named one of TV’s most significant commentators while The Sunday Telegraph describes him as a walking TV encyclopedia.
Andrew Mercado developed a love of TV and movies early on in his youth while spending every Saturday night hanging out with the projectionist at his local suburban picture theatre. His first job in television was a Village Roadshow Movie World Studios as Location Manager for the series Paradise Beach. Following this, he became the Unit Publicist for such TV shows as The New Adventures of Flipper and Pacific Drive. Shortly after becoming the publicist at Foxtel music station Channel [V], he was moved into an on-air role.
Andrew Mercado is now fondly remembered by a generation of music fans as Super Mercado after becoming Channel [V]’s inaugural entertainment reporter in 1998. Later, he became the first VJ on sister channel Music Max. Whilst he would work simultaneously on both stations, eventually he crossed over to Max full time to create, produce and host the panel show The Know.
Over the years he has interviewed such A-listers as Robbie Williams, but he also has loved meeting Aussie TV legends through his work as a TV Historian for the National Film and Sound Archive. Andrew also released a top selling book call Super Aussie Soaps: Behind the Scenes of Australia's Best Loved TV Shows, available now from Booktopia https://www.booktopia.com.au/super-aussie-soaps-behind-the-scenes-of-australia-s-best-loved-tv-shows-andrew-mercado/book/9781864031911.html Andrew newest passion project he is working on call outrageous, a documentary taking a walk back in time when Australian TV once led the world with diversity and queer representation on screen. Fine out more at https://documentaryaustralia.com.au/project/outrageous-the-history-of-aussie-queer-tv/
Tobias Madden is an author and editor from Sydney, Australia. His debut young adult fiction novel, ANYTHING BUT FINE, is out now in Australia at https://www.thebookshop.com.au/new-forthcoming/new-releases/anything-but-fine/
New Zealand at https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/anything-but-fine-9781761042027
USA at https://www.amazon.com
His second novel, TAKE A BOW, NOAH MITCHELL, is coming to Aus/NZ 30 August 2022 and the US in 2023.
Originally from Ballarat, Tobias worked for ten years as a performer, touring Australia and New Zealand with musicals such as Mary Poppins, CATS, Singin' in the Rain, and Guys and Dolls. In 2019, he edited and published UNDERDOG, the first #LoveOzYA short story anthology for previously unpublished Aussie young adult fiction writers. Also in 2019, he wrote the cabaret show Siblingship, which played to sold out audiences in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. Tobias is a passionate member of the #LoveOzYA and LGBTQ+ communities.
Reformed Mormon missionary Brad Harker speaks his truth about his religious upbringing, the struggle to come out at 42, fighting for marriage equality and finding love and acceptance within the community.