lgbtiq history
Federal Parliament 1973: baby steps on Australian gay law reform
On 18 October 1973, the Australian House of Representatives passed a motion calling for the repeal of anti-gay laws. That motion was the first significant vote on Australian gay law reform in the country’s history. The vote served no immediate practical purpose because such laws were generally a state responsibility. However, it paved the way …
Secret History of Fortitude Valley 2: In the evening
Destiny Rogers recalls a misspent youth in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. In the mid-1970s, Fortitude Valley possessed two distinct identities – the day-time Valley and the night-time. Fortitude Valley by day Once a famed retail hub, local businesses still hoped suburban shopping malls would prove a passing fad. Perhaps Brisbane shoppers would again favour Brunswick Street. …
Secret history of Fortitude Valley 1: Is that all there is?
Destiny Rogers recalls a misspent youth in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. In the days before the Fitzgerald Inquiry, crims and corrupt police ran much of Fortitude Valley, though in 1976 when she arrived from the country, the corrupt underbelly of Brunswick St stayed out of sight and, for most people, out of mind. After twelve years …
By Jove, what a gay old time it was
‘A gay old time’ once meant either just a light-hearted moment or a lewd adventure, depending on the circumstance. Adults used the word as code, enabling them to speak of ‘distasteful’ subjects in the presence of innocents. Old newspaper clippings demonstrate the general public understood both meanings despite the regular bleatings that gays ‘stole’ a …
‘She liked her own sex — and they liked her’
In September 1906, Constable Donnelly of Brisbane arrested William Edwards on a warrant from Victoria for burglary. The policeman already knew Edwards, a popular and personable barman at a city pub. Donnelly made the acquaintance of the short, slightly built Bill Edwards 14 months before. However, in all that time, he never suspected, until informed …
No hurry to claim Alan Jones as our own
Alan Jones is, many people believe, a misogynist. Yet the most common word used for him by online detractors is arguably the most misogynist in the English language. Similarly, people usually scathing of homophobia don’t hesitate to call Jones a ‘bitter old queen’. What do we do about a man who brings out the worst …
Rev’d Chris Tyack: the Anglican Church & Father Trevor Bulled
The Reverend Chris Tyack writes of his experience of and in the Anglican Church and in particular of his memories of Father Trevor Bulled, openly gay priest for many years at Fortitude Valley’s Holy Trinity Church. For many LGBT+ people over 40, the Church represents an ancien regime of unhappy memory. My own relationship to …
Queensland man charged over 1976 murder
Police today charged a Bundaberg man with the 1976 murder of Rex Kable Keen in Brisbane. Hotel staff discovered his body in room 1205 at Lennon’s Plaza Hotel on the morning of 14 August 1976. The 46-year-old motel manager regularly stayed at Lennon’s on his visits to Brisbane. In August 2014, he came to town …
Commemorating Stonewall Riot 50th Anniversary in Hobart
Equality Tasmania plan a commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City for Hobart Friday evening. The Stonewall Riots saw patrons of the Stonewall gay bar fight back against repeated police raids on the LGBTI venue. Many now recognise the riots as the beginning of the modern LGBTI rights movement. …
Anne Lister: the amazing true story of Gentleman Jack
Gentleman Jack starring Suranne Jones, tells the true story of a lifetime of lesbian relationships. The story comes straight from the pages of the secret diary of 19th century intellectual and industrialist Anne Lister. The cast: WOW! The acting: WOW! The period settings: WOW! The production values: WOW! WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE? Gentleman Jack is …