Lesbians Leap from the Archives 1970–2000
A groundbreaking exhibition is opening in Melbourne this October, showcasing three decades of lesbian activism, creativity, and community-building. Lesbians Leap from the Archives 1970–2000 brings together rare materials from personal collections and national archives to honour the women who shaped feminist and lesbian culture across Australia.
Lesbians & Bisexual Women: A History of Tension & Solidarity
For decades, bisexual women have been pushed to the margins of lesbian feminist spaces — from separatist ideology in the 1970s to modern dating apps and community discourse. This article traces that history through archives, old LOTL issues, and lived experience, revealing how exclusion was justified, how it persists, and why solidarity between lesbians and bi+ women is vital for our shared liberation.
Behind the Curtain with Sexy Galaxy
Step behind the curtain with Australia’s original GlamourBoi King, Sexy Galexy. In this intimate Q&A, Sexy shares how drag transformed shyness into confidence, how identity shaped his iconic GlamourBoi style, and why preserving drag king history matters now more than ever.
Constant Craving – Lesbians and Limerence
Limerence isn’t just a crush — it’s the overwhelming, involuntary longing that can take over your entire emotional landscape. In this intimate reflection, Jody Ekert explores how desire, projection, and queer culture collide, revealing why sapphic limerence can feel so intoxicating, so consuming, and so hard to recognise.
Recipe for Cooking Up a Drag King
A deliciously camp recipe for creating your very own drag king. From swagger and contour to choreography and confidence, this guide serves one ridiculously handsome king.
A Living Archive: Joan Nestle, DAAFT, and the Queer Histories That Shape Us
Meeting Joan Nestle at the Letters From Ger exhibition felt like stepping into living queer history. Everything I’d learned about the 1950s, Stonewall, and the early days of lesbian activism had always come from books or documentaries. Hearing Joan speak — a woman who has been out since the 1950s and founded the Lesbian Herstory Archives — awakened a hunger in me for real, tangible stories from elders in our community. What began as a chance encounter quickly became a friendship that reshaped my understanding of queer lineage, activism, and love.
Lesbian Involvement in Australia’s Early Gay Activism
Lesbian activists played a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s early gay rights movement. From the Daughters of Bilitis to CAMP INC, Gay Liberation, and Women’s Liberation, lesbians were central to public education, protest, and political organising throughout the 1960s and 1970s
The Winter Solstice: Finding Light, Community, and Quiet Resilience in Regional NSW
Travelling to Uralla for a Winter Solstice celebration becomes an unexpected moment of reflection — on ageing, queer community, regional life, and the small rituals that help us navigate the longest night of the year. Among lanterns, bonfires, and shared wishes, a sense of connection emerges in a month where acceptance has felt fragile. It might just be the most beautiful night of the year.
From ’78 to Now: Kate Rowe on Lesbian Storytelling, Activism, and Aging Out Loud
Activist, athlete, 78er and late‑blooming storyteller Kate Rowe joins Silke for a powerful conversation about lesbian identity, protest, community, and aging out loud. From the night of the 1978 Mardi Gras arrests to the shifting “queer alphabet” of today, Kate reflects on courage, conflict, humour, and finding her voice in her seventies. Her stories bridge generations - reminding us why lesbian history matters now more than ever.
The Woman Behind the Artist: A Q&A with Stacey Bennett
A candid Q&A with artist and LGBTQI+ advocate Stacey Bennett, exploring her identity, her creative process, and the human stories behind her 100‑portrait project Lesbians of Australia.
An Abridged History of Drag Kings
A fast, feminist dive into the hidden history of drag kings — from ancient theatre and early male impersonators to Stonewall, the 1990s king boom, and today’s post‑pandemic resurgence. Long live the drag king.
Pride in the Quiet Places: Growing Up Queer in Regional Queensland
A heartfelt reflection on growing up queer in regional Queensland, discovering community through roller derby, navigating long‑distance love, and returning home with a non‑binary partner. This piece explores fear, visibility, Pride and the quiet acts of courage that help others step into the light.
Ending or Evolving? Relationship Battlegrounds
A reflective and queer‑affirming exploration of how to tell whether a relationship is facing ordinary challenges, evolving into something new, or quietly approaching its end. From conflict and communication to safety, renewal and the courage to leave, this piece offers grounded guidance — and a reminder to always start by calming down and making a cup of tea.
Perimenopause: Menopause’s Little Bitch Sister
A sharp, funny and painfully relatable account of perimenopause from a queer woman navigating hot flushes, brain fog and medical dismissal — with humour, honesty and heart.
The Resurgence of Drag Kings in Australia
Nash Hill is a drag king, writer and artist with more than twenty‑five years in the Australian drag king community. Their work blends performance, humour and gender exploration, celebrating the creativity and cultural impact of king culture.
Healing Through Connection, Not Perfection
Healing isn’t about perfection — it’s about returning to connection. Drawing on Hawaiian wisdom, Charlie Snow reflects on belonging, balance, and the radical act of showing up as our full selves.
Let There Be Docs!
A pair of well‑worn Doc Martens becomes a symbol of queer becoming, faith, healing and long‑term love in this reflective piece by Lucy McIvor.
The First Lemon
Lucy McIvor reflects on growth, resilience and the quiet magic of new life through the story of a single lemon growing in the Queensland bush.
Notes from a Northern Life
A three‑part creative micro‑series by regional Queensland artist Lucy McIvor, exploring queer life, growth, memory and the quiet rituals of country living.
