Lesbians Leap from the Archives 1970–2000
A landmark exhibition celebrating three decades of lesbian activism, culture, and community
A deep dive into lesbian herstory is about to open in Melbourne - and it’s unlike anything Australia has seen before. Lesbians Leap from the Archives 1970–2000 launches on 7 October at Sol Gallery, Fitzroy, bringing to life three extraordinary decades of lesbian activism, creativity, and community-building.
The exhibition is the result of two years of grassroots voluntary work, lovingly pieced together by a dedicated team determined to preserve and celebrate lesbian history before it slips through the cracks.
Image: supplied
The Spark That Started It All
Three years ago, curator Sarah Yeomans opened a box in the University of Melbourne archives and felt the jolt of recognition: inside were fragments of a vibrant, radical, joyful lesbian world that had shaped generations - yet remained largely unseen.
From the moment lesbians began leaping out of the closet around 1970, through to the early 2000s when lesbian culture began to be absorbed into broader queer narratives, these thirty years were a period of profound change. Lesbians built movements, reshaped feminist politics, created culture, and carved out spaces where women could live, love, organise, and imagine freely.
That “aha” moment quickly grew into a collective effort. A team formed - bringing together skills in photography, writing, design, archiving, and handcrafting - united by the desire to showcase lesbian life between 1970 and 2000. Calls went out across the community, and the hunt began through major archives including:
Victorian Women’s Liberation and Lesbian Feminist Archives
Jessie Street National Women’s Library
Perth Lesbian Archives
Australian Queer Archives
Legacy LOTL
And countless personal collections
A home office was soon covered wall-to-wall in butcher’s paper as the team read, catalogued, and pieced together a story too important to lose.
Activism, Culture, and Community — A Lesbian Engine Room
The exhibition highlights the sheer breadth of lesbian contribution during these decades.
Lesbians were central to establishing women’s refuges and supporting survivors of domestic violence. Groups like Women for Survival led major protests at Pine Gap, Roxby Downs, and Cockburn Sound. Lesbians organised feminist conferences, marched to Reclaim the Night, and were front and centre at International Women’s Day rallies.
Culturally, lesbians flourished. They became performers, musicians, filmmakers, comedians, magicians, circus artists, writers, and publishers. They bought Women’s Lands, built lesbian social and health networks, and created the fundraising events where entire communities danced until dawn.
This was a period of invention, imagination, and unapologetic lesbian visibility - and the exhibition captures it all.
Image: supplied
Inside the Exhibition
Visitors will step into a multi-sensory celebration of lesbian life, including:
A book nook filled with lesbian feminist literature
A music corner showcasing artists from the era
Mannequins adorned with badges, tees, and protest wear
A screenprinting expo
Beautiful hand-painted banners
A roving rack of iconic lesbian T-shirts
Hundreds of leaflets, posters, and photographs rescued from cupboards and archives
Most of the material comes from generous lesbian “hoarders” who have safeguarded these treasures for decades. After the exhibition, items will be returned - making this event a rare, ephemeral archive in itself.
A Month of Celebration
Opening for three weeks in October to coincide with International Lesbian Day 2026, the exhibition will also host a full month of related events, including:
Book launches
Souvenir badge-making
Fireside storytelling
Guided tours
A Lesbian Antiques Roadshow
And more to be announced
It’s a celebration, a reclamation, and a reminder of the power of lesbian community — past, present, and future.
More information: Email: leapinglesbians@gmail.com Facebook: Lesbians Leap From the Archives 1970–2000