LGBTI Conversations

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.

Braeden Rhys 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.

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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.

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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.