On 19 January 1972, Sydney Gay Liberation came out as an independent group at the Sex Lib Forum at Sydney University. Speakers at that forum included Germaine Greer, Liz Fell, Gillian Leahy and Dennis Altman. Dennis’ ground-breaking work, Homosexual Oppression and Liberation, had been published in 1971 in the USA and was about to have its Australian release.
At the forum, Dennis announced that Gay Liberation, which had started in July 1971 within CAMP Inc., was setting up as a separate group. Gay Liberation soon set up in other states and on many campuses.
While CAMP Inc. focused on lobbying and education, Gay Liberation tended to be more activist, fun and confrontational. Gay Lib organised zaps, street theatre, ‘spraynting’ of slogans, demonstrations and hug ins – when showing same sex affection in public could get you arrested.
However, there was a big overlap of activists with a number involved in both CAMP and Gay Lib and some events were joint actions. Gay Lib organised the 1 July 1972 demonstration outside ABC Sydney Headquarters against the cancellation of a TV program on homosexuality and the gay liberation movement in Australia. But some CAMP Inc. people attended. The 12 November 1972 demonstration at St Clements, Mosman after the sacking of Peter Bonsall-Boone, was jointly organised by both groups.
The heyday of Sydney Gay Liberation was from 1972 to 1973. The group led efforts to hold the first ‘nationally’ organised Gay Pride Week from 9-15 September 1973 in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane. Events included zaps, hug-ins, a poetry reading, demonstrations and a wreath-laying at the Cenotaph, Martin Place to honour homosexuals murdered in Nazi Concentration Camps.
First Mardi Gras Inc. is hosting this online Salon78 Forum to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Sydney Gay Liberation. Hear from activists Dennis Altman, Katy O’Rourke, Penny Gulliver and John Witte. Other participants in the heady events of 1972-3 will contribute during the Q&A part of the forum.
Come along and hear about this history of sometimes outrageous LGBTIQ+ activism – on Zoom – Saturday 19 February at 4pm.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/salon78-gay-lib-comes-out-in-1972-tickets-251768625737.