In this July edition of the First Mardi Gras Inc. Newsletter, we have:
- Diane Fieldes on Rally to Defend Trans Rights – 1pm Saturday 5 August
- Diane Minnis on Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Sapphire Anniversary Celebration
- Photos from 45th Anniversary Drinks at Kinselas
- John Witte on Hunter Rainbow History Evening
- David Abello, Diane Minnis and Karl Zlotkowski on Launch of Voices from 1978
- Robyn Kennedy on Star Observer Turns 45 – the ongoing need for queer focused media
- Karl Zlotkowski on Spirit of 1978 Award to Union Pride
- Diane Minnis on Tributes to Fabian LoSchiavo
- Information on Appointment to the Aged Care Council of Elders
- How to buy Badges and Books
- Calendar of Events.
The next 78ers Lunch is on at 12pm, Sunday 6 August 2023, Terminus Hotel, Pyrmont, downstairs room, RSVP: info@78ers.org.au.
The next First Mardi Gras Inc. General Meeting at 4pm, Saturday 16 September 2023.
Diane Minnis
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It's been almost six years since we won marriage equality and still there is so much to fight for. Right wing bigots are targeting drag storytime events across the country and pushing dangerous lies against LGBTI+ people, including the vile "paedophile" slur.
Discrimination in schools and workplaces continues and the federal ALP government remains committed to a "religious discrimination bill" that will entrench anti-LGBTI+ discrimination in our society.
This is the context in which 78ers should proudly join Community Action for Rainbow Rights (CARR) for a rally on Saturday 5 August to demand:
- that trans rights are defended and extended
- no discrimination in our schools and workplaces
- no religious discrimination bill
We have recently also learnt that the Minns ALP government here in NSW is pursuing a bill on religious discrimination when there is rampant anti-LGBTI+ discrimination in this state going unopposed.
They should instead be strengthening anti-discrimination laws more generally to defend LGBTI+ people and others from the bigotry of religious institutions and organisations.
Anti-trans, far right bigots like Moira Deeming still have huge support in the Liberal party, drawing big meetings of Liberal Party members and speaking at far right events, including one in NSW parliament house hosted by Liberal Democrat John Ruddick.
The far right internationally have made it their mission to restrict and push back the rights fought for and won for trans, gender diverse and LGBTI+ people. We need to make it clear that these attacks will not be tolerated here.
We can take inspiration from the UK where 25,000 people hit the streets for Trans+ Pride in London in early July. LGBT+ rights activists, trade unions, refugee rights campaigns, housing groups and many others turned out to stand in solidarity against transphobia.
In a similar spirit of solidarity, we should encourage everyone to join Community Action for Rainbow Rights for this Rally for LGBTI + Rights at 1pm Saturday 5 August at Town Hall. https://facebook.com/events/s/sydney-lgbti-rally-defend-tran/289515006837766/
Diane Fieldes
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Member
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| 78er Jesse Hooley speaking at 25 June Trans Rights rally. Video: Deborah Macarthur-Newson |
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On Saturday 24 June a good number of 78ers – some who travelled to Sydney for events over the weekend – enjoyed the Mardi Gras Sapphire Anniversary Celebration. The large space at Carriageworks enabled us to move around to see friends and costumes, artworks and inflatables from the archives. Though many of us thought that the speeches and panel discussion went on too late into the evening.
78ers were celebrated – with key segments of 78er Digby Duncan’s iconic film Witches, Faggots, Dykes and Poofters shown between performances and speeches. I was honoured to speak, on behalf of the Mardi Gas 78ers Committee, and to pay tribute to the many members of our community, allies and friends who have made these 45 years possible.
Diane Minnis
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Co-Chair
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From left: Giovanni Campolo-Arcidiaco, Diane Minnis, Lizzi Price. Video: William Brougham.
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Hunter Rainbow History Group was invited by the new LGBTIQ+ bar Bernie’s in Newcastle to hold a history evening on Sunday 25 June. Kerry Bashford, Helen Gollan and I spoke on the topic: 45th Anniversary of the Sydney Mardi Gras with a Newcastle Twist.
The idea of 78ers celebrating the 45th anniversary in Newcastle was a logical one because of the direct links of this town to the first parade. For example, Ron Austin who thought up the idea of the night parade, was born and raised in Maitland and trained at a Newcastle monastery and then at the Newcastle Art School before moving to Sydney.
And it came as a surprise to some, that police harassment in Newcastle at the time was used as an argument to justify celebrating the Sydney International Gay Solidarity Day of June 24 1978. Earlier that year, Newcastle activists, at risk to themselves, called in journalist David Marr at the National Times, to examine the police investigation of a local gay murder. Police appeared to be more interested in intimidating 600 locals, than being serious about finding the perpetrators of a gay murder.
Helen captured the audience with her memories of coming out at the Star Hotel. Her experiences of the violence dealt out to camps, lesbians, gays and drag queens by the Newcastle police and the psychiatric institutions of the day, was a shock to many in the audience. Aversion therapy, lobotomies the bashings that occurred have never been properly acknowledged.
A diverse crowd of about 50 people came along on a cold night in June. They asked questions and stayed on to chat. There will be more events uncovering the Hunter region’s LGBTIQ+ history at this fabulous venue during 2023.
John Witte
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Member
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Our formal launch of Voices from 1978 - the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was held at the State Library of NSW on Tuesday 27 June.
At the launch, we heard from Kate Harrison, Karl Zlotkowski and Betty Hounslow about their experiences on the night of the first Mardi Gas and in the major Drop the Charges demonstrations in July and August 1978. At times harrowing, at times hilarious, they shared reminiscences of the activism of 1978 and how it led to changes for our community.
We thanked financial supporters of the book: Box Bar and Prohibition Liquor Co and their special edition Spirit of Pride Gin, and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. And Giovanni Campolo-Arcidiaco, Mardi Gras Chair, spoke about the importance of the book and the legacy of 78ers.
Karen Askew contributed a fantastic portrait of the late Fabian LoSchiavo for the raffle. Karen’s work drew a lot of compliments and interest, making this the best-selling raffle we have ever had.
The audience of 50 plus was very varied with 78ers we rarely see along with many of our regular attendees, young people and colleagues from other community oganisations – all moved and motivated by what we heard that evening.
David Abello, Diane Minnis and Karl Zlotkowski
78ers and First Mardi Gras Inc. Committee Member, Co-Chair and Secretary
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From left: Jason Om, Robyn Kennedy. Video: William Brougham. Star Observer July Sydney cover.
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The Star Observer is Australia's longest-running publication for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities. The first edition came out in July 1979, a bold, new publishing enterprise founded by Michael Glynn. July 2023 marks 45 years of publishing of the Star Observer.
To commemorate this milestone, the Star Observer hosted celebrations at the Colombian Hotel on 29th June. I was invited to speak at the well-attended celebrations and was honoured to be featured on the cover of the July Sydney edition. The Star Observer continues to publish a print copy each month in both Sydney and Melbourne as well as publishing content online.
In the July edition, Lawrence Gibbons, publisher of the Star Observer, makes a compelling case for ‘queer media’: “Now more than ever we need to support independent queer media: to counter a narrative that allows hate to be disseminated under the banner of balanced reporting, homophobia to thrive in an endless pursuit of clicks and corporate interests to control our own community conversation. In the absence of local queer media, we will lose access to our own home-grown news, views, and voices”.
Visibility through queer centric media in still an essential form of activism. We can’t rely on mainstream media to reflect diverse views or diverse identities – a dedicated medium where our voices can be represented is still needed. Congratulations to the Star Observer for contributing to this objective. SYDNEY STAR OBSERVER MAGAZINE | JULY 2023
Robyn Kennedy
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Committee Member
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Back in May we reported that the SGLMG 78ers Committee had voted to award the 2023 Mardi Gras Community Award for the Spirit of 1978 to the parade group fielded by Union Pride. The actual presentation of the award was postponed to coincide with another very special celebration during Pride Month.
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the first Pink Ban declared by the BLF in support of Jeremy Fisher after his expulsion from college at Macquarie University. This is believed to have been the very first industrial action in support of LGBTQI rights anywhere in the world.
So in celebration of this, 100 unionists (and others including several 78ers) gathered at Trades Hall on the night of 13 July. We heard words from three speakers: Dr Jeremy Fisher himself, Judy Mundey (wife of the late Jack Mundey, leader of the BLF) and Neha Madhok (Director at Democracy in Colour and proud member of the ASU).
And then, to close the celebrations, I was to formally present the Spirit of 1978 award. I recalled that the events of 24 June 1978 were part of an International Day of Solidarity in opposition to attempts to ban gays and lesbians from employment in schools in California (the Briggs Initiative, which ultimately failed). Ever since the 70s, and still today, our struggle has been personal, political and industrial.
So I was proud to present the award to Robyn Fortescue (Assistant Secretary AMWU NSW & ACT) who accepted on behalf of Union Pride.
Karl Zlotkowski
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Secretary
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Two major recent tributes to Fabian LoSchiavo show the high regard many had for his immense contributions to queer culture and liberation. Both the NSW Parliament and the City of Sydney Council made statements during Pride Month about the impacts that Fabian had.
Penny Sharpe, Leader of the Government in the NSW Legislative Council, moved a motion to commemorate Fabian on 22 June. Here is part what Penny said in speaking to the motion.
In the Public Gallery to hear Penny's motion were: Fabian's sister Victoria Lo Schiavo Keighery and 78ers and good friends Kath Burns, Elaine Spicer, Diane Minnis, Barry Charles, Dave Urquhart and David Abello.
On 26 June, Lord Mayor Clover Moore read a Mayoral Minute, prepared by her Senior Advisor and long-time LGBTIQ+ activist Larry Galbraith. The Lord Mayor’s Minute concluded: “Fabian will be remembered by both the LGBTIQA+ and St Luke’s parish communities for his bravery, creativity, warm-heartedness and sense of humour. His contributions to queer culture, social justice and inclusiveness within organised religion will long be celebrated.”
In the City of Sydney Council Chamber to hear the tribute were: Victoria Lo Schiavo Keighery and a mix of 78ers and long-term friends including Ken Davis, Kath Burns, Elaine Spicer, Diane Minnis, Julie Bates, Siobhan Mullany, Karl Zlotkowski, Wanda Kluke and Rebbell Barnes.
All those attending the Council meeting then observed one minute's silence to commemorate the life of Fabian LoSchiavo.
Vale Fabian.
Diane Minnis
78er and First Mardi Gras Inc. Co-Chair
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Because Fabian LoSchiavo played so many roles for so many people, his family is starting an online book for people to tell us their stories about him; how they met him, what impact he had on their lives, amusing anecdotes and favourite pictures of him with them. Send your contributions to: book.of.fabian2023@gmail.com. Please make sure your article;
- is in the body of the e-mail, (not a separate attachment),
- no longer than 500 words in single spacing,
- in 12 point, simple text (bold and italic are OK)
- that your 1 or 2 photo/s are jpeg or png and no bigger than 500 pixels wide, and
- that photos have captions, dates and permission from others in the photo.
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| The Council of Elders provide a direct voice to the Australian Government from older Australians, informed by their lived experiences and local networks. Networks with diverse communities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people. Applications close COB Friday 28 July (AEST). Applications |
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78er badges and our new Always an Ally badges are $5 each and postage is $3.09 (total $8.09). Postage is still $3.09 for up to five badges. To order badges, email your name, postal address and the number of badges required to info@78ers.org.au. Then make your payment by funds transfer Use your name as the deposit reference. You can also post a cheque to PO Box 1029 Glebe NSW 2037.
Voices from 1978 The first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, is a 104 page, A5 book. You can get your copy for $15 plus $5 postage from Orders — First Mardi Gras (78ers.org.au) or buy it from The Bookshop Darlinghurst for $19.99. The Bookshop also does overseas orders, but best to email info@thebookshop.com.au for a postage quote. |
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Calendar of Events
- First Mardi Gras Inc. 78ers Lunch – 12pm, Sunday 6 August 2023, Terminus Hotel, Pyrmont, downstairs room, RSVP: info@78ers.org.au
- Broken Heel Festival, Broken Hill – 7-11 September 2023 Broken Heel Festival (bhfestival.com)
- First Mardi Gras Inc. General Meeting – 4pm, Saturday 16 September 2023 by Zoom
- Rainbow on the Plains Festival, Hay – 17-19 November 2023 Titanium 2023 | Rainbow on the Plains | Hay Mardi Gras | Hay
- Sapphire Coast Pride, Bega Valley, www.Facebook.com/groups/sapphirecoastpride
- Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras – 9 March 2024 Wagga Mardi Gras | The biggest party Wagga's ever seen!.
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