Fair Day 2020

Thanks to Steve McLaren for capturing these great images of the 78ers at Fair Day 2020.

Video: A Lavender Menace? Australia's Early Lesbian History.

About 70 women and a number of men enjoyed the forum. Dr Sophie Robinson, Dr Sue Wills and Robyn Plaister spoke on the pivotal role of lesbians in early lesbian and gay movements.

Also marked was the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Australasian Lesbian Movement.

Many fine contributions were made during the Q&A. The forum – hosted jointly by First Mardi Gras Inc. and Pride History Group – was the first in a series: 50 Fabulous Years of Liberation.

A panel and audience discussion titled 'A Lavender Menace? Australia's Early Lesbian History'. The event was hosted by First Mardi Gras Inc and Sydney's Pride History Group on Saturday February 15, 2020.

Thanks to William Brougham for the video. Check out his YouTube channel for more videos.

Newsletter - February 2020

View this email in your browser February 2020 Saturday 15 February 2020 To explore the pivotal role played by lesbians in the early lesbian and gay movement and mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Australasian Lesbian Movement, the Pride History Group and First Mardi Gras Inc. are hosting this forum. 2-4pm, Beneledi House, 194 Glebe Point Road, Glebe (next to the Library, corner Wigram Rd). Fair Day Sunday 16 February 2020 Mardi Gras is again providing a large 78ers tent for us at Fair Day. A wide variety of people come in to talk to 78ers about our history and we have a leaflet we can hand out. A couple of 78ers will be interviewed on the main stage around 12.45pm. The tent is a chill out space for 78ers and many of us are wearing our 78ers t-shirts. No bottled water will be on sale, so bring a plastic water bottle that you can refill at several points around the park. Toby Zoates with visitors to the 78ers tent. Photo Anne Morphett History Walks Saturday 22-23 February 2020 Robert French is leading two history walks: # 10:15 am, Saturday 22 February 2020 – ACON Spark Youth Group History Walk: for under 26ers, King’s Cross & Oxford Street. # 9:45 am, Sunday 23 February 2020 – SPI History Walk: The Colony of Sydney and its Gay history. Why was Sydney referred to as ’sodom in the south’? What was the status of lesbians? Where was Sydney’s first beat? These are just some of the questions to be answered on the SPI Walk. This will be the 30th Anniversary SPI History Walk and the 10th Anniversary Youth Group walk. https://www.mardigras.org.au/program. Sydney Star Observer photo of Robert French at the First Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence History Walk in 1990 LGBTQI+ Elders Dance Club 2pm, Saturday 22 February Mardi Gras has invited 78ers to this free social event for rainbow elders, creating a space that is safe and inclusive (and with afternoon tea). It’s at the Seymour Centre (Corner City Road and Cleveland Street, Chippendale). MG are also offering 78ers two free tickets to Fuck Fabulous, 8pm that night at the Seymour Center. Reception@mardigrasarts.org.au. Reunion42 Friday 28 February 2020 First Mardi Gras Inc. is again this year hosting a pre-Parade social gathering for 78ers, their partners and friends. The event will be upstairs at the Colombian Hotel from 5-8pm. There will be: complementary finger food, cash bar, raffle, retro music, lift access and fun! Let us know if you are coming along at info@78ers.org.au. Parade Saturday 29 February 2020 Two emails have now gone out from the elected Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 78ers Committee about this Mardi Gras season. You can still register for the Parade float and go in the draw for a Party ticket by responding to the next email, later in February. If you ordered a 78ers t-shirt before 2 February, your t-shirt will be posted out next week. Later orders will be listed for next year’s print run. Mardi Gras asked that this year 78ers carry placards about What Matters to us. Lance Mumby and Karen Askew had a fun day painting placards in the Mardi Gras Workshop. 78ers who have registered for the Parade will be sent an email with Assembly instructions in the week before the Parade. Happy Mardi Gras! Regional Mardi Gras Saturday 14 & 28 March 2020 78ers will be travelling to Wagga Wagga and Hay to march in their 2020 Mardi Gras Parades. We also have plans to also attend Newcastle and Tamworth Prides and the Broken Heel Festival later in the year. To join us in Wagga Wagga and Hay, please contact Helen Gollan on 0427 042 810 text only or Barry Charles on 0404 241 308. From left: Bob Harvey, Barry Charles and Helen Gollan at Tamworth Pride 2019 Calendar of Events 15 February 2020 – A Lavender Menace? Australia’s Early Lesbian Movement Sunday 16 February 2020 – Mardi Gras Fair Day Saturday 22 February 2020 – Spark Youth Group History Walk led by Robert French Saturday 22 February 2020 - LGBTIQ+ Elders Dance Sunday 23 February 2020 – SPI History Walk led by Robert French: The Colony of Sydney and its Gay history Friday 28 February 2020 – Reunion42: 78ers Pre-Mardi Gras Drinks Saturday 29 February 2020 – Mardi Gras Parade Saturday 14 March 2020 – Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras Parade  Saturday 21 March 2020 - First Mardi Gras Inc. General Meeting Saturday 28 March 2020 – Hay Mardi Gras Parade Participation Grants FMG Inc. members can apply for small grants to assist with projects that reflect FMG Inc. objectives. Grants may be used to help with: Part travel costs Part conference registration fees Administrative costs (postage, photocopying) Purchase of materials and resources. For further details email us at info@78ers.org.au.

Public TALK: Lavender Menace? Australia's Early Lesbian Movement - Feb 15, 2020

A Lavender Menace? Australia's Early Lesbian Movement

You are invited to join Pride History Group and First Mardi Gras Inc., a community organisation for 78ers, for a public forum discussing Australia's early Lesbian movement.

This event is the first in a series planned for 2020 to celebrate 50 Fabulous Years of Liberation.
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WHEN: 2 - 4pm, Saturday 15 February 2020
WHERE: Benledi House, 194 Glebe Point Road, Glebe (next to the library on the corner of Wigram Road)
RSVP: info@78ers.org.au or via this Facebook event page
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FORUM OVERVIEW:

Given the dominant patriarchal approach to history, it’s unsurprising that the role women played in the early lesbian and gay movement is often given minor consideration to that of men.

Yet lesbians played a pivotal role, despite being faced with misogyny and sexism, even from some homosexual men. The place of lesbians within the Women’s Liberation Movement was also initially contested by some of their sisters. Against these odds, gains in the areas of the status of women, lesbian mothers and opposition to the harmful practices of psychiatry were many.

To explore these issues and mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Australasian Lesbian Movement, the Pride History Group and First Mardi Gras Inc. a community organisation for 78ers, are holding a joint forum – A Lavender Menace? Australia’s Early Lesbian Movement.

Speakers will include lesbians who were pioneers members of CAMP and other early lesbian and gay groups.

Newsletter - December 2019

View this email in your browser December 2019 Annual General Meeting Saturday 23 November  Management Committee members elected at the AGM of First Mardi Gras Inc. were: Co-Chairs: Betty Hounslow and Ken Davis Secretary: Diane Minnis Treasurer: Richard Thode Committee Members: Karl Zlotkowski, Barry Charles, Robert French, Rebbell Barnes. Many thanks to outgoing Secretary, Sandra Gobbo, for all her hard work, and to Garry Wotherspoon for his wise contributions to the committee. The First Mardi Gras Inc. Annual Report was presented at the AGM. Download and read a copy here.  Social Lunch Saturday 7 December Join us for an end of year social lunch on Saturday December 7, 2019, 12 noon at the Terminus Hotel, 61 Harris St Pyrmont. RSVP to: rebbellabarnes@gmail.com. There is a light rail stop with lift access in John Street Square and the 389 bus runs from Park St near Town Hall and stops across the road. Calendar of Events Saturday 7 December 2019 – Social Lunch, 12 noon, Terminus Hotel, 61 Harris Pyrmont Mid December 2019 – email from SGLMG 78ers Committee to all 78ers to nominate for Parade float Early February 2020 – Community BBQ to discuss supporting isolated older LGBTIQ people Mid February 2020 – Salon78 forum Sunday 16 February 2020 – Mardi Gras Fair Day Saturday 22 February 2020 – Spark Youth Group History Walk led by Robert French Saturday 22 February 2020 - LGBTIQ+ Elders Dance Sunday 23 February 2020 – SPI History Walk led by Robert French: The Colony of Sydney and its Gay history Late February 2020 – 78ers Pre-Mardi Gras Drinks Saturday 29 February 2020 – Mardi Gras Parade Saturday 14 March 2020 – Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras Parade  Saturday 21 March 2020 - First Mardi Gras Inc. General Meeting Saturday 28 March 2020 – Hay Mardi Gras Parade Participation Grants FMG Inc. members can apply for small grants to assist with projects that reflect FMG Inc. objectives. Grants may be used to help with: Part travel costs Part conference registration fees Administrative costs (postage, photocopying) Purchase of materials and resources. For further details email us at info@78ers.org.au.

End of Year Social Lunch - Saturday December 7, 2019

Join us for an end of year social lunch on Saturday December 7, 2019 at 12 midday at the Terminus Hotel in Pyrmont (61 Harris St, Pyrmont). RSVP to Rebbell Barnes via email rebbellabarmes@gmail.com

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There is a light rail stop at John Street Square, just across the road (steps / lift access) that goes to Central Station (inbound), or to the inner west suburb of Dulwich Hill (outbound). A regular bus service (389) runs from Pyrmont along Harris St to King St in the CBD before heading through Paddington to Bondi Junction and North Bondi. The bus stop is located on the corner of John and Harris St on the opposite side of the road to The Terminus Hotel.

Terminus Hotel @ 61 Harris St, Pyrmont

Annual Report 2018/2019

The First Mardi Gras Inc. Annual General Report was presented at the Annual General Meeting this weekend. Download and ready a copy here.

Newcastle Pride Festival