Check out Garry Wotherspoon on TikTok with @rainbowhistoryclass explaining to the kids of today about the first mardi gras, and about how the queer liberation movement began in Australia
ABC News: LGBT communities safer thanks to change championed over decades by marchers in first Mardi Gras
Video: 78ers panel discussion experiences as consumers in Sydney Local Health District (NSW Health)
LGBTIQ+ communities have shared their insights about how healthcare professionals can better support them, during a Patient and Family Experience Symposium hosted by Sydney Local Health District as part of Innovation Week 2022.
The District is home to one of Australia's biggest LGBTIQ+ communities.
Among other speakers, a trio of 78ers — Shane Brown OAM (he/him), Meredith Knight (she/her) and Peter Murphy (he/him) — who participated in the first Sydney Lesbian and Gay Mardi Gras on 24 June 1978 — shared their healthcare experiences and hopes for the future.
IDAHOBIT 2022 - Queer Thinking Live by SGLM
78er Gail Hewison joins Queer Thinking Live, by Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras on IDAHOBIT 2022. Watch below or click here to watch on YouTube
10 News: Sydney Mardi Gras 45th Anniversary - 78ers Talk Police Brutality And LGBTQ Solidarity
June 24th, 2023 is the 45th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Ahead of Mardi Gras 2022, Channel 10 News sat down with the 78ers, who were the first people to march in Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, an iconic Australian LGBTQIA+ event.
Watch the segment below, or click here to view on YouTube
ACON LOVE Project: Then and Now - Eliminating LGBTQ Ageism, telling our own stories
ACON’s LOVE Project, invites you to share experiences of ageing from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community. Speakers include Jessica-Su Tang, Tom Hatfield, Gail Hewison, Suman Lahiry, CMoore Hardy and Roy Starkey.
Let’s expose ridiculous stereotypes about older people and join in eliminating LGBTQ ageism by telling our own stories. Broaden your thinking, feel the joy and be enlightened by older LGBTQ people who embrace living with resilience, strength, compassion and fun.
Hosted by Bernie Hobbs, popular judge from ABC TV's The New Inventors, and a favourite with audiences for her weekly science spots on ABC Radio. Bernie has that rare combination of a sharp intellect, quick with and warmth.
Supported by the City of Sydney.
Watch the video below, or click here to view directly on YouTube.
Meet the 78ers (via Zoom, in lieu of Fair Day 2021)
In 2021, Fair Day was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Louis Hudson and Brandon Bear from Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras had a virtual chat with some of the 78ers who shared their story. Watch below or click here to view on YouTube
Download 'It Was a Riot', the book by clicking here.
Visit the Mardi Gras 1978-2021 interactive timeline by clicking here
Video: Standing Together - NSW Police in partnership with a small group of 78ers
On August 28, 2020 (Wear it Purple Day), the NSW Police Force is proud to launch a short film produced by Playhead Productions and made in partnership with a small group of 78ers, the first Mardi Gras participants.
Watch the video below, or click here to watch the 20 minute film on YouTube.
ACON: Healing Historical Violence
Our the ACON report, 'In Pursuit of Truth and Justice: Documenting Gay and Transgender Prejudice Killings in NSW in the Late 20th Century', shines a light on anti-gay and trans hate crimes that occurred in NSW from the 1970s and 1990s. It seeks to deliver justice for victims and survivors, and aid the ongoing healing process for loved ones and members of the LGBTI community who continue to be impacted today.
Here's Sydney gay historian Garry Wotherspoon and former Dykes on Bikes member Nora Savona sharing their personal stories and reflections of that time.
Watch the video below, or click here to view directly on YouTube.
For addtional information, see https://www.acon.org.au/truthandjustice
