Queerstories

Simon Hunt reflects on his time in West Berlin, and a night spent hunting for a gay bar. Simon Hunt is a composer, performer, activist and writer who lectures in Media at the UNSW Faculty of Art & Design. He has won awards internationally as a filmmaker and composer, but is best known for his character ‘Pauline Pantsdown’ - a drag simulacrum of politician Pauline Hanson - who enjoyed a top ten hit in the 1990s made from Hanson voice samples, and has more recently operated online as a virtual activist and satirist. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maev

From dagger dykes to dapper daddies - butch history from the perspective of a masculine of centre millennial. Kait Fenwick is a queer poet living in Newcastle. In 2017, they completed their Honours thesis titled ‘Digital Queeries’, a series of poems that explored the relationship between millennial queers and the internet. Their work has been published in the Contemporary Australian Feminist Poetry anthology, Butch Is Not a Dirty Word magazine, Archer and Cordite Poetry Review. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maeve Marsden - on Twitter and Inst

William Yang shares his experiences being gay and Australian Born Chinese. William Yang moved to Sydney from North Queensland in 1969 and worked as a freelance photographer documenting Sydney’s social life which included the glamorous, celebrity set and the hedonistic, sub-cultural, gay community. In 1989 he integrated his skills as a writer and a visual artist and began to perform monologues with slide projection in theatres. He has done eleven full-length works and toured the world. “Sadness”, his most successful piece, was made into an award winning film in 1999. William continues to work across theatre, photography and film, and he also teaches story telling workshops. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent

Kaya Wilson reflects on his photoshoot in an abandoned gay sauna with Patrick Boland. This story was shared at Queerstories x Archer Magazine launch in Sydney. You can see the images Kaya refers to in his story by ordering a copy of Archer Magazine's 10th issue. Kaya Wilson is a writer and scientist based in Sydney. He writes lyrical non-fiction essays with a focus on queer identity and his work has been published widely. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maeve Marsden - on Twitter and Instagram.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roused rebel Razia Zakaria experiences seemingly different cultures only to find they have more in common than first expected. This story was shared at Queerstories x Archer Magazine, launching the magazine's 10th issue in Sydney. Razia Zakarya is a PhD candidate in Science at UTS. Her secret superpowers are mondegreens and malapropisms. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maeve Marsden - on Twitter and Instagram.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sara reflects on her time spent in Orlando, Florida in 1998, on a man she met there, and on memory itself. Sara Knox was born in Wellington, New Zealand, in the year that country got television. She was raised in a family addicted to BBC dramas and books, where humour counted as the seventh sense. Her first novel, The Orphan Gunner, was short-listed for the regional Commonwealth Writer’s Prize and won the Asher prize for the best novel by a woman about war. Sara has been a poet, and an essayist, and is the author of a non-fiction study of America’s long love affair with true crime. Currently she teaches hair-raising stuff about contemporary attitudes to death and the representation of violence at Western Sydney University. Sometimes—not nearly enough—she writes true stories for a blog called What I didn’t Write. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com,

Bali shares a story about an intimate and life-changing experience: his first haircut. Bali is the ultimate slashie - Actor, Producer, Director, Development Executive and Diversity Advisor for Australia's theatre and screen industry. He is the Chair of MEAA's Equity Diversity Committee and represents Australia's professional actor community as an elected representative on MEAA's National Performers Committee. He’s performed in theatres around the world, as well as on TV, he’s even been on Home & Away. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maeve Marsden - o

Facial hair, family advice, and how not to use a razor. Jen Peden is a committee member for queer soccer club, the Flying Bats FC, falling over on the field for them during games on Sundays and pfaffing around on their social media through the week. And she recently received an Inner West Council Volunteer Recognition Award. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maeve Marsden - on Twitter and Instagram.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Not exactly a story about queer activism... Elizabeth Humphrys is an academic at UTS. She researches work, trade unions and social movements. She grew up in a working class family in Werribee, Melbourne, and has been temporarily living in Sydney for the past twenty years. She is an AFL obsessive and Stupendous Bisexual. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maeve Marsden - on Twitter and Instagram.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gary takes us back to the early naughts when, as a teenager, he learns about the paradoxes of desire, identity politics and meeting people online. Gary Paramanathan works at the intersection of arts, culture and community. Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Australia, Gary has written and directed a number of short films, including for ABC iView. He has written feature essays and recounted personal narratives. This is his first attempt at telling a story to a live audience. Queerstories is an LGBTQIA+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The new Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be pre-ordered on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff, insomnia rants and photos of my dog Frank follow me - Maeve Marsden - on Twitter&

A story of floral duvets, survival, and being set free by an old mate. Jacob Thomas works and volunteers in numerous fields including aide and development, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, gender equality, start-up consultancy, higher education, human rights, youth development, and international policy. Jacob sits as the SOGI executive member of the Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network (CYGEN), and sits on the UN Women’s Taskforce for Youth and Gender Equality. In 2016 they were one of two Australians to receive The Queen’s Young Leaders award for their work in suicide prevention and creating accessible pathways for LGBTQIA+ people. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories

Why kids are in fact the greatest, far better than adults, potentially better than you. Nevo Zisin is a Jewish, Queer, non-binary activist, public speaker and author of Finding Nevo, a memoir on gender transition. They run workshops and professional development in schools and workplaces around gender inclusivity. They have appeared on SBS Insight, Hack Live, One Plus One, The Morning Show and other media. Nevo is a contact point in the Jewish community for other children and families confronting issues of gender and sexuality in their own lives. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants

Melbourne comedian and storyteller Lisa-Skye explores labels and desire when things are less 'black and white' and more 'unicorn sneezecough'. Lisa-Skye is Melbourne's favourite sparklepuppy muppet dominatrix comedian. Her uniquely positive and inclusive humour and her glitter-bomb high-energy delivery have made her a favourite on the international arts festival circuit. She really is a treasure, we often find ourselves at Fringe festivals at the same time and you can count on her to a) be really friendly and helpful all the time and b) weird out some of the straights by offering shibari workshops in the Fringe artist networking groups. Best. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstori

Peter shares stories about his spirituality and otherworldly happenings. Peter Waples-Crowe is an award winning Ngarigo queer visual and performing artist whose work has featured in many spaces throughout Victoria. His art practice plays at the intersection of his experiences as an Aboriginal queer man and his work with community health and community arts organisations such as The Torch, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and his current role at the Victorian AIDS Council. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maeve Marsden - on Twitter

Jordan Raskopoulos takes a trip down memory lane, recalling some of her more frustrating encounters with the entertainment industry. Jordan Raskopoulos is a writer, comedian and singer. She’s been on tele, she’s toured the world with her band The Axis of Awesome, had a few viral hits and then had a supporting role in a telemovie about Julian Assange. Since coming out and transitioning she’s also taken on a lot of speaking and advocacy work, hosting the ABC podcast This is About and creating content around issues such as Australia Day and Marriage Equality.  Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsi

Annaliese Constable is massaged within an inch of her life. Annaliese Constable is a writer, performer and queer rights activist working across standup, queer performance and theatre. Renowned for self deprecating and tragic comedic works Annaliese has been a regular contributor to Erotic Fan Fiction, Confession Booth, Story Club and FBi’s Versus with Eddie Sharp.  Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maeve Marsden - on Twitter and Instagram.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and o

Consistently baked and severely depressed, Nina Oyama moves to Melbourne to work on a fancy TV show. Nina is a stand up comedian and writer. She has performed at various festivals across Australia, as well as on TV on SBS2’s Stand Up @ Bella Union, C31’s About Tonight, In The Zone 2015 and Tonightly with Tom Ballard. Nina also has writing credits for You’re Skitting, The Chaser’s Election Deskand Squinters. In 2017, Nina was a recurring cast member of multi award winning show Utopia, playing Courtney the receptionist, and she was also a finalist in ABC’s Freshblood comedy web series competition. Nina writes for Tonightly, and is developing a comedy pilot for the ABC, called The Angus Project. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on

A road trip and love story about going back to country. Tim Bishop is from Albury on the mighty Murray River, known as ‘Indi” to the upper river First Peoples. Raised around open fires and kitchen tables, he is a singer-songwriter, storyteller and radio broadcaster, among other skills. Tim has worked professionally as an actor and voice artist, an arts administrator, a theatre and costume designer, stage manager, tour manager and lighting designer and technician. He was Co-producer, Yabun Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Cultural festival (2007-09) and was a founding team member of Gadigal Information Services, Koori Radio. He has also worked at The Redfern Community Centre as a teacher and mentor, in the centre’s Studio Program. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette A

A party is usually defined as “a joyous affair, typically involving eating, drinking, and entertainment,” but at this one the entertainment was, well, not what was expected. Garry is a historian, writer, and activist, a former academic at the University of Sydney and a former NSW History Fellow. He has written several books and has been published internationally. A 78er, he was awarded Australia’s Centenary of Federation medal for his work as an academic, researcher, and human rights activist. His short fiction has appeared in various ‘little magazines’ such as Cargo and Outrage, and in Love and Death: An AIDS Anthology. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Qu

Zahra Stardust shares her worst - and most hilarious - stripper fails. Zahra has travelled the world as an award winning striptease artist, pole instructor, porn star and Penthouse Pet. Since realising corporate law was not the best fit for her, she has worked in sexual health and human rights with the United Nations, in policy and leadership positions at ACON, the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby and Scarlet Alliance, and as a Teaching Fellow in criminology at UNSW. Currently Zahra is finishing her PhD on feminist pornography in Australia and has published in books such as Queer Sex Work, the DIY Porn Handbook and Coming Out Like a Porn Star. She recently painted her kitchen rainbow. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller