The 80s

Welcome to a very special installment of Queer Thinking – Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras are celebrating our 45th anniversary in 2023 and over this four-part series we’re taking you on a journey through time as we tell the full story of one of the largest pride movements in the world. From the protest of 1978, to over 1 million event attendees at the first WorldPride in the Southern Hemisphere and everything in between – we’re unpacking all the moments that made Sydney Mardi Gras the force for pride, progress and community it is today.  

For this episode we head back to the 80s. Triana is joined by renowned photographer William Yang and our first female President Cath Phillips. They reflect on a decade filled with parties, politics and the frightening early days of the AIDS epidemic.

Queer Thinking is produced on the sacred lands of the Boon Wurrung people of Kulin Nation and will discuss events that took place on Gadigal, Cammeraygal, Bidigal, Darug and Dharawal lands. We’d like to extend our acknowledgement to all lands on which you, our listeners, are tuning in from and pay our respects to Elders past and present, with a special acknowledgment to the Rainbow Elders – part of the longest-continuous culture in the world. Sovereignty has never been ceded. This Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

For our Aboriginal or Torres Strait listeners, please know this podcast may mention the names of the people who are no longer with us.