In Black and White Australia's queer history
Feb 26, 2024
Garry Wotherspoon, a Sydney-based writer and LGBTQ historian, delves into Australia's rich queer history. He discusses the reclamation of the term 'queer,' revealing its derogatory past and significance today. Garry shares captivating stories from early same-sex relationships, including Captain Moonlight's romance and the hidden lives of incarcerated women at Parramatta. He explores the impact of colonial laws, wartime sexual dynamics, and the evolution of gay liberation, advocating for trans rights as the current frontier in the fight for equality.
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First Nations Gender Diversity Erased
- Historic records about First Nations queer life are scarce because early observers were missionaries and anthropologists who dismissed practices as 'uncivilized'.
- Contemporary First Nations people reclaim gender diversity with terms like sister girls and brother boys.
Captain Moonlight's Tragic Bond
- Captain Moonlight rushed to a fallen gang member, cuddled and kissed him, then later wanted to be buried with him.
- He even wore a ring of Jim Nesbitt's hair at his execution, showing intense personal attachment.
Flinders' Unsent Love Letter
- A discovered Matthew Flinders letter declared romantic longing for George Bass and described standing together in the moonlight.
- The letter shows intimate feelings between celebrated explorers hidden in historical papers.
