QR Code

Queer conversion practices and ideologies

In Episode 8 of QR Code, James McKenzie speaks with four queer people who have experienced conversion practices or ideology.Thank you to Nathan, Roe, Katecia, and Abba for sharing their insights and experiences.For more information about queer conversion practices and ideologies from survivors’ perspectives in Australia, visit the Brave Network.To contact or access QMEACA (Queer African and Middle Eastern Christians in Australia), visit facebook.com/QMEACA.Content warning: This episode contains descriptions or discussions of homophobia, transphobia, violence, mental health, and suicide, that may be distressing to some listeners. If you need assistance, please contact Qlife (1800 184 527), Lifeline (13 11 14), or your state-based service.

The mental health effects of erasure, othering, and lateral violence

In Episode 7 of QR Code, Michele Vescio discusses the mental health effects of erasure, othering, and lateral violence experienced by people in queer communities - with Azlan, a queer Asian-Muslim man, refugee, former asylum seeker, and an advocate for anti-racism and human rights; Callan Hales, an intersex trans woman, sex worker, performance artist, and musician; and Charlotte Sareño, a queer non-binary bisexual mixed-race woman of colour, social worker, poet, and creative producer with physical and psychosocial disabilities. They discuss mental health in the context of inaccurate portrayals of identities, visibility and exclusion in queer spaces, notions of equality and representation, and negotiating mental health barriers within individual intersections.View and download the episode's audio transcript here.Content warning: This episode contains descriptions or discussions of mental health and illness, lateral violence, othering, queer erasure, trauma, racism, microaggressions, medicalised bodies, and graphic language, that may be distressing to some listeners. If you need assistance, please contact Lifeline, Switchboard Victoria, or your state-based service.

Queer Sex Workers

In Episode 6 of QR Code, James McKenzie speaks with three queer sex workers speak about their sexual health, testing, peer support, community attitudes, and the legal framework that regulates their work.Thank you to Gio, Peaches, and Maeve for so candidly sharing their insights and lived experiences about working in the industry and its impacts on their lives.For more information about sex workers' peer support and rights, go to Vixen Collective and Scarlet Alliance. Content warning: This episode contains adult themes and discussions.

Intimate partner violence in queer relationships

In Episode 5 of QR Code, George Maxwell explores the topic of intimate partner violence in queer relationships with people who've experienced it, and discuss the additional challenges queer people face in recognising abuse and seeking support, community accountability, and what can healthy relationships look like - with Laura McLean, a Wiradjuri woman and union organiser, Shamini, a worker in the LGBTIQA+ family violence sector, and Libby Jamieson, Teleweb Manager at Switchboard. For further links on family violence services, visit Undercurrent Victoria for the following upcoming events:Supporting People Who Have Experienced HarmAccountability for People Who Have Caused Harm Content warning: This episode contains descriptions or discussions of intimate partner violence, that may be distressing to some listeners. If you need assistance, please contact Qlife, Switchboard Victoria, or your state-based service.

Health access for trans and gender diverse folks

In Episode 4 of QR Code, Anya Saravanan discusses what access for health care for trans and gender diverse folks looks like.Anya speaks with a human rights advocate, and researcher whose work centers around building safer and fairer societies, and gendered harm and sexual assault prevention, access to justice, and disability and LGBTIAQ+ rights; and Dr Asiel Adan Sanchez, a non-binary doctor, writer, LGBTIQ health advocate, and Department of Health LGBTI Working Group member, their work explores the intricacies of race, culture, gender, and sexuality.  This episode contains an excerpt from 'I don't know how emotions work', a written work by Fury, and 'Big Art Museum', a track by June Jones. Content warning: This episode contains descriptions or discussions of mental health, transphobia, medicalised bodies, and queerphobia, that may be distressing to some listeners. If you need assistance, please contact Lifeline, Switchboard Victoria, or your state-based service.