Queers Past

Episode 7: Beats, Media & the Law

In the season finale of Queers Past, host Zev Aviv explores how queer spaces, media, and legal battles have shaped Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ history. We visit iconic beats like Haig Park and Yarramundi Reach, uncover stories of public toilet crackdowns, and learn how activist-driven campaigns pushed back against discrimination. We also shine a light on John Newfong, a pioneering gay Aboriginal journalist and activist whose fearless advocacy helped change Australia’s political and cultural landscape. This episode is about resistance, resilience, and how communities came together to fight for safety, visibility, and justice. Visit our website at sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast [https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast] for transcripts and references, and follow us on social media @queerspast for behind-the-scenes content and archive photos! Want to visit these sites in person, hear the stories that didn’t make the cut, and meet Zev? Book into our Pride in the Capital tour, running every Saturday afternoon (or by request for private tours) at sheshapeshistory.com.au/canberra-walking-tours/queertour [https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/canberra-walking-tours/queertour]. Queers Past is proudly supported by funding from the ACT Government's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs as part of the Capital of Equality Grants Program. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 6: Finding Your Local

In Episode 6 of Queers Past, host Zev Aviv takes us on a stroll through some of Canberra’s most iconic queer-friendly spaces—from legendary cafés like Tilly’s Divine Café and Gallery to long-gone share houses and LGBTQIA+ businesses that helped shape the city’s community. We revisit stories of feminist activism, live music gigs, underground meetups, and everyday places that became more than just venues—they were lifelines for safety, connection, and belonging. Through archives, personal memories, and a dash of ‘90s nostalgia, this episode explores how finding your local has always been about finding your people. Visit our website at sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast [https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast] for transcripts and references, and follow us on social media @queerspast for behind-the-scenes content and archive photos! Want to visit these sites in person, hear the stories that didn’t make the cut, and meet Zev? Book into our Pride in the Capital tour, running every Saturday afternoon (or by request for private tours) at sheshapeshistory.com.au/canberra-walking-tours/queertour [https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/canberra-walking-tours/queertour]. Queers Past is proudly supported by funding from the ACT Government's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs as part of the Capital of Equality Grants Program. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 5: From Star Signs to Social Change at PANDA and Quirk

In Episode 5 of Queers Past, Zev takes you into the vibrant world of PANDA and Quirk—two trailblazing queer publications that shaped 1990s Canberra. These scrappy, volunteer-run newspapers brought LGBTQIA+ Canberrans together with cheeky star sign columns, classified ads, fiery political critiques, and heartfelt community stories. Through their pages, Zev explores how these publications celebrated queer joy, amplified marginalised voices, and built connections that still resonate today. Visit sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast [https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast] for transcripts and follow us on social media @queerspast for behind-the-scenes content and photos of everything we uncovered in the archives! Want to explore these stories in person? Meet Zev on our Pride in the Capital tour, running every Saturday afternoon (or by request for private tours). Book your spot at sheshapeshistory.com.au/canberra-walking-tours/queertour [https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/canberra-walking-tours/queertour]. Queers Past is proudly supported by funding from the ACT Government's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs as part of the Capital of Equality Grants Program. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 4: Climbing the Stairway to Heaven

Step into Canberra’s queer nightlife of the 1990s. In this episode, Zev takes us straight to Heaven—a queer-owned nightclub that became the heart of LGBTQIA+ nightlife during the decade. From its bold debut announced in Poofs and Dykes Advocate to its iconic Ten Commandments promoting respect and care, Heaven was more than a nightclub—it was a sanctuary of joy, resistance, and community. Welcome to Heaven. It was a place on earth. Visit our website at sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast [https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast] for transcripts and references, and follow us on social media @queerspast for behind-the-scenes content and photos of everything we uncovered in the archives! Want to visit these sites in person, hear the many stories that didn't make the cut, and meet Zev? Book into our Pride in the Capital tour, running every Saturday afternoon (or by request for private tours) at sheshapeshistory.com.au/canberra-walking-tours/queertour [https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/canberra-walking-tours/queertour]. Queers Past is proudly supported by funding from the ACT Government's Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs as part of the Capital of Equality Grants Program. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 3: The Meridian Club, AIDS Action, and Growing a Queer Community

In episode three of Queers Past, Zev takes you back to Braddon in the 1980s, a time when car yards and mechanics dominated the streets, and Canberra’s longest-running gay and lesbian venue, the Meridian Club, was at its peak. This episode also delves into the founding of the AIDS Action Council and the profound impact of the AIDS crisis on Canberra’s queer community. Through the stories of these iconic spaces and organisations, Zev reflects on the resilience and strength of the queer community that emerged during this era, while offering insights into the broader social and cultural context of the time. For transcripts and references, visit sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast [https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast], and follow us @queerspast on Instagram. Want to meet Zev, visit the original site of Meridian and hear the stories that didn't make it into the podcast? Book our Pride in the Capital tour at sheshapeshistory.com.au/canberra-walking-tours/queertour [https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/canberra-walking-tours/queertour]. Queers Past is proudly supported by funding from the ACT Government's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs as part of the Capital of Equality Grants Program. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.