In Conversation
When steve j. spears‘s The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin premiered 50 years ago, the queer resistance in Australia was building to a climax. In the five decades since, many have fought for the incredible progress we’ve had in this country for LGBTIQA+ rights. These people were there, and they’re still here. Join us for an intimate conversation with four of Australia’s staunchest, most enduring activists about what it was like then, how we got to where we are now, what has (and hasn’t) changed and what needs to be done to combat the growing wave of anti-queer attitudes worldwide.
Join us for a nostalgic, reflective and insightful panel with Ken Davis, Trevor Pritchard, Steve Warren and Noelene Williams, followed by a ‘human library’ where you can talk one-on-one with these legacy-makers.
The event is free to attend, registration is essential.
Saturday 7 March
2.30–4pm
This event is free to attend, however registration is essential.
Ken Davis, 78ers
Ken came out in 1973 at school, prompted by the first national Gay Pride Week and the Builders’ Labourers’ strike at Macquarie University to support a gay student. He helped organise the Gay Solidarity Group and the events of 24 June 1978 and the first Mardi Gras and follow up campaigns. As well as Gay Lib and Gay Solidarity, he was a member of the Gay Liberation Quire, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Workers Out! and the Gay and Lesbian Immigration Task Force.
Ken has been active in environment, anti-war, international solidarity, socialist and trade union movements. He has worked in employment for people with disabilities, HIV and international development. He became involved with the 20th anniversary commemoration of the first Mardi Gras organised by 78ers and helped found Pride History Group. He was initial co-chair of First Mardi Gras 78ers. He is co-convenor of Illawarra Greens.
Trevor Pritchard, Pride History Group
After a long career in the corporate sector, in which coming “out” in the early 1990’s proved very challenging, Trevor became a full time LGBTpls community volunteer doing caring in the Aged Care and Disablity sectors, Treasurer roles for Pride History and Mature Age Gays, and ACON volunteering. He is a former victim of an LGBT hate crime in the 1970’s, and went public on that in 2016. He is a regular theatre goer, after a 1968 production of King Lear got him hooked.
Steve Warren, Mature Age Gays
Steve Warren has a Social Ecology & Primary Health Care and Events background. He is a long-term social advocate, particularly as a 78er, for a broad range of Social, Disability & LGBTQ+ needs. He is currently the Director + VP of Sydney Mechanics School of Arts (formed 1833) and the President Mature Age Gays Sydney Inc.
Noelene Williams, Seahorse Society of NSW
Noelene Williams is an Economics graduate who had a career in commerce from the early seventies and is now retired. Having been a cross-dresser since the age of four, the effect of carrying a secret became intolerable at around age forty. Fortuitously, a friend was a phone counsellor and Noelene underwent training and also became a counsellor, and eventually, a trainer. The community-based counselling organization, Telefriend, became defunct in 2001. Some of the counsellors became lifelong friends and accepted the existence of Noelene without judgement. At the same time, in 1987, Noelene had joined The Seahorse Society of NSW and has maintained membership since, becoming President 2018-2024 and now Vice President (Partner Support & Community Liaison.)
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