Welcome to Queers Past, the podcast spilling the tea on Canberra’s hidden queer history. Join Zev Aviv—activist, artist, and your friendly queer guide—as we explore iconic and overlooked LGBTQIA+ sites around the capital.
Each episode explores a mix of iconic and lesser-known LGBTQIA+ sites, revealing that queer people have always been integral to our city’s story, shaping history on both local and national levels. From clandestine meeting spots to pioneering activist groups, Queers Past brings you the incredible untold history of the ‘gAyCT’. It's the guide to queer history you never knew you needed.
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 for more information.
Welcome to Queers Past, the podcast spilling the tea on Canberra’s hidden queer history. Join Zev Aviv—activist, artist, and your friendly queer guide—as we explore iconic and overlooked LGBTQIA+ sites around the capital.
Each episode explores a mix of iconic and lesser-known LGBTQIA+ sites, revealing that queer people have always been integral to our city’s story, shaping history on both local and national levels. From clandestine meeting spots to pioneering activist groups, Queers Past brings you the incredible untold history of the ‘gAyCT’. It's the guide to queer history you never knew you needed.
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 for more information.
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 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.
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 for more information.
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 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.
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 for more information.
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 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.
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 for more information.
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 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.
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 for more information.
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, 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.
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 for more information.
In episode two of Queers Past, your host Zev takes you on a journey through Canberra’s inner city to explore what life was like for gay and bisexual men and women from the 1930s to the 1970s—with a dash of the 1980s for extra context. This episode focuses on two iconic locations: the Gorman Arts Centre (formerly Hostel No. 3) and the Mercure (once known as the Hotel Ainslie).
Originally built in the 1920s to house low-income public servants, these spaces became unexpected backdrops for moments of connection, community, and resilience in the early chapters of Canberra’s queer story. Along the way, Zev provides a brief overview of the national and global events that shaped LGBTQIA+ lives during this time.
Visit our website at 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.
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 for more information.
Welcome to Queers Past by She Shapes History, a podcast uncovering the stories of LGBTQIA+ Canberrans. In this first episode, your host Zev (they/them) warmly welcomes you to The gAyCT, the queer capital of Australia. Zev sets the scene for the season ahead, sharing what you can expect, exploring the idea of history as a concept, unpacking the power of language, and reflecting on their own journey to becoming your guide for this podcast. With personal and political insights woven throughout, this episode is your primer for an unforgettable exploration of Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ past.
Visit 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.
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 for more information.
Welcome to Season 1 of Queers Past, the podcast that unearths the rich, untold LGBTQIA+ history of Canberra. Join Zev Aviv—activist, artist, and your friendly queer guide—as we dive into everything from the city’s 1930s lesbian hostels to the birthplace of Australia’s first LGBTQIA+ activist group. It's going to be an incredible season and we're so excited to have you along for the ride.
Visit our website at sheshapeshistory.com.au/podcast for transcripts, and follow us on social media @queerspast for behind the scenes content and photos of everything we dug up in the archives! And as always, to visit these sites in person and meet Zev in real life, book into our Pride in the Capital tour, running every Saturday afternoon (or by demand for private tours!) at 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 for more information.
