Queering The Air

Frank and Emily interview Wolfram-Jaymes von Keesing of QueerContent Comix & Zines.

We hear voices of dissent at three protests: the Invasion Day 2020 rally in Melbourne, organised by the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, with Sasha Edwards and Apryl Watson-Day; to the  Sack Scomo - No right to discriminate rally held by Rainbow Rebellion. featuring Annette Xiberras, Roz Ward and Lucas; to the No to racism, lift the travel ban rally by Stand Together Against Racism featuring Yanni from Anti-Colonial Asian Alliance Kulin Nations / Melbourne.Mentioned:Pay the rent - Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance's post. Pay the rent grassroots collective: Facebook, Website.Red Pocket Press and AAA Present Queer Lunar New YearIRL Prisoner Letter WritingQueering the Air, No Pride in a Police State (2012). Songs:Miss Blanks - Skinny BitchesThelma Plum - Woke BlokesJune Jones - Look at You GoElectric Fields - Vision

We hear some news items and shout outs: FPVFLS funding cuts (#SaveFVPLS) , CJ Palmer solidarity fundraiser,  Power from the Margins, and 3CR awards. We hear audio from the HIV and Intersectionality Symposium (2019), from the panel 'Intersections of colonisation, racism and HIV', touching on issues around borders, migration and racism: featuring Christian Vega (LGBTIQA+ engagement and projects - Multicultural Health and Support Service at Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health),  Peter Waples Crowe (Aboriginal health - Thorne Harbour Health) and Aashvin (Peer navigator - Living Positive Victoria) . Credit to Hope Mathumbu of Women on the Line for the recording. We then hear from surprise guest Sha Gaze. Finally, we hear about the Visability exhibition,  Disrupting Artistic Terra Nullius curated by Paolo Balla, and shout-outs to DJ Abyss from Hip Sista Hop.  TracksKaiit - Natural WomanThelma Plum - Woke BlokesElectric Fields  - Shade AwayMi

On this episode of Queering the Air, Frank and Emily interview artist Bretty Bobett and review some of the latest queer zines in Australia. 

Taz in conversation with Elsa and Kochava on their experiences being queer, Jewish and much more.  Video mentioned on religious discrimination bill is here. 

First, no justice, no peace: we briefly mention the Warlpiri people's struggle for justice after NT death in custody of a 19 year old man.Then we hear from the #JusticeForMhelody Polan Bruno vigil, remembering her name as a trans Filipina woman of colour, after being murdered by a man, and the broader struggles. We hear from Laura McClean, Alexia from Migrante Australia, Charmaine from Anakbayan Melbourne, Ness from Gabriela Australia, Rabi from Philippines Australia Solidarity Association - PASA, and Yani + Sophie from AntiColonial Asian Alliance.  To support her family, donate to the PayPal, with a note that says 'Justice for Mhelody'.We play Papaphilia's, Endless copies distributed and distorted from their origin, from Peace Was Never An Option (Launch).We are joined by Marian, an organiser with Blockade IMARC fighting for climate justice, who talks about the blockade, tensions and systemic problems with the police. We briefly hear audio from the blockade that connects the two struggles: Justice for T

We celebrate the strength and passion of older LGBT women as they negotiate ageing and aged care. Three older members of our diverse communities (identifying as gender diverse, bisexual and lesbian) talk about their experiences, expectations and attitudes to ageing and aged care. Program created by Switchboard Victoria’s Out & About Program with funding from Lesbians Incorporated.Credits: Program produced by Meredith Butler and Thanh Hằng Phạm. Original music by Mx Munro.  

On this week's episode, Frank interviews Emily N3ver, previously on the show and talking all things spooky and macabre in time for Halloween!

Firsly, we hear intro, news items and shout outs:  Djab wurrung Embassy, West Papua (3CR show), and justice for Mhelody Polan Bruno (Sydney vigil, fundraiser here).We hear from Wiradjuri woman and union organiser Laura McLean in a wide-ranging conversation from unionism to pinkwashing by big banks to privatisation and much more.We also hear about metro train workers fighting for fair pay and conditions in their EBA.Also: QR Code, and anti-abortion counter protest Saturday 12th.

We hear an interview with Sasha Smith and Dominic Dominic Guerrera from the Aboriginal Sexual Health podcast, and later a conversation with Fafafine storyteller, activist and performer Amao Leota Lu. 

We hear from Rida Khan for critical discussion on the so-called religious freedom bill, and a range of music. 

Updates: Djab wurrung Heritage Protection Embassy on red alert, Justice for Tanya Day inquest until September 13. We then hear from two queer comedians, putting on fringe shows. First, Sunanda with her How Gay am I? show. Second, from Anna Piper Scott with Queer & Present Danger. Also mentioned: Cocoa Butter Club show,  and Haunting the Flesh. 

In this episode Frank interviews Mel Breeder of Zine Gang Distro about underground comics and zines, and speaks to Safe Schools co-founder Roz Ward about the Protest Religious Exemptions Bill: No Right to Discriminate! on August 31st 2019. 

Content and trigger warning:Please be aware that today’s show contains descriptions and discussions about mental health, suicidal ideation, self-harm, trans-exclusionary radical feminists, family violence, misogyny, transphobia, child abuse, religious fundamentalism, gay conversion therapy, queerphobia, sex, violence against trans women, and sexual assault, that may be distressing to some listeners. If this type of content is a trigger for you, please contact Lifeline (13 11 14), 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), iHeal – Family Violence Recovery Support (03 9663 6733), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), Switchboard Victoria (1800 184 527), or contact your state-based service.  Michele speaks with Jonas Ropponen, an ex-Jehovah’s Witness, artist, and teacher. Jonas is originally from Sweden and grew up in Frankston (Victoria) in a Jehovah’s Witness family. He left the religion after coming out as gay 22 years ago when he was twenty. We discuss

We hear mentioned briefly two campaigns: Djab Wurrung Heritage Protection Embassy now on red alert, and the Free Her campaign to free Aboriginal Women in WA from prison for unpaid fines.We then hear from Erin Kyan and Lee Davis-Thalbourne, founders of the warm-hearted, queer audio drama Love and Luck Podcast (Website, Twitter). Erin and Lee talk about how far the podcast has come, to accessibility, future projects, and more.Finally, we end on upcoming events: Undercurrent's healing through art massage event, Vixen collective fundraiser, Sack Paris protest, and a protest against transphobia and TERFs, and petition. Track played: Shade Away, by Electric Fields. 

Frank interviews musician John Stevens who is involved in black metal/ambient bands Expurgatory, Shallow, Religious Observance, Colostomy Baguette among others about queerness in heavy metal, moving black metal away from facism and making it a more inclusive space for all. 

We hear from activist Evan Van Zijl on concerns with Equality Australia's statement on the so-called religious freedom debate, and later, Amber Karanikolas on the problems with the corporate sponsorship of the Pride Centre (by IBM), disabled people and ableism in universities, and more! Further, see Community Action Against Homophobia and No to the Pride Centre page, and Amber's Overland article, 'Where are all the disabled academics?' 

We briefly are reminded of the Justice for Tanya Day campaign (petition). We then hear from four gender non-conforming and women panellists: Jane Green (sex worker rights activist with Vixen collective), Miriam Khalil (contemporary artist), Tarneen Onus-Williams (writer and organiser for Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance) and Laura McClean (union organiser and queer anti-fascist), at a discussion on reclaiming LGBTIQ+ pride, from corporations, cops, whiteness, returning pride to its radical roots. The panel was held on May 17, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism & Transphobia by Feminist Insurgency. Speakers underline how LGBTIQ+ liberation is connected with other struggles including against racism and colonialism. 

In this episode of Queering the Air, Frank interviews Swedish Australian artist Aila Stefansdotter-Franck about her comics and art and exploring punk influences in talking about queer issues. Frank also reviews some zines.If you'd like Frank to review your zine, email them at frankcandiloro@gmail.com or message the Queering the Air page on Facebook. 

Content and trigger warning: Please be aware this episode contains descriptions and discussions about mental health, queerphobia, violence, racism, and discrimination against refugees and asylum seekers, that may be distressing to some listeners. If this type of content is a trigger for you, please contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Switchboard Victoria (1800 184 527), or contact your state-based service.  Michele speaks with Azlan, a queer Asian-Muslim man and an advocate for anti-racism and human rights, and Tracy Lamaro, a queer woman and colour and asylum seeker; about their experiences as refugees and/or asylum seekers and the hurdles facing people seeking asylum from their country of origin, notions of othering in queer communities, and about Invisible Voices - a grassroots event that brings together queer refugees and asylum seekers to tell their stories in a safe space. The event is happening Sunday, 29 June at 673 Bourke St and is co-hosted by Democracy in Colour and the Refugee Council