Queering The Air

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

It's Radiothon 2019! On this show, Iris and Frank play back excerpts from previous shows, review zines and talk about the history of Queering the Air.To donate to Radiothon, call 03 9419 8377 or sms 0488 809 855 - or online at 3cr.org.au.

We hear from Alex on supporting queer and trans community in Jogja, Indonesia. Support the gofundme. 

We hear from Peter Waples Crowe, a Ngarigo artist, public health worker based in Melbourne. Peter recently launched an exhibition InsideOUT on 4th May at the Koori Heritage Trust at Federation square, which is on until July 28th.We then hear from two speakers on the life and legacy of sociologist, sex worker, and trans rights activist, Roberta Perkins, who passed away around a year ago, as well as current campaigns including pushes to decriminalise sex work in multiple states.  First, we listen to Elena Jeffreys from Respect Inc. Second, we hear Cameron Cox from Sex Workers Outreach Project NSW. The interviews touch on the history and significance of June 2nd, International Sex Workers' Rights Day. Follow Vixen collective for sex worker campaigns and peer support in Victoria. 

Content/ trigger warning: This episode contains discussions and descriptions of homophobia, Islamophobia, suicide, and mental health that may be distressing to some listeners. Please call Lifeline (13 11 14), Queerspace (03 9663 6733), or QLife (1800 184 527) if needed. In this episode, we unpack the intersection of being queer and Muslim with Azlan, a queer Muslim refugee and racial justice advocate for queer people of colour, queer asylum seekers, and queer Muslims. We discuss Queer Ramadhan Social, his production called Queer Asians Anonymous, and being not only a sexual minority but also a racial minority in a predominantly white Australia.We then speak with Bobuq Sayed, social worker, writer, and coordinator of an LGBTIQA+ mentoring program for queer individuals and families, facilitated through Queerspace. We discuss the program's aims, the challenges of queer mental health, and the benefits of mentoring in queer spaces. More information via Queerspace or email bobuq.sayed@ds.org.au

In this episode, Frank interviews comic artist Dido J about queer disabled representation in media, the Cripple Punk movement, their publication Stigmata and their art in general. 

We hear news items: update on Djab wurrung campaign, Peter Waples Crowe InsideOut exhibition, injustice of a sports austhority banning Caster Semenya (Intersex Human Rights Australia), and RISE's election statement.Iris is then in conversation with Rowan Oliver, artist and filmmaker based in Birraranga/ Narrm, who loves spewing her opinions to the public when given the opportunity. We talk in a range of areas including politics, TERF, her art, activism, and beauty. Also mentioned: Contrapoints.   

Frank interviews comic creator and filmmaker David C Mahler. 

We hear from Erik on the RISE Queer Project and fundraising dinner. You can donate to RISE here, also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We then hear about Trans Day of Visibility with a speech from Laura at the Melbourne action, and a phone interview with Sid from Trans Action Warrang - Sydney.  Also mentioned: Djab Wurrung Embassy campaign. 

On International Trans Day of Visibility, Frank interviews Ruby Susan from Triple Bi-Pass on Joy 94.9 and the Melbourne Bisexual Network as well as Remmy Hooper from the LTSU Queer Department.

We hear about reflections on the International Women's Day rally (f SWERFs and TERFs), and fundraisers: support veteran 3CR broadcasters Robbie Thorpe and Viv Malo, the struggle for Debbing Creek (support WAR), and Sha Gaze You are fortunate card deck project. Shout out to Women's Strike UK.We then hear from the amazing performance artist Weird Alice on drag and much more. Check out Water is Life - First Nations fight for water justice on Earth Matters, and Failure the game show. We hear about the fundraiser for sistergirl Lilly (appeared in an podcast last year), March 23rd, Cross St, Brunswick East.Mention of tweet. 

Frank interviews Luke Sinclair, Helen Graham and John Stevens from the zine storefront Sticky Institute, where they discuss zines, how the queer community is fostered through zines and curating them in the State Library of Victoria. 

We hear from Tony Biffra on Midsumma, the call to end harmful non-consensual Royal Children's Hospital surgeries on intersex youth, solidarity with intersex communities and more.Check out Intersex Human Rights Australia.Later, we hear from Chameli, a Sri lankan lesbian vlogger (one-half of 'Lesketeers', documenting queer life in Sri Lanka) and Josh, one of the organisers of the Asian float at Midsumma 2019. They discuss identity and the different experiences of queer Sri Lankans in diaspora and in Sri Lanka.

After introductions and news, we chat to Bobuq in a wide-ranging conversation, including on the worrying construction of Cherry Creek prison to their editing work at Un magazine. (Stop Cherry Creek Youth Prison)Later, we talk to Azlan, including about where to post Queer Asians Anonymous.We finish with some chat about midsumma and Auckland pride, who have a march without cops and corporations. MentionedTanya Day petition'The government is criminalising the very women it should support'