Queersland explores queer culture in Australia's sunshine state

Queensland before the '90's wasn’t exactly queer-friendly.

Sex between men was outlawed and police could burst into your house at any time. The gay clubs were a rare island of queer culture, defended by Drag bouncers who ran interference with the cops whenever they threatened to enter.

“If you looked different in any way, and you were out on the streets of Brisbane, you were a target and easy pickings. There was no recourse because it was the police that was doing the bashing.” Edwina Shaw - co-editor of Queersland and co-founder of Pride Collective in Queensland.

It was a hard time to be queer, but the community banded together and fought sequin and nail for change.

“It’s that raw passion stuff that happens where you just wanna f—ing smash systems. And that’s what actually had to occur in Queensland. They had to smash a system and we f—ing did.” Odette Best - registered nurse, health academic, Yugambeh, Goreng Goreng and Boonthamurra woman.

Queersland, the podcast, is based on the beautifully curated anthology of the same name (foreword by Darren Hayes from Savage Garden), collecting the history of Queensland as it became a place where queer people could be themselves.

The series is a celebration of the state’s unique culture, featuring six master storytellers across five episodes. From the heartbreaking reality of giving shock treatment to a trans woman to discovering your queerness while watching John Travolta in a Far North movie theatre, Queersland shares stories you won’t hear anywhere else.