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.

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.

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.