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Welcome to the latest episode of the LOTL Lounge Podcast — the place where Australia's LGBTQI+ stories, music, and community take centre stage!

Whether you're tuning in from Sydney or beyond, this episode is your invitation to kick back, discover new queer voices, and reflect on the stories that shaped our community.

In This Episode

🎸 Music, Genres & Queer Creativity with Caitlin Starr

We cross the globe to New York to meet alternative rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and self-proclaimed Libra, Caitlin Starr. We chat about breaking free from genre labels (02:47), how love and heartbreak inspired her single “Will You Be My Girlfriend” (06:03), and what punk, jazz, and rebellion mean to her creative freedom. Three tracks from her latest EP “Speed Saves” feature throughout the show — get ready for a genre-defying ride!

Featured tracks:

• "Cage" (12:08)
• "Piece of Clay" (44:17)
• "Will You Be My Girlfriend" (42:31)

📚 Queer Australian History: Lesbia Harford, Uncovered

Dr Jeff Sparrow, author, academic and activist, unearths the story of modernist poet, union leader and radical spirit Lesbia Harford. Dive into her poetry, activism, and intimate relationships that challenged the conventions of her era. Hear why her art, courage, and hidden history matter today (14:01). Includes a beautifully moving reading from Sparrow’s biography (27:21).

Members only: Read the interview on lotl.com 

👑 Drag King Corner: Touring with ‘Fuccbois’ & Bridie Connell

Our regular Drag King update brings the one and only Bridie Connell, writer and creator of “Fuccbois Live in Concert.” We hear about the madness of touring drag king theatre from Edinburgh Fringe to London, the joy (and chaos) of pop star satire, and how drag makes tricky conversations possible... with a touch of glitter and a lot of fun (32:11).

Read the article on lotl.com 

📸 Preserving Queer Stories: A Conversation with Photographer MAZZ

Take a seat for a front-row journey through Sydney’s queer nightlife and activism, guided by iconic photographer MAZZ. From wild drag nights to the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS, MAZZ reflects on four decades of documenting a community’s highs and lows, and why archiving our stories matters more than ever (46:44).

Key Moments

• 00:05: LOTL Lounge intro — “This is our space, this is our time…”
• 02:24: Introducing Caitlin Starr
• 12:08: "Cage" by Caitlin Starr
• 13:34: Dr Jeff Sparrow on Lesbia Harford
• 27:21: Lesbia Harford’s poetry, history & intimacy
• 32:11: Drag King Corner with Bridie Connell
• 44:17: "Piece of Clay" by Caitlin Starr
• 46:44: Sydney’s queer history with photographer MAZZ
• 01:42:31: "Will You Be My Girlfriend" — an all-in queer anthem to close

Members only: Read the Interview on lotl.com

Community Highlights

• Unapologetic music & stories for queer women, by queer women (and all who love us)
• The value of documenting our histories - and feeling seen
• Honest, inclusive conversations about gender, language, and community identity
• Intergenerational wisdom, resilience, and joy

Guest Info

• Caitlin Starr - Instagram, TikTok
• Dr Jeff Sparrow  -  Author of Somewhere Here: The Future’s Hidden – The Extraordinary Life of Lesbia Harford published by Monash University Publishing 
• Bridie Connell -  Instagram, Fuckboys Album on Spotify
• MAZZ (MAZZ Images) -  Instagram, Archive Info

Upcoming

Stay tuned, next episode launches LOTL Lounge Volume One, a non-stop music special co-curated by Adelaide DJ Josh, featuring ten tracks from eight incredible queer artists.

Links & Resources

• Superposition Festival in the Blue Mountains: superpositionfestival.com
• LOTL Archives and more music: lotl.com

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LOTL Lounge is made by and for the community — every listen and every share helps us keep the queer joy flowing. Join us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for listening — and for being part of our story. See you in the lounge!

Support the show

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Welcome to a brand new season of LOTL Lounge, where queer and lesbian stories take centre stage and voices ring out across generations. We’re back, celebrating the joy, resilience, and creativity of LGBTQI+ women and non-binary folks in Australia and beyond.

In This Episode

Host: Silke
Special Guests: Madeleine Gray, Lenie Mare & Ninna Andersson, Robyn McCoy and Dr Kerryn Drysdale

Regulars: The Tuckshop Ladies, Nash Hill with the Drag King Corner and Jo Barrett from Leagues on the Lounge

1. Madeleine Gray: On Queer Life & Chosen Families

Australia’s own Madeleine Gray joins us to talk about her novels Green Dot and Chosen Family, her journey from LOTL intern to acclaimed author, and why creating queer Australian stories matters. Plus, hear her read an excerpt from Chosen Family - pubic hair, school swimming lessons, and all.
→ 00:00:28 Find Madeleine at this year’s Sydney Writers Festival discussing queer romance and community. 

2. Lesbians Who Built Sydney’s Nightlife: A History

From smoky basements to bustling dancefloors, trailblazer Robyn McCoy takes us back to the iconic lesbian clubs she created: CJ’s, Hunters, Mars, and Club 77. Laugh, reminisce, and share in the stories of loyalty, survival, and the real power of community before social media ever existed.
→ 00:15:15

3. Drag King Culture: The Past, The Present

Ever wondered about the rise and fall (and rise again) of the Sydney drag king scene? Dr Kerryn Drysdale sits with Nash Hill for an essential conversation about inclusivity, performance, changing identities, and why lesbian scenes were more welcoming than you might remember.
→ 00:41:38

Read the Drag King Corner on lotl.com

4. Love & Building Belonging - Lenie & Ninna’s Story

Two women, 10,000km apart, one accidental TikTok romance, and a brand-new LGBTQI+ app called Bloom. Lenny (Cape Town) and Nina (Sweden) share their heartwarming, honest, and funny story of distance, dreaming big, and making “chosen family” a global movement.
→ 01:08:30

Read the article and find all the links to the APP and their fundraiser 

5. The Tuckshop Ladies: Lesbians & Legacy in Folk Music

The Tuckshop Ladies return for cheeky banter about being out, being mistaken for sisters or “the boyfriend,” and how lesbian musicians and icons paved the way for today’s artists.
→ 00:57:57

6. League from the Lounge: The Grand Final

Jo Barrett wraps up the NRLW season - celebrating breakthroughs, challenges, and trailblazers pushing women’s sport forward.
→ 01:28:58

7. Featured Music

• Holly Throsby – Experience the beauty of her latest tracks from the upcoming album Normal Magic.
  Listen for “Missing You” → 00:37:32
  “Thinking” → 01:25:15

Community Spotlight

• Support homegrown queer artists on our Spotify and SoundCloud LOTL Lounge playlists.
• Share your feedback via our 2-minute survey
• Become a LOTL Lounge member & help us keep queer community media thriving!

Join the Conversation

Love what you heard?

• Subscribe, review, and share the LOTL Lounge with friends and chosen family.
• Find resources, book recommendations, and info about our guests in the show notes below.
• Follow us on Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook & our blog for more.

Key Links

• Contribute to our Listener Survey
• Madeleine Gray’s Books & Festival Info
• Bloom LGBTQI+ Community App
• Spotify LOTL Lounge Playlist
• SoundCloud LOTL Lounge Playlist

Thank you for being here and shining with us - wherever you are on the rainbow.

This is our space. This is our time. This is our community.

Support the show

Check out more content on www.lotl.com

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back to the LOTL Lounge – this is our space, this is our time!

This Episode

• Country music powerhouse Beccy Cole on heartbreak, healing, and her brand new album Through the Haze
• How Val Eastwood’s daring 1950s Melbourne coffee lounge changed everything for queer community - with writer Mara Lucas
• The incredible, overlooked story of Sandra Willson, lesbian activist and the movement that freed her – with historian Tamsin Martin
• Emmanuel on taking Drag King theatre global, the power of “Trophy Boys,” and why finding your queer creative crew matters

In This Show

🎤 Beccy Cole: Through the Haze and Out the Other Side

• Silke and Beccy dig deep into the raw stories behind her new album: heartbreak (and the broken mind, not just the heart), therapy, and finding the funny in the hard stuff (04:30).
• The realities and relief of coming out in the country music world (07:10), surviving public breakups—and why she now calls herself “girl sober” and “do not disturbian” (10:04).
• Touring with her all-female, mostly-queer band, giving up drinking, and the power of female support — plus, why sometimes a puppy is the best company of all (12:02).
• Special performance: “The Gardener and the Flower” — a song about secure love, learned lessons, and roles we all play in relationships (21:18).

Read the article on lotl.com and listen to the BONUS episode - the full uncut version of the interview

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Herstory

Sandra Wilson: The Forgotten Chapter

• Historian Tamsin Martin shares the heartbreaking, inspiring life of Sandra Willson - a lesbian unjustly institutionalised for 18 years, whose case united feminists, gay lib, and abolitionists (24:30).
• How activism across communities freed Sandra, led to real-world change, and what her legacy means today (31:20).

Read the article on lotl.com

Val Eastwood: Coffee, Courage, and Queer Futures

• Writer Mara Lucas introduces Val Eastwood - glamorous, unapologetically butch, and founder of Melbourne’s first major queer café (63:29).
• The magic of coffee lounges in 1950s queer life, cross-city pioneers, and why Val’s legacy is still felt on Swanston Street and beyond.

Read the article on lotl.com

👑 Drag King Corner: The Future Is Now

• Artist Emmanuel on why drag kings are finally getting their moment—from “Trophy Boys” on the Victorian curriculum to a new wave of gender-bending theatre sweeping the globe (47:02).
• Making work for (and with) your community, turning comedy into healing, and how a DIY, grassroots approach breaks through gatekeepers.
• Emmanuel’s advice to emerging queer artists: build your creative family, just do the thing, and yes—slide into those DMs! (57:39)
• Shout-out to Minus18, empowering queer youth through events like Queer Formal (01:00:06)

Read the Drag King Corner on lotl.com

Featured Music

• “The Gardener and the Flower” – Beccy Cole (21:18)
• “Shovel” – Beccy Cole (01:01:25)

Purchase Beccy's new EP and check out her 2026 tour dates here 

Why Listen?

Join us for moving queer history, belly laughs, tough truths, amazing women & non-binary creatives, and proof that our community just keeps finding new ways to shine. Whether you’re 15 or 80, you’ll hear voices to relate to, stories you won’t hear elsewhere, and reminders you’re never alone.

Links & Resources

• Becky Cole – Through the Haze tour info + music
• Tamsin Martin’s article: “Free Sandra Wilson”
• Val Eastwood’s story and Mara’s full blog
• Minus18 – support queer youth

🏳️‍🌈 FOLLOW:  | Instagram |  Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | LOTL Lounge Blog

#LOTLounge #QueerHistory #LesbianStories #BeccyCole #DragKingCorner #LGBTQICommunity #ThroughTheHaze

Support the show

Check out more content on www.lotl.com

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to episode 5 of LOTL Lounge, your fortnightly home for lesbian and queer stories, culture, music, and the voices shaping our world. Hosted by Silke, this bumper episode celebrates bold storytelling, visibility, and the creative power of our LGBTQIA+ community.

Episode Highlights

In-Depth Chat: Zoe Terakis – Queer Myths & Greek Heritage
We sit down with acclaimed actor and writer Zoe Terakis, known for Max in Wentworth, Talk to Me, and Marvel’s Ironheart. Zoe opens up about their creative journey post-Wentworth, their transmasculine Greek-Australian identity, and why they reimagined Greek myths through a queer and trans lens in their new book, Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers.

• Topics include:
  • Creative frustration and the power in writing your own stories 04:04
  • What ancient myths really tell us about gender and queer desire 05:02
  • The moving, rarely-told story of Iphis & Ianthe and why reclaiming queer myths matters 06:11
  • Navigating masculinity, inside and out; building pride in unique bodies and experiences 09:29
  • Bonus: Zoe reads a steamier extract from their debut book, exploring intimacy, pleasure, and the beauty of queer embodiment 12:56

Read the article and listen to the BONUS EPISODE (full unedited version of our interview) on lotl.com

Flicks on the Lounge: Mandahla Rose in LA
In our new partnership with Lesflicks, we hear from actor Mandahla Rose about her decade-long career across Australia and LA.

Mandala shares:

• Her breakout Australian roles and transition to the LA queer film scene 22:19
• The reality of working behind the camera, surviving industry slow-down, and making art that heals 26:11
• Dream roles, homesickness, queer joy, and where to find her art (including on Instagram and soon Etsy!) 
• Hope and how small acts - music, butterflies, and the Aussie bottlebrush- keep her going 29:37

Read the article and listen to the BONUS EPISODE (full unedited version of our interview) on lotl.com

Music Spotlight

• Danni Nicholls | The Pendulum – Anthemic new album, Making Moves, about growth and resilience 17:13
• Asha Jeffries | "Cool Guy" – Catchy, honest single from her incoming album Desire Is an Angel 47:30

Find both artists on the LOTL Lounge playlist via Spotify & SoundCloud -support queer musicians with every play.

Drag King Corner with Nash

Nash dives into the evolving artistry of drag kings, masculinity on stage, and queer performance culture. Learn how drag kings are expanding gender expression, and why the Drag King book is a must-read 18:05.

Read Nash’s reflections in her regular blog "The Drag King Corner"

Lesbian Leap from the Archives: Exhibition Preview
Curator Sarah Yeomans discusses the upcoming landmark exhibit, Lesbian Leap from the Archives: 1970–2000 47:54.

• Why those decades were the "peak" of lesbian life in Australia
• Artefacts, wild badges, and T-shirts- plus spotlight sections on women’s lands, activism, and stories that shaped our community
• The bittersweet power of looking back, and hopes for today’s queer and lesbian generations
  
  The show launches International Lesbian Day at Soul Gallery, Fitzroy 

Read the article and listen to the BONUS EPISODE (full unedited version of our interview) on lotl.com

Community Connections

• The Tuckshop Ladies deliver their signature hilarity, including cheeky tips for "new lesbians" - think Subaru drivers, Birkenstocks, and Crocs! 30:49
• League on the Lounge: Jo Barrett dives into the latest NRLW action, spotlighting the Tigers’ stunning rise from back-to-back wooden spoons to top 6 contenders, thanks to key recruits and resilient leadership. 42:10
• Flicks on the Lounge explores lesbian onscreen representation, and the joys and heartbreaks of the queer creative grind.
• Lesbian Antiques Roadshow, poetry slams, and community news round out a jam-packed episode.

Out and Proud in Sport: Nikki Ayers, OAM, PLY
Paralympian gold medalist, nurse, midwife, and proud gay woman Nikki Ayers shares with Karen Bryan:

• Her journey from rugby player, through life-changing injury, to rowing champion 01:11:13
• The sanctuary of queer sport and the courage to claim public pride 01:18:13
• Standing up for visibility at the world stage, and the healing found in owning your scars 01:21:13
• Why she believes being herself is her greatest victory and is ready for new challenges ahead

Read the article and listen to the BONUS EPISODE (full unedited version of our interview) on lotl.com

Support Queer Stories
LOTL Lounge is - and always will be - free.
In October, we’re launching an optional membership that includes a legacy tier for longtime supporters. Help amplify queer voices and keep community media alive - details coming soon.

Stay Connected

• Listen, comment, and share to keep us visible.
• Follow our playlists on Spotify and SoundCloud.
• Visit lotl.com for blogs, news, and music recs.

LOTL Lounge: This is our space. Our stories. Our time. Thanks for making the lounge shine

Support the show

Check out more content on www.lotl.com

Send us Fan Mail

S1E4: Show Notes

Episode Summary

Episode 4 of The LOTL Lounge is packed with brilliant voices and big stories. This week features comedy from the Tuckshop Ladies, an interview with award-winning non-binary author Kris Kneen, an NRLW wrap with Jo Barrett, a deep dive into the history of lesbian and bisexual women's dynamics with Amber Loomis, music from Theia and Fvneral!, a powerful conversation with formerly incarcerated queer Aboriginal writer Tabitha Lean, a Drag King Corner update from Nash Hill, and a cabaret love letter to the '90s with Cherry Charleston.

Segments & Timestamps

Tuckshop Ladies — Talking About Sex (~1:36)
Rosie Burgess and Sam Lowes (the Tuckshop Ladies) return with a hilarious segment about the discomfort of talking about sex. 

Topics include:

• The expectation that queer people should be open about sex
• The L Word and lesbian representation on television

Author Kris Kneen - Rite of Spring (~13:59)
Award-winning non-binary author Kris Kneen (formerly Krissy Kneen) joins the show to discuss:

• Their transition to a non-binary identity and name change
• Their new book Rite of Spring, a story about a marine biologist on a remote Tasmanian island, exploring themes of gender transition, menopause, and life change
• The queer community's response to their writing, including readers who realised they were trans through Kris's first book Affection
• Their fascination with writing about sexuality in fat bodies
• Exclusive excerpt from Rite of Spring read by the author (~23:20)

BONUS EPISODE: Read the article and listen to the full episode here

Music Track by Theia - BALDH3AD! (~27:37)
A track that has become a full-blown protest anthem, nominated for Single of the Year at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards and landing at #178 on Rolling Stone Australia's top 250 Australian/New Zealand songs of the 21st century. A new live version has just been released. Follow LOTL Lounge's queer artist playlists on Spotify and SoundCloud.

League from the Lounge with Jo Barrett (~28:27)
Jo Barrett's NRLW Wrap covering rounds 6 and 7:

• Indigenous Round - celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, jersey design, boot painting, and recognition of historic Indigenous women players (Katrina Fanning, Yvonne O'Neill, Carol Jarrett, Tracey Thompson, Theresa Anderson, Kylie Pennell, Katasha Gale)
• Three things noticed lately:

1. Impact of injury on team performance (Cronulla Sharks hit hard, losing Shontae Kiri-Ratu)
2. Every team has now had at least one win; Titans move to second; Roosters stamp authority with big win over Broncos
3. The tribute to Yasmin Meeks' mother — both the Knights and Warriors came together in an emotional opening ceremony

• Player focus: Jocelyn Kelliher (Roosters) - first player to reach 300 individual points in the NRLW
• Looking ahead: Broncos vs Titans clash with finals implications

Amber Loomis - Lesbians & Bisexual Women: A History (~35:43)
Amber Loomis, a trans genderqueer bi+ advocate and community researcher, explores the longstanding friction between lesbians and bisexual women:

• Founding the Sydney Bi+ Network
• Jill Johnston and the 1971 Dialogue on Women's Liberation in New York — a flashpoint for lesbian separatism
• Johnston's 1973 book Lesbian Nation and its call for a complete break with men
• How lesbian separatism shaped the exclusion of bisexual women from queer spaces
• Tensions in the 1990s — archival evidence from Lesbians on the Loose and feminist newspapers
• Dating app exclusion and modern-day impacts on bi+ mental health

BONUS EPISODE: Read the article and listen to the full episode here

Music Spotlight: Fvneral! - Hate U (~53:19)
Queer supergroup Fvneral! features their new EP Chosen Family, led by trans non-binary songwriter Tay Blunt. 

Interview topics include:

• The concept of chosen family in queer culture
• The track "Hate U" - about recognising coercive control and reclaiming power

BONUS EPISODE: Read the article and listen to the full episode here

Tabitha Lean - Queer Women Leaving Prison (~59:34)
Tabitha Lean, a queer Aboriginal woman, formerly incarcerated, writer and advocate with Sisters Inside, shares her powerful story:

• The contrast between coming out as queer (celebrated) vs. coming home from prison (stigmatised)
• The work of Sisters Inside and CEO Debbie Kilroy
• A recent Adelaide court case where a prison officer was found guilty of sexual violence against women prisoners - and the resounding silence from feminist organisations
• The impact of shows like Wentworth and Orange Is the New Black
• Aboriginal women as the fastest-growing prison cohort in Australia

BONUS EPISODE: Read the article and listen to the full episode here

Drag King Corner with Nash Hill (~1:15:06)
A quick call with Nash Hill, who writes the biweekly Drag King Corner column on lotl.com:

• Upcoming interview with iconic drag king Sexy Galaxy
• Sexy Galaxy's journey from shyness to the stage

Read the column at lotl.com

Cherry Charleston — Love Letter to the '90s (~1:18:52)
Cabaret performer Cherry Charleston discusses her show Love Letter to the '90s:

• Origin story: started as a 10-minute act at an alternative queer performer competition
• Expanded into a full cabaret show with a group of seven backup singers
• Coming out in the '90s - legal discrimination, no couples rights, no IVF access
• k.d. lang's 1993 coming out and the iconic Vanity Fair photoshoot with Cindy Crawford
• The '90s lesbian "uniform" - short hair, jeans, vest, red lipstick
• Show details: August 22, Melbourne

Followed by Cherry's recorded Love Letter to the '90s — a personal, moving account of queer life in 1990s Melbourne

Next Episode Preview (S1E5)

• Zoe Terakes - author and actor, known as Max from Wentworth
• Mandahala Rose - known as E from the film All About E, joining from New York
• The Tuckshop Ladies return, and more queer music and stories

Links & Resources

Seg 1: Tuckshop Ladies
Seg 2: Kris Kneen and Byron Bay Writers Festival
Seg 3: Music Track by Theia - BALDH3AD!
Seg 6: Music Spotlight: Fvneral! - Hate U
Seg 7:Tabitha Lean - Queer Women Leaving Prison and Sisters Inside
Seg 9: Cherry Charleston — Love Letter to the '90s

Feedback & Participation:

Email feedback: [email protected]

Send a voice message: click here

Are you a lesbian or queer musician? Submit your track for the playlist and show!

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Where to Find Us

- Website: lotl.com

- Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube: @LOTLMagazine

- Spotify/SoundCloud: The LOTL Lounge Playlist

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Thanks for listening to the LOTL Lounge - where your story shines.

Support the show

Check out more content on www.lotl.com

Send us Fan Mail

Episode: LOTL Lounge S1E3

Highlights

Queer History Spotlight:  

Silke interviews Tamsin Martin, a researcher and historian, on early lesbian involvement in Australia's gay and rights movement. Discover the radical roots, under-the-radar groups, and the persistent role lesbians played in shaping the national conversation on equality and identity [00:01:53].  

Read the article on https://www.lotl.com/stories-conversations/lesbian-involvement-in-australias-early-gay-activism 

Modern Lesbian Identity: 

Hilarious and insightful musings on the endless variations-beyond “butch” and “lipstick”- of what it means to be a lesbian today. The Tug Shop Ladies dream up new categories: camo cargo lesbian, active lesbian, nerd lesbian, and invites listeners to invent their own [00:17:12].  

Music Spotlight:  

Enjoy "Belong to You" and "Nexus Acoustic" from Rachael Sage’s new EP. Rachael shares her passion for resilience, community, and queer solidarity. Learn what drives her creative process and the emotional heart behind her music [00:25:53], [01:00:00].  

Read the article and listen to the full interview here

NRLW Update:  

Jo Barrett, Fox League NRLW expert and commentator offers a spirited roundup of Women’s Rugby League: big wins, emerging legends, and why visibility for women’s sport in Australia matters more than ever [00:27:04]. 

Intergenerational Conversation: 

Powerful exchange between Joan Nestlé (Lesbian Herstory Archives) and Bridget Harilaou on mentorship, activism, and queer friendship across time. From 1950s New York bars to today's inclusive movements, hear what true community-building and solidarity look like [00:34:26].  

Read the article on https://www.lotl.com/stories-conversations/a-living-archive-joan-nestle-daaft-and-the-queer-histories-that-shape-us 

Timestamps & Segments

Opening & What’s Ahead – [00:00:28]

- Queer History with Tamsin Martin – [00:01:53]

    - Unsung activists, identity, and terminology shifts  

    - Radical Lesbians and separatism [00:04:31]

    - The “butch” and “femme” debates [00:07:15]

- Comedy Break: The Tuckshop Ladies – [00:08:58]

    - Lesbian categories, stereotypes, and sporty confessions  

    - New takes on culture and style in the queer community

- Music: “Belong to You” by Rachael Sage – [00:24:53]

    - Rachael’s creative process, activism, and new music [00:25:53]

- NRLW Update with Jo Barrett – [00:27:04]

- Intergenerational Conversation: Joan Nestlé & Bridget Harilaou – [00:34:26]

    - DAFT (Dykes and Accomplices Against Fascism and Transphobia)

    - Why queer solidarity across ages is resistance

    - Building safe, creative, welcoming homes for all

- Closing & Music: “Nexus Acoustic” by Rachael Sage – [01:00:00]

    - Reflections on grief, resilience, and the upcoming album “Under My Canopy”

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Key Quotes

 “Lesbians were involved in the very first public demonstration in support of gay rights in Australia...there are lesbians here for the rest of the decade of activism.”  

— Tamsin Martin [00:05:01]

“It’s a mutual wonderment. It’s a mutual generosity of memory...I am so grateful to have you all in my life with your strengths of commitment.”  

— Joan Nestlé [00:39:03]

Take Action

·       Subscribe, Share & Review: 
Help independent, community-driven podcasts reach more listeners!

·       Join the Conversation: Got a story, project, or new category of lesbian to add? Reach out via the LOTL website. Leave a voice message here to be played on the show: 

·       Curated Playlists:  Follow our LOTL Lounge playlist on Soundcloud and Spotify for all tracks featured on the show

·       Check out more from Rachael Sage at rachaelsage.com  "Belong to You" and "Nexus Acoustic" from Rachael Sage’s new EP Rachael Sage Music & Merchandise – mpressrecords 

·       Explore Joan Nestlé’s work with the Lesbian Herstory Archives. And DAAFT Instagram @daaft.naarm

- 

Suggest, Create, Invent:  

What new categories or stories are missing from our community? Message us for a chance to be featured.

Regular Contributors: Tuck Shop Ladies  www.tuckshopladies.com 

Feedback & Participation:

Email feedback: [email protected]

Send a voice message: click here

Are you a lesbian or queer musician? Submit your track for the playlist and show!

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Where to Find Us

- Website: lotl.com

- Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube: @LOTLMagazine

- Spotify/SoundCloud: The LOTL Lounge Playlist

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Thanks for listening to the LOTL Lounge - where your story shines.

Support the show

Check out more content on www.lotl.com

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back to the LOTL Lounge! In this episode, we dive deep into the lived experiences, creative voices, and histories that make our lesbian and queer community shine. Host Silke is joined by inspiring guests and contributors from across Australia, spanning art, activism, music, sport, and storytelling.

Featured Stories & Guests

🌊 Healing in Cold Waters: Avi’s Story

Silke sits down with Avi, a 54-year-old cold ocean swimmer from Victoria’s surf coast, for a profoundly honest chat about trauma, resilience, midlife identity, and the life-saving power of the sea. Facing waves and past wounds, Avi shares how plunging into icy waters with her queer swim pod brought her back to herself, and offers hope and courage to others in our community.
Catch Avi’s raw and compassionate journey at 00:03:08.
Read the article and listen to the full conversation 

✨ Hawaiian Healing & Queer Wisdom

What if healing isn’t about perfection, but restoring our connection to self and others? This gentle spoken word segment explores the concept of aloha and the importance of belonging for queer folk, especially those who’ve navigated disconnection or exclusion. Find solace and perspective at 00:16:04.
Read the article and listen to the full reading

🎶 Trailblazers – Queer Anthems with Tullara

Meet Cairns-based pop-rock artist Tullara, whose new single “Trailblazers” is a fierce, 80s-inspired tribute to all queer folks who’ve carved a path forward. Hear the making-of, her reflections on pride, and listen to the full anthem, a power-up for anyone who ever felt “too different.”
Jump into Tullara’s segment at 00:18:54.
Read the article and watch the Music Video

Regular Segment: The Tuck Shop Ladies

No episode of the LOTL Lounge would be complete without a visit from the Tuck Shop Ladies! Their signature of cheeky humour and queer community spirit makes them a staple in our storytelling. Keep an ear out for their latest updates and don’t forget to follow them on socials for more laughs and singalongs.

🎨 Lesbians of Australia: Portraits & Power

Artist Stacey Bennett takes us inside her nationally recognised “Lesbians of Australia” project- 100+ painted portraits and stories documenting the rich, real, everyday lives of lesbian and queer women. Stacey and Silke discuss art as activism, the impact of vulnerability, and the importance of recording our history for generations to come.
Experience the art behind the movement at 00:38:14.
Read the article and listen to the full conversation

📖 Living History: Kate Rowe, 78er & Lesbian Activist

From the first Mardi Gras to World Pride, political trailblazer Kate Rowe reflects on protest, loss, visibility, health, and finding new energy at 75. Her stories highlight community courage and how staying engaged keeps us vital—mind, heart, and body.
Walk through decades of activism at 00:52:37.
Read the article and listen to the full conversation

🏉 League from the Lounge – NRLW Updates

Jo Barrett, Fox League NRLW expert and commentator, gives a passionate NRLW wrap, celebrating Women in League’s 20th year, the rise of new teams, and the evolution of women’s rugby league.
Tactics, breakthroughs, and queer sporting visibility at 01:04:35.

🌈 Voices from Regional Australia

Mara Lucas shares an intimate blog about growing up queer in regional Queensland—where pride means quiet rebellion and small acts of authenticity can light a path for others.
Read Mara’s moving excerpt at 01:12:07.

🎵 Musical Farewell with Rachel Sage

We close with “Canopy,” a beautiful track by Rachel Sage, celebrating hope, softness, and queer belonging.
Listen to “Canopy” at 01:15:39.  and Stream/download "Canopy" - https://mpress.lnk.to/CanopySingle

Resources & Connect

• If you need support:
  • Lifeline: 13 11 14
  • 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
• Discover more:
  • Avi’s story, Stacey Bennett’s art, and Mara Lucas’s blog at lotl.com
  • Stacey’s portraits: staceybennett.art | IG: @stace.paints.queers
  • Kate Rowe’s memoir: “How the fuck would I know?” katerowe.net or [email protected]  to order her book 
  • Music: Follow our LOTL Lounge playlist on Soundcloud and Spotify for all tracks featured on the show
  • Tuck Shop Ladies  www.tuckshopladies.com
• Feedback & Participation:
  • Email feedback: [email protected]
  • Send a voice message: click here
  • Are you a lesbian or queer musician? Submit your track for the playlist and show!

Next Episode Teaser

Don’t miss Episode 3 with iconic guests Joan Nestlé (Lesbian Herstory Archives), intergenerational dialogues, Amber Loomis on lesbian-bisexual storytelling, and more trailblazing queer voices from across Australia.

Thanks for sharing this space. Stay loud, stay proud, and see you next episode!

Support the show

Check out more content on www.lotl.com

Send us Fan Mail

LOTL Lounge - Episode 1

Episode Summary

In the debut episode of LOTL Lounge, host Silke Bader relaunches LOTL’s audio home for lesbian and queer women’s stories - blending culture, lived experience, comedy, sport, and music into a vibrant hour of community storytelling. 

We begin with Nash, a leading voice in the drag king community, who joins Silke to introduce Drag King Corner, their new LOTL.com blog exploring identity, performance, and the growing visibility of drag kings across Australia.

Next, we shift into lived experience with Diana, 78, who reflects on decades of lesbian life - from secrecy and survival to liberation, humour, and resilience. Comedy arrives with the Tuck Shop Ladies, followed by Jo’s NRLW update, and two tracks from LOTL’s queer‑artist playlist.

LOTL Lounge is back - bold, inclusive, and ready to amplify the voices shaping lesbian and queer culture today.

Community Intro 

Before we dive in, I want to talk briefly about language - the words we use to describe ourselves, our identities, and our community. Lesbian, queer, gay, bi, dyke, sapphic… these words carry history, emotion, pride, and sometimes tension. They evolve, they shift, and they mean different things to different people.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What language feels right for you? What words feel powerful, complicated, or changing?

You can share your opinion here:  https://whatayarn.com/lotl-lounge

Your voice helps shape this space.

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps

00:00 - Intro Silke welcomes listeners and sets the tone for the show: lesbian and queer culture, community, music, sport, and storytelling.

03:00 - Nash: Drag King Corner (Interview) Nash introduces their new LOTL.com blog, shares insights into drag king culture, and discusses visibility, identity, and community.

06:00 - Music Track 1: “I Got U — Antracto A moment to breathe and dance, featuring queer artists from LOTL’s curated playlist.

08:00 - Lived Experience: Diana Wilde  Diana, 78, shares her life story - decades of lesbian history, humour, survival, and community evolution.

21:00 - Music Track 2: “Finding My Place” A moment to breathe and dance, featuring queer artists from LOTL’s curated playlist.

25 :00 - Comedy Segment: Tuck Shop Ladies  Chaotic, clever, and unapologetically queer. A comedic take on identity and culture.

31:00 - Flying Bats Advert Sydney’s iconic lesbian football club.

33:00 - NRLW Update with Jo Season preview, team movements, new recruits, and what to expect.

36:00 - Music Track 3: “Female Power Feminist Movement” A moment to breathe and dance, featuring queer artists from LOTL’s curated playlist.

40:00 - Closing & Next Week Preview Avi’s cold‑water swimming story + Amber’s conversation on lesbian–bisexual solidarity and tension.

Featured Guests

Nash Hill - Drag King Corner Drag king, writer, and c  ultural commentator.

Diana Wilde - Lived Experience A 78‑year‑old lesbian whose life spans eras of secrecy, liberation, activism, and humour.

Tuck Shop Ladies - Comedy A comedic duo exploring queer identity with wit, chaos, and charm.

Jo Barrett -  NRLW Analyst LOTL’s women’s sport contributor.

Music Featured

• Female Power Feminist Movement - Crazy Tunes
• Finding my Place -  PremiumBeat
• I Got U - Antracto

Notable Quotes

“Drag king culture deserves more visibility - and Drag King Corner is here to make that happen.” “Diana reminds us that lesbian history isn’t just political -  it’s personal, hilarious, and brave.” “Are lesbians cool, or is it cooler to be queer? The Tuck Shop Ladies have thoughts.”

Resources & Links

• New LOTL website www.LOTL.com 
•  Old LOTL website legacy.lotl.com
• 35 Years of LOTL magazine digitized https://legacy.lotl.com/digital-archive/ 
• Drag King Corner   https://www.lotl.com/stories-conversations/the-resurgence-of-drag-kings-in-australia 
• LOTL Queer‑Artist Playlist (Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jaflmqJZPd04AQgEqu53j?si=21LJs-xRTRiuFkjI9fpEAw   & Soundcloud  Notion (Radio Edit) in Lesbian And Queer  )
• Flying Bats Women’s Football Club  https://www.theflyingbats.com/ 
• NRLW official site  https://www.nrl.com/draw/?competition=161&round=1&season=2026
• Tuck Shop Ladies  www.tuckshopladies.com

Call to Action

Have a lived experience story? Nominate yourself or someone you know via LOTL.com. Share your thoughts on identity language at: https://whatayarn.com/lotl-lounge Subscribe to LOTL Lounge on Spotify, SoundCloud, or your favourite podcast app.

Support the show

Check out more content on www.lotl.com

Send us Fan Mail

Loretta Smith, bestselling author of A Spanner in the Works, returns with Corpus in Extremis—a deeply personal memoir tracing a life shaped by physical challenges, creative ambition, and extraordinary resilience. 

Known for her acclaimed biography of Alice Anderson, Smith now turns the lens on her own story, reflecting on how chronic pain and a lifelong bone condition have influenced her work, identity, and determination to create.

In this conversation, she speaks about the experiences that shaped her writing, the barriers she has navigated, and the ways creativity and persistence have carried her through moments of difficulty and transformation

Socials: @LOTLMedia 

Support the show

Check out more content on www.lotl.com

Send us Fan Mail

Barbara Baird discusses Personal Politics, a landmark work tracing the evolution of feminism, sexuality, and queer activism in Australia from the 1970s to today. 

This conversation explores the book’s nine‑year development, the movements that shaped it, and the ongoing fight for equality across LGBTQIA+ communities

Socials: @LOTLMedia

Support the show

Check out more content on www.lotl.com