Queering The Air

Frank interviews comic creator Khale McHurst. The interview touches on mental illnesss, eating disorders and queer relationships (talk to a friend, or Switchboard's QLife if you need to). Iris also mentions Gary Foley, and his Koori Web website; Djab Wurrung country struggle against Vicroads with project now suspended (check out Protecting country, by Tarneen Onus-Williams); and a disappointing an anti-trans book launch and figure.Upcoming: RISE Ability Rights booklet launch, Tuesday, GLOW IRL.

Iris hears from Elytta Manton on her fight for justice for Black Deaths in custody, particularly for sistergirls; the inhumanity of prisons; and her fundraiser. You can find her fundraiser here: https://au.gofundme.com/help-lismores-lilly/ Iris then briefly mentions two protests that occurred on the 28th of July: 'CHANNEL 7 PROTEST: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH', and Protest ASASE (shame on RMIT); and the disappointment of Readings hosting Julie Bindel. Tracy interviews Dani Weber on safer spaces, Cocoa Butter Club and racism / anti-racism (insta: @afab_ulous)

We hear from Danika Hardiman of the Community Restorative Centre on her knowledge of the over-incarceration of lesbian and bisexual women in Australian prisons. We also talk about supporting Bundjalung sistergirl Elytta Manton, who gave a lot to the recent LGBTIQ women's health conference, with her gofundme.Iris then speaks to the concerns of the My Health Record system, giving many reasons to opt out of the system. See Vixen's information.Upcoming (mentioned)CHANNEL 7 PROTEST: ENOUGH IS ENOUGHProtest ASASECocoa Butter ClubThe late Lisa Bellear's second poetry launch

Today’s guest is Janelle De Silva is a journalist, marathon runner, director, producer and actor. She has been in the professional arts and entertainment industry for 20 years. She got her big break to co-host the live music and television program, “Recovery”. Janelle then acted and presented on Channel 9, Channel 10, the BBC and co-hosted live arts events.After studying at acting at the National Theatre in St Kilda, she continued on to a Graduate Diploma in the Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy. Inflamed by her education, she produced “Birthing The Mother”, a 6 week body centered program of people that identified as women.In 2016, Janelle formed Cherrypop Productions and began “We of the Night”. This presented emerging and established artists in the Geeling and Surfcoast region and engaged the local community to support the arts and promoted socially conscious projects.She also started her personal philanthropic project called the “Run, Bitch, Run” campaign and raised money by running marathons for the Cathy Freeman Foundation.  In 2017, she directed, produced and performed 3 original projects in the Melbourne Fringe Festival. This year, she is focusing on her one person show: Frankghanistan.Janelle is a queer, intersectional feminist and a fiercely autonomous creative. She is a passionate advocate for social change through the arts.

Today’s guest is Janelle De Silva is a journalist, marathon runner, director, producer and actor. She has been in the professional arts and entertainment industry for 20 years. She got her big break to co-host the live music and television program, “Recovery”. Janelle then acted and presented on Channel 9, Channel 10, the BBC and co-hosted live arts events.After studying at acting at the National Theatre in St Kilda, she continued on to a Graduate Diploma in the Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy. Inflamed by her education, she produced “Birthing The Mother”, a 6 week body centered program of people that identified as women.In 2016, Janelle formed Cherrypop Productions and began “We of the Night”. This presented emerging and established artists in the Geeling and Surfcoast region and engaged the local community to support the arts and promoted socially conscious projects.She also started her personal philanthropic project called the “Run, Bitch, Run” campaign and raised money by running marathons for the Cathy Freeman Foundation.  In 2017, she directed, produced and performed 3 original projects in the Melbourne Fringe Festival. This year, she is focusing on her one person show: Frankghanistan.Janelle is a queer, intersectional feminist and a fiercely autonomous creative. She is a passionate advocate for social change through the arts.

We talk with Nikki Spunde on transphobia at London pride (see open letter), her comedy (The Lazy Show, Asexual Healing), asexuality, acephobia and more. We then are joined by Miranda Sparks who talks about her trans superhero comic Glimmer Girl, mental health with the TRANSmission program, and The Gender Agenda on Joy FM.Also mentioned at the start: you can support / follow the Djap Wurrung Heritage Protection Embassy. Earth Matters produced a podcast, 'No Trees, No Treaty'.Events plugged:Queering the pitchLGBTIQ+ Women's health conference 2018Understanding Ableism and Access at Footscray Community Arts Centre

Gem Mahadeo is a Melbourne-based writer and musician, who came to Australia in 1987. Her poetry has appeared in zines and online journals such as Concrete Queers, Cordite Poetry Journal, Going Down Swinging, The Suburban Review, and Rabbit Poetry Journal, and in performance as part of the Quippings Troupe. In April 2018, she was a successful applicant for a ‘Woman Writers of Colour’ commission on the theme ‘collaboration’ through Writers Victoria, and she wrote a suite of three poems based on independent video games exhibited at Bar SK in Collingwood. In 2018, she is blogging a real-time weekly ‘zine-and-drink review’. On today's episode we touch her musicology, poetry, strategies for performance, poetry business cards, zines, teaching, Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and avoiding burnout.

Iris speaks to Bridget from Sound School, a project that is working against the barriers marginalised people face in electronic music. Iris is then in conversation with comic creator Frank Candiloro. LinksQueering the Air radiothon, donate to keep us on air!Sound School's upcoming workshop series at Footscray Community Arts Centre.Frank Candiloro's gumroad, patreon, Instagram and Facebook. Queer Lady Magician 'Magic Happens' fundraiser by Mama Alto and Mx Munro for Creatrix Tiara. Incedium Radical Library Infoshop launch.

Iris is joined in by Jane Green from Vixen collective who gives an update on Victorian sex worker campaigns, including pressure put on the Liberals and ALP, plus the campaign against founder of anti-sex worker organisation Project Respect and Greens candidate Kathleen Maltzahn. For further information on Maltzahn, check this page on Facebook, and Twitter (one), and (two). We then hear from Jules Kim, CEO of Scarlet Alliance, who talks to the latest on the injustice of CJ Palmer's incarceration. Many issues are touched upon including that HIV transmission should be be a crime. You can support CJ and write her a letter via this link.

Lachy Siu is a freelance graphic designer and art direction. He focuses on print, branding and UX Design. In 2017, he was shortlisted for the “Cornish Family Prize for Art and Design Publishing” and the “Australian Photo Book of the Year”. Lachy has undertaken projects for the Sydney Opera House, Kaldor Arts and also owns Etcetera Press.