This episode we’re celebrating Lesbian Visibility Day by speaking with two iconic lesbian women about how things have changed for our communities over the decades. First up, we’ll hear from curator, photographic artist, and Vice President of the Australian Queer Archives, Angela Bailey. For those who don’t know, the Australian Queer Archives house the world’s largest and most significant archives of historical Australian LGBTIQ+ material. Ange’s artistic practice centres on community and queer cultural heritage, and we’re excited to hear her insider perspective on lesbian histories and futures on this continent. We’ll also have a chat with Auntie Annette Xibirras, a Wurundjeri elder and Wemba Wemba woman, speaking to her experiences as a mother, a proud lesbian and Aboriginal person. Auntie Annette has been active in First Nations cultural heritage preservation for decades and has an incredible wealth of knowledge on this topic.

https://queerarchives.org.au/

https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/library-up-late-midsumma

In this episode of Well Well Well, we’re joined by Chris Williams and Oli McAuslan from Emen8—the national digital platform supporting the sexual health and wellbeing of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

Chris, the Project Lead, and Oli, a content writer, take us behind the scenes of some of their recent articles exploring sexual health, pleasure, trans inclusivity, and queer lifestyle. From long-acting injectable PrEP and navigating sex with trans men, to prostate orgasms and summer fashion essentials—this conversation dives into how Emen8 is informing, affirming, and celebrating our communities through bold, sex-positive content.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected]

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

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Jack is in studio this week with new host Jordan from Thorne Harbour Health’s LGBTIQ+ Women’s Project.

We speak with Jerome from DonateLife about organ and tissue donation for our LGBTIQ+ communities and people living with HIV.

Chris and Maya from Switchboard also join us to discuss the Changing the Landscape campaign which aims to centre LGBTQIA+ lived experience stories and change the narrative around LGBTIQA+ suicide from one of identity-based deficit to one that celebrates resilience, mutual aid, peer support, community and acknowledges structural discrimination.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected]

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

Australia has new guidelines for anal cancer screening in people living with HIV—but what does that actually mean right now?

We’re joined by Professor Andrew Grulich from the Kirby Institute to unpack who should be screened, what’s available today (like DARE exams), and why swab-based screening is still a few years away. We also explore the latest in treatment and where to find accurate, community-friendly info.

This episode’s for anyone who has anal sex, but particularly for people living with HIV.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected]

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

In this Trans Day of Visibility special, we hear from two heroes of the trans and gender diverse community. Joe Ball, Victorian LGBTIQA+ Commissioner, and Son Vivienne, CEO of Transgender Victoria, discuss the double-edged sword of visibility, anti-trans rhetoric from the US, and how trans people can be effective leaders.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected]

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

Jack speaks with Bonney Corbin about LGBTIQA+ Abortion Doulaing.

Bonney is the Director of External Relations and Advocacy at MSI Reproductive Choices, an organisation which provides access to contraception and safe abortion services in 37 countries around the world.

They discuss what an abortion doula is, how to support an LGBTIQA+ person having an abortion and recent changes under the Trump administration impacting international access to reproductive healthcare.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected]

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

We speak with Glambassador and committee member for Bendigo Pride, Polly Filla, about the upcoming festival and why it’s important for diverse communities in the country.

Learn more at https://bendigopridefestival.com.au/

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected]

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

Jack speaks with community groups at the 2025 Mardi Gras Parade about their floats and the issues affecting their communities including:

Jake Neville from the Melbourne Wranglers also joins us to discuss his experience at the event.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected]

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

In the lead up to International Women’s Day we chat with the founders of Conscious Combat Club, Georgia Verry and Penny McKay. This brilliant initiative facilitates trauma-informed kickboxing classes for women and gender-diverse people impacted by violence and other trauma. We also chat about the upcoming Conscious Combat Club workshop which Thorne Harbour Health is running Saturday 15 March. So, if you’re interested in joining us, tune in for how you can get involved!

In the second half of the show, we speak with entrepreneur, activist and owner of the Moroccan Soup Bar, Hana Assafiri. Hana takes us on a fascinating journey on her life and what drives her to champion women from marginalised communities. We also speak about her memoir, Hana Assafiri – The Audacity to be Free.

More on the Conscious Combat Club …

Their programs were designed in response to gender-based violence and have two streams: women’s classes and classes for trans and gender diverse people. The waitlists for both are open and there is a scholarship program available thanks to the Victorian Women’s Trust.

Women’s classes: https://www.consciouscombat.club/naarm

Trans and gender-diverse classes: https://www.consciouscombat.club/trans-and-gender-diverse-trauma-informed-kickboxing

To learn more about our advocacy and fundraising work, visit: https://rounds4respect.org/

To find out where to get a copy of Hana Assafiri’s book go to:

https://melbournebooks.com.au/products/hana-the-audacity-to-be-free-1

In the second part of our Sexual Health 101 series we chat with Mark Thompson, Nurse Practitioner at Thorne Harbour Health.

Listen in for a refresher on sexual health basics, including common STIs, symptoms, and testing.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected]

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.