Origins 1969-78
The Origins of Gay Media
in Australia 1969-78
by Bill Calder
1
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Chapter 1 – Activist Press: demanding change 12
The birth of the Australian gay rights movement was inspired by street riots in America and the activists saw the need to publicise their message. The movement’s press started with Camp Ink and spawned dozens of smaller publications across the country.
Chapter 2 – Porn Mags: the hobby that changed minds 25
Nude male photography is a personal pleasure but one that can be shared, and gay pornography attracted the minds of readers in a way the activist press could never achieve.
Chapter 3 – Community Papers: building the gay scene 43
A new breed of gay entrepreneur broke free of the Kings Cross protection rackets. They started an expansion of gay venues and the launch of popular community newspapers that proudly promoted the growing commercial scene.
Conclusion 53
Bibliography 58
Cover image: the first issue of Camp Ink (from the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives collection – ALGA)
