| “For Sydney gay men in the 1990s, what I loved was the sense of loyal camaraderie while fighting together for dignity in health. In 1992, I enjoyed my Fun&Esteem workshops so much, I signed up for volunteer training to then become a peer facilitator under Tim Conigrave. ACON back then was in a tiny office above Oxford Street, and there was a lovely office in Parramatta too. We talked with young gay men about safer sex, safer injecting techniques, drag queens and sex work, this was grassroots critical pedagogy and liberation education in action. A bunch of us also led drop-in groups in Darlo and Parra for guys who finished Fun&Esteem and wanted more. They were an absolute blast. The Parramatta fellas would hang out at a snazzy upstairs cafe afterwards, and the Darlinghurst crew would head up to The Californian, long long hours but it boosted me and gave me energy. It was always so very social and uplifting. I also volunteered as a Safe Sex Slut for ACON handing out condoms, lube, and Chupa Chups at Sleaze Ball parties and Hand in Hand parties while wearing a slinky beauty pageant sash emblazoned with “SLUT”. So hilarious, but important visual outreach work. The music, the vibe, Sydney was pulsating with so much fun and life during the 1990s. Another lovely feature of those Fun&Esteem groups was writing anonymous compliments to the other participants on the last night. I still have my envelope of personal compliment slips that I got from my very first 1992 workshop sitting in my sock drawer at home, it’s my most treasured keepsake close to my heart.” Top photo: Grant in centre, photo by CMoore Hardy. |
