Stevie’s story
Stevie Clayton was the CEO of ACON from 1997 to 2009. These are her reflections, as told to John Burfitt. Earliest memories of ACONI had...
Born in 1985 as the community united to address the HIV epidemic, throughout the decades ACON has expanded to deliver a huge variety of programs and campaigns to maximise the health of our LGBTQ+ communities.
As we mark 40 years of ACON, we’re gathering people and their stories. How did ACON impact you? Who did you meet? What did you attend? Did you help someone, or did you find help? What do you remember most?
An initial collection of stories is shown below. We’d love to hear from you. Share your story using the form further down the page, and we’ll be in touch.
YOUR STORIES
Julie’s Story
Julie Mooney-Somers was a member of ACON’s Board from 2011 to 2024. These are her reflections, as told to John Burfitt. Earliest memories of ACONI...
Grant’s story
“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,...
Nigar’s story
“I am a lesbian woman from Bangladesh. Growing up, I could never live openly because homosexuality is criminalised and deeply rejected in my country. I...
Nicky’s story
“In 2007, I joined ACON to establish the drug and alcohol program, and with it, I inherited the Rovers, a much-loved and already well-established initiative....
Trevor’s story
“In 2018, being a member of Russ Gluyas’s LOVE Project and a Committee Member (later in 2018 became Treasurer) of Mature Age Gays (MAG), I...
Ian’s story
“It’s no exaggeration to say that ACON probably saved my life. In early 1985 I was 21 years old. I had moved out from living...
Ulo’s story
“In 1998, the work of ACON was waaaay ahead of the world. Jon Sweeney (RIP) and I were first employees as educators at beats in...
Jasmine’s story
“I am a transgender woman, and I have been aware of my identity since the age of 5 – I met the girls and I...
Terry’s story
“I became an ACON Community Visitor around 2016. My role was to visit Yaralla House on the Dame Eadith Walker Estate near Concord Hospital. I...
Peter’s story
“The mid-1980s should have been our time of celebration. At last, in 1984, male homosexuality—our very bodies—was decriminalised in New South Wales. Yet almost immediately,...
Adrian’s story
“As I reflect on ACON’s 40th anniversary, 1985 is probably the same year that I acquired HIV (although I did not know that at the...
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SHARE your STORY
Stevie’s story
Stevie Clayton was the CEO of ACON from 1997 to 2009. These are her reflections, as told to John Burfitt. Earliest memories of ACONI had...
Julie’s Story
Julie Mooney-Somers was a member of ACON’s Board from 2011 to 2024. These are her reflections, as told to John Burfitt. Earliest memories of ACONI...
Grant’s story
“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,...
Nigar’s story
“I am a lesbian woman from Bangladesh. Growing up, I could never live openly because homosexuality is criminalised and deeply rejected in my country. I...
Nicky’s story
“In 2007, I joined ACON to establish the drug and alcohol program, and with it, I inherited the Rovers, a much-loved and already well-established initiative....
Trevor’s story
“In 2018, being a member of Russ Gluyas’s LOVE Project and a Committee Member (later in 2018 became Treasurer) of Mature Age Gays (MAG), I...
