Mercury Cinema

Join us for an evening of formative Australian queer documentary cinema as we present Witches and Faggots, Dykes and Poofters (dir. Digby Duncan, 1980, 45 mins), depicting the grassroots meetings, strategies, and organising efforts of Sydney’s lesbian and gay activists leading up to the first Mardi Gras in 1978; and, Homosexuality: A Film for Discussion (dir. Barbara Creed, 1975, 43 mins), a series of candid testimonies from homosexual men and women, capturing a diverse range of perspectives on homosexuality during a time when it was still criminalised in all Australian states and territories. These two groundbreaking Australian documentaries were critical to the primary shaping of early queer political resistance and are not just historical artefacts — they are living records of protest, and capture critical political action. Archival queer films remind us of the work that has come before and challenge us to see the present in relation to these earlier struggles.

Short introduction from esteemed scholar Barbara Creed, followed by a post-film discussion and live readings of archival materials.

Queer Visions is supported by UniSA Justice and Society and Network for Studies in Gender, Sexualities and Equity.