Queensland’s LGBT History Action Group is seeking people to share their stories of Brisbane’s gay venues of yesteryear, as well as looking for volunteers to join and help in our programs.

The group promotes the collection, documentation and awareness of Brisbane’s LGBT history by providing support for Gay & Lesbian Archives at the Queensland State Library as well as presenting events, exhibitions and other activities.
Group member Eliot Rifkin told QNews that one of the projects the group is currently focusing on is to record the histories of Brisbane’s party venues and meeting places and in particular, people’s personal experiences.
“The fun times of our bar communities hasn’t been documented and we’re interviewing people (audio only) collecting stories and pictures from the 1930s to date,” Rifkin explained. “All stories are welcome.”
“We would love people to get involved to help us increase LGBT people’s sense of community history and identity by joining or contributing to the History Action Group.”

Some of the group’s ongoing projects are:
ORAL HISTORIES –people are interviewed and their stories are transcribed, edited and then lodged in the State Library of Queensland repository. Many interviews need to be conducted, transcribed and edited. (Training is available.)
DIGITAL STORIES- people’s photos are uploaded to BCC’s PlaceStories site. Social photos at bars like the Terminus, Hacienda, Options…, historical events like rallies as well as events such as Sleaze Ball. Most pictures pre-2000 are welcome. We can digitise your photos and they may be held at the State Library archive.
OTHER PROJECTS: Website Design/Management, Blogging/Newsletter writing, Project/Event Management (past events include: Museum Exhibitions, Priscilla Bus Tour and Forums).

If you’d like to volunteer, contribute your story or donate your archives to the State Library, then HAG would like to hear from you: email history@qahc.org.au or phone via QAHC reception (07) 3017 1777. The group provides free interviewing training and meets once a month. http://www.qahc.org.au/history
or join the group on FaceBook LGBT History Action Group