JOY 94.9 in world radio top five

What does Melbourne have in common with Barcelona, Rome, Berlin and London?  If you said, ‘home to one of only five gay and lesbian radio stations in the world’, you’d be right – and after sixteen years, it’s about to get bigger.

JOY 94.9, Australia’s claim to ‘gay radio’ fame, is running a 10 day Radiothon, launching on June 10 at the Glasshouse Hotel in Melbourne as a bid to drive its annual membership numbers to new heights. The theme for this year’s Radiothon is ‘Choose JOY’ – not only a playful nod to the 80’s but also a direct message that membership is the only choice in supporting Australia’s only gay and lesbian radio station.

Melbourne radio & TV personality Eddie McGuire recently described JOY as one of the “great things in life which celebrates social diversity”, and urged more people to “sign up and support it”.

According to JOY 94.9 president Stephen Duns, “JOY is an important voice for the gay and lesbian community, enabling freedom of expression and the breaking down of alienation for many people near and far”.

JOY 94.9 currently produces more than seventy on-air music, talk and specialty shows thanks to more than 250 GLBT community volunteers – and with the advent of online broadcasting, is now reaching audiences across the globe.

Board member Scott Bradford said, “JOY provides a lifeline for many who would not otherwise have a link to the gay and lesbian community”,  and admits it has been a personal saviour in times of isolation.

The June 10 launch party will include circus and burlesque performers, as well as local entertainers, DJs and special guests.

Tickets can be purchased in advance through JOY 94.9 for  $10, with all proceeds going to support the station.