History of gay socialising
The socialising, friendships, cruising, romance, territory, identity politics, and fundraising have all gone on in the cafés and restaurants of gay Sydney, according to gay historian Garry Wotherspoon.
Wotherspoon will present a free talk on the subject, titled ‘Eat, Love, Play’, at the Surry Hills Library on September 8 as part of History Week.
While bars and beats have been the most obvious places where gay men have met and gotten to know each other, Wotherspoon will tell how cafés, restaurants and supper clubs have also been critical for social life in Sydney’s gay history — particularly in the days before gay liberation and law reform.
Wotherspoon, a former Sydney University academic, is the author of books including Being Different: Nine Gay Men Remember, and City of the Plain, a groundbreaking history of Sydney’s homosexual and gay subcultures since the 1920s.
History Week celebrates history across NSW and its 2011 theme is ‘EAT History’, delving into the ‘Edible, Appetising and Tasty’ bits of history.
The public has been invited to explore the history of food at events including film screenings, dinners, talks, workshops and more.
INFO: Eat, Love, Play talk, Thursday, September 8, 6–7pm, Surry Hills Library, 02 8374 6230. Bookings essential.
