Activism: Back Then

There was widespread fear and discrimination against homosexuals and transgender people in society. Most ‘camps’ hid but some faced this world and were labelled using derogatory terms such as queers, lessos, poofs or ‘practising homosexuals’.

Ken Garrahy describes the police surveillance and harassment homosexuals were subject to. Dennis McManus was sent for ‘treatment’. Geoff Ostling’s parents never forgave him. Colin Wiseman describes police actions at beats and how he and his union fought his homophobic sacking. Activists like Charlie Bowers believed the camp commercial world had reasons to keep clear of the gay rights movement. Ken describes the day time march in 1978.