QUEERLIT CONFERENCES (1993-95)

EnQueer | Sydney Queer Writers’ Festival is proud to have created the first Sydney Queer Writers’ Festival of the 21st century. However, we will also be the first to acknowledge that we are not the first group of bold and queer individuals to create a space for queer writers in Sydney and beyond. We stand on the shoulders of many who forged the path for us to be able to create EnQueer today.

In July of 1993 over 300 people, some of whom travelled quite a distance, attended the first QueerLit Conference at the Writers Centre in Rozelle, Sydney NSW. With a sheer diversity of backgrounds and perspectives, there were thirteen panels, two solo sessions, six sessions of readings and the launch of the Australian Lesbian anthology, Falling for Grace. Over fifty papers were presented, with most collated in hard copy during the conference. 

We acknowledge all the organisers and participants of the QueerLit Conference - their experiences of being part of such an event, and indeed as queer people in Australia nearly 30 years ago, would have been very different from our experiences today. We thank you for your courage and commitment to queer writing. 

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We understand there were two or three Queer Lit events, and would love to hear from anyone who was involved in these conferences, or any other queer writing events in Australia - please contact us by emailing info@enqueer.com.au. 

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