Well, Well, Well

This episode we’re celebrating Lesbian Visibility Day by speaking with two iconic lesbian women about how things have changed for our communities over the decades. First up, we’ll hear from curator, photographic artist, and Vice President of the Australian Queer Archives, Angela Bailey. For those who don’t know, the Australian Queer Archives house the world’s largest and most significant archives of historical Australian LGBTIQ+ material. Ange’s artistic practice centres on community and queer cultural heritage, and we’re excited to hear her insider perspective on lesbian histories and futures on this continent. We’ll also have a chat with Auntie Annette Xibirras, a Wurundjeri elder and Wemba Wemba woman, speaking to her experiences as a mother, a proud lesbian and Aboriginal person. Auntie Annette has been active in First Nations cultural heritage preservation for decades and has an incredible wealth of knowledge on this topic. https://queerarchives.org.au/ https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/library-up-la

In this episode of Well Well Well, we’re joined by Chris Williams and Oli McAuslan from Emen8—the national digital platform supporting the sexual health and wellbeing of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Chris, the Project Lead, and Oli, a content writer, take us behind the scenes of some of their recent articles exploring sexual health, pleasure, trans inclusivity, and queer lifestyle. From long-acting injectable PrEP and navigating sex with trans men, to prostate orgasms and summer fashion essentials—this conversation dives into how Emen8 is informing, affirming, and celebrating our communities through bold, sex-positive content. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au. Podcast: Play in new

Jack is in studio this week with new host Jordan from Thorne Harbour Health’s LGBTIQ+ Women’s Project. We speak with Jerome from DonateLife about organ and tissue donation for our LGBTIQ+ communities and people living with HIV. Chris and Maya from Switchboard also join us to discuss the Changing the Landscape campaign which aims to centre LGBTQIA+ lived experience stories and change the narrative around LGBTIQA+ suicide from one of identity-based deficit to one that celebrates resilience, mutual aid, peer support, community and acknowledges structural discrimination. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

Australia has new guidelines for anal cancer screening in people living with HIV—but what does that actually mean right now? We’re joined by Professor Andrew Grulich from the Kirby Institute to unpack who should be screened, what’s available today (like DARE exams), and why swab-based screening is still a few years away. We also explore the latest in treatment and where to find accurate, community-friendly info. This episode's for anyone who has anal sex, but particularly for people living with HIV. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

In this Trans Day of Visibility special, we hear from two heroes of the trans and gender diverse community. Joe Ball, Victorian LGBTIQA+ Commissioner, and Son Vivienne, CEO of Transgender Victoria, discuss the double-edged sword of visibility, anti-trans rhetoric from the US, and how trans people can be effective leaders. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

Jack speaks with Bonney Corbin about LGBTIQA+ Abortion Doulaing. Bonney is the Director of External Relations and Advocacy at MSI Reproductive Choices, an organisation which provides access to contraception and safe abortion services in 37 countries around the world. They discuss what an abortion doula is, how to support an LGBTIQA+ person having an abortion and recent changes under the Trump administration impacting international access to reproductive healthcare. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

We speak with Glambassador and committee member for Bendigo Pride, Polly Filla, about the upcoming festival and why it's important for diverse communities in the country. Learn more at https://bendigopridefestival.com.au/ Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

Jack speaks with community groups at the 2025 Mardi Gras Parade about their floats and the issues affecting their communities including: Gay Diabetes Building Pride Cosplays Out Of The Closet Harbour City Bears Sydney Stingers Jake Neville from the Melbourne Wranglers also joins us to discuss his experience at the event. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

In the lead up to International Women's Day we chat with the founders of Conscious Combat Club, Georgia Verry and Penny McKay. This brilliant initiative facilitates trauma-informed kickboxing classes for women and gender-diverse people impacted by violence and other trauma. We also chat about the upcoming Conscious Combat Club workshop which Thorne Harbour Health is running Saturday 15 March. So, if you’re interested in joining us, tune in for how you can get involved! In the second half of the show, we speak with entrepreneur, activist and owner of the Moroccan Soup Bar, Hana Assafiri. Hana takes us on a fascinating journey on her life and what drives her to champion women from marginalised communities. We also speak about her memoir, Hana Assafiri – The Audacity to be Free.   More on the Conscious Combat Club … Their programs were designed in response to gender-based violence and have two streams: women's classes and classes for trans and gender diverse people. The waitlists for both are open and there

In the second part of our Sexual Health 101 series we chat with Mark Thompson, Nurse Practitioner at Thorne Harbour Health. Listen in for a refresher on sexual health basics, including common STIs, symptoms, and testing. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

In the first of this sexual health 101 series, we chat with Rhian Graco-Ilves, Peer Educator at Thorne Harbour Health. Rhian talks us through Appreach and Outreach, Thorne Harbour's program that places sexual health experts on apps and in sex-on-premises venues. These 'sexperts' give practical sexual health tips to other community members. Listen in and learn how to put pleasure first when you're planning safe sex. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

Inclusive Rainbow Voices is a community led, intersectional Disabled People's Organisation, by and for LGBTIQA+ people with disability. The organisation works at the forefront of local, national and international movements towards equity and justice for LGBTIQA+ people with disability. Cal Hawk speaks with CEO Katherine Marshall about: How IRV defines disability justice and how this informs the organisation's approach Some of the strong themes to come from community consultation in the past year The barriers to data collection specifically relating to LGBTIQA+ people with disability, and more. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

The Trans and Gender Diverse in Community Health (TGDiCH) Training Project equips health professionals with the skills to deliver inclusive and affirmative care while addressing stigma and discrimination. Joel Parker speaks with the program's team leader Alex Sturman about: Why a program like this is needed, and common challenges TGD people face when seeking care, Who the program is designed for and its main topics Shifts in attitudes or behaviours among participants of the program, and more. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

Joan Nestle is a living icon. At 84 years of age her contributions to LGBTIQ+ communities have been numerous and immensely significant. She co-founded both the Gay Academic Union and the Lesbian Herstory Archives in New York, wrote seminal works such as A Restricted Country and A Persistent Desire and to this day, continues her work as an advocate and activist. Joan is part of the extraordinary line-up at this year’s Midsumma writers’ event, Wise Words – A Night of Intergenerational Storytelling, which features a line-up of some of Australia's most prominent and talented LGBTIQ+ women (trans and non-binary inclusive). 2025 line-up includes MC Sarah Ward, Joan Nestle, Mama Alto, Sez, Hana Assafiri, and Isobel Morphy-Walsh. For more information and to get tickets go to the Midsumma page here Please note, this episode of Well Well Well contains sensitive content.

We speak with community groups and organisations at Midsumma Carnival 2025: Meredith from Chillout Festival Juan from ACON discussing cervical screening campaign Own It Dale from Equality Australia Vera from The Lab, a mentoring program for Autistic young people Vic from Transcend Australia Malcolm from Melbourne Frontrunners Zahir from Melbourne Wranglers Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

Victoria’s mobile pill testing services is off to a successful start with preliminary data and insights from the Beyond the Valley music festival confirming young people are eager for information that could help keep them safe. To discuss what pill testing itself is, Victoria’s pill testing trial, and more, we speak with Sarah Hiley, who is the Drug Checking Director at The Loop. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

Joseph and James from Thorne Harbour Health join us to discuss Rewired which is a therapeutic group for Gay, Bi+ and Queer men who want to change their relationship with meth, in addition to Rewired 2.0 which is an ongoing peer support group. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

Melbourne's pride festival, Midsumma, is just around the corner! Jack and Cal hear about the Gay, Bisexual, Queer + Community Periodic Survey from its coordinator, Tex McKenzie. Conference and Events Coordinator Chiron Hooson also joins us to discuss Thorne Harbour's presence at the festival this year. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.

The CADET Trials are investigating whether a commonly prescribed blood pressure medication could provide a much-needed treatment alternative for adults with severe depression. Candesartan is a well-tolerated group of medications widely used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure and could help people with depression in both major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Researchers are looking for people in Queensland and Victoria to take part in the 16-week trial to see if a daily dose of candesartan, in addition to usual treatment, reduces symptoms of depression and improves general quality of life. To discuss the potential impacts of this study, we speak with Professor Michael Berk, Director of Deakin's Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and Research Assistant Paul Cortissos. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas

Chris Williams from Emen8 joins us to discuss some of the biggest stories in LGBTIQA+ sexual health of 2024. He speaks with Jack and Cal about the return of Mpox, the PrEP supply disruption, injectable PrEP, Doxy-PEP, and HIV self-testing. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at thorneharbour.org and in South Australia at samesh.org.au.