We recently hosted “The Evolution of the Gaybourhood” 🌈 – the first in our three-part series on Queering Urbanism. This panel, empowered by Tract Consultants, delved into the evolution of queer spaces and activations, from lost iconic venues to the fluid, permeating nature of today’s communities.
Key discussion points included:
- The changing face of ‘gaybourhoods’ and the nuances of creating truly safe spaces
- The presence of LGBTQIA+ culture in mainstream spaces i.e.: drag nights, doesn’t automatically ensure safety
- LGBTQIA+ as a ‘community of communities’ – addressing diverse needs and intersectionality
- The future of queer events and spaces, particularly in aged care settings
A standout topic was the groundbreaking LGBTQIA+ aged care facility in Prahran by CHT Architects, reimagining community connection for older queer individuals.
The gaybourhood evolves not just with time, but with our personal journeys – from our 20s to our golden years.
A heartfelt thank you to our panellists:
- Karen Bryant (she/her) – Chief Executive & Creative Director, Midsumma Festival
- Sam Cremean (they/them) – Urban Researcher and Community Engagement Specialist
- Wes Snelling (he/him) – Entertainment Programmer and Co-Owner of queer venue, Grouse Bar
- Josh McAlister (he/him) – Director, CHT Architects
Moderated by:
- Justin Kliger (he/him) – Principal Urban Designer, Tract
Your diverse perspectives, from temporary activations to aged care facilities, painted a comprehensive picture of our evolving community needs at the neighbourhood scale.
Special thanks to our moderator Justin Kliger from Tract Consultants for skilfully guiding the discussion.
We look forward to continuing the conversation for our next event on Queer Housing for this vital conversation on LGBTQIA+ built form needs across all life stages, and at all scales.
Photography by Jen Godwin & Zoe Robinson.
