Date

1974

Creator

Julian Desaily

Description

Gay Liberation dances were one of the main ways in which the group drew in new members, as well as being the main fundraising source for the group. Initially these dances were held at Trophy Hall, which was part of the Beaurepaire Centre at Melbourne University. Later the dances were held at the Melburnian Receptions rooms at the Block Arcade in the centre of Melbourne. The dances were quite different from the other social events of the time, venues such as Maisie’s (Her Majesty’s) in South Yarra, which was a relatively informal drinks at a side bar of a corner pub, or the dances like Spangles or Jan’s Dances. For some, the dances were a revelatory experience, in the same way as the Gay Liberation meetings and CR groups, a space filled with ‘liberated’ gay men and women. This flyer, along with many others produced by Melbourne Gay Liberation, was designed by Julian Desaily (1951-1990), activist, artist and chef.