Queerstories

A few years had passed since my last attendance at Queerstories, the recurring LGBTQIA+ storytelling night in Sydney. My most recent visit was pre-COVID, and after a recent stint in the hospital, I decided to give it another try. Yet, concerns about mobility accessibility lingered as I contemplated navigating in and out of the venue.

A few months ago, attending was inconceivable; I heavily relied on my wheelchair due to the limited mobility with my prosthetic. However, with a month of not using my wheelchair, I felt ready to venture out again.

Disability became a central theme in the stories shared that night, particularly through Katia Schwartz, the founder of “Sky Sirens,” a former venue for burlesque classes near my home in Surry Hills. Katia, who lives with a hearing disability, formerly worked as a sex worker, and her narrative delved into her experiences with clients. The story primarily focused on the support and camaraderie Katia found among fellow sex workers, which I found truly heartening.

A distinctive aspect of Katia’s story was its unique presentation — signed by Katia, with accompanying vocalisation from someone in the audience to my left. This departure from the “traditional” process, where someone on stage signs for a deaf audience, added a great dimension to the story-telling.

Other memorable moments from the night included Alastair Lawrie’s coming-out story, an intriguing offer to create porn for a cabaret performer from country Victoria, and tales of forming connections through pets at the dog park. The evening also featured some musical pieces about the establishment of a religion centered on atheism. Life’s richness lies in its diversity, eh?

Seated next to a woman and her friend, both lesbians in their 50s/60s, we acknowledged the evolving landscape of LGBTQIA+ diversity. As I surveyed the predominantly 20s and 30s audience, I concurred with her observation that times had indeed changed since our youth.

They treated me to a glass of wine during intermission, and that was a significant reason I stayed until the end. Around halfway through, fatigue from my health condition set in, and thoughts of heading home early crossed my mind. Concerns about transportation and the lack of accessibility at the theater on Cleveland Street troubled me. Fortunately, Uber rides to and from nearby streets eased my worries. I learned online the theater has plans to enhance accessibility, which is great to hear. It’s a lovely venue, and a great place for a Thursday night outing.