Chetcuti, Joseph

 

Joseph Chetcuti (1948-)

Joseph Chetcuti was born in Malta and as a teenager moved to Sydney with his family. He joined the Franciscans as a young man and undertook his training in Anglesea, Wales (UK). Returning to Australia, he joined the Brothers of St Gerard Majella and on admitting his homosexuality, he was referred to Cross+Section. In this interview, Joseph recalls his involvement with Cross+Section and with wider activism as a gay Christian. He talks about the National Homosexual Conferences in the 1970s, where he was outed to his family after appearing in a television segment. He remembers also the activities and activism organised through 33A Glebe Point Road, involving CAMP, GAYFED and COGG. By 1978, Joseph was studying political science at UNSW, partying in the discos in Kings Cross, and working out at City Gym. He recalls his life in 1978, including his participation in the First Mardi Gras while covered in sequins.

Photo: Supplied/Joseph Chetcuti

 

Oral history recordings

 

Automated transcripts of our oral history interviews are available to researchers on request. For access, please contact us, stating the name of the interviewee, date of interview, and your purpose of use.

CPride History GroupPaola, Malta, Valetta, Society of Christian Doctrine, Dom Mintoff, Paddington, Franciscans, Anglesea, Wales, Catholicism, Brothers of Gerard Majella, Peter Bonsall-Boone, Cross+Section, Cathy French, Terry Street, Balmain, Ken Burgin, Gary Pye, Adonis Pancake Parlour, Phone a Friend, Acceptance, Metropolitan Community Church, CAMP, 33a Glebe Point Road, Ian Craigie, Apollo Bar, Sacred Heart Church, Second Vatican Council, Gay Pride Week, 1973 Gay Pride March, UNSW, Sydney Gay Liberation, Gay Liberation Front, National Homosexual Conference, National Service, Women's Night, Lesbian feminisits, Ron Austin, Lance Gowland, Marg McMann, Robyn Plaister, Robyn Kennedy, Peter de Waal, Diane Minnis, Frank Howarth, Terry Goulden, John Greenway, Bob Hay, Paul Smith, GAYFED, COGG, Drop the charges, Chris Wright, Kym Skinner, Kings Cross, Castellos, Palms, Patchs, Capriccios, City Gym, Fitness Exchange, Jen Jenson, Broadway Gym, Bodybuilding, fashion, Mardi Gras, Bernard O'Rourke, Tom Robinson, Meg Christian, Robyn Archer, Police, Weekend Australian, parade permit, College Street, Stanley Street, Missionay House of St Paul, Darlinghurst Police Station, Peter Mitchell, Branco Gaica, Forbes Street, Liverpool Street Court, James Jupp, Glebe School of Poets, Joanna Burns, Central Street Gallery, Martin Place, Federated Clerks Union, ACOA, Lindsay Tanner