Friendship Circles: Social Clubs

From the early 60s to the mid 70s, camp social clubs provided events for homosexual women and men and transgender people to gather and be themselves. Ian McLean, a disc jockey at many of these events, recalls these social clubs, including the Chameleons. Formed around 1963, this group broke the house party model of the day, and organised camp social events focused on drag and fun. Dennis (Flo) Fuller was a founder and talks about the founding moment. It sought out permanent digs, starting at Diggers Hall in Glebe, then the Dispensary Hall, Petersham and later at the Keiron function centre. Rae Morris remembers Diggers Hall.

A breakaway from the Chameleons, Pollys once hosted a range of social events including the Polympics and still run regular dances. Ian McLean recalls a Polympics highlight. Sue-Ellen (in 2006) explains how Pollys still continues.

Formed among drinking friends at a camp friendly bar in the City in the late 60s, the Boomerangs paralleled other social groups in their range of activities. Colin Wiseman talks about their first shows.

Bike or Motor Clubs started up in the early 70s. The South Pacific Motor Club was the first. The Roos in 1973 and the Dolphins in 1979 subsequently broke away. Chris Thomas describes the Roos. Greg Tucker talks about the formation of the Dolphins.

Formed in the early 70s, Clover was a reaction to women being mistreated at a commercial gay venue on Oxford Street. Jan McInnes and Margaret Cummings describe the genesis of Clover.

Many lesbian activists describe adventures with their motorcycles in the 70s. It was not until the 80s and the rise of the Mardi Gras as a visual spectacle that we see the mass formation riding of the Dykes on Bikes. Katy O’Rourke remembers this period.

Like Gay Motorcycle Clubs, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was an American idea that crossed the Pacific and blossomed in Sydney. It was formed by gay activists. Gary Schliemann talks about the Sisters.

Gay Mens Rap was a discussion and friendship group among gay men formed at the Stanley Palmer Culture Palace in Darlinghurst in the late 70s. Two members of the group recall who was involved and what it was about - Mark Matheson and David Urquhart.

The Fitness Exchange was a fitness initiative started by members of the gay community. Mark Matheson was a member and recalls its various incarnations.

Robyn Plaister mentions the social aspects of pioneering gay and lesbian rights organisation, CAMP Inc. John Wall speaks about social group, the Cronulla Gay Group.