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_An interview with Michael Monty

We invited Michael Monty, an active member of Melbourne's LGBTQIA+ community since the 1980s, to speak to our people about Australia’s LGBTIQA+ history. Here he shares his experience as a patron of the infamous Tasty Nightclub raid on 7 August 1994 during which 463, mostly LGBTQIA+ patrons, were detained and strip-searched.
June 29, 2023

Michael Monty

Being part of the LGBTQIA+ community since 1980s, Michael shares the history of the LGBTQIA+ people in Australia. He also delves into his experiences and involvement in the progressive movement towards inclusivity and diversity. 

Did you know that homosexuality was once listed as a mental disorder? 

In Western psychology, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) tool is often used to diagnose mental health issues.

A pivotal moment for the LGBTQIA+ community was in 1972 when John E Fryer, an American psychiatrist, and gay rights activist openly spoke out about homosexuality not being a mental disorder. He made his comments known by wearing a mask and disguising his voice so as not to be easily identified.

This led to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) initiating the removal of homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) a year later, however, these changes did not take effect across the board. Then in 1987, homosexuality was successfully removed as a mental disorder in the DSM-III.

Notably, the WHO listed homosexuality in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 as a mental disorder in 1977, only removing this thirteen years later. 

 

Tell us about the history of LGBTIQ+ people in Australia.

  • In 1975, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act in South Australia made homosexual acts legal between consenting adults.

  • In 1982, the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 was amended making it illegal to discriminate against LGBTI+ people. This legislation then trickled through to other legislative areas throughout Australia and various other states.

  • Transgender recognition was acknowledged in 1986 allowing a birth certificate to be changed to reflect a person’s gender identity with three options available: male, female, or X.

  • Decades later in 2013, laws were changed to expunge the historical convictions of many LGBTI+ people - who found it challenging to find work because of these - under sodomy laws.

  • In 2017, there was a national survey designed to gauge support for legalising same-sex marriage in Australia. This voluntary survey was held via the postal service between 12 September and 7 November 2017, however, as it was not administered through the Australian Electoral Commission, it served as a recommendation and is not covered under the legislation.
    The results of the survey showed that 66% of the voting public were in favour of changing the legislation and supporting gay marriage.

 

When was the first Mardi Gras in Australia?

The first Mardi Gras took place in Sydney on 24 June 1978. The date was significant as it marked the ninth anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the Stonewall nightclub in New York City in 1969.

The intention of the parade was to be a peaceful protest march in solidarity with victims of the Stonewall riots, where hundreds walked from Taylor Square to Hyde Park.

Police were present which resulted in 53 arrests, and many others assaulted.

In 2016, NSW Police apologised for their actions on 24 June 1978.

 

What is the Midsumma Festival?

Midsumma Festival is Melbourne’s version of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The Midsumma Festival started as Gay Day in the 1980s and was essentially a group of people getting together at major parks and celebrating to create a community.

The Victorian AIDS Council proposed a Melbourne festival in 1986 and from there, the Midsumma Festival and Carnival was created, with the first taking place in 1989. There were stalls, rides, food, and entertainment with a lot of support from the local community.

In 1996, the first Pride March occurred in St Kilda. This was then moved to the Alexandra Gardens

 

What happened at Tasty nightclub?

Tasty was a nightclub in Melbourne that operated for two years from 1993-1994, closing in 1995.

On 7 August 1994, approximately 463 LGBTQ patrons were detained for around 7 hours at the club where police raided the premises and conducted strip and cavity searches of the patrons.  This ignited a class action against Victoria Police, resulting in a total pay-out of $6 million to the complainants.

In 2014, Acting Chief Commissioner Lucinda Nolan apologised to the LGBTQI+ community.  (Include a link here to article/SBS video etc).

 

How can workplaces be more inclusive?

So often when having a conversation with work colleagues and peers, someone might ask how your weekend was, etc. Simply saying something like “I went away with my partner this weekend,” people will assume that this refers to a heterosexual situation. This is something that should be considered in the workplace – be sensitive and open to different types of relationships.

 

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