Stroppy Dykes

STROPPY DYKES: Radical Lesbian Feminist Activism in Victoria During the 1980s, Jean Taylor, Dyke Books Inc, Melbourne 2012   872 pages

The 1980s was a busy time for radical lesbian feminists, socialist feminists and radical feminists who organised conferences, published magazines, wrote books, established activist collectives, went on marches, were in solidarity with Aborigines and Islanders, demonstrated, formed womyn’s bands, worked in womyn’s refuges, set up phone information and support services, ran workshops, attended art openings, supported fundraisers and cultivated many other activities too numerous to mention.

And music still is such an importance in my life. As music has been for my people for thousands and thousands of years, all kinds of music. The essence and importance of music is essential to community because our music is not throwaway or trash like pop music. Music is connected to country, music is the heart of the people, the stories behind the music are the heart of our culture.

Lou Bennett, Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung

I was very much part of the move to Gertrude Street in November 1988 and helped with fixing the place up and making it habitable. I have many memories from that building. The one I will never forget is the night that a group of us were looking at a video of Desert Hearts. At the moment of the ‘kiss in the rain’ there was a loud noise and the newly installed book shelves came crashing down narrowly missing some of us.

Sara Elkas, Jewish Australian

I was impressed that I was able to offer practical solutions to womyn, we did a lot of community education about incest, domestic violence, womyn’s rights and feminism and there was a great deal of satisfaction in the work we were doing, supporting womyn to change their lives around.

Anah Holland-Moore, Celtic Australian

front cover image: We Fight For What We Hold Dear by Megaera

The cost includes postage.