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.

 Now back in print!

BRAZEN HUSSIES: A Herstory of Radical Activism in the Women’s Libration Movement in Victoria 1970 - 1979, Jean Taylor, Dyke Books Inc, Melbourne 2009)

Brazen Hussies documents the actions, conferences, collectives, publications and demos as well as the stories of feminist activists who took an active role in the WLM in the 1970s. The book also traces the innovative shifts of consciousness and the social and legislative changes that were instigated in Victoria as radical feminists fought long and hard for Women’s Liberation. It also includes some of the actions the Aboriginal and Islander people too to challenge racism.

It’s sometimes difficult to remember just how oppressive it was for womyn in Victoria before the Women’s Liberation Movement began in 1970 to challenge the patriarchy and womyn took to the streets to make our demands heard.

‘When I became a trained therapy radiographer at Peter Mac, back in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, I was training boys who were receiving more money than I was which seemed very iniquitous.’
Thelma Solomon

Radical activists in the Women’s Liberation Movement began making their presence felt world-wide and no less so than here in Victoria. After Thelma Solomon, Zelda D’Aprana and Alva Geikie chained themselves to the Arbitration Court in October 1969 they helped set up the Women’s Action Committee in March 1970. From then on there was an active WLM here in Victoria. And for good reason.

‘The Australian theatre scene has been dominated by male playwrights and it has been difficult for Australian women playwrights to have their works performed.’
Ponch Hawkes, Women’s Liberation Newsletter April 1975.

As it took till October 2008 to repeal the law against abortion and the Yorta Yorta people were only allowed joint management over their own Barmah Forest in December 2008 it shows just how long it takes and how far we still have to go to truly achieve humanity and justice for everyone.

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