Still Here, Still Queer

From growing up in 1950s colonial Singapore to building a remarkable life in Australia — Joseph Then’s story is one of migration, identity, resilience, and community.

In this special FONO / SHSQ crossover episode, Gillian and Pete sit down with Joseph to talk about:

Growing up Peranakan in Singapore ✈️ Arriving in Australia as a 19-year-old Colombo Plan scholar (and the culture shock that came with it!) His brother Anthony — a celebrated ballet dancer who appeared in The Rocky Horror Picture Show ️‍ Knowing he was gay at 12, and finding community through Mardi Gras, Melbourne Pride Chorus, and line dancing L...

Hosts Gillian and Pete broadcast live from the Pokie’s Tribute Disco at the Victorian Pride Center — a sold-out, $7-entry celebration of one of Melbourne’s most beloved LGBTQ+ institutions. At its peak, Pokies drew 1,000 people every Sunday night to the Prince of Wales Hotel in St Kilda for drag shows, dancing, and a legendary piano bar singalong. For nearly 15 years it was a cornerstone of queer community life — and for one night, it came roaring back.

We spoke with Doug Lucas, the creative force behind Pokies, who reflected on building the night from a quiet Sunday cabaret...

This episode of Still Here, Still Queer focuses on caring for our bodies as we age, with a particular emphasis on prostate health and navigating healthcare systems that haven’t always included LGBTQIA+ communities. Hosts Gillian & Pete welcome exercise physiologist Molly Lowther and urology nurse practitioner Mick Cromer from the Australian Prostate Centre to discuss using exercise as rehabilitation during chronic illness (including prostate and breast cancer), counteracting treatment side effects like bone density and muscle loss, and practical balance and mental health benefits of movement. Mick explains prostate screening via PSA blood tests, risk considerations for family history, co...

In this episode of Joy 94.9’s Still Here, Still Queer – celebrating the lives of rainbow elders – a panel of elders explores the question: what does joy look like as we grow old? Host Pete is joined by a panel of queer men all over 70, retired journalist Robert Gibson and retired social worker Bartley McGowan, discussing how joy changes with age. They reflect on coming out, growing confidence, and the importance of friendship as chosen family, alongside sources of joy such as everyday interactions, nature, theatre, music, books, films, travel, and pets. The panel also discusses adjusting to changing bodies, includ...

In this episode of “Still Here, Still Queer,” a podcast which celebrates rainbow elders, hosts Pete and Gillian welcome podiatrist Sam Turner, director at Life Performance Health and a sports podiatry practitioner. We have a discussion focused on foot health and aging. Sam explains how he moved from prosthetics/orthotics into podiatry, and why foot care matters early, including impacts on mobility, pain, wellbeing, and falls. They cover corns and calluses, how footwear fit drives many problems, and note shoe standards are based on a size nine male foot.

Sam works at  and is a director at three...

This week we interview Anita Fiorenza who is the Events & Program Manager at the Victoria Pride Centre (VPC) and Annitta Macauley who is the Social Support, Events & Diversity Manager at Lifeview. Both are co-ordinating a newish group for over 55 members of our LGBTQIA+ communities which is called the Plus 55 Social Group. It is holding free bi monthly social gatherings at the VPC and is sponsored by Lifeview. This month is a BBQ & Bocce event on Wed 25th March at 2 pm in the theatrette at the VPC and you can register at https://pridecentre.org.au/event/lgbtiqa-ageing-community-social-club/

...

Still Here, Still Queer on JOY 94.9 dives into the fitness crazes of the past 50 years and the best concerts our guests have ever been to. From Zumba, leg warmers and shaking weights to close encounters with Grace Jones, Madonna, Culture Club and Jessica Mauboy, this is a nostalgic, funny and gloriously queer trip through pop culture, music and fitness fads. All thanks to our wonderful guests Cameron Swann and Trevor Block.

The post From Shaking Weights to Madonna: A Queer Nostalgia Special appeared first on Still Here, Still Queer.

This week we interview Rowena Doo who is the Program lead for the Pride in Aging program at Switchboard and Daniel Bryen who is the Pride in Aging regional coordinator for the Gippsland Region.

Pride in Ageing is a program of Switchboard Victoria  and it’s goals are to reduce social isolation for older LGBTI+ people, tackle ageism & build long-term improvement and change for older LGBTI+ people.

Working with partners, community members and local organisations, Pride in Ageing will centre the experience and needs of older LGBTI+ people to design and help build our own sol...

This week we interview Ben Graham-Nellor who is the Director & a Financial Planner at Smart Happy Money. We talk about the wide range of financial matters which we must consider as we age using the lens of older LGBTIQA+ older people.

Smart Happy Money is an organisation which is passionate about helping people get ahead through careful planning, coaching and education. Whether you need a plan for your financial success or help getting a mortgage for your first home, we are here to help you reach your goal. Their advisers are not only highly experienced professionals — they’re a...

This week we interview Rowena Doo who is the Program lead for the Pride in Aging program at Switchboard and Merrin Wake who is the Pride in Aging regional coordinator for the Golden Plains Region.

Pride in Ageing is a program of Switchboard Victoria  and it’s goals are to reduce social isolation for older LGBTI+ people, tackle ageism & build long-term improvement and change for older LGBTI+ people.

Working with partners, community members and local organisations, Pride in Ageing will centre the experience and needs of older LGBTI+ people to design and help build our own...

Aging is universal — but in the LGBTIQA+ community, it carries its own rhythm. In this heartfelt and funny episode of Still Here, still Queer, Pete sits down with Phil Hinkins and Bartley McGowan to explore what it means to grow older while staying proudly queer. Together they talk about resilience, friendship, community, and how visibility changes with time — all sprinkled with stories, humour, and honesty.

Because no matter our age, we’re still here, still queer, and still fabulous.

The post Still Here, Still Queer: Growing Older, Growing Prouder appeared first on Still Here, Still Queer.

In this Episode of Still Here Still Queer we interview Michael Frommer (he/him) who is Ageing Policy and Research Lead at LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, Jo Alley (she/her) who is the Project Co-ordinator, Ageing and Aged Care at LGBTIQ+ Health Australia and Frances Mulcahy (she/her) who is an out and proud trans woman, a retired general practitioner, current researcher, educator, poet, and performer. Fran is also a member of the Silver Pride Advocacy Network, Living Experience Advocacy Panel. We talk about the Silver Pride Advocacy Network and the development of the Silver Pride Navigator which is to...

In this episode of Still Here Still Queer, we’re chatting about two awesome programs from Switchboard Victoria! We’re talking about their Pride in Aging Program and their Out & About program. Plus, we’ll be sharing the details about the next meeting of their Fifty Plus group, which is a fantastic collaboration with the Victorian Pride Centre.

The post INTERVIEW: Jenna Juke & Peter Naughton about Switchboard’s Pride in Ageing and Out & About Programs appeared first on Still Here, Still Queer.

Gillian and Phil’s guest on Episode 7 of Still Here, Still Queer is the wonderful Darren Johannesen. Darren is a longtime supporter of Joy 94.9FM,a passionate environmentalist and an entrepreneur. He currently serves as the Sustainability Lead at the peak body for the renewable energy industry.

In his personal life, he is married to Michael, a father of three and the custodian of a large garden and six chickens, as well as a big fan of John and Dolly!

Listen with love xx

The post Sustainability Superstar Darren Johannesen Vs Jo...

Hosts Gillian and Phil are joined by the wonderful Janie de Souza from Remedy Recruitment who shares some great tips for Still Here, Still Queer listeners finding it tough on the job market. Our resident personal trainer Trevor Block is also on hand to talk us through some simple exercises that to help dial down all the stress that goes with the often demoralising process of applying for jobs!

The post Looking For Work After 60 & Managing Stress appeared first on Still Here, Still Queer.

This week’s awesome SHSQ guest, Andrew Foster, shares his amazing life experience so far and the tough lessons he’s learned. After being rejected by his mother for being gay, Andrew faced the AIDS epidemic on the front line, nursing his dying partner and supporting our ravaged community through the physical and social horrors of the disease.

Now retired from his career in publishing and landscaping, he gets to devote more time to his lifelong love of painting.

The post “If we don’t help each other we’re f#*ked”: Andrew Foster. appea...

David Hunt of Friday Night Live and Sunday Arts Show on JOY steps out of his comfort zone as host and interviewer to become this week’s special guest on Still Here, Still Queer. Gillian takes the opportunity to dig into David’s illustrious past as a record company exec and celebrity minder and uncovers plenty of gold. From nightclubbing with music royalty and dress shopping with pop stars, to hobnobbing with novelists and hosting album launches at his house, his reputation as the party starter to the starters became legendary!

The post The Beatles, Bryan...

Henry, Gillian and Pete are joined by GP George Forgan-Smith and PT Trevor Block to discuss how we can stay fit and healthy enough to keep living our best lives. Hot tips include taking a “Farmer’s Walk” and an “Ass Class”! Next week we’re talking about breaking down ageism and we’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at stillherestillqueer@joy.org.au and listen in on Sundays at 6pm on JOY 94.9FM or online.

The post Still Here, Still Queer Ep 2: Let’s Get Physical appeared first on Still Here, Still Queer.

Still Here Still Queer is a weekly one-hour radio program & podcast that celebrates the voices, experiences, and resilience  of older LGBTIQA+ people. We aim to bring joy, spark curiosity, honour history, and build bridges across age groups in the queer community. In this first episode we introduce each of our hosting team – Henry, Gillian & Pete.

The post SHSQ – About Our Hosts – Henry, Gillian & Pete – Ep1 appeared first on Still Here, Still Queer.