Somewhere under the rainbow

Celebrating LGBTQIA+ love stories.
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When you’re researching historical romances, you'll notice a glaringly obvious gap in LGBTQIA+ representation. Attitudes of the time – not to mention the law –  prevented many of these stories from being collected or shared. Others could only be told once all parties had passed. 

In 1975, South Australia became the first state in Australia to decriminalise homosexuality. There was a 22-year gap between this historic event and when the last state in Australia to decriminalised it – Tasmania on 1 May 1997. We’ve used Trove to research and celebrate the lives and love of three historical LGBTQIA+ couples. You can also discover more historical power couples in this Trove blog.

Passion projects 

David McDiarmid and Peter Tully at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. They are appearing with a large novelty can of camp pie.
Yang, William. David McDiarmid and Peter Tully, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, 1987, nla.obj-136859667 

Peter Tully and David McDiarmid were both talented artists, gay activists, and a powerful couple until Peter’s early death at age 44 in 1992. David died shortly after in 1995. 

Peter was a jeweller and costume designer who had the opportunity to showcase a few of his incredible designs at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. One design is shown below in a photograph taken by William Yang at the 1981 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. 

Peter Tully at the Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Yang, William. (1981). Peter Tully, Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, 1981, nla.obj-136860307

David’s art involved intricate wall hangings and collages where he was able to celebrate the gay community. There was a wonderful, shared sense of freedom and celebration in their work even though the laws at the time still hadn’t decriminalised homosexuality. You can read more about a couple of their joint projects in this 1978 article in The Australian Jewish Times. The Powerhouse Museum – a Trove Partner – holds many artworks by Peter in their collection. View the digitised versions of these works on Trove. 
 

Clothing designs inspired by Luna Park.
HAD YOU EVER THOUGHT OF WEARING LUNA PARK? (1980, November 5). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 2., nla.news-article51772979

The vibrant costumes above were a joint project between David, Peter and a few other talented artists. David helped hand paint the fabric while Peter created the jewellery. Much like the jewellery and outfit on this project, in life Peter and David perfectly complimented each other.

For my Valentine 

A news article about Sylvia Townsend Warner with a large black and white photo.
Sylvia Townsend Warner. (1939, April 22). The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), p. 7, nla.news-article46384710

Sylvia Townsend Warner and Valentine Ackland (who also went by Molly Turpin) were both English writers and poets in the early 20th century. They were also romantic partners. A play was written about their powerful and at times painful relationship which you can read about in this December 1992 edition of Lesbians on the Loose. A book called I'll stand by you: selected letters of Sylvia Townsend Warner and Valentine Ackland was released in 1998 with edits by Susanna Pinney. It shares some of deeply profound letters between the two women that could never be shared during their lifetimes. 

Valentine was known to often adopt what was considered a masculine appearance in the 1920s. This 1934 Sydney Morning Herald article even mistakenly identified Valentine as ‘Mr’ when discussing the women’s collaboration on a book of poetry. 

A poem written by Sylvia and Valentine in the newspaper.
POETS ANONYMOUS. (1934, May 12). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 10, nla.news-article17071652
 

Sylvia developed a devoted fan base long after her death with The Sylvia Townsend Warner Society forming in 2000. Her popular works include Lolly Willowes, Mr Fortune’s Maggot and The Corner That Held Them. 

It would be incredible to see what these two very talented writers and poets could have achieved in a more progressive time.

A love story 

Patrick and Manoly sitting an outdoor table. Manoly has a dog on his lap.
Yang, William. (1989). Patrick White and Manoly Lascaris, Martin Road, Sydney, 1989, nla.obj-152639200

Patrick White was an England-born Australian author who won Australia’s first Nobel Prize in Literature in 1973. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1940 and served in the Middle East, North Africa and Greece. In Alexandria he met Manoly Lascaris, who became his life partner and confidante until his death in 1990. 

Patrick published twelve novels including Happy Valley, The Living and the Dead and Voss (which was later adapted into an opera). In this notebook of Patrick’s you can discover early versions of material from a few of his popular titles. 

A newspaper article on Patrick and Manoly opening the first Schnauzer kennel in Australia.
In town with andrea (1950, March 12). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 41,  nla.news-article230168691

They faced the usual secrecy with their relationship. Even as late as 1973 in this Hemisphere article Manoly is referred to as ‘a Greek friend’ of Patrick’s. However, Manoly later received credit for being a calming influence on Patrick who was rumoured to be at times a volatile personality. Their decades long romance and companionship is something that we can still celebrate.

Calling on our Voluntroves

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