A time-travelling, gender-bending classic brought to life on rollerskates
Nearly 100 years since it was written, a team of young theatre-makers re-imagine Virginia Woolf's gender-bending classic, Orlando.
Mon Schafter
Mon Schafter (they/she) is a Walkley Award-winning journalist who leads the content for ABCQueer, the ABC's home of stories and advice for young LGBTQIA+ Australians.
An experienced presenter and reporter, Mon has hosted the Mardi Gras parade on ABC TV, the ABC’s Innies + Outies podcast featuring uniquely Australian stories about coming out and staying in, and has told countless stories for the 7.30 program and comedic current affairs show Hungry Beast.
Mon has interviewed Hollywood's biggest names including Jodie Foster and Margot Robbie, human rights pioneers like former High Court Justice Michael Kirby, and LGBTQIA+ trailblazers such as non-binary author and Olympian Casey Legler, and Mercury Prize-winning musician Anohni — not to mention hundreds of everyday Australians with fascinating stories.
Mon created the ABC’s cross-generational series, OK Boomer, OK Zoomer, and in 2020 was named as one of Australia's Outstanding 50 LGBTQI+ Leaders in the 'Out50' report.
Latest by Mon Schafter
Queer history-maker at peace with her dark past
A year after coming out, Kate Rowe was bashed and jailed for taking part in the first Mardi Gras. Today the 74-year-old shares her survival tips.
Why this artist will never bring her band to Australia again
Whenever Anohni brings her powerful and beautiful voice to Australia, she wants to use it for good.
Trans people have always been here — two generations talk about what's changed
From transgender rights to gender euphoria, 71-year-old trans liberation pioneer Dr Jess Hooley and 23-year-old musician and trans man Flynn Sant (aka flowerkid) compare being trans in the past and present.
What happens when a young lesbian meets the elder who marched for her rights?
From protesting for LGBT rights in the first Mardi Gras to coming out on YouTube, broadcaster Julie McCrossin, 70, and YouTuber Lauren Elloise, 27, talk about being a lesbian in the past and present.
'Everyone laughed': 77 per cent of young LGBTQ Australians experienced sexual harassment at work
Most research and policy discussions on workplace sexual harassment focus on cisgender heterosexual women, but a landmark study has found most young LGBTQ people, particularly those with a disability, are being sexually harassed in the workplace.
'We were freaking gorgeous': How Wicked Women captured lesbian sexuality in the late 80s
In the 1980s, two young Sydneysiders came across a women-run erotica magazine from San Francisco aimed at lesbians and were inspired to create something for their own community.
'Where will I belong if I don't see myself reflected?' Photographer trains lens on older trans folk
Older trans and gender-diverse folk share their life stories for a new book from young trans photographer Marlo W.
Dom runs a dance academy encouraging people be their true selves – it's an ethos he lives by
Dom Tulleken runs a dance academy for people with a disability. He encourages people to be their true selves — an ethos he lives by.
Dance roles not gender roles: How Dance Life star Archer is forging her own career path
One of the stars of Prime Video's docuseries Dance Life is non-binary dancer Archer, who is creating her own space in the gendered world of dance.
When Robyn saw the news camera flash, she knew this photo would come back to haunt her
What began one night in June, 1978, with a large crowd of partygoers ended in fear, arrests and brutal violence. This is an immersive 3D retelling of Australia's first Mardi Gras.
The 'revelation' that changed Hannah Gadsby's life
After decades of trying to "feel normal", comedian Hannah Gadsby is embracing her biology — and audiences love her for it.
Instagram pronoun option welcomed by trans and gender-diverse community
Non-binary comedian Chris Lani-McAllister is one of the many thousands of social media users to add gender pronouns to their Instagram profile.
'It's what's between our ears, not what's between our legs'
There might be a rainbow walkway on the foreshore but a stoush over access to a women's bath at Coogee Beach highlights the choppy waters transgender people can suddenly face in New South Wales.
'Sport is a fundamental right for all Australians': Transgender athletes welcome inclusion guidelines
Eight peak Australian sporting bodies have unveiled guidelines for the inclusion for transgender people in their sports.
'What cost?' Andrew Bogut questions NBA's backdown over support for Hong Kong protesters
Australian basketball superstar Andrew Bogut criticises the NBA's stance on China and the protests in Hong Kong, saying the US sporting organisation is putting profit before principle.
Campbell sisters believe Shayna Jack did not take banned substance on purpose
Australian swimmers Bronte and Cate Campbell have spoken out in support of fellow swimmer Shayna Jack, saying they believe she is not at fault for testing positive to a banned substance and that the treatment of her by the media has been "despicable".
Folau comments 'awful', says Australia's only openly gay male professional footballer
Andy Brennan, the first male professional Australian football player to come out while still playing, condemns Israel Folau's comments but vows not to let "negativity win".
A self-taught violinist's incredible journey from war-torn Syria to a Sydney orchestra
Aboud Kaplo has a unique relationship with his violin. After fleeing war-torn Syria with his family for a safer and more prosperous life in Australia, the 16-year-old has dreams of one day being a famous violinist.
Cronulla riot 'hero' Craig Campbell still paying the price 13 years on
Craig Campbell was hailed for saving two young men from an angry mob during the Cronulla riots — but it ended up costing him his career.
Meet the heart transplant pioneer helping close the Indigenous life-expectancy gap
Despite a high profile and international reputation, Professor Peter Macdonald is working quietly to improve the health of Australia's Indigenous population.
'Find your own way': Mardi Gras pioneer's advice for Sydney teen who's terrified of coming out
Hugh is 15 and afraid the people at his school will find out he is gay. Peter Murphy almost died 40 years ago when he was bashed at the first Sydney Mardi Gras. When the two meet, they discover they have a lot in common.
'I'll never do a job as hard as this again': How Ramsay St prepared Robbie for Hollywood
Margot Robbie spent three years on Australian soap Neighbours from the age of 17, but she believes it was the best training ground she could have for working in Hollywood.
Meet Alice in Wonderland, an Indigenous AFL-playing tomboy
Dubs Yunipingu is helping put a fresh spin on Lewis Caroll's classic tale. For the first time, the heroine is being played by a "proud Indigenous woman" — and that's just the first twist on the story.
'Couldn't pay $300 rent when my pension's $280': Growing number of elderly facing homelessness
After falling into debt 30 years ago, 81-year-old Lee Blake was forced to sell her home and has been living on and off the streets ever since.