Queer Goldfields

Queer GoldfieldsQueer GoldfieldsQueer Goldfields
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    • Lesbian Collection
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    • Trans and Gender Diverse
    • Intersex Collection
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    • Asexual Collection
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    • Famous LGBTIQA+ People
    • Bushranger Collection
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    • Art Collection
    • Memorials and Objects
    • LGBTIQ+Places & objects
    • Collections by location
    • Bibliography

Queer Goldfields

Queer GoldfieldsQueer GoldfieldsQueer Goldfields
  • Home
  • About
  • Lesbian Collection
  • Gay Collection
  • Bisexuality Collection
  • Trans and Gender Diverse
  • Intersex Collection
  • Queer Collection
  • Asexual Collection
  • Drag Collection
  • Gender Affirming Care
  • Famous LGBTIQA+ People
  • Bushranger Collection
  • Gold Miner Collection
  • Art Collection
  • Memorials and Objects
  • LGBTIQ+Places & objects
  • Collections by location
  • Bibliography

Uncover Untold Stories

Uncover Untold StoriesUncover Untold StoriesUncover Untold Stories

Uncover Untold Stories

Uncover Untold StoriesUncover Untold StoriesUncover Untold Stories

THE hidden histories of LGBTIQA+ people in Victoria

Welcome to the Queer Goldfields project, uncovering the hidden histories of LGBTIQA+ people on the Victorian Goldfields. An online archive, Queer Goldfields is a collaboration between the City of Ballarat and Federation University. 


On this website we present Victorian newspaper articles from 1800-1900 about people who can be viewed through an LGBTIQA+ lens. 


From famous LGBTIQA+ people such as the gay bushranger Captain Moonlite, Bendigo trans man Edward De Lacey Evans or queer icon Lola Montez to less well known people such as poet and bisexual Lesbia Harford, cook and trans man Fredrick Wilson or trans woman Joey Hanslow, we present over 300 articles showcasing LGBTIQA+ people from the 19th century. 


While the primary focus of this project is on people in Victoria from 1800-1900, it is important to recognise that people on the goldfields were also exposed to stories about LGBTIQA+ people interstate and overseas through the newspapers. Learning about different sexualities and genders helps people understand their own, and helps them feel less alone in the world. So including articles they might have read about similar people in other places was important in this project too.  


The Queer Goldfields collection is broken up into various categories of gender, sexualities and locations, which you can find below. Please note, most articles appear in several categories. 


We have also included both contemporary and modern artworks based on the people you'll find on these pages. When a subject like LGBTIQA+ people's very existence is taboo, the arts gives society a safe place to talk about, share and discover LGBTIQA+ stories and people. 


Queer Goldfields is a project by the City of Ballarat in association with Federation University.


Trigger warning - some of the articles recorded here can use quite abusive language towards seemingly LGBTIQA+ people, as well as racism towards First Nations people and other cultures. If this triggers anything for you, please see the footer at the bottom of every page for places you can go for help. 

 The City of Ballarat acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work on, the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Please note, this website contains the names and photos of people who have passed away.

Queer Goldfields collections

Lesbian Collection

Bisexuality Collection

Lesbian Collection

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Gay Collection

Bisexuality Collection

Lesbian Collection

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Bisexuality Collection

Bisexuality Collection

Trans and Gender Diverse Collection

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Trans and Gender Diverse Collection

Trans and Gender Diverse Collection

Trans and Gender Diverse Collection

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Intersex Collection

Trans and Gender Diverse Collection

Intersex Collection

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Queer Collection

Trans and Gender Diverse Collection

Intersex Collection

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Asexual Collection

Famous LGBTIQA+ People Collection

Asexual Collection

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Drag Collection

Famous LGBTIQA+ People Collection

Asexual Collection

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Famous LGBTIQA+ People Collection

Famous LGBTIQA+ People Collection

Famous LGBTIQA+ People Collection

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Other categories

Bushranger Collection

Bushranger Collection

Bushranger Collection

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Gold Miner Collection

Bushranger Collection

Bushranger Collection

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Art Collection

Heritage Victoria's 'A History of LGBTIQ+ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects'

Memorials, Objects and Gravestones Collection

 A collection of artworks, both contemporary and current, that are directly inspired by the people and stories that are on this website 

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Memorials, Objects and Gravestones Collection

Heritage Victoria's 'A History of LGBTIQ+ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects'

Memorials, Objects and Gravestones Collection

Sites and locations for gravestones and memorials of people featured in this project as well as objects they owned and used as collected by museums 

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Heritage Victoria's 'A History of LGBTIQ+ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects'

Heritage Victoria's 'A History of LGBTIQ+ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects'

Heritage Victoria's 'A History of LGBTIQ+ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects'

 In March 2021 Heritage Victoria published A History of LGBTIQ+ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects after commissioning this study from the Australian Queer Archives (AQuA). Some of these objects and places are featured as part of Queer Goldfields. 

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Stories broken down by Locations

Ballarat Collection

Victorian Collection

Victorian Collection

Articles about people living and working in Ballarat

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Victorian Collection

Victorian Collection

Victorian Collection

Articles about people living and working in Victorian  

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Australian Collection (outside Victoria)

Articles about people living and working around Australia. 

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International Collection

Articles about people from around the world.

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Banner image: Bush scene, three women panning for gold [location unknown] c.1855-1910 State Library Victoria, H81.23/9.  URL:http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/95365

Copyright © 2024 Queer Goldfields - All Rights Reserved.


Need support? 

QLife on 1800 184 527 or qlife.org.au/get-help 3pm-midnight every day. 

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76 or 13yarn.org.au

  • About
  • Lesbian Collection
  • Gay Collection
  • Bisexuality Collection
  • Trans and Gender Diverse
  • Intersex Collection
  • Queer Collection
  • Asexual Collection
  • Famous LGBTIQA+ People
  • Art Collection

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