Lesbians Ignite‪!‬

Introduction: Lesbophobia is a Social Disease - Jean Taylor


I have not included every single gathering, meeting, demo, rally, book launch or conference held during the 1990s. Those events I have included are mainly the ones of personal interest to myself and therefore necessarily lesbian-oriented and even then I have been extremely selective. And mainly those held here in Victoria even though there were many significant events held both interstate and overseas which I’ve also included. Despite the ridiculous rumour that we had entered a Post-Feminist era it would take another book and then some to describe everything that lesbians and radical feminists did and every significant womyn’s and Indigenous event that happened during the 1990s but hopefully this book cover most of them.

I am extremely grateful that the world-wide Women’s Liberation Movement, radical feminism and lesbian liberation manifested when they did. And that I have not only benefited from but have been able to contribute to helping to make this small part of the world a safer and more worthwhile place for lesbians to be out and proud within the context a country that always was and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.  


In the heart of this book, between chapters five and six, sort of like a centre fold only better, is Sarah Yeomans rollicking personal and political take on lesbian life in Melbourne during the 1990s.



I’d arrived in Melbourne in time for the second season of The Women’s Circus - Women and Work 1992 - directed by Donna Jackson. A magical swirling of bold costumes and striking faces in the famous white swimming caps. Grotesquely lit abseilers and acrobats on the factory walls outside. Such skill and daring and drama! So inspired was I that I joined the circus myself in 1994 on the techie crew for Death: The Musical. Big butch dykes taught me knots and fire drills and how to wire a lamp. Rehearsals were a dream because the musicians rehearsed simultaneously, and it was all very loud and brash and companionable. We were even given dinner first.   

Sarah Yeomans - Melbourne: A Cornucopia of Lesbian Delights


Like the first two books, Brazen Hussies and Stroppy Dykes, the third book of the trilogy, Lesbians Ignite! covers as many of the actions, conferences, marches, publications, musical and theatrical events that went on during the 1990s in Victoria and elsewhere as it was possible to fit into a book of this size.





About the Author: 



Jean Taylor is a radical lesbian feminist writer and activist based on Wurundjeri Country in Melbourne Australia. In between writing and going to collective meetings, Jean has worked as a nurse, a waitress, Student Welfare Officer, womyn’s refuge worker, tram driver, circus performer and director and archives custodian. And enjoys being a grandmother and travelling.    


Dyke Books Inc is a not-for-profit, lesbian feminist publishing venture which was established in 2008 with the aim of publishing writing by, for and about lesbians.