Have you heard about the Pink Bans of the 1970s?

Learn about this little-recorded aspect of Australian history with comics-journalist, cartoonist and 2023 Friends Creative Arts Fellow Sam Wallman.

The Pink Bans were industrial work stoppages carried out by unionised construction workers in support of persecuted queer people back in the 1970s. These industrial actions are significant because they took place prior to the emergence of the mainstream gay rights movement.

I am interested in this chapter of history because of my political orientation, my sexuality, my day job, and the focus of my art practice. I also think the Pink Bans are worth reflecting upon because they subvert the unthinking, incorrect stereotype of blue-collar workers as inherently backward or reactionary.

I was researching a topic about which quite little has been recorded, so the fact that the Library holds such diverse collections made the fellowship very appealing. I felt as if I might be able to uncover new information in the collections, to join some dots.

The Library does not just hold formal publications, but also personal letters, diaries, artworks, oral histories, and all matter of ephemera. It was pretty profound to look through the personal papers of Bob Pringle, a central figure in the Pink Bans. I felt as if I was almost in dialogue with him through space and time. I loved reading about how the solidarity between the different marginalised groups flowed back and forth, zig-zagging and crisscrossing.

Equally, the luxury of having time, space and pro-active support from the librarians, to go deep down a portal of your choosing - it’s very special.

I would encourage everyone to apply. You don’t have to be an academic or an established artist or writer. The Library wants to bring different kinds of people into the fold - the Library belongs to all of us, quite literally.