Cal dives into the intersection of kink, fetish, and health promotion within Melbourne’s queer community through The Laird Hotel’s long-standing Northside Bizarre event.
Laird Hotel owner Brett and community legend Tex discuss the evolution of safe sex messaging from early AIDS council campaigns to modern peer-based outreach methods.
We also get into the nitty gritty about how venues like pubs and clubs have historically functioned as informal health education spaces beyond traditional medical settings.
This year’s Northside Bizarre is set to be bigger and better than ever. Learn more and get involved here:
https://www.thorneharbour.org/get-involved/events/northside-bizarre-oct-2026
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Northside Bizarre returning after six year hiatus
02:30 – Early HIV prevention posters in queer venues and saunas
05:30 – The Protection campaign using porn industry images for education
10:00 – Taking over The Laird Hotel
15:00 – Peer outreach volunteers distributing safe sex packs at venues
19:00 – Kink and fetish scene health education and venue partnerships
23:30 – Northside Bizarre auction house and memorable moments
28:00 – Leather and Treasure – second hand gear sale origin story
35:30 – Initiative celebrating female bartenders at The Laird
40:30 – Final year auctioneer announcement
All chapter timecodes are approximate.
Want more Well Well Well?
Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.
If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au
Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org.
Produced by: Caleb Hawk, Jack Crnjanin