Northside Bizarre Returns To The Laird

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 [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Caleb Hawk, Jack Crnjanin