Premium Content:

RIOT: Damon Herriman on recreating the original Mardi Gras for ABC

As we approach the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, ABC will take us back to where it all began with their original telemovie RIOT.

- Advertisement -

Four decades of glitter and celebration didn’t have such simple beginnings, when years of discrimination and oppression came to a head in 1978 when police and the LGBTI+ community clashed on the streets of Sydney.

We caught up with Damon Herriman, who plays one of the original creators of the festival Lance Gowland, to find out what he learned filming the recreation of the events leading up to that fateful day.

“When doing the research I was shocked by the incredible amount of violence towards the LGBTQ community, not that there isn’t violence now but it was far more prevalent.

Herriman tells us he was surprised by how far Australia has come in the last 40 years, and is honoured to be able to pay tribute to those who have been there since the beginning – including activists Peter de Waal and his partner Peter “Bon” Bonsall-Boone, who sadly passed last year.

“You see in the show that Peter de Waal and Bon were featured on a current affairs program in the early ’70s and shared the first gay kiss on TV. It was such a brave thing to do and the majority of the LGBT community were keeping their love a secret.

“The really cool thing about the script that Greg Waters has written is that it could have been just about the protest but a good chunk of it is about the home lives and the personal relationships.”

“It’s not just about the fight, it’s about families and relationships and love. That’s what’s so beautiful about it.”

RIOT airs on ABC TV February 25th at 8:30pm, and will be available on ABC iView. 


Support OUTinPerth

Thanks for reading OUTinPerth. We can only create LGBTIQA+ focused media with your help.

If you can help support our work, please consider assisting us through a one-off contribution to our GoFundMe campaign, or a regular contribution through our Patreon appeal.

Become a Supporter→     Make a contribution→ 

Latest

Report details rise in anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric in global elections

Outright International is highlighting the prominence of anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric in political campaigns around the world.

Government announces funding support as WA Music Week kicks off

WA Music Week has a jam-packed program with more than 65 local acts across 13 venues.

The Whitlams and WASO team up for a symphonic performance

Australian indie rock legends The Whitlams are joining forces...

Pride Networking Drinks return for a spring edition

Mark the date in your diary.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Report details rise in anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric in global elections

Outright International is highlighting the prominence of anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric in political campaigns around the world.

Government announces funding support as WA Music Week kicks off

WA Music Week has a jam-packed program with more than 65 local acts across 13 venues.

The Whitlams and WASO team up for a symphonic performance

Australian indie rock legends The Whitlams are joining forces...

Pride Networking Drinks return for a spring edition

Mark the date in your diary.

Unconfirmed reports offer insight into Tyler Robinson’s personal life

There are reports claiming the man who is accused of shooting influencer Charlie Kirk was in a relationship with a person who is transgender.

Report details rise in anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric in global elections

Outright International is highlighting the prominence of anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric in political campaigns around the world.

Government announces funding support as WA Music Week kicks off

WA Music Week has a jam-packed program with more than 65 local acts across 13 venues.

The Whitlams and WASO team up for a symphonic performance

Australian indie rock legends The Whitlams are joining forces with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) for a special performance of their renowned symphobic...