Wear it Purple 2022 - Human Library (Warrnambool)

Keep your face towards the sun

Alecia Bellgrove (She/her/hers)

I am an ally, a mother, aunt and step-sister of three gorgeous people who identify as gay/lesbian. An extroverted lover of life, with a strong social-justice compass who has always been on the side of the underdog. A marine biologist, drawn in by a discovery of the incredible diversity and beauty of life in our oceans.

I feel a range of emotions that are difficult to express, when I think about how far the fight for LGBTQI+ rights has come. I look at the life of Magda Szubanski, who is just eight years older than me, and am incredibly saddened by challenges she experienced growing up at that time. Where being anything other than straight carried with it so many negative connotations that people were scared to be their true selves. Yet, I am inspired by her braveness to use her public status to eventually become a vocal advocate for LGBTQI+ rights and to dramatically change the landscape for children growing up queer within a single generation.

Come and get to know me. It is by sharing stories that we can understand others, and challenge our own views on life and how we choose to live ours.

Sonnets for a Pirate Cat

Paul Venzo (He/Him)

My name is Paul, I’m a Doctor of Philosophy, and I live in southwest Victoria with my canine friend Ginger; a two-year-old Aussie terrier who looks like a little fox.

My career has included work in radio and as a lecturer, and I now teach children’s literature at Deakin. I am a children’s book author and a poet, and I often write about my home-away-from-home in Venice, Italy. I love to sing and perform too, and you can find some of my work on Spotify. My latest role was the pirate cat Growltiger in a local theatre production of Cats, in which I sang an Italian aria.

Being present during the infamous police raid on the Tasty nightclub in Melbourne in 1994, I am keenly aware of the importance of preserving and sharing queer history and experience. If you borrow my book, I look forward to sharing some of my story with you.

Want to hear more about Paul and his work?

Here is a link to a picture book Paul has co-wrote https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/8042/

And his album on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/1l2icL2F0YHrdXKK8cOuhq