This canapé pays tribute to Norrie May-Welby – a non-binary trailblazer whose 2014  legal victory reshaped how Australia defines gender. 

Born in Scotland and raised in Australia, Norrie has long challenged restrictive ideas  about identity. In 2010, after undergoing medical transition, Norrie sought legal  recognition not as male or female, but as non-specific. The NSW Registry of Births,  Deaths and Marriages initially issued, then rescinded, a certificate recognising this  status – triggering a years-long legal battle that reached the High Court. 

In a landmark 2014 ruling, the High Court found that the law did allow for sex to be  recorded as something other than male or female. Norrie became the first person in  Australia to be legally recognised as non-binary, setting a precedent that rippled across  government systems, advocacy spaces, and everyday conversations. 

More than a legal win, Norrie's case opened doors for gender-diverse people to be  recognised on their own terms. It also forced institutions to confront the limitations of  binary thinking and begin making space for everyone. 

This layered, thoughtful bite honours that legacy: a reminder that identity isn’t either/or,  it can be both/and, neither, or entirely beyond. 

Reference:

Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory [2013] HCA 55; 250 CLR 441. Available at: https://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases/case_s273-2013

This canapé is dedicated to Corey Trembath – a proud Koori transmasc advocate whose  work has helped transform Australian schools and communities into safer, more  affirming environments for LGBTQIA+ youth. 

Corey has been a vocal leader in LGBTQIA+ inclusion in education, particularly through  his involvement with Wear It Purple, where he has shared his lived experience to uplift  queer and trans students navigating school systems that often overlook or exclude  them. His advocacy has focused on visibility, empowerment, and changing culture from  the inside out – helping schools move beyond tolerance and toward genuine inclusion. 

As a Koori man, Corey brings an intersectional lens to his work, reminding us that First  Nations queer and trans youth deserve not just to survive, but to thrive in spaces where  their full identities are recognised and celebrated. Through mentorship, training, and  public storytelling, Corey continues to pave the way for a future where every young  person can feel proud, safe, and seen. 

This dish honours Corey’s commitment to justice, care, and cultural pride.

Reference:

Wear It Purple (n.d.) Corey Trembath. Available at: https://www.wearitpurple.org/corey trembath

This skewer celebrates Hannah Mouncey, a powerhouse athlete and advocate who has  brought international attention to the fight for trans inclusion in sport. 

A former member of Australia's national men's handball team, Hannah publicly  transitioned in 2016. When she sought to continue her sporting career in the women’s  Australian Rules Football league, she faced intense scrutiny and exclusion under the  AFL’s gender policies. Despite meeting all the physical and hormonal requirements set  by international sport, Hannah was initially barred from competing in the AFLW draft. 

Rather than step back, Hannah spoke out. Her story sparked national debate and  exposed the deeply entrenched barriers that trans women face in sport. With resilience  and integrity, she continues to advocate for fairer and more inclusive sporting policies – not just for herself, but for future generations of trans and gender-diverse athletes. 

This bold, balanced dish recognises Hannah’s strength, courage, and unwavering pride  on and off the field. 

Reference:

ABC News (2018) Hannah Mouncey opens up on AFL ban and the impact on her mental  health. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-26/hannah-mouncey transgender-athlete-aflw-ban-handball-champion/9801956

This fritter honours Lyn Allison, a trailblazer in Australian politics who brought intellect,  integrity and visibility to the Senate during her time as a federal representative for  Victoria. 

Elected in 1996 and later becoming leader of the Australian Democrats, Lyn was one of  the first openly lesbian politicians to serve in federal parliament. She was a strong,  principled voice for evidence-based policy, equality, and social justice. 

Throughout her political career, Lyn championed science and environmental  protection, pushing for stronger action on climate change long before it was politically  popular. She was a passionate advocate for publicly funded healthcare, education  reform, and reproductive rights, and stood firm on issues of civil liberties and LGBTQIA+  inclusion. 

Lyn’s work in Parliament showed how being openly queer in politics wasn’t a liability,  but a strength. Her leadership inspired others and helped lay the groundwork for a more  inclusive and compassionate future. 

Reference

Parliament of Australia. (n.d.). Former Senator Lyn Allison. Australian Parliament  House. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=1M6

This canapé pays tribute to Carlotta – a dazzling performer, proud trans woman, and  one of the most iconic figures in Australian queer history. 

Carlotta rose to fame as the headliner of Les Girls, the legendary drag revue that lit up  Kings Cross from the 1960s onwards. Glamorous, witty, and unapologetically herself,  she captivated audiences night after night – showing that trans women could be centre  stage, not hidden in the shadows. 

Her impact didn’t stop at cabaret. In the 1970s and beyond, Carlotta became one of the  first trans entertainers to appear openly on Australian television, including roles  on Beauty and the Beast and Good Morning Australia. At a time when gender diversity  was largely erased from mainstream media, her bold and brilliant presence brought  visibility to living rooms across the country. 

Carlotta’s legacy is one of fierce authenticity, trailblazing visibility, and unapologetic  glamour. She continues to inspire generations with her humour, resilience and pride. 

References:

• National Portrait Gallery – Carlotta, Kings Cross, Les Girls: https://www.portrait.gov.au/portraits/2006.68/carlotta-kings-cross-les girls
• Facebook – Carlotta Entertainer: https://www.facebook.com/CarlottaEntertainer/

Shawnah Cady (they/them) is the resident MC and food & bev angel at Queer Food – and one of the people who helped shape it from the ground up. A proud Djabugandji  and Kaurareg person, Shawnah brings cultural power, performance energy, and deep  care into every Queer Food space. 

They’ve been part of Queer Food since day zero – not just serving plates or setting vibes,  but helping build a vision where First Nations, queer and trans people lead. Whether  hyping the crowd, plating in the back, or holding space at the front, Shawnah brings  fierce presence and unshakeable heart. 

Beyond Queer Food, Shawnah is the Director of Rainbow Mob, an Indigenous-led  organisation uplifting queer and trans mob across the ACT and surrounds. Through  cultural connection, advocacy and youth support, they’re creating safer, more vibrant  futures – one glittery step at a time. 

This dish honours Shawnah’s saltwater ancestry. Tuna – strong, bold, and deeply tied to  the ocean, evokes the traditions and lifeways of Djabugay and Kaurareg Country, where  food is woven into identity, belonging, and story.

Reference 

Cady, S. (2018, December 13). I am a non-binary Indigenous drag queen. And I’m raising  my voice. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-13/i-am-a-non-binary indigenous-drag-queen/10606482

This dish pays tribute to Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo, a trailblazing general practitioner and  fierce advocate for trans and queer health equity in Australia. 

Dr Soo is one of the first openly transgender GPs in the country and has spent over 20  years providing care to some of the most marginalised members of the community – including people living with HIV, people who use drugs, and LGBTQIA+ people seeking  gender-affirming healthcare. Based in Canberra, her approach to medicine has always  been grounded in compassion, dignity, and respect for lived experience. 

In 2021, Dr Soo made national headlines when she returned her Order of Australia  Medal – an honour she had received for her decades of service – in protest of the  decision to award the same honour to Margaret Court, a former tennis player known for  her vocal opposition to LGBTQIA+ rights. 

In a statement, Dr Soo explained that she could not in good conscience keep the award  when it was shared with someone whose public views caused “great harm to LGBTIQ 

people.” Her action was not only deeply personal, but a public stand for integrity,  justice, and the values she upholds in every part of her work. 

Through her medical practice, community advocacy, and principled protest, Dr Clara  Tuck Meng Soo continues to be a quiet force for change – showing that healing and  resistance often walk hand in hand. 

Reference: 

Knaus, C. (2021, January 24). Canberra doctor returns OAM in protest against Margaret  Court’s Australia Day honour. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01- 24/canberra-doctor-returns-oam-in-protest-against-margaret-court/13086694

This dish is a tribute to Jenni Atkinson – a proud trans woman and one of Canberra’s  most enduring and beloved advocates for trans, intersex, and asexual people. 

Jenni’s legacy is rooted in care – not the kind that grabs headlines, but the kind that  shows up every week, brings extra food, makes sure the shy kid feels welcome, and  helps build structures that last. She was deeply involved in the transformation of A  

Gender Agenda (AGA) from 2009 onwards, as it evolved from a grassroots collective  into a cornerstone of support for Canberra’s gender-diverse communities. With new  funding, a permanent home in Lyneham, and a growing calendar of events, Jenni helped  shape AGA’s famous community dinners – turning them into spaces of nourishment,  connection, and care. 

She often brought food to share, with spicy buffalo wings and blue cheese dressing  among her favourites – a nod to her time living in the United States before moving to  Australia. Her food was always served with laughter, stories, and deep commitment to  making sure everyone felt they had a place. 

Beyond AGA, Jenni was a founding member of TranzAustralia, a YouTube collective  amplifying trans voices long before mainstream visibility. Today, she runs her own  consultancy, delivering trans awareness training across schools, workplaces, charities,  and faith-based organisations. She continues to play a crucial role in reshaping how  Australian institutions engage with gender-diverse communities – always with warmth,  pragmatism, and a quiet determination. 

Jenni’s life and work reflect a broader history of trans advocacy in Australia – the kind  detailed in Transgender Australia: A History Since 1910 by Noah Riseman. Her story is  part of a century-long movement of resistance, visibility, and community-building that  continues today. 

References: 

• A Gender Agenda: https://genderrights.org.au 
• HerCanberra – The Moment: Jenni Atkinson: https://hercanberra.com.au/life/people/the-moment-jenni-atkinson/
• Transgender Australia: A History Since 1910 – Noah Riseman (2023) 

A nod to 19th-century trans history, this canapé honours Edward De Lacy Evans, one of  the first known trans men in Australia. Born in Ireland and migrating to Victoria in the  1850s, Evans lived and worked as a man during the gold rush era, taking up roles as a  miner, labourer, and horse-breaker. He married three times, lived openly as a husband,  and was widely accepted in his communities. 

In 1879, after collapsing at work, Evans was hospitalised, forcibly undressed, and  outed. His identity was sensationalised in the press, and he was admitted at the Kew  Asylum. Pamphlets such as The History of a Confession turned his life into public  spectacle, fuelling voyeuristic curiosity rather than care. 

This dish reclaims Edward’s story with dignity – not as a curiosity, but as a testament to  trans resilience. His life stands as an early, powerful reminder that trans people have  always been part of this continent’s story – living, loving, and working in the face of  erasure. 

Reference: 

Tremaye, E. (1880). The History of a Confession: Ellen Tremaye, alias Edward De Lacy  Evans, Man-Woman. Melbourne: Royal Lane; Record Office, Emerald Hill. Printed by  Wm. Marshall, Lowmett's Office. 

Dreger, A. (2013, December 4). The Curing of Australia’s First Transgender Man. The  Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/12/the-curing-of-australia s-first-transgender-man/282447/

This canapé honours Andrew Barr, a trailblazing politician and advocate who made  history as Australia’s first openly gay head of government. 

Barr has served as the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) since  2014, bringing a bold, progressive vision to the territory while openly embracing his  identity. His leadership has transformed Canberra into one of the most inclusive and welcoming cities in the country. 

Under his tenure, the ACT became the first jurisdiction in Australia to legalise same-sex  marriage (briefly, in 2013, before federal law overruled it) and has consistently led the  nation on LGBTQIA+ policy reform – from anti-discrimination protections to inclusive  education and support for gender-diverse communities. 

Barr's visibility and authenticity as a gay leader have helped pave the way for greater  representation in politics, showing that identity and public service not only coexist, but  can strengthen one another. 

This dish celebrates leadership that is open, proud, and committed to building a more  equal future. 

Reference: 

ABC News. (2011, October 12). Barr becomes first openly gay head of government in  Australia. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-12/barr-first-openly gay-government-leader/3553746

This breakfast scroll pays tribute to Paulie Higgisson, the founder of Tilley’s Devine Café  Gallery, a feminist café and queer-friendly institution that has been part of Canberra’s  cultural fabric since 1984. 

Paulie is a visual artist, activist, and chef who used her voice and venue to build space  for community. Under her guidance, Tilley’s became the long-standing host of the Big  Gay Breakfast, one of the most cherished events of Canberra’s SpringOUT Festival. These gatherings brought people together in radical joy – where drag queens, activists,  public servants, and chosen families shared food, stories, and solidarity. 

Paulie’s legacy is one of warm defiance and radical welcome – a reminder that food can  be both protest and comfort. This scroll is made in that spirit: unapologetically queer,  handmade with care, and best shared in good company.

Reference:

Region Media. (2024). Five minutes with Paulie Higgisson, Tilley’s Café. https://region.com.au/five-minutes-with-paulie-higgisson-tilleys-cafe/668188/

This dish is a tribute to Isis Avis Loren – a Melbourne-based drag artist whose poise,  performance, and politics captured the hearts of audiences across the world. As the  first Aussie winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, Isis brought more than just style  and lip-syncs – she brought fierce advocacy, trans solidarity, and a deep respect for the  queer elders and traditions that shaped her. 

With her signature blend of classic showgirl elegance, camp wit, and unshakeable  conviction, Isis used the Drag Race stage to platform the need for genuine inclusion in  drag, especially for trans and gender-diverse artists. She reminded global audiences  that drag has always been political – born in defiance, shaped by protest, and deeply  connected to community. 

Her victory was more than a crown – it was a celebration of queer resilience, Australian  drag history, and the power of speaking truth in sequins. These brunch quiches are a  nod to the vintage brunch glamour she embodied: bold, refined, and ready to serve. 

Reference:

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under Season 3 (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14192040/episodes/?season=3

This lamb roll pays tribute to Jason Ball – a courageous athlete, advocate, and  changemaker who made history as the first openly gay male player in Australian Rules  Football. 

In 2012, while playing for Yarra Glen in Victoria, Jason came out publicly, breaking a  silence that had lingered in the AFL for generations. At the time, homophobia was still  rife in sport – both on the field and in the locker room. Jason's decision to live openly  wasn't just personal; it was political. By naming the silence, he opened the door for  thousands of LGBTQIA+ players and fans to feel seen, heard, and safe. 

Since then, Jason has become one of Australia's most respected voices for inclusion in  sport. He launched a national petition calling on the AFL to take stronger action against  homophobia, leading to the league's first-ever Pride Game in 2016. He has also worked  with schools, mental health organisations, and sporting clubs across the country to  

build cultures of acceptance and equality. 

This hearty roll – bold, grounded, and satisfying – honours Jason's ongoing work to make  sport a place where everyone belongs. 

Reference: 

Jason Ball: https://www.jasonball.com.au/

This dish pays tribute to John Ware and Christabel Poll, the courageous pair who co founded CAMP (Campaign Against Moral Persecution) in 1970 – Australia’s first public  organisation for LGBTQIA+ rights. 

At a time when homosexuality was still criminalised, and queer people were routinely  shamed, arrested, or institutionalised, John and Christabel took an extraordinary risk.  They didn’t just form a group – they put their full names and faces to it, fronting a feature  in The Australian with the headline: “Homosexuals in Society – The New Society.” 

It was a moment of radical visibility. Their public coming out sparked outrage,  headlines, and threats – but it also sparked a movement. CAMP gave queer Australians  a voice, a meeting place, a political framework, and a sense of community. 

Over time, CAMP inspired offshoots across the country, led protests, published Camp  Ink (Australia’s first gay rights magazine), and laid the groundwork for events like Mardi  Gras. 

This dish is a tribute to that fearless beginning – bold, defiant, and full of care. Because  of John and Christabel’s bravery, queer activism in Australia found a name, a face, and  a future. 

Reference: 

City Hub. (2022, March 3). CAMP: Where it all began. Retrieved from https://cityhub.com.au/camp-where-it-all-began/

In the 1970s, Canberra’s queer community carved out space in a city not yet ready to  see them. Club 19 was founded in 1974 as one of the ACT’s first gay social clubs,  providing a rare safe haven for queer connection and resistance. Among its founding  figures was John Anderson, a quiet but determined community organiser. He designed  the original Club 19 flyers and newsletters. 

Club 19 was created to be a queer group that was less focused on being political and  more on be a social club. John’s work helped foster a sense of identity and belonging in  at a time when creating connections in the community was fraught with fear of  criminalisation and stigma. In later years, Club 19 supported AIDS advocacy, helped  run queer film screenings, and served drinks at national queer conferences. Though the  club eventually folded in the 1990s, John’s and all the member of Club 19s led the way  for LGBTQIA+ social life in Canberra. 

This tart — bold, bright and deeply nourishing — honours John’s contributions to queer  community-building. Just as his flyers brought people to the table, we hope this dish  does too. 

Reference 

ACTing OUT – Canberra’s Very Queer History, by Graham Willett, Office for LGBTIQA+  Affairs, ACT Government, https://www.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1445360/acting-out-book.pdf

This canapé pays tribute to the protest picnic, a powerful, playful tradition in queer  history where food, friendship and political resistance meet in public space. From the  early days of CAMP (Campaign Against Moral Persecution) in the 1970s, queer activists  gathered in parks to defy shame and invisibility. These “gay-ins” and picnic-style  protests used shared meals as acts of visibility and defiance, reclaiming space in a  society that sought to push them to the margins. 

In 1978, picnics preceded the first Sydney Mardi Gras – moments of collective calm and  connection before marching into danger and history. Today, the spirit lives on in  rainbow park hangs, Trans Day of Visibility gatherings, queer potlucks and community  feasts at events like SpringOUT in Canberra. 

The protest picnic reminds us that joy is not a distraction from resistance – it is resistance. Gathering in public, sharing food and celebrating chosen family are  radical acts. This bite-sized dish honours that legacy: a reminder that queer liberation  has always been powered by laughter, love, and a well-packed esky. 

References:

Inner West Council. (n.d.). CAMP – Campaign Against Moral Persecution. Retrieved  from https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/live/community-wellbeing/lgbtq/camp campaign-against-moral-persecution

The 78ers – Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. (n.d.). The 78ers. Retrieved  from https://www.78ers.org.au/the-78ers

SpringOUT Festival. (n.d.). Celebrating Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ Community. Retrieved  from https://springout.com.au

This dish is inspired by the lifesaving, community-led work of Australia’s AIDS councils  – including ACON (NSW), Meridian (ACT), and Thorne Harbour Health (VIC). Founded  during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, these organisations emerged not just to  fight a virus, but to offer care, dignity. They received funding after the outbreak spread  more widely throughout Australia and the government acknowledged that existing  systems were failing. 

During the darkest years of the epidemic, food became one of the simplest and most  powerful tools of love and resistance. Volunteers cooked and delivered meals to those  too ill to cook for themselves. Families of choice gathered around kitchen tables.  Potlucks raised funds, educated allies, and reminded communities they weren’t alone. 

It was never just about nutrition – it was about connection, care, and defiance in the  face of stigma. Every meal shared was a small act of survival. Every cake sold at a  fundraiser, a declaration that queer lives mattered. 

Today, the work of these organisations continues, through education, health services,  advocacy, and the quiet daily work of compassion. This dish honours their legacy and  the generations of queers who showed us what community care truly looks like. 

References 

• ACON. Who we are. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://www.acon.org.au/about-acon/who-we-are/
• Meridian. About us. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://www.meridianact.org.au/aboutus
• Thorne Harbour Health. About. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://thorneharbour.org/about/

These soft, colourful puddings pay tribute to Val Eastwood, a trailblazing lesbian  entertainer and café owner who carved out safe space for queer women in 1950s  Melbourne — long before homosexuality was decriminalised. In 1951, Val opened Val’s  Coffee Lounge on Swanston Street. It quickly became known as a rare haven for  LGBTQIA+ people — a place where you could meet your lover, your community, or  simply be yourself, at a time when that was illegal, dangerous, and radical. 

Dressed in tailored suits and unafraid to defy convention, Val welcomed a vibrant mix of  bohemians, artists, beatniks, drag queens, and queer women into her lounge. She  offered not only coffee and cake, but sanctuary. Val’s was one of the first openly queer owned businesses in Australia, and her quiet act of resistance helped nurture a  community that refused to be erased. 

These chia puddings are a modern nod to that legacy — layered, nourishing, and  unapologetically queer. 

Reference: 

https://qnews.com.au/val-eastwood-memorialised-at-the-site-of-vals-coffee-lounge/

This decorated croissant pays tribute to Hares & Hyenas, one of Melbourne’s most  iconic queer institutions – part bookshop, part performance venue, part political safe  space. Founded in 1991 by Rowland Thomson and Crusader Hillis, Hares & Hyenas has 

long been a beacon for LGBTQIA+ writers, artists, thinkers, and readers. It’s where  radical literature lines the walls, cabaret artists find their stage, and generations of  queer people come to feel less alone. 

Over the decades, Hares has hosted everyone from First Nations poets and sex worker  activists to drag legends and trans storytellers, amplifying voices often excluded from  the mainstream. It is a home for layered identities, intersectional politics, and loud,  loving community – much like the pastry it inspires. 

With its golden crust, decorated with a trans flag, unapologetically, this croissant  reflects the boldness, resilience, and creativity that have always defined Melbourne’s  queer cultural heart. 

Reference: 

Hares & Hyenas – https://www.hares-hyenas.com.au/

This dish honours one of the earliest and most creative acts of Queer* resistance in  Australian Mardi Gras history. 

On Saturday 24 June 1978, a small crowd gathered in Sydney’s Taylor Square at 10pm  for what would become the first Mardi Gras – a night of celebration, protest, and defiant  Queer* joy, held in solidarity with San Francisco activists commemorating the  Stonewall riots. That night ended in police violence, arrests, and public outing of many  attendees. 

But Queers* didn’t back down. In 1979, just one year later, a group from Canberra  joined the second Mardi Gras parade with a float titled "Canberra’s Fruits" – a cheeky,  colourful display of papier-mâché bananas, pears and apples. At a time when the word  "fruit" was used to mock Queer* people, these early marchers claimed it with pride and  humour. 

This rainbow fruit skewer celebrates their bravery and creativity – reclaiming a slur,  refusing fear, and showing that Queer* resistance can be full of flavour. 

Reference: 

Founded by students responding to bullying and youth suicide, Wear It Purple  Day shines a light on LGBTQIA+ young people and their right to feel safe,  supported, and proud. Celebrated across schools, universities, workplaces and  community spaces, this day has grown into an international movement for  visibility and inclusion. 

This purple cupcake is a vibrant expression of love, respect, and the belief that  all young people should be celebrated for who they are.

Reference: https://www.wearitpurple.org

On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from 

its International Classification of Diseases – a historic win for global queer rights.  Today, IDAHOBIT (the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia,  Interphobia and Transphobia) is a time to celebrate how far we’ve come and call  out the work still ahead. 

This vibrant rainbow cupcake stands proud at IDAHOBIT events as a sweet  symbol of resistance to LGBTQIA+ discrimination – but it’s too good to save for  just one day.

Reference: https://www.idahobit.org.au

First held in 1983 and coordinated globally by the Global Network of People  Living with HIV (GNP+), the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial honours  those lost to HIV/AIDS and stands in solidarity with the 38 million people living  with HIV today. In Canberra, it is hosted annually by Meridian, formerly the ACT  AIDS Action Council. 

This rich red cupcake represents remembrance, awareness, and the enduring  fight to end stigma and discrimination.  

Reference: https://gnpplus.net/campaigns/candlelight-memorial/

Topped with chocolate and wattleseed frosting in the colours of the Aboriginal  flag, this cupcake honours the strength, beauty, and sovereignty of First Nations  queer and trans people. It recognises that pride must also be decolonial and that  justice for LGBTQIA+ communities must include justice for Blak communities.

This scone honours Dr Penny Whetton – a pioneering Australian climate scientist, a  trans woman, and a leader whose work changed the way the world understands our  changing planet. 

Penny was one of Australia’s most respected climate researchers, contributing  extensively to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports and  serving as a senior scientist at the CSIRO. Her research helped model how climate  change would impact Australia and the region – guiding environmental policy for  decades to come. 

In 2003, Penny transitioned publicly while at the height of her scientific career – an act  of personal courage in a professional world not always welcoming to trans people. She  became a powerful role model not only in science, but in showing that authenticity and  excellence can and must coexist. 

Penny was also a dedicated artist and advocate for justice, known for her deep  compassion and her ability to communicate complex science with clarity and care. Her  legacy continues through the lives she touched and the work she left behind. 

This dish celebrates Penny Whetton’s bold intellect, her fearless authenticity, and her  contributions to both science and trans visibility. 

References: 

• CSIROpedia: https://csiropedia.csiro.au/whetton-penny/
• The Guardian Obituary: https://www.theguardian.com/australia news/2019/nov/13/penny-whetton-obituary

This chequered cake honours Chris Carter – a quiet hero of Australia’s response to  HIV/AIDS and a key figure in ensuring that those lost to the epidemic would never be  forgotten.

Chris was one of the co-founders of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF),  established in 1984 to support people living with HIV/AIDS in the earliest days of the  epidemic, when stigma was rampant and government support was almost non existent. Named after Bobby Goldsmith, one of the first Australians to die of AIDS, the  foundation offered critical financial and emotional support to those abandoned by  family, employers, and institutions. 

But Chris's contributions didn’t end there. He also played a central role in bringing  the AIDS Memorial Quilt to Australia – a vast community project that stitched together  love, grief, and memory. The quilt became a powerful visual and emotional symbol of  lives lost, sewn together by friends, lovers, and families as acts of mourning and  protest. It helped the nation face the human toll of the epidemic and pushed for dignity  and policy change. 

Chris Carter’s work lives on in every act of community care and remembrance. This dish  honours his legacy of compassion, courage, and the fierce determination to never let  our dead be forgotten. 

Reference: 

Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO): https://www.afao.org.au/article/the-aids-memorial-quilt-in-australia/

This dish pays tribute to Justice Michael Kirby, a pioneering legal mind and one of  Australia’s most courageous public figures. 

Kirby served as a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1996 to 2009, earning  respect for his eloquence, compassion, and fearless commitment to human rights.  Often described as the "Great Dissenter," he used his judgments to shine a light on  injustice, speaking up for the marginalised and holding institutions to account.

He made history as Australia’s first openly gay High Court Justice, coming out publicly  in 1999 while still serving on the bench – a landmark moment in Australian public life.  His long-term partnership with Johan van Vloten was an open testament to love and  quiet resilience during an era of great social change. 

Since retiring from the Court, Kirby has continued to serve internationally as a human  rights advocate and HIV/AIDS commissioner. He remains a symbol of integrity,  intellect, and hope for a more just world. 

Reference: 

Human Rights Watch Interview: https://www.hrw.org/news/2009/02/17/interview-michael-kirby

CAMP was Australia’s first gay rights organisation run by the LGBTQIA+ community,  founded in Sydney in 1970 to advocate for the visibility, dignity, and rights of  homosexual people in a time of criminalisation and widespread discrimination. Their  actions were both brave and playful, mixing public protest with pride, humour and  community. 

In 1971, CAMP organised a picnic in Sydney’s Botanic Gardens – not a march or a rally,  but a public gathering with fried chicken and champagne. It was an act of joyful  defiance, reclaiming space in a city that demanded queer people remain hidden.  Participants laid out picnic rugs, toasted to visibility, and dared to exist together in  broad daylight. 

This picnic became an iconic moment in Australian LGBTQIA+ history: not only a  protest, but a celebration. A reminder that resistance doesn’t always wear a uniform – sometimes it wears sandals, brings bubbles, and shares a plate. 

This slice is a tribute to that delicious legacy of protest, pleasure and pride.

Reference: 

Australian Queer Archives (ALGA): https://alga.org.au/tag/camp/

This macaron honours Fiona Patten – sex worker advocate, founder of the Reason  Party, and one of the most fiercely independent voices in Australian politics. 

Fiona began her career as a sex worker and activist, co-founding the Eros  Association and later the Australian Sex Party, fighting for the rights, safety, and dignity  of people in the adult industry. She understood firsthand the power of being visible in  the face of stigma – and used that visibility to demand policy change. 

In 2017, Fiona founded the Reason Party and served as a Member of the Victorian  Legislative Council. During her time in Parliament, she championed legislation on  issues often neglected by major parties: voluntary assisted dying, drug law reform,  secular government, LGBTQIA+ rights, and decriminalisation of sex work in Victoria. 

Her work was never about playing it safe. Fiona spoke truth to power with clarity,  humour, and empathy – opening doors for people who had long been excluded from  political life. 

This dish honours Fiona Patten’s fearless leadership and her lifelong commitment to  justice, reason, and the right to live and love without shame. 

References: 

Reason Party: https://www.reason.org.au/fiona_patten

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australianews/2022/nov/18/fiona-patten-profile-victorian-election

This dish celebrates Megan Munro – a standout figure in Canberra’s queer scene,  known for their fierce performances, unapologetic advocacy, and dedication to  disability inclusion. 

As a drag king, Megan brings swagger, humour and storytelling to the stage, challenging  mainstream ideas of gender, desirability, and who gets to take up space in queer  nightlife. Their performances aren’t just entertaining – they’re political. Megan uses drag  to speak back to ableism, pushing for more accessible, welcoming spaces in  Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ community. 

Off stage, Megan is an award-winning disability advocate, recognised at the 2022 ACT  Chief Minister's Inclusion Awards for their work creating inclusive events, reshaping  public attitudes, and supporting other queer disabled people to thrive. 

Whether in heels or boots, with a mic or a megaphone, Megan Munro reminds us that  representation matters – and that pride must be accessible to all. 

Reference: 

2022 ACT Inclusion Awards: https://inclusionawards.com.au/winners/2022- winners/

This dish honours the vibrant and powerful ballroom scene in Australia – a space where  Black, Brown, queer and trans communities come together to celebrate identity,  movement, resistance, and chosen family. 

Emerging from the traditions of Harlem's drag balls and the global ballroom culture  built by Black and Latinx trans women and queer people, Australia's scene has grown  into a movement of fierce expression and community healing. Events like the Sissy Ball,  held annually during Sydney Mardi Gras, and the rise of houses such as the House of  Slé, have helped local ballroom thrive while staying rooted in justice, joy, and cultural  pride. 

More than just performance, ballroom is protest. It is sanctuary. It is celebration. Within  these circles, dancers, walkers, and voguing icons reclaim space and visibility in a 

world that often denies them both. It is an act of resistance to cisnormativity, racism,  homophobia, and colonial beauty standards. 

This dish honours the house mothers, the MCs, the legends and the up-and-comers. It  celebrates the power of being seen – and the freedom of walking like the world belongs  to you. 

References: 

• Sissy Ball (Sydney Mardi Gras): https://www.mardigras.org.au/sissy-ball
• House of Slé: https://houseofsle.com/

This breakfast box channels the early-morning joy of Canberra’s SpringOUT Festival, a  grassroots celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, visibility and community held annually since  1999. At the heart of the festival is the beloved Big Gay Breakfast – a tradition where  locals gather under rainbow bunting to eat, laugh, organise, and celebrate each other in  the soft glow of morning light. 

More than just a meal, the Big Gay Breakfast has long served as a political and cultural  ritual – a space where drag queens read the paper alongside elected officials, where  newcomers are welcomed, and where pancakes mix with protest. It’s where queer  Canberrans fuel their bodies and their movements, reminding each other that pride  starts with care – and coffee. 

This box offers a bite of that tradition: warm, colourful, and made to be shared. Whether  eaten in a park, a union hall, or at home with chosen family, it’s a delicious reminder  that queer joy is not just a celebration – it’s a practice.

References: 

SpringOUT Festival – https://springout.com.au

From 1957 to 1986, Cooma Gaol in regional New South Wales was used to imprison gay  men under “moral danger” laws – a purpose-built site for quietly removing queer people  from public life. Many were incarcerated for simply existing: walking through a park,  holding hands, being seen. Their families often never knew. Their stories were silenced.  Their dignity denied. 

This box is not just food – it’s a memorial. A message across time: we see you, and we  would have fed you love. 

We would have cooked you something warm. Something full of flavour. Something that  told you: you are not shameful. You are not alone. You are worthy of care. 

This is the meal we would have liked to feed them – nourishing, generous, and made to  honour their memory with comfort, not cruelty. 

References: 

• The Greatest Menace podcast: https://www.thegreatestmenace.com

• NSW Gaol Museum (Cooma): https://visitcooma.com.au/attractions/nsw correctional-services-gaol-museum/

A cheeky tribute to the 1979 “Canberra’s Fruits” Mardi Gras float – where papier-mâché  bananas and pears paraded through Sydney in defiant queer joy. 

References: 

https://www.mardigras.org.au/78ers 

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/riot

This dish honours Club 19, one of Canberra’s most iconic and formative queer spaces  during the 1970s and 1980s. 

Tucked into the capital’s nightlife, Club 19 became a hub for LGBTQIA+ Canberrans  looking for community, celebration, and political connection. It wasn’t just a place to  dance – it was a place to organise, perform, and imagine new queer futures. The club  hosted everything from glamorous drag shows and fundraiser nights to activist strategy  sessions and cultural events. 

In 1982, Club 19 was the official bar for the National Homosexual Conference, a  landmark gathering of queer activists, thinkers, and organisers from around the  country. It was a moment when joy and justice met under the same roof. 

Spaces like Club 19 were more than nightlife – they were lifelines. In a time when queer  people were criminalised and often isolated, Club 19 offered visibility, safety, and  belonging. 

This box celebrates the radical power of queer spaces and the Canberrans who built  them, danced in them, and kept the lights on. 

References: 

Australian Queer Archives: https://alga.org.au/collection-item/national homosexual-conferences/

ACT Library Queer History: https://www.library.act.gov.au/find/history/queer history

This box celebrates the enduring tradition of queer gathering – joyful, defiant, and  rooted in community care. 

From the champagne picnics of CAMP in the early 1970s to the grassroots backyard  dinners, bush retreats, and trans-led potlucks of today, queer people have always  found ways to come together in public and private spaces that centre love, safety, and  solidarity. 

The Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP), Australia’s first gay rights  organisation, famously hosted a 1971 chicken and champagne picnic in Sydney’s  Botanic Gardens. It was equal parts protest and pleasure – a quiet reclamation of  public space at a time when being openly queer was still dangerous. It set a precedent  for future generations to gather, eat, and take up space with pride. 

Today, organisations like A Gender Agenda (AGA) carry that legacy forward, creating  affirming community events for trans, gender-diverse, and intersex people across the  ACT. Whether it’s a park meet-up or a full feast, the act of coming together over food  remains deeply political – a reminder that chosen family is just as real, and just as  worthy, as any other. 

This box is a tribute to those who laid out the first picnic rugs and to all who keep the  tradition alive. It is made to be shared, savoured, and celebrated. 

References: 

• Australian Queer Archives: https://alga.org.au/tag/camp/
• A Gender Agenda: https://genderrights.org.au 

This box celebrates the enduring tradition of queer gathering – joyful, defiant, and  rooted in community care. 

From the champagne picnics of CAMP in the early 1970s to the grassroots backyard  dinners, bush retreats, and trans-led potlucks of today, queer people have always  found ways to come together in public and private spaces that centre love, safety, and  solidarity. 

The Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP), Australia’s first gay rights  organisation, famously hosted a 1971 chicken and champagne picnic in Sydney’s  Botanic Gardens. It was equal parts protest and pleasure – a quiet reclamation of  public space at a time when being openly queer was still dangerous. It set a precedent  for future generations to gather, eat, and take up space with pride. 

Today, organisations like A Gender Agenda (AGA) carry that legacy forward, creating  affirming community events for trans, gender-diverse, and intersex people across the  ACT. Whether it’s a park meet-up or a full feast, the act of coming together over food  remains deeply political – a reminder that chosen family is just as real, and just as  worthy, as any other. 

This box is a tribute to those who laid out the first picnic rugs and to all who keep the  tradition alive. It is made to be shared, savoured, and celebrated. 

References: 

Australian Queer Archives: https://alga.org.au/tag/camp/

A Gender Agenda: https://genderrights.org.au

This box is created in tribute to the life-saving work and legacy of Meridian, ACON,  and Thorne Harbour Health – three of Australia’s leading LGBTQIA+ health  organisations born in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis. 

In the darkest days of the epidemic, when governments were slow to act and stigma  was lethal, these organisations stepped in to provide what the system would not: care,  dignity, and community. From grassroots meal delivery services to peer-led health  advocacy and legal support, they made survival possible for thousands. 

At the heart of this box is a red checkerboard cake, inspired by the iconic AIDS  Memorial Quilt – one of the largest community art projects in the world. Each patch of  the Quilt was sewn with love by friends, lovers, and families grieving someone lost to  AIDS. Together, the Quilt stitched private sorrow into public resistance, forcing a nation  to see the human cost of silence. 

This dessert honours not only the lives lost, but the communities that fought to keep  each other alive. It is a reflection of nourishment in the face of systemic neglect, and a  reminder that remembrance can be sweet, bold, and bright red. 

References: 

• ACON: https://www.acon.org.au/about-acon/our-history/ 
• Meridian: https://www.meridianact.org.au/about_us 
• Thorne Harbour Health: https://thorneharbour.org/about/our-history/
• AFAO – AIDS Memorial Quilt in Australia: https://www.afao.org.au/article/the aids-memorial-quilt-in-australia/ 

This box celebrates the legendary Euree Street sharehouse – one of Canberra’s most  iconic queer homes, known for its radical hospitality, community organising, and  fabulous feasts shared among chosen family. 

In the height of the AIDS crisis and the rise of queer liberation in the ACT, Euree Street  became more than just a house – it was a sanctuary. It was home to drag queens, AIDS  activists, artists, and members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence – the joyful,  campy nun collective known for turning heads and challenging stigma with glitter and  grace. Within its walls, activism and celebration went hand-in-hand. The kitchen table  was a strategy room, a dinner party spread, and a place for grief and laughter to sit side  by side. 

Through decades of dinners, backyard parties, care collectives, and queer rituals,  Euree Street embodied the power of queer domestic space – how a rented house in a  quiet suburb could become a lighthouse for those navigating loss, love, and revolution. 

This box reflects the comfort and abundance of those shared meals – made with love,  fiercely offered, and never turned away. 

References: 

• Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Australia: https://www.perpetualindulgence.org.au 
• Star Observer – Tribute to Fabian Loschiavo: https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/national-news/australian capital-territory-news/fabian-loschiavo-tributes/171843

This box is a midnight-snack style tribute to Canberra's queer club culture – the dance  floors where rhythm met resistance, and queer people found not just music, but safety,  flirtation, identity, and freedom. 

From the legacy of Meridian (formerly the AIDS Action Council) and its role in hosting  safe nightlife spaces, to the heyday of Heaven Nightclub, Canberra's queer nightlife has  pulsed with the spirit of protest and pleasure. Heaven wasn’t just a club – it was a  sanctuary for drag queens, dykes, leatherfolk, trans femmes, and everyone in between  who wanted to move, kiss, and breathe freely under the strobe lights. 

Today, that spirit lives on through collectives like FemmeDaddy – a QTIBPOC-led party  space centring queer bodies, consent, and joy. Their sweaty, glitter-drenched dance  floors reclaim party culture as political space – where trans joy is protected, and Blak  and brown futures are celebrated. 

Queer nightlife has never just been about escape. It’s where movements were born,  love was sparked, and grief was held. It’s where people came out, dressed up, and  found each other. 

This box is for those who’ve ever found themselves at home on a dance floor – a tribute  to the music, the mischief, and the magic of queer Canberra after dark. 

References: 

• Meridian: https://www.meridianact.org.au/blog/lgbtiq-nightlife-history
• Heaven Nightclub: https://www.facebook.com/heavennightclubcanberra/
• FemmeDaddy: https://femmedaddy.party

This box honours the Ballroom floor – a sacred stage of survival, celebration, and fierce  self-affirmation for Black, Brown, trans and queer communities around the world. 

Rooted in the underground drag balls of 20th-century Harlem, Ballroom culture was  created by queer and trans people of colour who were shut out of mainstream spaces.  It became a home for those pushed to the margins, where walking a category wasn't  just a performance – it was an act of resistance, artistry, and belonging. 

In Australia, Ballroom continues to thrive through collectives like House of Slé and  events like Sydney's Sissy Ball, where voguing, fashion, and chosen family come  together in a spectacular celebration of queerness and culture. These spaces are more  than parties – they are lifelines. They protect queer youth, centre BIPOC voices, and  celebrate gender expression in all its glory. 

Every dip, strut, and twirl on the Ballroom floor holds centuries of resilience. It is a world  where trans femmes are icons, where Blak and Brown bodies are not only safe – they  are exalted. It is not just about being seen. It’s about being crowned. 

This box is a tribute to the houses, the legends, the up-and-comers, and the  communities that vogue with pride and walk with power. It’s for everyone who’s ever  felt most alive under a spotlight of their own making. 

References: 

House of Slé: https://houseofsle.com/ 

Sissy Ball (Sydney Mardi Gras): https://www.mardigras.org.au/sissy-ball