Summary

Limited edition hand-coloured poster 'Gay Day '82 Explodes' in a black wooden frame, issued by the ALSO Foundation.

The poster advertises Gay Day 1982, held on 14 March at Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne. It was 'packed with acts': 'Mardi Gras - float parade, live entertainment, athletics - fun run, roller skating, disco, gay market, fun arcade, Gay Prix, art shows, stalls, fun, films, food and drink, and much, much more.' Participants could 'BYO and drink drop'. Tickets cost $4 in advance or $5 on the night, and could be bought from the ALSO Foundation.

Gay Day began in Melbourne in the early 1980s, following the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria in March 1981. Held inside in a 'bunker' at Olympic Park, it was finally celebrated outside in 1985 but was rained out, and afterwards did not evolve into the major festival that was hoped. It continued as an annual picnic.

The poster was purchased the donor from the MECWA opportunity shop in Windsor around 2007.

Physical Description

Printed, full-colour poster in a black wooden frame. The poster features a flower with pink petals, being pumped up by a bare-chested man, on whose back sits a woman with pink dress, suspender belt, red hair and large pink hair ornament. The flower centre is popping corks. The flower and explosion mark a division between white and purple backgrounds. The poster has a charcoal mount, mitered, within a plain black frame, glazed. Its brown paper backing is torn in several places along edges. A paper framer's label is adhered to the paper. A white string across the back is secured with brass plates, held in place with screws.

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