Gertrude Glossip’s three decades of glitz and glamour

Notching up a dazzling 30-year career, Dr Gertrude Glossip has been a pioneer in sharing Adelaide’s vibrant LGBTQI+ history.

As the alter ego of Will Sergeant, Dr Glossip was created for the Uranian Society, Adelaide’s forum for gay men’s culture, in 1993.

Since then, she has been inspired and believed in the importance of showcasing the LGBTQI+ community’s stories – to each other and to a broader Adelaide audience, celebrating their resilience and identity.

She has also achieved more than 50 walking tours, leading the Rainbow History walks at every Feast Festival since its inception in 1997.

Topics ranged from the tragic death of Dr George Duncan in 1972 to modern issues like the impending revocation of the gay panic defence.

Will marched in the inaugural Adelaide Pride Parade in 1973 and joined the first Sydney Mardi Gras in 1978. It wasn’t until 1997 that a small group of people from the 1978 events came together to plan the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Mardi Gras parade in 1998. This group became known as the 78ers and since 1998 has led each year’s parade.

This year, as part of the Feast Festival, ECH is supporting Dr Glossip on her history anniversary walk. She will lead the walk which will retrace the route of ‘the proud parade’, hear tales of Gay Pride Week activism, and enjoy complimentary refreshments at the walk’s conclusion.

This year marks Gay Pride Week’s 50^th, Mardi Gras’ 45^th, Gertrude’s 30^th and Pride March Adelaide’s 20^th anniversaries.

Event details

Date: Sunday 12 November
Time: 11am
Meeting Place: Victoria Square / North Tarntanyangga

For more information, visit feast.org.au/event/gold-pearl-emerald

Posted: November 7, 2023