James Tapa from Gay Asian Proud (GAP) joins us to discuss the unique challenges faced by multicultural LGBTQ+ people navigating health services, voting, and social belonging in Australia.

He explores with Joel and Jack personal anecdotes about family reunions, lion‑dance performances, and the symbolism behind the zodiac animal of the year.

GAP’s sister group Yellow Kitties is co-hosting the event and we dive into how gender‑specific spaces complement each other.

Whether you’re new to Melbourne’s queer scene or a longtime activist, tune in for insight, inspiration, and a clear invitation to join the celebration.

On JOY 94.9, we play a bunch of new music from Asian-Australian LGBTIQA+ artists, including:

Aisa – Theta Waves
Kaiwyn – Good Boy
Robert Baxter – ICY (Take it Off)
Zhuli – Mitsubishi Sheets
JXCKY – BORDERLINE
Nat Vazer – For What?

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

The post Lunar New Year with Gay Asian Proud appeared first on Well Well Well.

Kade and Shell from Southern Lights Hockey join Jack and Jake to discuss their local queer ice-hockey team, the series’ blend of drama and advocacy, and more.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

The post Heated Rivalry and Queer Ice Hockey in Melbourne appeared first on Well Well Well.

Candy Bowers will MC this year’s edition and we hear about her background in acting, production, writing, and more.

Grab tickets to Wise Words on the Midsumma website: https://www.midsumma.org.au/whats-on/events/wise-words-a-night-of-intergenerational-storytelling/

Scott Walsberger from ACON also joins us to discuss cancer screening activations at the 2026 Midsumma Carnival in Alexandra Gardens.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

The post Wise Words and Midsumma Carnival Cancer Screening appeared first on Well Well Well.

Ian walks us through the behind the scenes lobbying by students, academic, law societies, and politicians that turned this historic event into legislative reform.

He also explains how early AIDS activism blended community organising with direct access to health ministers, shaping a model of cooperative response.

Ian makes a final call for younger generations to stay alert, because rights can be taken away by parliament just as easily as they were originally granted by Parliament.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

The post Activism and the Early HIV/AIDS Response with Ian Hunter MLC appeared first on Well Well Well.

We talk about how mainstream family violence services can better support queer clients and what the sector can learn from the community led response with Gus and Vincent from Thorne Harbour Health.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

The post Mainstream services supporting queer clients – 16 Days of Activism Series Part 5 appeared first on Well Well Well.

In this episode we explore what that looks like in queer relationships with Gus and Vincent from Thorne Harbour Health’s family violence counselling team.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

The post Supporting those who use harm to change – 16 Days of Activism Series Part 4 appeared first on Well Well Well.

As we mark the 16 Days of Activism, we’re talking about what it takes to heal and how this journey might be different for queer people.

We’re joined this episode by lived experience expert Alex as well as Gus and Vincent from Thorne Harbour Health to discuss this important topic.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

The post Leaving a violent relationship – 16 Days of Activism Series Part 3 appeared first on Well Well Well.

With World AIDS Day just behind us and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week underway, it’s the perfect time to talk about the group.

Bruce is here to help us understand why Mob+ exists, what makes it so important, and what’s happening in the space for First Nations people living with HIV.

To keep up with the group, check out the Positive Living Centre Facebook page.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

The post Mob+ – Support for First Nations communities living with HIV appeared first on Well Well Well.

Joel is joined again by Vincent and Gus from Thorne Harbour Health to learn more about what Unseen Abuse is, how it might look, and how to seek help.

If this episode has raised any issues for you, help is available.

• 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service at 1800 737 732
• QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia at 1800 184 527 or via their webchat
• Rainbow Door is a free helpline and specialist support service for LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and families at 1800 729 367

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

The post Unseen Abuse, Coercive Control, and more – 16 Days of Activism Series Part 2 appeared first on Well Well Well.

Joel speaks with Gus and Vincent from Thorne Harbour Health about this issue in light of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

If this episode has raised any issues for you, help is available.

• 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service at 1800 737 732
• QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia at 1800 184 527 or via their webchat
• Rainbow Door is a free helpline and specialist support service for LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and families at 1800 729 367

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

The post What is Family of Origin Violence? Mainstream services supporting queer clients? 16 Days of Activism Series Part 1 appeared first on Well Well Well.