Queering Macquarie Street

Macquarie Street was laid out by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1810. The decisions made along this street – by religious organisations, the state and the medical profession – have had great consequences for queer people since colonial times.

For Pride Month (1–30 June), Museums of History NSW curator Dr Tuan Nguyen will lead a history walk down Macquarie Street, exploring stories of queer people who walked along the same path: from same-sex relationships between convicts at the Hyde Park Barracks, to the first female Mitchell Librarian, Ida Leeson (who was in a committed lesbian relationship with Florence Birch for over 50 years), and bushranger Andrew George Scott (aka Captain Moonlite), whose late-19th-century criminal career involved The Mint and the Water Police Court – and many more.

Starting at the Hyde Park Barracks and finishing at the Justice & Police Museum, this 90-minute walking tour will examine what and how we know about these queer lives, often lived in secret and under the threat of persecution.

This event is part of the official Sydney Pride program.