#queer radio

Howdy y’all and happy Pride!!!!

Horror audio for your World of Darkness Tabletops! I am a former broadcast engineer that used to mix audio for radio programs. Now I'm making my horror audio available for everyone's enjoyment! Check out my first release, A Thunderwyrm Approaches!

twangs;

fall is here with my cowboy hat and my shit kick'n boots. twangin geetars and vibrating jaw harps <3 part 2 coming in november. broadcasted live on CJLO on october 6th, 2023

full episode here ;;; full playlist here

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/radio-play-friends-of-dorothypremiers-on-joy-94-9-this-weekend/

Radio Play 'Friends of Dorothy'premiers on JOY 94.9 this weekend

New sitcom radio play Friends of Dorothy launches on JOY 94.9, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ Radio Station, this weekend. And we can’t wait to hear it.

A new grid of pride-filled community radio has launched this week.

Filled with diverse talent and incredible stories told by passionate presenters.

One of the new highlights of the schedule is Friends of Dorothy, a sitcom radio play, premiering this Sunday night.

“Step back in time 40 years ago to a sitcom that puts the ‘Queer’ well and truly into Queertopia!” the show description reads.

“Mikey and Steph want to create a safe haven for their own kind.”

“But get more than they bargained for when they advertise for an ‘alternative’ flatmate.

“Their mission: An All ‘Friends of Dorothy’ household.”

QNews sat down with writer, producer and director David Rector to find out all about it.

“Friends of Dorothy was a shape-shifting idea for more than a decade before it morphed into the radio play,” David told us.

“I wanted to tell stories about the queer folk who came before me.”

“The trailblazers and brave souls who faced often dire circumstances but navigated them with great courage, heart and humour.  

“The spirit that our ‘people’ are so often known and respected for.”

It didn’t start as a radio play.

David’s work on Friends of Dorothy started as a potential documentary.

“I began interviewing people of different ages and was going to weave it into something; I wasn’t sure what!” he said.

“I come from the world of television, not a journalist or documentarian per se, but a Director of comedy and infotainment programs.”

“So, I decided to write it as a feature film and got some way into that.

“Making it a quirky transpersonal work of fiction set in one house that had seen queer people come and go as residents over the decades. 

“Life got in the way, and it was only partially realised, but I felt a pulse and urge to still tell stories of a bygone era.

“Eventually, I decided to fulfil a lifelong ambition.”

‘To create my own sitcom.”

David began writing Friends of Dorothy in 2022.

“A year later, cast it for a table reading for the first couple of episodes on Zoom to see if it had ‘legs’ and was something to pursue,” he said.

” There was amazing chemistry right off the bat between the ensemble I gathered.”

“And we recorded the first series entirely on Zoom.

“I started to realise that this sitcom would make a vibey podcast, or radio play as they used to be known.

“And here we are – two years on and nearly 25 episodes made.”

Bringing everyone together was a feat in itself.

The cast rehearsed the show via Zoom, and then came together to record episodes every few months in a studio in St Kilda.

While David edited the audio at his home in Sydney.

“I left the world of entertainment 16 years ago and worked in the gay community as a counsellor and peer support worker for 14 years,” David said.

“So broadcasting was well and truly in my rear vision mirror.”

“It’s been exciting but steep to get my head around radio and all the unique systems and sensibilities that are specific to that platform.

“The opportunity to introduce my characters and actors that I care so much about and the storylines that are taken from my own experiences: coming out as a young gay man in the 1980s, is one I am embracing.

“And really hope our audience will too.  

“I’ve enjoyed writing loads of ‘silly’ into the script and a big dollop of the whimsical among the banter.

“I believe laughter is indeed great medicine, and it feels like the world could do with a generous helping of it in 2025.”

Inspired by the Golden Girls.

Making its debut on the community radio airwaves on JOY 94.9 this Sunday night, David is excited to bring a new format to the station’s airwaves.

“Like most people I know, I was raised on a diet of sitcoms,” David said.

“My biggest inspiration was the 1980s hit The Golden Girls.”

“It had 4 clearly defined characters; amazing and funny women who didn’t always get along but became a family of sorts.”

“Once I realised that Friends Of Dorothy was somewhat novel in 2025, I thought it was high time that a traditional sitcom graced the airwaves once again.

“Where better than the all queer and national network like JOY?

“I discovered there were few, if any, fully scripted comedy series on Spotify or Apple.

“It’s quite the novelty for JOY 94.9 to house a sitcom.

“A serialised piece of work that audiences can tune into.

“At the same time, each week follows the trials and tribulations of a set of quirky but lovable characters.

“I love them, so I am hoping audiences will too.

“I am delighted that JOY has included our little show in their schedule for the next 6 months.”

We can’t wait to listen.

Friends of Dorothy makes its debut this Sunday on JOY 94.9 at 10 pm.

Stream JOY 94.9 live online or via the JOY app or iHeartRadio, or listen via JOY 94.9 in Victoria or nationally via Digital DAB+.

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/joy-medias-radiothon-sharing-lgbtq-starts-this-weekend/

LGBTQ+ voices shine as JOY's Radiothon starts this weekend

JOY Media’s Radiothon amplifies LGBTQIA+ voices on community radio and starts this weekend, calling for us to be ‘Stronger Together’.

Starting this Saturday and running for seven days, Radiothon is JOY 94.9’s major fundraising event.

Proudly self-funded, JOY is one of four organisations worldwide that broadcast LGBTQIA+ voices and culture through the radio airwaves 24/7.

Just past a month of taking on the role of CEO, Paul Scott-Williams says that this year’s Radiothon is an exciting “baptism of fire”.

For the past thirty years, the narrative of JOY’s Radiothon has been about becoming a member to help keep JOY 94.9 on the airwaves.

This year, JOY is using its platform to highlight why supporting diverse LGBTQIA+ voices and community is so important.

“JOY has had fantastic support from the community over the past 30 years,” Paul said.

“And we are moving into a new space and energy where we’re reaching out, not only across the state, but the nation.”

“Via digital resources, JOY is everywhere now.

“And one of the areas we have struggled in the past is reaching our regional and rural communities.

“And we are calling for support so that we can reach out to them in a new way.”

Image: Triana Butler

JOY reaches across the country

A volunteer and now the CEO, part of Paul’s passion for JOY is making sure it is doing everything it can to reach out and provide support and connectivity for the community.

Statistics show that loneliness, depression and isolation are huge factors in our LGBTQIA+ communities.

And those feelings can be amplified when we look at regional and rural LGBTQIA+ people.

By using their voices and sharing our stories on the community radio airwaves, JOY volunteers have always worked hard to combat isolation.

It’s something they do every day, 24/7.

“We are a national voice for our communities,”  Paul said,

“So if we can do anything to connect people to support and help communication in a way that changes people’s lives, we will do it.”

“The burning ambition of JOY is not to think of ourselves in our little enclave in Melbourne,

“But to reach right across the country and community.”

Radiothon coordinator/director LJ recognises that fundraising for a community radio station like JOY is important, but so is reminding people what JOY brings to their lives.

“Over the years gone by, JOY has leaned on the community to keep it going,” LJ said.

“But this year it’s about saying we’ve got you, you’ve got us, and together we will succeed.”

“It’s not about our listeners propping this radio station up.

“It’s about this radio station delivering brilliant content, with fun, informative, and inclusive educational messages.

“And with the support of our listeners, we can do that.

“And hopefully we’re going to support the things that mean the most to you by doing that.”

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Be sure to tune in for Live at Five.

Radiothon at JOY is a busy and vibrant time of year.

There is so much happening with special guests and celebrities dropping by, as well as past volunteers.

This year the team have gone an extra mile, converting their boardroom into another studio for something special.

“Our focus this Radiothon is content,” LJ said,

“So we are doing something special called Live at Five, where a performer will come in every day at 5:00 pm and perform on JOY Drive.”

“Our daytime programs will be inviting guests from musicals that are performing in Melbourne, who will perform live too.

“There’s this amazing buzz about JOY leading up to Radiothon with big ideas, big performances, big shows.”

But Radiothon isn’t the only thing happening next week with IDAHOBIT and National Volunteer Week.

“Our volunteers are grabbing hold of their shows and with their audiences, doing everything they can.”

“So much is going on, it’s like being an executive producer for 32 different radio shows, which is impossible.” LJ laughed.

By becoming a member or donating to JOY during Radiothon, you help amplify LGBTQIA+ voices on air, online, and in the community.

Sharing music and stories that reflect and celebrate our diversity and power.

Source: Instagram

After 30 years, JOY isn’t taking a breather.

It’s not just about keeping JOY out, loud and proud.

But by supporting JOY, you are helping tangible outreach programs for our communities.

“That’s the real message of JOY and Radiothon.” CEO Paul said.

“JOY has been around for 30 years, we’re not going anywhere.”

“But we are not sitting still, we are going to find new and dynamic ways to interact with our community.”

By donating or becoming a member as part of JOY’s Radiothon, you also go into the draw for exclusive daily giveaways.

And JOY’s spectacular Major Prize Draw, valued at over $15,000 – check the full prize listing here.

Plus, new business and organisation members have a chance to win a professional $5,000 on-air promotion package from JOY Media.

“We are always stunned and grateful and humbled every year with the support that we get during Radiothon,” Paul said,

“Whether the diversity and inventiveness of the people donating to us, or donating prizes or their time or talent and service.”

“Radiothon is a very enriching time for JOY.

“It challenges the team and volunteers with new thinking and new ideas to take what they do further.

“So it’s we’re just so grateful to the whole community for everything that they bring to the table to help support us.”

JOY Radiothon runs from 10th – 16th May.

Stream JOY live online, via the JOY app or iHeartRadio, or listen via JOY 94.9 or Digital DAB+.

Find out more about JOY here.

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