Filling The Void: The Lack of Lesbian Spaces Within Sydney’s Nightlife - A Conversation With Erin Barnes, Creator Of Junipero
Written by: Lacey Fortune
As I enter the building, a rich, dark aroma surrounds me, intertwined with flashes of purple and blue, evoking a sense of mystery and allure. The air hums with warmth, embracing me like an old friend, whilst the pulsating floor beneath my feet adds to the surreal atmosphere. Faces around me are alight with joy, their smiles infectious and eyes twinkling with mirth. Laughter fills the space, blending with the rhythmic music that reverberates through the air. At this moment, I realise that I've stumbled upon something truly special, a hidden gem nestled within the heart of the city. It’s a place where dreams are made manifest, where barriers are broken down and reluctance is cast aside.
In the vibrant tapestry of Sydney’s LGBTQ+ scene, Oxford Street stands as a beacon of liberation for young queer individuals. Yet, amid the glittering facade of inclusivity, a glaring imbalance persists: whilst celebrating the visibility of white, cisgender gay men, we beg the question of wondering where queer women go?
I had the privilege of speaking with Erin Barnes, the visionary behind Junipero, one of Sydney’s few sapphic havens. In her company, I felt the warmth of her presence, which mirrored the vibrant atmosphere she has cultivated within her creation. Her effervescent demeanour remained palpable as she shared her insights into her own journey of queerness: “I think realising queerness is different for everyone, it's contextual, but I've also noticed there's a lot of commonologies as well, especially in the early years.”
Barnes continues to shed light on the changes within her queer story: “Where I sit with my queerness now, to be honest, it's a far cry from where it was a decade ago when I came out, or even 5 years ago. My current self is not only accepting of it but actually proud.”
As Barnes and I sat, we went on to talk about what milestones and memorable moments she’s experienced throughout her sexual identity journey. Her composure became settled as she became vulnerable: “One of the big ones was when I realised I wasn’t Bi, I was a lesbian. For me, for some reason, that just felt like a huge shift, like I had to come out again, mostly to myself because you know, it still felt like an option for me to have the life that I had envisioned growing up, then one day I was like, actually, that's not what I want.”
Barnes takes me through her acceptance and exploration of herself and how it couples with the construction of Junipero: “Another milestone would be the way I represent myself over the years, in terms of fashion and the way I look, its gone from masc to femme, i've kind of just played around with it and see where I sit in it and where i'm comfortable.” The Junipero event exudes an atmosphere of freedom for self-expression, where attendees are not only welcomed but encouraged to dance uninhibitedly on the floor or the stage, capture
countless photo opportunities, and mingle with the social butterflies that swirl around the space making it a warm and inviting ambiance.
Erin hails from Manchester, renowned for its pulsating queer community. She reminisced about her formative years exploring the famed “Gay Village”, a strip of nightclubs that served as her early stomping grounds in the world of queerness. Reflecting on her visits to these clubs, she shared: “I remember attending these queer spaces and noticing that there's so many gay men here, and so many hens nights, and I was kind of like, am I in the right place?”
Oxford Street history is interwoven with tales of both resilience and rebellion, tracing a narrative of defiance against societal constraints. Since its inception, this thoroughfare has served as a battleground for cultural expression, witnessing the trials and triumphs of the human spirit. Yet, within its rich history lies a poignant portrait of exclusion, notably evident in the dearth of spaces tailored to queer women within Sydney’s LGBTQ+ community. Erin touched on this when speaking about the undersupply of women/feminine presenting people in nightlife: “Arriving in Sydney - about 5 years ago - I was again, having to search for these places. Although there was a place to go, there weren't any choices.”
The scarcity isn't a happenstance but rather a symptomatic of systemic issues, deeply rooted in patriarchal frameworks that marginalise and erase the experiences of queer women. The objectification of lesbians, perpetuated by male-centric perspectives, remains a disheartening reality and in consequence, woman-loving-woman communities often find themselves navigating a maze of secrecy, seeking solace and solidarity in hidden enclaves where they can exist authentically.
The establishment of Junipero in Sydney filled a crucial void, offering a much-needed refuge within the city’s LGBTQ+ landscape. Barnes’ vision for the space was unmistakably clear and unparalleled in its scope and ambition. Barnes explains: “From my experience in the UK and the European club scene, I kind of used that, and was like, I could create a space to give people a choice”. Erin elaborated that the inspiration behind Junipero stemmed from the acclaimed Black Mirror episode titled “San Junipero.” She explained that the episode resonated deeply with her and encapsulated the essence of what she envision for the space: “I kind of wanted to make a space where people could create these new versions of themselves and not have the everyday of their lives limiting them and they could come into a space where they could see the fun in queerness and celebrate themselves and connect with others, like in the show.”
At the heart of Juniepro’s ethos lies an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and connection. Inspired by the character Yorkie from the Black Mirror episode, Erin Barnes envisioned a space where individuals arriving alone, could find solace and companionship.“I also wanted to give people that are like the character Yorkie, a place where they could come and meet people. We do this thing where if you're arriving alone to reach out to us and we’ll introduce you to people.” Junipero fosters camaraderie through introductions, forging bonds where strangers evolve into cherished companions, celebrating the essence of human connection.
As our dialogue unfolded and laughter filled the air, the topic shifted back to Sydney’s inclusion of woman-loving-woman spaces. Erin conveyed a supportive and well-informed perspective of
the subject: “I've honestly seen a shift in Sydney's nightlife culture, I feel like I've seen many woman-loving-woman events kind of explode onto the scene which is amazing to see. I think that Sydney is still dominated by cisgender-gay men focused nightclubs, but the more spaces we create that have the majority of lesbian/queer women, the more that we will get the balance right.” The historical dominance of male-centric spaces reflect past gender dynamics, where men held financial autonomy to establish and attend underground gaybars. This legacy persists, shaping contemporary LGBTQ+ spaces. Addressing these disparities requires acknowledging historical inequities and actively promoting inclusivity for all genders and sexual identity: “Although it's great to recognise cisgender male gay clubs, they do still have the patriarchal structures in place as well, so queer women may not feel as comfortable in the space to express themselves in the way that they would if that wasn't the case.”
Queer women orientated spaces play a pivotal role in enhancing the cohesion and vibrancy of the LGBTQ+ community as whole. By adhering to the principle of community-led initiatives, these spaces become not just venues, but safe havens crafted by and for queer people. Embracing queer performers, photographers, and content creators, just like Erin does within her event, it ensures authentic representation and fosters a sense of belonging. As Erin aptly states: “The more of these spaces we have, the more it will cater towards a range of gender identities and sexuality expressions.” Indeed, the proliferation of such spaces cultivates an environment where diverse experiences are celebrated and affirmed. This diversity fuels a creative renaissance, giving rise to a plethora of cultural expressions, from art and literature, to performance and activism.
The presence of queer women spaces contributes to the overall health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community. By providing a supportive domain where individuals can explore their identities free from judgement, these spaces promote mental and emotional resilience. As Erin emphasises: “Creating more spaces comes with more health and wellbeing benefits for the community as well.” In essence, the expansion of women-centric queer spaces not only enriches the cultural tapestry of the LGBTQ+ but also serves as a catalyst for collective empowerment and holistic wellness.
