Silence Transformed

From one of the world’s most diverse and multi-cultural regions the emerging voices of Sydney’s West transform their silences through the stories they tell. Each work in the collection pushes the boundaries of cultural preconceptions and the literary form. Brave, challenging, tender and intimate, join us for the launch of the third anthology from WestWords’ LGBTQIA+ writing group.

WestWords’ is dedicated to fostering the next generation of writers from Sydney’s West, giving spaces for their creativity to flourish and platforms for their voices to be celebrated. The LGBTQIA+ group provides a space where queer writers safely share their vulnerabilities and explore childhood, teenage and adult perspectives of identity. With impressive risk taking they share stories of coming out, cultural heritage, sexual adventures, being alive and being proud.

As convenor, writer Wilfred Roach facilitates the group’s membership which is as diverse as the region’s population. Western Sydney is home to over 10% of Australia’s population and over half of the world’s cultures. The racial and cultural backgrounds include Korean, Chinese, Central European, Scottish, Indian and the blend that is Australian. The age of the writers range from 21 to… well let’s keep that to ourselves.  Each writer and work is unique. Together they  form a conversation that is the essence of contemporary Australia. WestWords LGBTQIA+ Writers’ Group is proudly supported by the Aurora Foundation.

Featuring

Wilfred Roach Group facilitator

Wilfred writes stories that uncover the past, however bittersweet it may be, but reconnects him to what he knows in his soul has been present from the day he took his first breath: that is to love and be loved.

Brahmi Kumarasamy

Brahmi Kumarasamy is a reflective essayist (mostly writes in her head), meme-maker and microblogger. Writing challenges her to be honest with herself.

Vera Eterna

Vera Eterna is a Sydney-based writer, footy fan and friend of the cockatoo. She is still discovering the stories she wants to tell. She knows she’s drawn to the ones that are a big rough around the edges but are intimate, unrushed and queer at their centre.

Rey Vargas

Rey Vargas was born in Manila, Philippines and is based in Sydney. When they’re not writing or voice acting, they can be found contemplating whether their next dog should be Schipperke or a Bernese Mountain dog.

Talisha Ingram