As part of Newcastle Pride, Dr Justin Ellis held a Newcastle launch for his book Representation, Resistance and the Digiqueer. Attended by over 60 people, the launch at Watt Space included Dr Ellis’ research into the relationship between technology, identity and justice, with a focus on in-depth interviews in 2023 with queer adults in Newcastle and the Hunter. 2023 was a challenging year for queer visibility and notably in threats against drag queen story time childhood literacy presenters and organisers, including in Newcastle. On the upside, interview participants sincerely value their online and in-person communities and invest in them to maintain connection and belonging. Participants also suggested that there could be further integration of technology into public spaces for increased safety and belonging, including awareness raising of queer history through QR codes in places of queer significance. Dr Ellis, in conversation with local performer Timberlina, discussed their perspectives on queer expression, visibility and safety into 2026 and beyond. Ahead of the launch, Dr Ellis had an opinion piece published in the Newcastle Herald. The book launch was co-sponsored by The Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology, The University of Newcastle Criminology and Criminal Justice Society, The University of Newcastle EDI Unit, Watt Space Gallery, and The Press Book House, Newcastle.
You may be interested in this related publication:
Ellis, J. R., Goodman-Delahunty, J., Betts, D., & Davey, S. (2026). Contradictory connectivity and hybrid spaces: LGBTQ+ identity negotiation in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. Gender, Place & Culture, 33(8), 1038–1058. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2026.2645555
