Season 3, episode 6: John Baker (publisher, William & John, 1972-73)

The Sentinel Speakeasy

The Sydney Sentinel's Travis de Jonk explores the week's top stories on sydneysentinel.com.au.

OUR SPECIAL GUEST ON THE SHOW THIS WEEK is John Baker - a pioneering trailblazer of gay publishing in Australia. Baker launched his gay lifestyle magazine William & John back in 1972 - just a few years after the Stonewall riots in the US and six years before the first ever Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras protests.

Recognised as the first ever commercial lifestyle gay publication in Australia, its format is one that is still largely used today. Featuring full nude male centrefolds as well as articles on politics, arts and health, it connected gay people together like nothing before. However Baker faced fierce opponents both in and out of the gay community over William & John. Some were determined to censor and ultimately close the magazine.
Read the full feature article on John Baker by The Sentinel's Gary Nunn here:
https://sydneysentinel.com.au/2022/03/i-was-willing-to-go-to-jail-over-it-the-story-of-australias-first-ever-commercial-gay-magazine/

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