Daniel took time to go to Scouting Victoria’s Braybrook office to address Venturer Leaders from across Western and Central Victoria, encouraging them to think about what they were currently doing to support LGBTI young people and to challenge homophobia.

Great discussion and a lively Q&A session followed, partly due to the Regional Coordinator, a high school friend of Daniel’s, revealed how he came out to her during his final year of school.

(Thanks to Suzanne Phoenix Photography)

In early July Daniel travelled to his hometown of Geelong, joining the PFLAG Geelong group for one of their monthly meetings.  He took the time to read from Beyond Priscilla, with snippets also from his first book, Beyond ‘That’s So Gay!’.

The local media were interested in this trip home, with Daniel appearing in both The Geelong Advertiser and The Geelong News.

To mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Daniel travelled to Shepparton to launch the ‘oi!’ rural challenging homophobia campaign, including a live cross to JOY94.9FM’s Saturday Magazine program.

A huge thanks to Shepparton’s Diversity Program and Damien Stevens!

Find out more about ‘oi!’ and how you can get involved here:
niche.thatssogay.com.au/oi-campaign/

One joy for Daniel is when readers of Beyond Priscilla share their photos of where they have read the book.

International Intersex activist and former Hobsons Bay Mayor, Tony Briffa, showed off her copy during a meeting he attended at the United Nations in Geneva.

Another local reader had asked for a signed copy ahead of his week-long holiday in Bali.  Here is the result.

A little bit of LGBTI history took place when Bent TV (Channel 31) presented the YourStory LGBTI series on their ‘In The Thick Of It’ program.  The YourStory team were quite emotional to see all of that hard work on the small screen.

Thanks to Bent TV for making our YourStory year!

Find out more about the YourStory Campaign here: www.thatssogay.com.au/yourstory

It’s possibly the only time you’ll ever see Daniel Witthaus’ name above Christos Tsiolkas’ on a Top Seller list, yet that happened on Hares & Hyenas’ Top Seller List.  Thanks to Crusader, Roland and the team for all their support.

Be sure to support the jewel in Australia’s LGBTI Bookshop Crown here:
www.hares-hyenas.com.au

It was with some nervousness and a little excitement that Daniel approached his first literary festival, the famous Willy Lit Fest in Melbourne’s west.

Daniel was asked to deliver a session on bringing people’s real stories to life, and highlighting how people’s place was critical in getting the story right.

Daniel met with Transgender Victoria (TGV) dynamo Sally Goldner to discuss how best to get rural contacts for upcoming training sessions across regional and rural Victoria.  Don’t miss out!

Be sure to check out their new website here: www.transgendervictoria.com

Thanks to Dymocks Camberwell who asked me to join their monthly Book Club in May.

Daniel enjoyed the reading, especially the thoughtful questions.

Special thanks to Kat!

Every year 15-20,000 book lovers descend upon the small town of Clunes.  The Booktown Festival is world famous, and it seems that many a book enthusiast strikes gold in this, the first town where gold was found in Victoria (which sparked that small gold rush you hear about occasionally).

The people of Clunes were kind enough to invite me to bring Beyond Priscilla: one gay man, one gay truck, one big idea… to town.  All About Books made sure the book was available, Barbara did the legwork ahead of Daniel’s arrival (and made it all possible) and Doug & Jon from Quince Farm Imports were stall hosts (and Daniel’s hosts for the weekend).

Many a conversation was had with passers-by and Daniel felt incredibly looked after.

On Saturday 3rd May, Daniel did a Book Reading for the Clunes Neighbourhood House ‘Burn This Book Festival’ where some 40 people gathered.

Thanks Clunes!