Voices of Us

Elvis Martin (He/Him) is a social justice advocate who has managed to overcome very difficult circumstances and inspire many with his advocacy for social justice. The recipient of awards such as National young Community Achiever of the year. Elvis has worked, volunteered and spoken publicly in many roles, addressing mental health, homelessness, family violence and LGBTIQA+ community issues. Currently Elvis as Principal Ambassador of Youth Development Australia, government LGBTIQ taskforce member and on the Board of VMIAC. He uses his platform, including a large social media following, to promote inclusion, diversity and equality for all.

Follow Elvis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elvismartin_official/


In this first episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Elvis Martin, a social justice advocate and a previous international student. Elvis has been involved in many initiatives and organisations on many community issues including LGBTIQA+ challenges. 

In this episode, you will hear about Elvis’ journey of discovering of his sexual identity, the challenges he had to face in a cultural context, and some of his tips about how to explore one’s sexual identity in a safe way (including dating apps and existing queer resources).

Proudly supported by City of Melbourne Libraries, Voices of Us is a series of podcasts that focuses on the voices of queer international students. It creates a safe space for international students to share stories, raise awareness about sexuality and explore culturally specific issues, and provides them the resources and support. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape the way they engage with family, friends and partners.

Voices of Us Ep. 1 Elvis; The Moment You Realised You were Queer

Phoebe Thompson (They/Them) is a queer, nonbinary curator, artist, and poet living on unceded Boon Wurrung land. Their multi-disciplinary practice is concerned with sustainability, personal identity, and the built and existing environment, whilst placing value on process, sentimentality, and connection.

Follow Phoebe:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pho_tho_/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebe-thompson-256a63208/


Anthony Mario Mathew (He/Him) is a 26 year old artist who resides in the town of Stawell in Victoria. He works as a Primary School Teacher and is passionate about bringing positive change to his surroundings by being actively involved in the fields of music, drama, visual arts and fashion. Mario aspires to bloom and make the world a better place through his voice.

In this second episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Phoebe, a Melbourne-born queer artist and Mario a queer international student from India. Phoebe and Mario met each other in an art initiative - Across the Bridge. 

In this episode, you will learn more about what genders and pronouns mean to two different individuals from different backgrounds. Both Phoebe and Mario talked about how they went about discovering their respective sexual identity and pronouns. The challenges they both faced growing up in an environment where queer topics are taboo and in a society that has lots of stereotypes and tends to put people in boxes.

Proudly supported by City of Melbourne Libraries, Voices of Us is a series of podcasts that focuses on the voices of queer international students. It creates a safe space for international students to share stories, raise awareness about sexuality and explore culturally specific issues, and provides them the resources and support. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape the way they engage with family, friends and partners.

Voices of Us Ep. 2: Phoebe & Mario; Sexuality, Gender, Pronouns...Let's get out of all the Boxes

Alireza Noori is a trilingual software developer, music, animal and nature lover. On a journey of exploring what this beautiful world has to offer.

Rames is American Samoa at heart and Asia at look. He loves sleeping and just being lazy.

In this third episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Rames and Ali who grow up in different cultural backgrounds, which have affected their queer identity differently. 

In this episode, you will hear their stories to explore their identities, find freedom and their community in Australia. One speaker comes from a country where queer is a norm and accepted. Whereas another speaker comes from a country where queer is taboo and not usually discussed.

While their culture shapes their understanding of society and norms, sometimes it challenges them to truly understand and identify themselves. They also shared their challenges trying to connect with other queers authentically and meaningfully in Australia.

Proudly supported by City of Melbourne Libraries, Voices of Us is a series of podcasts that focuses on the voices of queer international students. It creates a safe space for international students to share stories, raise awareness about sexuality and explore culturally specific issues, and provides them the resources and support. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape the way they engage with family, friends and partners.

Voices Of Us Ep. 3: Rames And Ali: The Complexity Of Revealing Your Authentic Identity

In this fourth episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Coby Liew, an experienced mental health practitioner and previous international student and Michael Tian, a current international student, peer mentoring officer and LGBTQIA+ advocate. Both Coby and Michael have been involved in a number of initiatives in supporting queer international students.

In this episode, you will hear some of the advocacy work of Coby and Michael both in and outside of their day job. The speakers also provides their advice on how others (queer and alies) can also contribute in raising awareness and supporting multicultural LGBTQIA+ communities. They also mentioned the dilemmas and challenges engaging with the ones who are still in the closet. 

If you are experiencing challenges, reach out to professionals as early as you can so you can access resources and receive guidance to support you.

Proudly supported by City of Melbourne Libraries, Voices of Us is a series of podcasts that focuses on the voices of queer international students. It creates a safe space for international students to share stories, raise awareness about sexuality and explore culturally specific issues, and provides them the resources and support. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape the way they engage with family, friends and partners.
Coby Liew (He/Him) is an advocate for good mental health and he regularly presents at conferences and facilitates training workshops across different states in Australia and internationally. He is openly gay, born and bred in Borneo, and he is an accredited mental health professional in Australia.

Follow Coby:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cobyliew/

Michael Tian (He/Him) is an international student and LGBTIQ+ advocate, currently working as a Peer Mentoring Officer at RMIT University. He quite enjoys interacting with diverse people and listening to people's stories. In his spare time, he is a travel addict, making friends with local residents and other travellers is the way to expand his life experiences.

Follow Michael:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelbaker0502/

Voices of Us Ep. 4: Michael & Coby; When and How to support queer international students?

In this fifth episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Jing Yang and Liz who were both previously international students. They met each other in Melbourne through a Chinese dating app. Jing now works in the sustainability and circular economy industry and Liz is a landscape architect. 

In this episode, you will hear Jing and Liz experiences of navigating various relationships as queer international students and recent graduates. From making friends, finding love to coming out to your family, Jing and Liz share some of the things that worked for them.


About the speakers:
Jing Yang (She/Her) transitioned her queer adulthood in Melbourne while she pursued her career in sustainability and circular economy. She enjoys the most to mobilise her queer fellows in taking community-led climate action.

Follow Jing:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vszai2/

Liz Li is a happily out queer landscape architect, who loves the ocean, plants, and rocks. Growing up in China and landing in Australia 6 years ago, luckily she has been living with all the kindness from the people around her throughout her queerhood, which makes the current her happy, out and proud.

Proudly supported by City of Melbourne Libraries, Voices of Us is a series of podcasts that focuses on the voices of queer international students. It creates a safe space for international students to share stories, raise awareness about sexuality and explore culturally specific issues, and provides them the resources and support. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape the way they engage with family, friends and partners.

Voices of Us Ep. 5: Jing & Liz; Navigating Relationships with Your Partner, Friends, Families +

‘Be an Ally: Voice Out for Your Queer International Friends’

About Voices of Us: 
'Voices of Us' (VOU) is a podcast that shares authentic stories from LGBTQIA+ international students, alumni and allies. 

This episode is part of the project “Voices of Us Ripples.” 

In today’s episode of Voices of Us, we will be speaking with Muskaan and Beaw, both of whom are young international students and strong allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. For Muskaan and Beaw, an LGBTQIA+ ally is someone who fully supports their queer friends, strives to understand challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, and stands in solidarity with their queer friends. Growing up in different cultures, Muskaan and Beaw have different stories of how they’ve become allies. Muskaan and Beaw also talk about potential resistance and backlash of being an ally, and some tips on being a supportive ally are shared.   

About the host: 
Born and raised in Sichuan, China, Feifei Liao (she/her) is dedicated to bringing queer international students and allies together through storytelling, curiosity and shared experience while championing inclusion, diversity and equity. As a creative producer, curator, facilitator, multicultural consultant, contemporary dancer, public speaker, recovery educator and advocate, elevating others to explore their full potential and enabling silent voices to be heard and expressed are Feifei’s heartland.  
Follow Feifei: feifeicuriosity.com  

About the speakers:
Muskaan (she/her) is a passionate advocate for change and inclusion, delivering meaningful contributions across policy, education, and mental health. She thrives on transforming ideas into action and is committed to creating supportive and welcoming spaces. A passionate ally for LGBTQ+ rights, Muskaan stands firm in her belief that allyship is crucial for progress. Her vibrant energy and enthusiasm shine through in all her efforts, driven by her conviction that a better world is possible when everyone has a seat at the table. 

Beaw (she/her) is a proud global citizen with a passion for psychology and diversity. She is an upbeat graphic designer and illustrator for the OurPoint3 community. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is studying for a Master of Teaching Secondary (specialising in psychology and media arts) as an international student at Monash University. She is firmly setting her sights on a career path that empowers individuals and promotes mental health and well-being in innovative ways. Beaw also thrives on helping people find happiness in their life journey, including embracing themselves. She prioritises her commitment to fostering inclusivity and acceptance as an LGBTQIA+ ally. 

About Our Point 3: 
Our Point 3 is a not-for-profit organisation bringing LGBTQIA+ international students, alumni and allies together, to enable our community to grow and thrive in an inclusive, welcoming and equitable world.  

Voices of Us Production Team: 
Feifei Liao (she/her) - Founder, executive director, host  
Yihan Li (she/her) - Podcast Coordinator  
Jespher Wen (he/him) - Communications Officer  
Seng Doi - Podcast Engineer  
Tom Zeng (he/him) - Project Support Officer 

Connect with Our Point 3 
Like and subscribe to our channels to stay updated with new episodes 

Website: https://www.feifeicuriosity.com/ourpoint3 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourpoint3.org 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourpoint3/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ourpoint3 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ourpoint3 

@ourpoint3 #voicesofus #VOUep9 

Voices of Us Ep. 9: Beaw and Muskaan: Be an Ally: Voice Out for Your Queer Interantional Friends

City, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
East Melbourne, 122 George Street, East Melbourne
Kathleen Syme, 251 Faraday Street, Carlton
Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Prom
narrm ngarrgu Library, 141 Therry Street, Melbourne 
North Melbourne, 66 Errol Street, North Melbourne
Southbank Library at Boyd, 207 City Road