Coming out in the 80s was incredibly hard for many gay people but Maeve Marsden was already in the queer community.
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She came out to her lesbian mothers as a teenager and felt "lucky" to have a supportive network.
Now the Sydney woman is using her platform as a writer, director, producer, and performer to share other queer people's stories.
Ms Marsden hosts an event Queestories, which allows lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people, to tell tales about their lives.
And now she is bringing the event to Wollongong this Friday.
"I started to run Queerstories events in Sydney in 2015 and then they became popular so I kept doing them," she said. "I want to celebrate LGBTQI+ history and that part of my life.
"Queer history is not always recorded so I host Queerstories so people's experiences are remembered and celebrated."
Ms Marsden runs Queerstories events regularly in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and regional towns.
"I book six queer people to tell an engaging story about their life," she said.
"The stories won't be about the usual coming out experience or views on marriage equality.
"The stories are about what makes that person them and can be about loved ones, a hobby, travel, childhood or something they are passionate about.
"The stories heard in Wollongong will be about family, relationships, a University of Wollongong protest and a UOW party.
"I have told the storytellers to focus on a specific or intimate event in their life rather trying to tell their whole life story.
Comedian Annaliese Constable, writer Patrick Lenton, lifelong activist Mystery Carnage, poet Gabrielle Journey Jones and drag queen James Christie-Murray will join Ms Marsden at Wollongong Art Gallery from 6pm. It is Auslan interpreted.
"Each time I am approached by a council to do my Queerstories it is great because it shows that area supports LGBTQI people," Ms Marsden said.
"The night will be a celebratory event where people can listen to the speakers."
Ms Marsden encouraged people to get tickets before they sold out.
She hoped LGBTQI people went to the event but everyone was welcome to attend.
"This is not an education or awareness training event. It is for the LGBTQI+ community," Ms Marsden said.
"Queerstories has been described as a queer church where we come together as a community."
The Wollongong stories will form part of Ms Marsden's collection which can be heard on her podcast.
Tickets, $28, can be purchased from Eventbrite.
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