Queer Geographies

Abstract

It is 8.30pm on Monday night in late July 1943, and the profile of an American serviceman standing by the south bank of the Brisbane River was clearly visible to passers-by He seemed to be looking for something as he peered out across a grassy enclosure sloping down towards the water. Two Australian soldiers — now only partially dressed in uniform and in the throes of passion — had piqued his interest. Their activities had attracted a voyeur although they were attempting to enjoy an inti¬mate moment alone in an overrun and overcrowded wartime city. The onlooker, in turn, caught the eye of police on patrol.