Get ready for some Australian True Crime. We’re wrapping up our world listeners month with a bloody tale from the land down under. At least twenty-seven gay men were hunted and murdered along the White Cliffs of Bondi Beach in New South Wales. Most of their deaths remain open cases to this day. In this episode we discuss the lasting legacy of homophobia on the island continent. As well as the mysterious deaths and 30 year investigation. But don’t worry, we also shout out the progress our queer, Aussie siblings have made. And we hope, as they do, that more justice will be served for the victims. It’s time to head to the land down under as we arrive in Australia for our final episode during World Listeners Month. And since this is episode 66, we did feel it was necessary to go a little dark. Though we want to make it clear, this in no way is meant as a statement on our friends in the southern continent. We are quite aware that Australia is no more violent than any other country or continent. In fact, we in America have no room to talk when it comes to violence. We only make this statement to address old stigmas about parts of Australia that were once founded as British prison colonies. Today most locals have turned this assumed shame into badges of honor. As for our topic today, it has nothing to do with Australia’s past but rather a desire to shine light on mysteries that have gone unsolved for over 30 years. Horrendous crimes committed against queer Australians. Let us dive into the tale of the Cliffs of Death. The air was unseasonably warm and the night dark as a 27 year old Scott Johnson ran along the White Cliffs of New South Wales. He was panting and terrified. In the darkness, shrieks of laughter and taunting from teenage boys erupted across the open field. They had found their prey. Surrounding Johnson, the boys continued their jeers. No doubt threatening to beat him senseless. The reasons for the hunt are unclear. It could have simply been teen rowdiness spurred on by toxic masculinity, or it could have been an initiation into the gang through “poofter bashing”. Whatever the reason, Scott Johnson – an American mathematician and a gay man – was the target. Any gay man would do, but Johnson happened to be the poor bloke at the wrong place at the wrong time. As the boys drew closer to the frightened man, someone instructed Johnson to strip naked. Perhaps promising him freedom if he complied with their humiliation. Scott neatly placed his clothes and belongings into a pile. What happened next we do not know. But we do know that Scott Johnson was forced off the cliff to his death. Over the next decade at least 27 gay men would face the same death after being hunted on the White Cliffs by the homophobic gangs. No weapons were needed. As one assailant later admitted, “The easiest thing with a cliff is just herding them over the edge.” Though Johnson’s body was found within a few days, police ruled the death a suicide. Which were not uncommon on the White Cliffs, even to this day. However, even if there had been ample evidence of murder, it is unlikely the New South Wales police of 1988 would have done anything. This is partly why hunting gay men became such a popular sport. The police hated the queers just as much as the other residents of Australia during this time. Just a decade earlier, the gays and lesbians of the Gay Solidartity Group had attempted a march down Oxford Street in what would eventually be known as Sydney’s Mardi Gras. However, they were cut off by police. Who arrested 53 people and dragged them to the city’s prison. Once inside, the police beat several of the organizers. Before releasing them the next morning without charge. After all, the protesters had obtained a legal permit and had done nothing to violate the law. Regardless,