Kate Rowe

  • Lesbians are Lovely!

    Excited to be on the panel for this Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras event in partnership with UNSW on the 17th of February 2026.

    Buy tickets

    Mon Schafter | Kath Ebbs | Kate Rowe | Jackie Turner

    We’ve come a long way since references to lesbians could potentially land you jail-time and lesbian culture was less visible in literature and the arts, social commentary and public life. From anthemic pop icons Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish to commercially successful flicks like Bottoms and Love Lies Bleeding, lesbian culture is having a moment. 

    In the fifty years since the rallying cry “Lesbians are Lovely!” was sprawled across walls, bodies and picket boards in the fight for recognition and liberation, there have been many developments in queer identity and culture. But are we making space for all lesbians and how can we celebrate every part of our community?

    Join UNSW’s Centre for Ideas for an evening of all things lesbian and lovely. Hosted by Walkley Award-winning journalist, presenter and producer Mon Schafter (they/she) and featuring a trailblazing lineup of panellists, including Kate Rowe (she/her), an activist and advocate ‘78er who marched in the original Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras; Kath Ebbs (they/she) queer actor, presenter and content creator; and Jackie Turner (she/her), trans woman, social justice and climate organiser, and Director of Trans Justice Project.

    This event is co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas (in collaboration with Dr Yves Rees) and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

    Kate Rowe

  • Midsumma Festival

    Looking forward to taking part in this lesbian storytelling event on the 5th February 2026.

    Book tickets

    An evening of intergenerational storytelling

    Our annual sellout spoken word event Wise Words is back! Come join us for an evening of intergenerational storytelling.

    Wise Words features a line-up of some of Australia’s most prominent and talented LGBTIQ+ women and gender diverse folk.

    We are thrilled to announce our 2026 line-up:

    Krystal De Napoli (Gomeroi award-winning author, host Indigenuity 3RRR)
    Mira Robertson (Grace & Marigold, Head On, Only the Brave )
    Jax Bulstrode (writer and poet, Cul de Sac Rabbits)
    Candy Bowers (Hot Brown Honey Burlesque)
    Kate Rowe (Mardi Gras 78er, author How the F*ck Would I Know?)
    Cherry Zheng  (winner Island Non-Fiction Prize)
    Gabrielle Griffin and Simone O’Brien (Mutton, The Duo).

    Kate Rowe

  • Thirroul Library

    An intimate talk and conversation with an engaged audience. And a performance by the Wahine Soundz

    Kate Rowe

  • Conversations

    What a privilage and experience to share some stories from my book How the F*ck would I know?
    with Richard Fiedler from ABC Conversations. An incredible man with integrity.

    Listen to the podcast here.

    Kate Rowe

This is not a how-to book — because who really knows how to live a life?

Fleeing to Australia as a “Ten Pound Pom” in the 1970s, Kate didn’t expect her demons to follow her. It took facing her truth to break free of the drugs and alcohol that had controlled her since her teens in a desperate attempt to escape the shadow of sexual trauma.

Finally in recovery and stepping into her own, a 26-year-old Kate embraces her sexuality against the backdrop of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras — and is promptly swept into the political and social tensions of the time.

As she builds a new life on the rocky foundations of her beginnings, Kate learns to find the lighter moments, and starts to write. From a kidney donation, to a love letter to her cats, tackling ten Ironman events, and learning ukulele, this collection of stories illustrates a determined woman finding her way through the mess of life with a smile.