Inside the Greatest Menace, the podcast that exposed Australia’s ‘gay prison’ experiment
The campaign won in the Podcast of the Year category at The Drum Awards for Online Media and also took home the Grand Prix.
The Greatest Menace: Inside the Gay Prison Experiment is an eight-part investigative queer true crime documentary series released globally by Audible. The series delves into the history of Australia’s ’gay prison’, established in 1957 as part of a government operation to eradicate homosexuality, which was considered ”the greatest menace to society” at the time.
The Brief
Through three years of research, Patrick Abboud and Simon Cunich uncovered the painful past of the institution and the shocking human experiments conducted inside to ’treat’ homosexuality. The series aims to shed light on historical injustices, trace their impact on present-day Australia and challenge societal attitudes toward queer identities.
The Idea
The Greatest Menace combines rigorous research, intimate interviews and immersive sound design to create a genre-pushing true crime podcast. It not only serves as a work of investigative journalism, it also incorporates a deeply personal narrative from host Patrick Abboud, who shares his experience of coming out in a Middle-Eastern Australian family. The series goes beyond a typical true crime format, aiming to educate and engage listeners while exploring the broader issues of homophobia, transphobia and the weaponization of shame. It seeks to reclaim hidden history, reshape identities and promote a more accepting future.
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The Result
The impact of The Greatest Menace has been significant on multiple levels. By exposing the abuse of human rights and the systematic efforts of the NSW Government and NSW Police to eradicate homosexuality, the series has raised public awareness and initiated a campaign for government institutions to acknowledge and apologize for their past actions. The podcast has contributed to the expungement of criminal records for some of the interviewees, providing them with a life-changing opportunity to shed shame and guilt. The personal impact on host Patrick Abboud is noteworthy as his journey with his mother has inspired plans for a national support program to mediate difficult family relationships for young queer individuals from non-English speaking backgrounds.
The series has resonated with audiences, both within and outside the LGBTQ+ community, who have praised its ability to help them understand their own experiences. The extensive media coverage and international recognition through numerous awards and nominations have brought the untold story to a wider audience. The podcast’s success has also fueled calls for a public apology from government institutions responsible for historical injustices against the LGBTQ+ community. The positive reviews and consistent 5-star ratings on Audible reflect the series’ powerful storytelling, comprehensive research and compassionate journalism, highlighting its importance in uncovering Australia’s hidden and inhumane history.
This campaign won at The Drum Awards for Online Media 2023. Find out more about The Drum’s Global Awards program or head to our case studies hub to read more award-winning stories.