No more excuses: hotbabe93's FLINTA* database demands diverse lineups

“THERE’S TOO MANY MAN TOO MANY MANY MAN,” Gadigal Land/Sydney DJ hotbabe93 (they/them) shares via their Instagram story.

Contrary to the opinions of a vocal minority, a significant conversation about diversity is still ongoing among not only Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand’s dance scenes, but also across the globe. Conversations and initiatives that happened years prior have not had the sweeping impact that many would like to think that they did.

hotbabe93’s FLINTA* DJ database is a tangible effort to change that.

FLINTA*, a German acronym that stands for Frauen (women), Lesben (lesbians), Intergeschlechtliche (intersex), Nichtbinär (non-binary), Transgender, and Agender, is a European concept that is becoming more regularly used in favour of LGBTQIA+, which still applies to and involves cis men.

The initiative, started by the DJ and supported upon announcement by Gadigal Land venue Chinese Laundry, is not the first of its kind. In 2020, Sarah Morgan, half of the duo In2stellar, along with Floss Dog, aka Florence Brown of Primer, started WIP Project.

“An online database of female/trans/non-binary and GNC dance music industry members across AU/NZ,” the database contributed to a vast and growing conversation around the diversity of lineups across both regions.

In 2025, hotbabe93’s effort to contribute a similar resource, albeit with no idea that WIP Project had existed, proves that there is still a very real need for this conversation to continue. The database, started by the DJ and currently comprising nearly 300 submissions, is open to anyone who falls under the FLINTA* umbrella and has been sent to more than 50 promoters, bookers, agents, and managers across Australia.

The argument: promoters now have no excuse not to book people who aren’t cis men.

In a scene once again grappling with the need to remain self-aware, across ideas of privilege, gender, sexuality, and the impact of global politics on all of these concepts, community efforts like hotbabe93’s list are proving a vital way to discern between who cares and who doesn’t.

We spoke with them about what inspired the list and what she hopes it can provide to the broader scene.

HB93: “Thank you for reaching out! It was a spur-of-the-moment idea, honestly. It came to mind after a conversation I’d had with two female DJ friends of mine while we were at an event! We were discussing the lack of diversity on a lot of lineups, and one of them said something along the lines of ‘I swear you, Mincy, and Foura are the only non-male UKG DJs’, which I was kind of taken aback by!

I was like - ‘hold on a minute, there are so many non-male DJs in the scene, why aren’t they also being platformed?’

I’d also noticed a significant decline in non-male representation across many lineups, mainly in Sydney/Eora, since International Women’s Day. It was a multitude of issues I’d seen that prompted me to take action. Within a week of me having the idea, I had the database up and running!”

HB93: There’s quite a big power imbalance when it comes to the bookings and management side of the industry. Women, queer & GNC folks are extremely underrepresented as promoters, bookers, managers, and agents. I find that this contributes to a lack of perception among decision-makers in the industry. When it’s not top of mind or out in the open, it’s easy to forget that there is a problem. I think it’s either that those at the top don't see it as a problem because they aren’t directly affected by it, or they aren’t utilising the resources available to diversify their lineups.

There is definitely a lot of risk when it comes to speaking up on these issues as well. I’ve been threatened, bullied and harassed in person and online by men in the industry who didn’t like the fact that I am so vocal! A lot of women, queer & GNC folks within the industry unfortunately don’t speak much to these issues in fear of any sort of repercussions from those in power.

At the end of the day, the more diverse a lineup is, the bigger and more diverse the crowd will be. This isn’t just something that benefits only FLINTA* DJs, but also benefits the clubs, venues and parties!

HB93: FLINTA* stands for females, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, transgender and agender people. It’s something I came across while creating the form. We obviously already have LGBTQIA+ as an acronym that covers the queer community, but that also includes cis-men. It was great to find an acronym inclusive of everyone who falls under the non-cis male umbrella! It’s made these issues a lot easier to highlight.

The obstacles that FLINTA* DJs face when it comes to bookings are drastically different to those that a cis-man faces. We have to work 10x as hard to be recognised without any stigmas, and then even harder to get booked consistently. That’s why it’s been so important to me to highlight this issue. It’s about evening the playing field for EVERYONE.

HB93: This isn’t an attack on men by any means whatsoever, and this isn’t something to take opportunities away from them either. I see this argument used so frequently whenever women or queer/GNC folks bring up any type of inequality within any space.

I think men just need to take a step back for a minute sometimes and actually listen to what’s being said because, at the end of the day, a more equal scene benefits everyone!

HB93: I had no clue it existed! I was made aware of WIP Project by a friend of mine after I had floated the idea of the database, which kind of made me hesitant to create it because I didn’t want to take away from Sarah’s incredible work! We’ve actually been in conversation to see if we can work together and utilise my database to help fill the gap that’s been left since it’s been inactive for a few years.

However, I do wish it had been around when I first started DJing at the end of 2023; it would have been so beneficial to many people’s careers over the last few years if it had been active. I’m so glad it’s making a comeback!

HB93: I’m really blessed to have such a strong community backing me in all my endeavours, so when I brought this idea up in a few different circles of mine, it was really amazing to have everyone be so supportive of the creation of this!

Knowing I have so many like-minded people around me really gave me the courage to go for it and create the database.

HB93: I’ve found from my personal experience (especially as a queer person) booking only cis-males can sometimes breed a very toxic environment. We’ve seen it a few times over the last year with some very male-dominated clubs, that they can become very off putting for women, GNC & queer people.

Lots of ‘boys’ clubs’ and spaces that have quickly become unsafe for us because of the lack of diversity. I think it’s also contributed to the rise in sexual violence, transphobia and homophobia that has been plaguing the Sydney/Eora scene for some time now.

I know for myself if I see a lineup that is predominantly cis-men or see photos/videos from a club that has a crowd full of only cis-men, I’m not going to go.

HB93: It’s at almost 300 submissions! Which is insane to me! I never ever expected that sort of response.

The video I posted to Instagram about it was also simple - I was in my pyjamas, in bed, with no makeup on. I just hooked up my mic to my laptop, opened Photo Booth, and hit record. I edited and posted it that afternoon, and it took off.

To have some of Australia’s most prolific DJs like Brent Honey, Laura King and Sarah from In2stellar (who ran WIP Project), just to name a few, commenting, liking and sharing the post is so massive and I can’t believe how many people have rallied behind me in support of this project.

The first week of submissions was mental! I honestly couldn’t keep up. To have this many submissions in just a few weeks is incredible, and it’s increasing every day! The more people who share it within their communities, the bigger and stronger the database will become.

HB93: The week I came up with the spreadsheet, I’d had a nice catch-up on the phone with Nergal (who is the brains behind Laundry), and when I ran the idea past him, he told me to go for it! It was never planned to be a collaboration.

Still, as soon as I posted the video on Instagram, he immediately messaged me and said, “Make this a collab with Laundry so you can access our following,” which was so kind of him. It wouldn’t have reached the level it did without him, so I’m very thankful that he also wanted to invest in this project.

HB93: I hope it can be a really helpful tool for those who wish to diversify their lineups, discover new talent they’ve never heard of before, and promote a healthier club scene.

I’m not really sure where to take it from here; it’s currently a passion project I’ve taken on out of my own time completely for free - I work full time and obviously DJ as well so maybe one day if my DJ career takes off I can fully invest into it and create some sort of platform similar to WIP Project or maybe even jump on board with them!

HB93: Listen to us when we say there’s a diversity issue, support your FLINTA friends and call out those who aren’t doing a good enough job!

A few men in the comment section of my video expressed that they don’t see this as an issue, some men have tried to be sneaky and fill out the form (albeit a few that didn’t understand it wasn’t for them), and some men have just sent me a bunch of hate which is upsetting because at the end of the day this helps EVERYONE.

I think we just need to ensure that we’re creating a safe and welcoming space for EVERYONE, regardless of gender, sexuality and race. Again, the more diverse a lineup, the more diverse a crowd, the bigger the crowd and the better the crowd!

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Jack Colquhoun is Mixmag ANZ's Managing Editor, find him on Instagram.