{{Short description|Gay columnist and performer (1967–2024)}} {{use dmy|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Lance Leopard | image = Lance Leopard wiki headshot.jpg | caption = At Madd Club, 2019, Sydney. | birth_name = Marc Philip Pierce | birth_date = 11 March 1967 | birth_place = Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia | death_date = 16 June 2024 | death_place = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | occupation = Writer, club event promoter, make-up artist, performer | signature = Lance wiki signature.jpg }} '''Lance Leopard''' (born Marc Philip Pierce; 11 March 1967 – 16 June 2024) was a writer, club event promoter, performer and make-up artist. He wrote weekly columns in the 1990s about gay and lesbian culture and nightlife on Oxford Street's "Golden Mile",<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wotherspoon |first=Garry |title=Gay Sydney: A History. |year=2016 |publisher=NewSouth Publishing |isbn=9781742234830 |page=197}}</ref> Sydney, during the peak AIDS era.
He mostly worked for free LGBTIQA+ street newspapers ''Capital Q'' and the ''Sydney Star Observer,'' glossy gay magazines ''Outrage'' and ''Campaign,'' and music newspaper ''On The Street''.
In addition to his writing, Leopard was a make-up artist for drag queens, an event promoter and emceed many community fundraisers, including Mardi Gras events and for HIV/AIDS awareness. He also performed in a New Romantic band and had small roles in television and short films.
== Early career ==
=== 1981: Developing his fashion style and looks at nightclubs === In 1981 when Leopard was 14 he went to The Terminus and Marilyn's nightclubs, which attracted gay crowds, outsiders and young fashionistas who took pride in wearing the latest hairstyles and creating their own looks.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dennis |first=Patrick |title=Queersland |publisher=AndAlso |year=2025 |isbn=978-1-7641424-0-3 |editor-last=Goodbun |editor-first=Rod |location=Brisbane |pages=73 |chapter=A Star Is Born |editor-last2=Shaw |editor-first2=Edwina}}</ref>
In person, he had "the dramatic sense of Elizabeth Taylor, the social skills of Princess Lee Radziwill", "the voice of Rex Harrison" and "the substance capacity of Liza Minnelli".<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Devine |first=Stephen |date=12 March 1999 |title=Devine Intervention |work=Capital Q |location=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref> "He was Quentin Crisp, Tennessee Williams, and Joan Collins, à la Alexis, rolled into one."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kelly |first=David Owen |title=Queersland |publisher=AndAlso |year=2025 |isbn=978-1-7641424-0-3 |editor-last=Goodbun |editor-first=Rod |location=Brisbane |pages=70 |chapter=Rutland Court |editor-last2=Shaw |editor-first2=Edwina}}</ref>
He loved the traditional gay passions, "high and low", of popular culture icons, acerbic writers, Hollywood movie stars in old black and white movies, and taught his friends to learn the names of all "Zsa Zsa's nine husbands".<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Kelly |first=David Owen |title=Queersland |publisher=AndAlso |year=2025 |isbn=978-1-7641424-0-3 |editor-last=Goodbun |editor-first=Rod |location=Brisbane |pages=67 |chapter=Rutland Court |editor-last2=Shaw |editor-first2=Edwina}}</ref>
Leopard was noted in the Queensland Museum's "Make a Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity and Club Culture in the '90s" exhibition as a "bon vivant" and make-up artist for both the Glamourpussy fashion label and Kylie Minogue impersonator Adrian Barker. They wore the label's outfits, which added a sense of "camp energy and theatricality" to their nightclub appearances.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Salter |first=Chris |url=https://www.museum.qld.gov.au/kurilpa/whats-on/make-a-scene |title=Make a Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity and Club Culture in the 90s |publisher=Queensland Museum |year=2025 |location=Brisbane |access-date=7 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209172819/https://www.museum.qld.gov.au/kurilpa/whats-on/make-a-scene |archive-date=9 February 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
At 15, Leopard left school, as he felt he didn't need further education to "be a star".<ref name=":1" />
=== 1982: Joined the MegaMen === In 1982 Leopard played electronic drums when he joined New Romantic band The MegaMen in Brisbane, with Mark Love on synthesiser and Zhian (Clyde Behm) as lead singer. They were the resident band at Marilyn's nightclub.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Dennis |first=Patrick |title=Queersland |publisher=AndAlso Books |year=2025 |isbn=978-1-7641424-0-3 |editor-last=Goodbun |editor-first=Rod |location=Brisbane |pages=75 |chapter=A Star is Born |editor-last2=Shaw |editor-first2=Edwina}}</ref> Their 1983 single, ''Designed for Living,'' was a "cult-classic hit",<ref name=":0" /> which they performed on television for the Brisbane ''Telethon'' fundraiser<ref name=":11" /> and they supported national acts The Reels and Deckchairs Overboard.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |last=Potts |first=Andrew |title=Lance Leopard remembered |url=https://qnews.com.au/lance-leopard-remembered/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710063742/https://qnews.com.au/lance-leopard-remembered/ |archive-date=10 July 2024 |access-date=7 January 2026 |work=QNews |location=Brisbane}}</ref>
"That band, The MegaMen, made me an overnight star," Leopard wrote. "Limousines were as natural to me as the air that I breathed by the time I was 17. But I was a has-been by the age of 18."<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=15 September 2000 |title=$1.5 million of Olympic rings to admire |work=Capital Q |location=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref>
Leopard performed at two MegaMen reunions: in October 2012 at St Paul's Tavern, Brisbane, and in 2014 at the Brisbane Powerhouse<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 September 2014 |title=BNE - The Event - Review |url=https://transcomblog.wordpress.com/2014/09/09/bne-the-event-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826000646/https://transcomblog.wordpress.com/2014/09/09/bne-the-event-review/ |archive-date=26 August 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=12 January 2026 |work=Transmission Communications |location=Brisbane}}</ref> for record label Transmission Communications' book launch of ''BNE – The Definitive Archive: Brisbane Independent Electronic Music Production 1979–2014.''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Remmer |first=Dennis |title=BNE – The Definitive Archive: Brisbane Independent Electronic Music Production 1979–2014 |publisher=Transmission Communications |year=2014 |isbn=9780646921501}}</ref> The ''Designed for Living'' single was selected for an American compilation of gay electronica in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 December 2024 |title=Megamen - Designed for Living |url=https://darkentriesrecords.bandcamp.com/track/megamen-designed-for-living |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111201408/https://darkentriesrecords.bandcamp.com/track/megamen-designed-for-living |archive-date=11 January 2025 |access-date=13 January 2026 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>
=== 1984–early 1990s: Adopted new name, moved to Sydney, eventually into Nevada Studios (known for its parties) === In 1984, he adopted the Lance Leopard name from a character in one of his favourite books, Patrick Dennis' parody novel ''Little Me,'' a camp send-up of celebrity culture.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dennis |first=Patrick |title=Little Me |publisher=Broadway Books |year= |isbn=0-7679-1347-7 |edition=2nd |location=New York |publication-date=2002 |pages=268}}</ref>
Leopard moved to Sydney in 1985<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kelly |first=David Owen |title=Queersland |publisher=AndAlso |isbn=978-1-7641424-0-3 |editor-last=Goodbun |editor-first=Rod |location=Brisbane |publication-date=2025 |pages=71 |editor-last2=Shaw |editor-first2=Edwina}}</ref> and dabbled in "art, singing, drugs, booze. Mostly socialising".<ref name=":2" /> He worked as a make-up artist and stylist<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Tony |date=18 June 2024 |title=New Romantic musician and staple of Brisbane's '80s club scene killed in fire |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/as-it-happened-brisbane-on-tuesday-june-18-20240617-p5jmbn.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620001627/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/as-it-happened-brisbane-on-tuesday-june-18-20240617-p5jmbn.html?post=p575pl |archive-date=20 June 2024 |access-date=8 January 2026 |work=Brisbane Times|url-access=registration}}</ref> and ended up in an artists' collective, Nevada Studios, in 1992, with talented costume creator Brenton Heath-Kerr (who died of AIDS-related complications at the age of 33 on 1 July 1995).<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Frankham |first=Nic |date=27 July 1995 |title=Obituary Brenton Heath-Kerr |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19950727-01.1.13&srpos=3&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN-brenton+heath+kerr------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
Nevada Studios was known for its parties, such as New Year's Eve 1993 Poseidon Adventure, where drag queen Bernina Bod (Brett Chamberlain) sang Diana Ross' ''Upside Down'' with tables, chairs and a Christmas tree attached to the ceiling.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnston |first=Brad |date=1 October 1998 |title=The accidental artists |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19981001-01.1.17&srpos=7&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN-accidental+artists------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
Leopard performed as crooning singer "Lance Vegas" at Nevada's Studio 50Whore party.<ref name=":4" /> Artist-activist David McDiarmid (1952–1995), who enjoyed fabulous parties in New York from 1979 to 1987, described: "Nevada New Year's Eve was wild ... "<ref>{{Cite news |last=Canning |first=Paul |date=2 April 1993 |title=The Boundary Rider |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19930402-01.1.21&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN-boundary+rider------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
In 1993, Leopard exhibited ten portraits of drag queens Cindy Pastel, Lady Bump, Maude Boate,<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 February 2023 |title=Folly of Gossip: a look into Sydney's early drag scene |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2023/feb/20/folly-of-gossip-a-look-into-sydneys-early-drag-scene-in-pictures |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219143359/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2023/feb/20/folly-of-gossip-a-look-into-sydneys-early-drag-scene-in-pictures |archive-date=19 February 2023 |access-date=11 February 2026 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live}}</ref> pop singer Marcia Hines and other inner city performers, in a joint art exhibition ''All Style No Substance'' with artist Darian Zam at Nevada Studios, from 15 to 27 December.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hayes |first=Paul |date=10 December 1993 |title=Enchantress and refined sugar |work=Capital Q |publication-place=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref>
== Writing: 1993 to 2000 == Leopard began as a television and video reviewer for the ''Capital Q'' weekly free newspaper in April 1993, and added a social column in 19 August 1994.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=19 August 1994 |title=My way of life |work=Capital Q |location=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref> He was poached by the ''Sydney Star Observer,'' where he wrote from 30 May 1996 to 18 September 1997, finishing his last column with half a sentence. The next day, his column in ''Capital Q'' started with the rest of the same sentence. His last column appeared on 17 November 2000<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=17 November 2000 |title=Take a bow |work=Capital Q |publication-place=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref> when ''Capital Q'' closed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mills |first=David |date=23 November 2000 |title=Everything must go. Satellite Group pubs and papers up for sale |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star20001123-01.1.1&srpos=1&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN-Everything+must+go.+Satellite+Group+pubs+and+papers+up+for+sale------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
He wrote weekly Showgirls columns in ''Capital Q'' from 19 September 1997<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=19 September 1997 |title=Eyelash |work=Capital Q |publication-place=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref> to 3 November 2000, which promoted coming shows and behind-the-scenes gossip. Drag queens and performers regularly mentioned included Claire de Lune, Miss 3D, Christie McNicholl, Chelsea Bun, Portia Turbo, Vanessa Wagner and Mitzi Macintosh.
Technologically-challenged, Leopard never learnt how to type, and on Mondays used to dictate his Thursday deadline columns in a "fragile and dramatic" state with an "incredibly sore head" after a hectic weekly socialising period which ran from Thursdays to Sundays.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=18 July 1996 |title=You're glaring at me |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19960718-01.1.13&srpos=6&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN-You%27re+glaring+at+me------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
His stream-of-consciousness writing style was described as "a barely-controlled gush in which sentimentality battles it out with sensationalism, both defying any inclination to scepticism".<ref>{{Cite news |last=MacNeill |first=Ian |date=23 February 1995 |title=Young Marilyn |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19950223-01.1.66&srpos=117&e=-------en-20--101-byDA-img-txIN-young+marilyn------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
Rival newspaper ''Sydney Star Observer'' gave Leopard its 1996 Media Matters Award for "The Queerest Columnist on Earth" for his take on "fashion, haircuts, cocktails, nightclubs, celebrities, dead icons and personal economics".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Widdicombe |first=Ben |last2=Magnusson |first2=Tony |date=5 January 1996 |title=The Inaugural Media Matters Weasel Awards |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19960105-01.1.16&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN-weasel+awards------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
Leopard's writing covered the schedule of LGBTIQA+ annual events, such as Pride New Year's Eve parties, Mardi Gras Fair Day, the Mardi Gras parade and party, Shop Yourself Stupid, Hand in Hand Pride party, Bobby Goldsmith Foundation's (BGF) Bake-Off, Anti-Violence Project and Ward 17 South fundraisers, DIVA Awards, Sleaze Ball, the Green Park Hotel's Affair (raising money for Darlinghurst Community Health Centre and St Vincent's HIV unit) and World AIDS Day.
Some of his talked-about columns included his annual 25 Most Beautiful People roundup,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=O'Grady |first=Dom |date=24 June 2024 |title=Vale Lance Leopard |url=https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/vale-lance-leopard/231748 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624091125/https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/vale-lance-leopard/231748 |archive-date=24 June 2024 |access-date=4 January 2026 |website=Star Observer}}</ref> Fair Day dunking,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=13 February 1998 |title=Lance Leopard in freak accident! |work=Capital Q |publication-place=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref> Mirror Ball collapse on Pride New Year's Eve partygoers<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=9 January 1997 |title=There's got to be a morning after |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19970109-01.1.16&e=-------en-20--1--img-txIN------- |url-access=subscription |access-date=12 January 2026 |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref> and many after-party summaries over several pages.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=6 October 1995 |title=Lance Leopard's best and worst of Sleaze |work=Capital Q |location=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref> His self-confessed vices included stealing friends' items,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=20 February 1997 |title=Female on the beach |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19970220-01.1.20 |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref> alcohol,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=6 August 1999 |title=Sleazeball of the Year |work=Capital Q |location=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref> turning up late<ref name=":9" /> and being lazy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=27 October 2000 |title=Mancini and me |work=Capital Q |location=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref>
On his death he was described by a former ''Sydney Star Observer'' editor as "the columnist every editor dreams of", the "love child of Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward".<ref name=":5" /> Leopard was remembered in a queer anthology as "smart, kind, loving and loyal"<ref name=":0" /> with a "refreshing disregard for social norms and expectations".<ref name=":0" />
== Club night promotions == He was a club promoter for Sydney's Viper Room, a lounge bar at the Beresford hotel (1995–1996),<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Cahill |first=Phillippe |date=2 May 1996 |title=I told you so |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19960502-01&e=-------en-20--81--img-txIN-I+told+you+so------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref> The Blue Dragon at MTT (Rogues nightclub),<ref name=":7" /> and Love Machine at the Bright'N Up Bar, Brighton Hotel.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 June 1999 |title=Love Machine's last stand |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19990617-01.1.34 |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
Leopard held occasional movie nights with ''Capital Q'''s astrologer, Stephen Devine,<ref name=":8" /> at the Hollywood Hotel featuring his favourite icons Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich and Joan Crawford, with DJs, quizzes, prizes and tarot readings.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=27 June 1996 |title=The skyscrapers of Darlinghurst |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19960627-01.1.17&e=-------en-20--1--img-txIN------- |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
He MCed many community events and fundraisers, including the Mardi Gras costume pageant,<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 February 1996 |title=Trip that light fantastic |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19960216-01.1.9 |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref> Fair Day,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Widdicombe |first=Ben |date=13 February 1997 |title=A Fair to remember |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19970213-01.1.24 |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref> DIVA Awards (also a judge in 1995),<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 July 1995 |title=DIVA vote changes |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19950713-01.1.4 |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref> and for the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF),<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |date=9 December 1999 |title=The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19991209-01.1.18 |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref> People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=12 February 1998 |title=The Queen of romance? Forget it! |work=Capital Q |publication-place=Sydney |issn=1444-0822}}</ref> the Green Hotel's Affair,<ref name=":10" /> Shop Yourself Stupid,<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 March 2000 |title=Bobby Goldsmith Foundation would like to thank ... |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star20000309-01.1.30 |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref> Luncheon Club,<ref name=":10" /> the AIDS Council of NSW's (ACON) Hand In Hand party,<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 July 2000 |title=The AIDS Council of NSW would like to thank... |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star20000706-01.1.12 |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref> 2010,<ref name=":10" /> AIDS Trust's Red Ribbon Working Bee<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnston |first=Brad |date=14 October 1999 |title=Millennium bee |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star19991014-01.1.10 |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref> and ACON's Anti-Violence Project.<ref name=":10" />
== Bashing in 2001 == Leopard had multiple surgeries after a vicious gay hate attack on Saturday 3 August 2001 when he was "ambushed and beaten senseless". He had a metal plate inserted in his jaw, which was "broken on both sides" and "wired shut for six weeks".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=16 August 2001 |title=A lesson from Lance |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star20010816-01.1.9&srpos=17&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN-A+lesson+from+Lance------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
He needed ongoing surgeries for several months and apologised for being unable to attend and write up the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events the following year in February 2002.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leopard |first=Lance |date=7 February 2002 |title=With regret |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star20020207-01.1.27&srpos=181&e=-------en-20--181-byDA.rev-img-txIN-With+regret+------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
== Acting career: 1988 to 2014 == Leopard featured as an androgynous muse in the Lime Spiders' ''Weirdo Libido'' music video (1988), the first music video shown by the Australian national broadcaster, the ABC, on its music clip program, ''rage,'' on April 17, 1987.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Knox |first=David |date=21 April 2012 |title=25 years: Maintain the raaaaaaaage! |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2012/04/25-years-maintain-the-raaaaaaaage.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427013137/https://tvtonight.com.au/2012/04/25-years-maintain-the-raaaaaaaage.html |archive-date=27 April 2012 |access-date=8 January 2026 |work=TV Tonight}}</ref>
He made an appearance in the SBS ''Pizza'' 8-part comedy series in April 2000 as a "sleazy S&M master".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tunstall |first=B.J. |date=20 April 2000 |title=B-Grade Cheese |url=https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/?a=d&d=Star20000420-01.1.12&e=-------en-20--1-byDA.rev-img-txIN-B+Grade+cheese------ |url-access=subscription |work=Sydney Star Observer}}</ref>
Leopard also starred in seven Eterna Films short movie productions, which sponsors the annual ShortFest film festival, that began in 2024.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=J.R. |date=1 August 2024 |title=ShortFest Short Film Festival Sydney 2026 |url=https://www.eternafilms.com.au/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112171714/https://www.eternafilms.com.au/ |archive-date=12 January 2026 |access-date=12 January 2026 |website=Eterna Films}}</ref> Named in his honour, the Lance Leopard award was presented in 2024 and 2025 to short films that recognised the spirit of coming up with an idea that "dares to be different with boldness and audacity".<ref name=":6" />
== Death == Leopard returned to Brisbane in the 2020s to care for his elderly mother, Carmel Pierce. They both had mobility problems and died in a house fire on 16 June 2024, in Woodridge, Brisbane.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Destiny |date=18 June 2024 |title="Vale Lance Leopard, and Carmel" |url=https://qnews.com.au/vale-lance-leopard-and-carmel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618004031/https://qnews.com.au/vale-lance-leopard-and-carmel/ |archive-date=18 June 2024 |access-date=4 January 2026 |work=QNews |location=Brisbane}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/1395397 Capital Q Weekly catalogue] at National Library of Australia * [https://archive.starobserver.com.au/archive/ Star Observer archive] (archive is subscription only) * ''On The Street'' (physical copies of the newspaper) at State Library NSW * City of Sydney archive: [https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/1023439 Lance Leopard folder] {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leopard, Lance}} Category:1967 births Category:2024 deaths Category:Australian gay writers Category:LGBTQ people from Queensland Category:20th-century Australian male writers Category:Australian male non-fiction writers Category:20th-century Australian LGBTQ people Category:Australian LGBTQ writers Category:Australian columnists Category:Australian humorists Category:Australian humour columnists Category:Musical groups from Brisbane Category:20th-century Australian drummers Category:Australian synth-pop groups Category:Gay writers