COMMUNITY
LGBTIQ Community covering travel, health and so much more...
NSW signs pledge to end HIV epidemic by 2030
NSW has signed on to a global pledge to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, following other Aussie states as well as hundreds of cities worldwide vowing to eliminate HIV transmission. Friday, December 1, is World AIDS Day, honouring those affected by HIV. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has today signed the global Paris Declaration …
The HIV myths that need to take a hike
Stigma can overshadow the truth when it comes to HIV. Dr Rhys Young breaks down some common myths. How much do you know about HIV? Do you limit your sexual partners based on their HIV status? Are you confident in your HIV & STI prevention? Unfortunately, stigma can often overshadow the truth, and HIV still …
When pride came to small-town Marburg
The small rural Queensland town of Marburg recently held its first pride and we spoke to organisers to find out how it all went. Move over Sydney Mardi Gras, there’s a new pride destination on the map: Marburg’s Mardi Gras-Burg! Marburg is a small town of just over 1,000 people west of Ipswich on the …
Get to know Brisbane’s host extraordinaire Paul Wheeler
Paul Wheeler chats to QNews about becoming the go-to host for LGBTQIA+ events in Brisbane. You may be familiar with his face at the many events Paul Wheeler does on the Brisbane LGBTQIA+ scene. But how well do you really know him? We chatted with the British-born host and found out more about his move …
Russell Morris talks The Real Thing Symphonic Tour in Brisbane
ARIA Award-winning Australian music legend, Russell Morris, joins forces with a 54-piece orchestra for The Real Thing Symphonic Concert tour. This symphonic reimagining of Russell’s beloved hits Brisbane this December. The tour has already left a trail of sell-out shows behind as it has rock and rolled its way through Australia this year. The tour …
Meet Brisbane’s queer parenting influencers
Kat from @two.brisbane.mamas chats to QNews about their journey to having children and becoming parenting influencers on social media. Brisbane couple Kat and Kirsten Jamieson-Hardwood and their two children Gigi and Mateo have become social media sensations. Across their @two.brisbane.mamas accounts on Instagram and TikTok they have over 200,000 followers from across the world. However, …
New hope for gender-affirming surgery funding on Medicare
The Health Department will next month consider an application to subsidise gender-affirming surgeries under Medicare in a major push to cut costs and improve access for transgender Australians. In 2021, over 148,000 people signed a petition calling for public funding of gender-affirming surgery. The petition explained for some people, the procedures are essential for their …
Spill the tea with Brisbane drag star Maxi-Bon
Brisbane’s larger-than-life drag artist Maxi-Bon spills the tea about themselves, their craft and the local scene. The first time I did drag was… A beautiful story for me. In March 2021, I moved to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast with my fiancé. I lived in a crappy apartment and worked at an absolutely horrible job, …
Level up your wedding choreo with The Balanced Dancer
Are you planning to tie the knot in Brisbane soon? Do you want to make your wedding day unforgettable with a personalised dance performance? Just like the wedding venue, cake, outfit, flowers, and event styling, a first wedding dance should be both unique and unforgettable – for the happy couple, and for all of the …
Rainbow families invited to free foster caring webinar
On Tuesday, November 28th, at 11:30 am (ADST), Barnardos is hosting a webinar, “My Big Rainbow Family,” shedding light on the diverse pathways available for LGBTQ+ people seeking to build or expand their families through fostering. The session will feature insights from family support workers at Barnardos, an organisation dedicated to supporting and empowering foster …
The new LGBTQIA+ friendly Brisbane vet clinic
Brisbane’s southside has a new LGBTQIA+ friendly vet practice: Total Care Family Veterinary Clinic. The venture is run by Jenny Hsieh who has called Brisbane home since migrating from Taiwan with her family 25 years ago. She set up the Holland Park practice to make it easiest for people she’s previously worked with at clinics …
Harley Mann brings queer First Nations show Son to QPAC
Harley Mann, the co-creator of Son which plays at QPAC this month, sat down with QNews to talk about the performance. The promotion for Son explains that it’s a cultural circus work about the relationship between fathers and sons. However, after a few minutes of chatting with the co-creator of the show, Harley Mann, I …
Celebrating Life with Over The Rainbow Funerals
Over The Rainbow, Funerals Co. isn’t just changing the way we bid farewell to our loved ones. They’re doing it with profound empathy and a keen understanding of the unique needs of the LGBTIQ community. Their focus on inclusivity and celebrating the unique lives within the community is changing the way we support each other …
Kah-Lo, Chappell Roan, Alter Boy, TOPS and more at Brisbane’s MELT Festival
Brisbane’s celebration of queer arts and culture, MELT Festival kicks off tomorrow! Until November 26 MELT serves up a stunning selection of queer and alternative music artists at Brisbane Powerhouse. Ever since there have had queer spaces, LGBTIQA+ people have danced, sung, and slayed our way to our favourite music. Queer anthems, fierce beats, and …
My year of being Mr Bear Queensland
As his reign as Mr Bear Queensland comes to an end, Graeme Kerr reflects on his role as the Brisbears ambassador. My year as the ambassador of our social club, Brisbears, has been one to cherish. I have had the good fortune of being able to attend our brethren bear clubs, support our fellow queer …
Creating the new gay men’s health service: Hey Fella
QNews chats with Dr Cris Quitral and his partner Luke Fuller who have created Hey Fella, a revolutionary new online gay men’s health service. Dr Cris Quitral, who is originally from Canada but moved to Queensland to study in 2011, was six years into his medical career in chaotic but rewarding emergency departments when he …
We Are Pride: The ultimate destination for your next queer movie night
We Are Pride is a powerful voice for the LGBTQIA+ community. With a remarkable 45 million views, this accessible media platform is dedicated to celebrating the rich tapestry of the rainbow community. Through a diverse range of engaging content, We Are Pride truly has something for everyone, embracing the spectrum of identities and experiences that …
Ask the Experts: Renovations that add value to a home
When it comes to renovating your home, it’s imperative that you’re incorporating changes that will increase the value of the property. Regardless of whether you sell your home in the future or not, it’s still an important fundamental to keep in mind. These are five renovation ideas to add value to your most valuable asset. …
Ask the Experts: Four important considerations before refinancing
If you have a home loan, it is likely you have experienced an increase in repayments, or will soon when your fixed-rate term expires. Something to keep in mind when looking to refinance your home loan is lenders vary greatly in what they can offer. Things to keep in mind before refinancing: Serviceability criteria. Each lender …
Switzerland ends gay blood donation ban
Gay and bisexual men will now be able to donate blood under the same rules as heterosexuals in Switzerland after new donation criteria came into effect on November 1. Under the new Swiss blood donation regulations, a four month waiting period will apply to all people after their last sexual encounter with a new parnter, …
Petra Fidewood: Townsville’s Queen of the North
Petra Fidewood chats to QNews about doing drag in North Queensland and the unlikely journey that took her there. “At first I was afraid I was petrified” is the opening line of queer anthem I Will Survive and it’s something that resonates with Townsville’s self-proclaimed Queen of the North. Petra Fidewood is the alter-ego of …
HIV and Mental Wellbeing
This October is the annual Mental Health Month where we’re encouraged to nurture our mental and emotional wellbeing. WORDS Positive Life NSW Mental wellbeing is more than the absence of mental illness. For people living with HIV, mental wellbeing means we take extra care to build a supportive network of friends and allies, dismantle our …
