Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) residents in Brisbane

Our New World City values its diverse communities and is committed to universal inclusion of all residents and visitors including our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) community.

In 2016, Council became the first local government in Queensland to publicly support the legalisation of marriage between consenting adults regardless of gender, sexuality or gender identity. Council openly demonstrates support to the LGBTIQ+ community. Some highlights include:

  • raising the rainbow flag and illuminating Brisbane City Hall to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Day (IDAHOBIT Day)
  • illuminating the Story Bridge in support of international days of significance such as IDAHOBIT Day, World Aids Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance and Intersex Awareness Day
  • delivering the rainbow footpath in Spring Hill in 2016 outside the Sportsman Hotel
  • delivering the rainbow City Glider in 2015 in celebration of the Brisbane Pride Festival
  • delivering the shared zone outside the Wickham Hotel in 2023 featuring the Progressive Pride Flag.

Commitment to equal opportunities in the workplace

Council aims to ensure its workforce reflects the diversity of our local communities with River City Pride, an established LGBTIQ+ employee network. River City Pride supports the diversity of sexuality and gender identity to ensure no-one experience fear or discrimination in the workplace.

In 2017, Council became the first local government, and remains the only local government, in Australia to be listed on Australia’s LGBTI Inclusive Employers website.

In 2018 Council was the first local government in Australia to be recognised with Gold Employer status at the Australian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI) Inclusion Awards.

Council was again recognised with Gold Employer Status in 2019 and 2020. In 2019 Council was also acknowledged as the top-ranking participating government employer in Australia. This recognition is based on our results from the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI).

Council officers have also been recognised for their contributions to LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the workplace at a national level with the founder of River City Pride being named as the Out for Australia LGBTIQ+ Role Model of the Year in 2017 and the executive sponsor of River City Pride receiving the LGBTIQ+ Executive Leadership award from Pride in Diversity in 2019.

Council library collection

Council libraries provide a specialised LGBTIQ+ browsing collection of fiction and non-fiction books and magazines at New Farm Library; with larger collections distributed and integrated into the general collection at all branches. The collection includes books that are relevant and responsive to the interests and needs of the LGBTIQ+ community in Brisbane. Resources include popular, new material and enduring works.

The New Farm collection began with a personal collection donated in 2006 by a group of women who had formed their own library of lesbian material.

Brisbane Pride Festival

For 27 years, Brisbane’s LGBTIQ+ community has come together to celebrate diversity in the month-long Brisbane Pride Festival, which is the largest LGBTIQ+ event in Queensland. Council is dedicated to fostering an innovative and creative community, and providing opportunities for everyone to participate in the cultural life of our diverse and vibrant city. Council has been proudly sponsoring the Brisbane Pride Festival since 2013.

Find out more about the Brisbane Pride Festival.

Community partnerships

Council works in partnership with community groups and organisations that support the Brisbane LGBTIQ+ community including:

  • engagement at LGBTIQ+ community events via Council stalls, staff and collateral
  • providing LGBTIQ+ library resources
  • providing sponsorship for community events, festivals and projects
  • providing sponsorship and funding to LGBTIQ+ community groups through Council grants, awards and sponsorships.

Community grants for social inclusion

Council provides funding to local not-for-profit groups to improve and develop services that respond to local and citywide issues in Brisbane, which aim to improve community identity, connection and social inclusion.

Previous grants have provided support to LGBTIQ+ groups, including Open Doors Youth Service, Youth Advocacy Centre, Queensland Positive People, Rainbow Families, and the 2017 Wendybird Speaks Digital Story Telling Project.

LGBTIQ+ support and community groups

Open Doors Youth Service at Sir Reginald Groom Place, Green Square Close in Fortitude Valley provides invaluable services and support to young people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and those exploring their sexuality or gender identity.

Find out more by visiting Open Doors Youth Service.

Other community groups and events

These community organisations offer a wide range of services and support for Brisbane’s LGBTIQ+ residents:

If you require support or are experiencing violence of any type, there are a number of organisations you can contact including:

What’s on

Council is committed to creating more lifestyle and leisure opportunities for you to enjoy. Check out What's on in Brisbane to see LGBTIQ+ events happening around Brisbane.

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Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the Dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.