Gay and Lesbian Brisbane
Despite its name, Queensland has long had a reputation for repressive attitudes towards gays and lesbians. However, whereas in 1985 you could virtually be arrested on suspicion of being gay, homosexuality has since been decriminalized and anti-discrimination legislation is in force. Today, Brisbane's gays and lesbians are revelling in a loud and energetic scene which gets better every year. In June the Pride Collective hosts the annual Pride Festival , a diverse event, with a street march, fair, art exhibitions, a film festival, sports events, general exhibitionism and a dance party - the Queen's Birthday Ball . At the Sleaze Ball in November there's another opportunity to indulge. The gay scene is largely clustered around the suburbs of Spring Hill, Fortitude Valley, New Valley, New Farm and Paddington. For up-to-the-moment information , listen to Queer Radio, station ZZZ 102.1FM (Wed 6-9pm) or pick up a copy of BrotherSister or Queensland Pride from gay nightclubs, street distributors and some coffee shops. For gay-friendly accommodation , try Central Brunswick Apartment Hotel , Carrington's , or the Sportsmans Hotel ; nightlife focuses on The Beat , Options , The Wickham Hotel , Sportsmans Hotel and the Cockatoo Club ) - all listed under "Pubs, Clubs and Live Music". Support groups and information AIDS Gladstone Road Medical Centre, 38 Gladstone Rd, Highgate Hill (tel 07/3844 9599), medical services and counselling; Queensland AIDS Council, 32 Peel St, South Brisbane (tel 07/3844 1990, info@quac.org.au ); QUIVAA, 191 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley (tel 07/3252 5390), needle exchange and safe-sex gear. Books Women's Bookshop, 15 Gladstone Rd, Highgate Hill (tel 07/3844 6650), stocks the latest lesbian titles. Red Books, opposite the Empire Hotel on Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, has a big range of gay and lesbian titles, plus seats for you to sit down and browse. Counselling and information Gay (tel 07/3891 7377), lesbian (tel 07/3891 7388); daily 7am-10pm; free call for both tel 1800 249 377. The Pride Collective Organizers of the Pride Festival - contact them through www.pridebrisbane.org.au . Queensland Pride PO Box 8151, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 (tel 07/3392 2922). Free monthly publication covering Brisbane and the rest of the state. Travel The website Pinkstay ( www.pinkstay.com ) gives Australia-wide and international accommodation listings with detailed reviews, plus forthcoming events, work options, and links to other gay sites.
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