The Townsville creatives making their own queer community

Townsville, a city in North Queensland, is home to a vibrant queer community despite its often-unnoticed presence. Many people who grew up in regional Queensland moved to larger cities like Brisbane to find a sense of belonging within the LGBTQ+ community. However, those who remain in Townsville are now creating their own spaces for queer connection and visibility.

Professional dancer and writer Mx Smith grew up in Gladstone before moving to Brisbane, and reflected on the lack of queer role models or community during their childhood. After returning to Townsville, they discovered that while a large queer and trans community exists, there are few overtly visible events or gatherings that bring everyone together. This led Mx Smith to co-create CROOKED, an independent queer publication that aims to provide a different platform for queer expression.

Writer P. Eldridge, who co-founded CROOKED, emphasized the importance of creating spaces that reflect the needs and experiences of the community they serve. CROOKED is rooted in Gurambilbarra, the traditional Wulgurukaba name for Townsville, and aims to capture the unique queer histories and ways of making community in the region. The publication is a reflection of the authors' own experiences and the diverse range of queer identities within the community.

However, increased visibility of queer culture can also come with risks, particularly in politically charged environments. Mx Smith shared their experience at a Townsville Pride event in 2025, where they faced disruption and verbal harassment from a small group. This event reinforced the importance of visible signs of safety and support for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in regional areas.

Rebecca Reynolds, chief executive of the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health, echoed the importance of visible inclusion but stressed that it must lead to tangible support and connection. The study conducted by the University of Southern Queensland revealed that LGBTQ+ individuals in Toowoomba value safety, support, acceptance, friendship, and connection. Everyday recreational groups can provide ongoing support and foster a sense of belonging beyond large visibility events like Pride.

Eldridge emphasized that interesting queer culture exists beyond capital cities, and that regional communities have their own unique histories and ways of making community. By listening to and learning from these diverse experiences, CROOKED hopes to expand the definition of queer culture and provide a platform for new, creative expressions of identity.