Embracing Diversity: Brisbane’s Emerging Third Queer Culture

The “Third Queer Culture” was created due to the presence of LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers in Brisbane that does not feel belong in their ethnic community due to fear of further persecution by their family and community members.  They also experience discrimination by the Australian LGBTQI+ community due to their refugee’s background. Therefore, the purpose of this group is to provide a peer-support to promote the sense of belonging for LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers in their journey establishing their lives here in Brisbane, Australia.

The term Third Queer Culture signifies that group members do not need to choose between their sexual or gender identity and their cultural or faith identity. Rather group members have the opportunity to embrace both.

Our group activities consists of social gathering and advocacy programs. The social gathering, such as dinner together, visiting the museum, art-based project, and picnic at the park, was crafted to promote social cohesion among the members as well as their wellbeing. The advocacy program, such as information session, LGBTQI+ refugee awareness program, and attending conferences, was conducted to bring a social impact on broader communities in Brisbane. Most importantly, our activities are designed by listening to the member’s needs to accommodate their necessities in adjusting to lives in Brisbane.

A special screening of the award-winning animated documentary FLEE, raising funds for Third Queer Culture’s LGBTIQ+ peer social-support group for people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds.

The event «Conversation in English» was designed as an opportunity for participants to practice and improve their English language skills through engaging conversations with friends from Australia. It aimed to create a relaxed and informal atmosphere, akin to chatting with friends, rather than a formal classroom setting. The focus was on fostering comfortable and natural dialogue, facilitating language learning in a friendly and supportive environme

This event was a small Gathering proudly hosted by our one and only, Elfaz. They introduced us to the beauty of coffee culture in Ethiopia.

Friends gathered on March 26, 2024, to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

Our biggest event the first semester of 2024. Feast for love was a showcase of Persian and African food, dinner, and engaging conversations with friends. The event was hold at «Shelf Lovers,» located at 1 Dickson Street (just a 15-second walk from Wooloowin train station)