queer history
The queer history of Queensland
1962
The first Brisbane Queens Ball is held on Tamborine Mountain. It’s now the world’s longest running continuous LGBTQIA+ event.
1984
The Queensland AIDS Council (QuAC) is established
1990
– Consensual adult male homosexual activity removed from being a criminal offense.
– The Brisbane Pride Festival commences as an annual event
1991
– Decriminalisation of sex between men comes into effect.
– The Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 is introduced, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of lawful sexual activity.
1994
Brisbane Gender Clinic was founded, focusing on primary care.
1999
The definition of de facto relationships changed to include same-sex couples regarding Domestic Violence, Property Law and Industrial Relations.
2000
Big Gay Day is established as a celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities and raise funds for charities.
2002
– The Discrimination Law Amendment Act 2002 passes, resulting in 61 pieces of Queensland legislation being reformed to extend legal rights to same-sex couples.
– The Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 is amended to include gender identity and sexuality as attributes.
2010
– Queensland becomes the first Australian State or Territory to fund a targeted LGBTI legal service.
– The first LGBTQIA+ advisory body is established – The Queensland LGBTI Roundtable
2012
Same-sex Civil partnerships are introduced
2016
– The age for consensual anal sex is lowered from 18 to 16 years, in line with all other lawful sexual acts.
– The word sodomy was removed from the Criminal Code Act 1899
– Queensland releases Australia’s first Sexual Health Strategy 2016-2021 with vital information about the specific health needs of people within LGBTQIA+ communities.
– The Adoption and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 is passed, allowing same-sex couples to apply to adopt a child.
– Queensland Children’s Hospital Gender Clinic established.
2017
– Queensland Government apologises to people convicted under unjust historical laws against homosexual acts and historical homosexual convictions are expunged.
– Marriage equality is reached in Australia.
– The ‘gay panic’ defence is removed from the Criminal Code
– Queensland holds the first legally recognised same-sex marriage in Australia
2018
The Queensland LGBTQIA+ advisory board (The LLGBTI+ Roundtable) is re-established
2020
– Queensland becomes the first Australian jurisdiction to ban conversion therapy
– The first annual LGBTQIA+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day is held
2023
– Queensland Police Service delivers an apology and statement of regret to LGBTQIA+ communities for historical mistreatment.
– Queensland Government removes co-payment requirements for HIV antiretroviral therapy
– Queenslanders can legally alter their sex on legal documents and parents and guardians can choose how they identify on their child’s birth certificate.
2024
– Public display, distribution or publication hate symbols becomes a criminal offence.
– Crimes motivated by hatred or serious contempt because of a victim’s race, religion, sexuality, sex characteristics or gender identity can gain higher penalty than usual.
– Queensland’s first LGBTQIA+ strategy, Pride in our Communities, is released.
