Broken Hill was illuminated with joy and community spirit as it hosted the first-ever Rainbow in the Outback festival to celebrate queer pride in Far West New South Wales.<\/p>\n
Along with colourful drag performances, local musical acts and markets, the event aimed to foster a safer, more supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ people in rural communities.<\/p>\n
Lifelong Broken Hill resident Matthew McIntosh said it was essential to be able to be themself in their hometown.<\/p>\n
“Festivals like this are really important to me because it’s a time when I can embrace my weirdness without fear,” they said.<\/p>\n
“Breaking out of my shell a little bit with the help of festivals like this has very much helped me to do that when it’s not a festival.<\/p>\n
“Now, just on a Friday night, I feel confident to be myself.”<\/p>\n
Dorian Courtisan said performing at the festival was a healing experience. (Supplied: Tanja Bruckner)<\/p>\n
Dorian Lenoir grew up on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula and travelled to Broken Hill from Adelaide to perform \u2014 under the stage name Dorian Courtisan \u2014 at the event.<\/p>\n
“Growing up queer in the countryside wasn’t something people talked about \u2014 there weren’t many older queer people that I knew, there weren’t any events about that,” they said.<\/p>\n
“It was something I learnt to keep to myself, to see an environment that’s similar to what I grew up in but where it is celebrated and everyone feels safe to be open is really healing and refreshing,”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dorian Courtisan believes it is important to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community so young queer people feel safe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0 (ABC Broken Hill: Coquohalla Connor)<\/p>\n
‘Critically important’<\/p>\n
Gavin Prendergast, regional outreach manager with LGBTQIA+ health organisation ACON, made the trip from Sydney to attend the event.<\/p>\n
He said queer young people were some of the most vulnerable people in the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n ACON sponsored the event and was there to provide information about LGBTQIA+ health. (ABC Broken Hill: Coquohalla Connor)<\/p>\n “It’s like the axis of evil \u2014 being isolated, having no-one around you that is like you, feeling alone,” he said.<\/p>\n “It can really impact on a person’s mental and physical health.<\/p>\n “It’s vitally important that things like exist, especially in the Far West of NSW.”<\/p>\n Shelita Buffet grew up in Broken Hill. (ABC Broken Hill: Coquohalla Connor)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n