The Untold Queer History of the Southern Highlands

The Untold Queer History of the Southern Highlands

Introduction

The history of LGBTQ+ communities in Australia is often told through the lens of big-city movements: the activism of Oxford Street in Sydney, the birth of Mardi Gras in 1978, or Melbourne’s cultural revolutions. But beneath those headlines lies a quieter, often overlooked story - the queer history of regional areas like the Southern Highlands.

This is a history not just of struggle, but of resilience, community, and love that has existed here for decades, often hidden in plain sight.

Life in the Shadows: Pre-1970s

Before the decriminalisation of homosexuality in NSW in 1984, queer life in the Southern Highlands was often invisible. Social norms and legal risk forced people to hide their identities.

• Many queer locals lived double lives married or closeted by day, quietly seeking connection through discreet networks at night.

• Rural pubs and secret gatherings created small but essential safe spaces, often under constant risk of exposure.

The Turning Point: 1970s-1980s

The 1970s brought social change, but also conflict. While Sydney’s Mardi Gras was born in protest in 1978, the ripple effects reached the Highlands slowly.

• Queer teachers, nurses, and public servants in the region risked losing jobs if outed.

• The HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s hit hard in regional Australia, with limited healthcare and deep stigma compounding the challenge.

• Yet, grassroots solidarity emerged - locals quietly supported friends and neighbours in ways that often went unrecognised by history books.

The Rise of Visibility: 1990s-2000s

By the 1990s, Australia’s LGBTQ+ rights movement gained momentum. In the Highlands:

• Small groups began organising queer-friendly social events.

• Local performers and artists started weaving queer themes into their work.

• Regional Pride connections grew, though often on a smaller scale than in metro hubs.

This era planted the seeds for today’s more open queer presence in the region.

The Highlands Today: A Living Queer Heritage

Fast forward to today, and the Highlands is home to drag queens, cabaret productions, and visible queer-friendly venues. Events like drag cabaret nights at Bundanoon Hotel, inclusive gatherings at Hide Out Bar & Grill, and the presence of LGBTQ+ friendly businesses all form part of a living heritage, one built on the resilience of those who came before.

Why Remembering History Matters

Understanding queer history in the Southern Highlands isn’t just about honouring the past. It’s about:

• Recognising the courage of those who lived authentically before it was safe.

• Acknowledging the barriers regional queer people continue to face.

• Building a sense of continuity for young LGBTQ+ people growing up in the Highlands today.

By telling these stories, the Highlands community strengthens its identity, ensuring the next generation knows they’re part of a legacy that’s both proud and unbreakable.

Conclusion

The queer history of the Southern Highlands is a story of quiet resistance, hidden love, and, eventually, joyful visibility. While it may not fill textbooks, it lives on in the memories of those who fought for space, in the venues that now proudly fly rainbow flags, and in the performances that light up the Highlands today.

It’s a reminder that Pride isn’t just a city parade - it’s a regional story too, written in resilience, courage, and community spirit.