The Investing in LGBTQIA+ Community Connection Program supports the LGBTQIA+ community in Australia to stay informed, connected and represented through trusted community media.
Funding provided through the program helps strengthen LGBTQIA+ community participation, improve access to information, amplify community stories and foster connection. The stories below highlight some of the program's outcomes.
OUTinPerth: Sharing stories that build belonging and connection
Program funding enabled OUTinPerth, an LGBTQIA+ digital news publication, to continue promoting belonging, connection, empowerment and participation for Australian LGBTQIA+ communities, by allowing staff to redirect time spent on sales towards writing news articles relevant to the community, and as a result QNews experienced an increase in engagement through social media. Thanks to the program, the organisation was able to cover more issues important to LGBTQIA+ communities, including health, human rights and community stories.
JOY Media: Expanding community connection
JOY Media, a not-for-profit LGBTQIA+ community radio station based in Melbourne, used program funding to strengthen its operations, expand community outreach, promote technical innovation, and improve broadcasting capability. The funding supported a core management team to strengthen its capacity to deliver diverse and consistent broadcasting for its audiences.
JOY also expanded its community presence to cover major community events, including in Midsumma Pride Season, the ChillOut Festival and Gippsland Pride.
QNews: Strengthening access to trusted LGBTQIA+ news
Thanks to the Investing in LGBTQIA+ Community Connection Program, QNews, an LGBTQIA+ digital news publication based in Brisbane, was able to complete a significant stage in its transition from a traditional print and digital publication to a modern, sustainable digital-first news organisation. The funding allowed QNews to redevelop its website and migrate existing content and archives, helping preserve years of LGBTQIA+ news and community reporting. These improvements helped strengthen operational capacity and provided a sustainable foundation for QNews to deliver accessible, independent journalism for LGBTQIA+ communities across Australia.
Star Observer: Supporting independent LGBTQIA+ journalism
Star Observer, one of Australia's longest-running LGBTQIA+ news publications based in Sydney, used program funding to support editorial staff and content production, helping sustain national news coverage during a challenging period for independent media. The funding enabled the publication to continue delivering daily journalism and community-focused reporting on issues affecting LGBTQIA+ Australians, while supporting freelance contributors who provided diverse perspectives and specialist reporting. This helped strengthen community connection, participation and visibility through accessible, community-focused journalism.