Dear friends, partners, and colleagues,

It goes without saying that this has been a challenging year for our LGBTI Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities. But as much as our communities have been significantly impacted, and that is undeniable, we have also seen the amazing strengths of our communities, services and groups as they have come together to support each other, celebrate our amazing diversities, and keep connected. Despite the challenges, we have much to be proud of as a community.

As an organisation created and supported by LGBTI Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities, we have been and are committed during this period to serving the health and wellbeing of our communities and creating opportunities for peer connection and support wherever possible. From our numerous public community celebration and education events, yarning groups, and ongoing delivery of medical, mental health and social support services, during 2020 we have continued to be here for our communities.

At the same time, we have been taking the steps we know are responsible and essential to reduce the spread of COVID-19 amongst our own LGBTI Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities and the wider community.

Recently, we have been working closely with the many community advocates and groups involved in events that traditionally bring our communities together, such as Brisbane Pride, Many Genders One Voice, and the numerous supporters and people involved in running the Cairns Pride Festival in the north of our state. Following these discussions, we want to let our communities know that we will be holding a variety of events alongside each of these partners.

Based on the current situation, we are open to the possibility of holding some physical events (where that can be done safely), but will definitely be supporting and holding a series of online only events which will proceed regardless of the situation in Queensland at the time of the event.

We encourage you to follow our social media where we will be promoting our Cairns Pride Festival, Brisbane Pride, and Trans Awareness Week events.

While opportunities to connect are vital, the determination to cancel physical events or commit to online only events where this is the best decision to protect the health of our communities, is an ongoing possibility as we make decisions regarding levels of risk. We are closely monitoring and evaluating guidance from the Health Department at both State and Federal levels and will update you as our response evolves. Our Facebook pages are being kept up to date, along with those pages for our community partners and will provide the best place to check for any changes.

We invite anyone seeking support or connection to services to email us at info@quac.org.au which will be monitored from Monday to Friday.

Rebecca Reynolds

CEO
Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (Formerly Queensland AIDS Council)​