#outexploring

[qnewsau]

Time to vote for 2025 Queens Ball Awards nominees

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/time-to-vote-for-2025-queens-ball-awards-nominees/

Time to vote for 2025 Queens Ball Awards nominees

The community have had their say, and nominations for the 2025 Queens Ball Awards are officially open. It’s time to cast your votes.

The Queens Ball is the longest-running continuous LGBTQIA+SB event in the world, celebrating 64 years in June.

The Queens Ball was first held on Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast Hinterland to bring the community together.

At the time, being gay was illegal.

Seven years before New York’s Stonewall uprising, the Queens Birthday Ball was born.

Hosted by Brisbane Pride, the evening sees Brisbane’s LGBTQIA+ communities come together in glamorous celebration.

“This year we will come together and celebrate the remarkable achievements of our community,” said Brisbane Pride President James McCarthy.

“On Saturday, June 28th at Brisbane City Hall, join us to celebrate with the theme of ‘Many Voices One Pride’.”

Even though there is plenty of time to get your outfit sorted, there is something you can do today.

Get voting for the nominees for the 2025 Queens Ball Awards.

And the nominees are…

First Nations Leadership and Engagement Award

This award recognises individuals who identify as LGBTIQA+ and the First Nations community who have engaged in advocacy or activism for LGBTIQ+ causes.

The nominees are:

Annaliese McCarthy

Bindi Lavelle

Bizzi Lavelle

Dylan Barrett

Jodie Hall

Katya Lou King

Kelsey Doyle

Kerrie Thomsen

Khwanruethai Ngampromwongse

Mel Saward

Nathan Skinner

Paul Calcott

Raja Clay

Shaun Edwards

Activist of the Year

This award recognises individuals who have engaged in advocacy or activism for LGBTIQA+ causes.

The nominees are:

Alessa Katherine

Archie Arsenic

Billie Bendall

Bonnie Hart

Boo Deja Boo

Diamond Good-Rim

Dustin Lowrey / Cadillac Deville

Evie Ryder

Jack McWilliam

Jo Thomson

Kate Leslie

Lulu LeMans

Neccho Brocchi

Petria Leggo Field

Sev Faust

Ally of the Year

This award recognises individuals who do not identify as LGBTIQA+.

Who have engaged in advocacy or activism for LGBTIQ+ causes and/or have shown exceptional support for the community.

The nominees are:

Hugh Whitehouse

Jan Thwaites

Kate Fuller

Mamma Lou-King/Mel Sutherland

Morgan Collura

Vanessa “Ness” Tate

Young Achievement Award

This award recognises individuals aged 25 years and under who’ve made a significant contribution to the LGBTIQA+ community.

The nominees are:

Emma Stratton

Freya Armani

Jess Stone

Jodie Hall

Kasey Turner

Nikita Nessence

Raymond-Elvis Paice

Community Social Group

This award recognises groups who run, organise and/or host social events for the LGBTIQA+ community.

This excludes sporting or community support groups.

The nominees are:

Brisbane Lesbian Run Club

Brisbane LGBT Socials

Brisbane Pride Choir

BrisBears

Dungeons and Flagons

Dykes on Bikes QLD

Gay Skate

Gay On The Gold Coast

Living Room Catch Ups

Open Doors Youth Service

OUTexploring

Queensland Camping Bears

Queensland Pups & Handlers (Q-pah)

Rainbow Gympie

The BootCo Brisbane

The Late Blooming Lounge

We Skate

Wrapped n Ready Program

Community Support Group

This award recognises groups that provide support services to members of the LGBTIQA+ community.

This excludes sporting or social groups.

The nominees are:

2Spirits

Diverse Voices

Free Mum Hugs

Open Doors Youth Service

Living Communities

LGBTI Legal Service

Many Genders One Voice

The Courageous Space

Yarns Heal

Event of the Year

This award recognises events for the benefit of the LGBTIQA+ community held either once or at regular intervals throughout the year.

The nominees are:

altimate.SHOWDOWN

Black Pride Ball

Bombshell Ball

Come to Daddy Daddy Pageant

Femme Follies Burlesque

Gay Skate

Girl on Girl

Haus of E Worlds Greatest Shave

Heelfire club

Hombre

Kinky Land

LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation Gala

Loud & Proud Logan

Lushhh Drag Events

Open Stage Baby Drag

PAW’D

POPPERZ

Purr

Queer and Here

Queer Here Art Exhibition

Queer Sister Smackdown

Shanty Club with The Salty Sirens

So Bae Party Mix

SOLD OUT: Sexy Gay Art

TIP @ VIP

Venue of the Year

This award recognises venues that provide a safe space and/or a space for the provision of goods and services to those who identify as LGBTIQA+.

The nominees are:

Banshees Bar and Art Space

Come to Daddy

Dirty Harry’s Toowoomba

Hairy Mary’s

Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct

The Sportsman Hotel

The Wickham

DJ of the Year

This award recognises individuals who DJ regularly at LGBTIQA+ events and venues.

The nominees are:

Adam Cox

DJ Beksis

DJ Mikey

Galleon

LUKELABEAT

Richie LeStrange

Neesha Alexander

Shaun Edwards

Artist of the Year

This award recognises Individual artists who identify as LGBTIQA+.

This includes but is not limited to photographers, painters, poets, and fiction writers.

The nominees are:

Alex Michaels (Tosk)

Asphyxia

Chad St. James

Cassius Owczarek

Dustin Lowrey

Harry Sabulis

Jill Kerswill

Lanah Ebert

Marshall Hilferty

Martin Kincade

Micah Rustichelli

Nordacious, aka James Hillier

Ophelia Novak

Sacha Faddoul

Savannah Fry

Shani Finch

Shaun Edwards

Steven May

Tina Eastley

Drag Performer of the Year

This award recognises the contribution to the LGBTIQA+ community of individual drag performers

This includes Drag Queens, Drag Kings, and Non-Binary drag performers.

The nominees are:

Anita Box

Archie Arsenic

Bella Belle

Boo deja Boo

Cady DeVille

Chocolate Boxx

Dame Martini Fernando Ice

Dixie Wrecked

Eva Mendoza

Freya Armani

Gia Von She

Gina Vanderpump

Heather Daze

Henny Spaghetti

Iona Toyboy

Ja’mie Displays

Justine Deeva

Kora Kurvacious

Ladybird

Lady Sasscrotch

Lulu Lemans

Luna Thicc

Mandy Moobs

MaxiBon

Mya Crafone

Natasha St James

Nikita Nessence

Olly Spirit

Oxy Kodeine

Skye Blue

Tall Jan

Terry Daktyl

Willow Amari

Will Turn-Her

Vollie Lavont

Zelphia Mann

Yana Michelle

Volunteer of the Year

This award recognises individuals who have volunteered their time, skills, and passion to LGBTIQA+ community organisations and/or causes.

The nominees are:

Alessa Katherine

Ali Strachan

Bevan Cooper

Dylan Barrett

Em Randall

Ez Santos

Graeme Kerr

Kerrie Thomsen

Kyla Hunter

Matthew Clifford Jones

Natee Cooper

Ray Moore

Rebecca Bateman

Ren Shike

Shane Stevens

Tony Tranter

Zee Parks

Community Sporting Group

This award recognises groups who run, organise and/or host sporting events for the LGBTIQA+ community (excludes social or community support groups)

The nominees are:

Brisbane Frontrunners

Brisbane Hiking Dykes

Brisbane Hustlers

Brisbane Inferno

Gay Skate

Performer of the Year

This award recognises individual performers who identify as LGBTIQA+, including (but not limited to) musicians, dancers, comedians, and burlesque performers. (Not DJs or drag performers)

The nominees are:

Bizzi Body

Ella Ganza

Clara Cupcakes

Frenchie Darling

Lord Sev (Sev Faust)

Mara Maraschino

Megan Barnes

Phoenix Knight

Rubenesque

Salem Moon

You can vote for as many or as few award categories as you’d like.

Voting closes Sunday, 25th May, but why wait till the last minute?

Pick your favourite nominees today.

The 64th Queens Ball takes place on 28th June at Brisbane City Hall.

Get your tickets here.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[aprilbarton]

They are so good at moving off the path when others walk by #socialdistancing #nannylife #nannyofthreekids #outexploring #exercise #spring #walkabout #nature #aussienanny #stayingawayfromotherpeople (at Beinwil, Aargau, Switzerland) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_F8CasgE4h/?igshid=ar0npufrx9pf

[christinezamudio]

Came down with a cold but it’s not stopping me from getting out! 🙏🏼 hoping this week goes well! . . . #getoutside #utah #utahisrad #utahgram #utahunique #discover_earth #exploreutah #hiking #adventureon #neverstopexploring #stayandwander #ventureout #hikeutah #sheadventures #shehikes #womenwhohike #lovetoexplore #sheexplores #optoutside #outexploring #getoutmore https://www.instagram.com/p/B7SWHVghnUoPQXPhMSwZPeOrK3xt7UVIRvKXBw0/?igshid=rvstbzs2qa11

[whitmarshmark-blog]

Everything’s changed...... But nothings changed Top Sunday with these two #sundayfunday #outexploring #dogwalk #ukcoast #jurassiccoast #uk #england #spanielsofinstagram #spaniellove #rolo #mydog #mysurfergirl #wetdog https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzn7x1kh8Db/?igshid=c35pj5j8rvy0

[matt-shannon-blog]

Evening walk during a foggy Venice night. #mattshannonphotography - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #venice #venicelife #veniceitaly #venicelove #foggy #eveningwalk #oldcity #travelvenice #explorevenice #seevenice #exploreitaly #italyatnight #nightfog #sillouette #outexploring #italyiloveyou #loneynight #wineinhand #theoutbound #travelmagazine #travelblogger #nightphotography #nightowl #cityscapes #oldvenice #visitvenice #visititaly #placetosee #ilovemylife (at Venice, Italy)

[martab7]

Public percussion instruments. Must start a drum circle here. #newexperience #newyearsresolution #houston #outexploring #explore #getout #hashtag #favoritespot (at Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern)

[4adagio]

#navitheabbycat #outexploring in #selmaalabama #wonderfulplaces #getoutside #abyssinian #abyssinanofinstagram #rvlife #rvliving #rvlifestyle #rv #thelesnestravels #travelingwiththelesnes (at Alabama)

[maxdid]

Before • • #abandoned #abandonedplaces #urbex #urbanexploration #exploreeverything #urbex_supreme #ig_urbex #decay #the_relics #abandoned_junkies #abandoned_seekers #exploreeverything #urbxtreme #blastfurnace #steelmanufacturer #urbanexploring #exploring #outexploring #forgottenplaces #lostplace #decadence #emptyplaces #urbandecay #abandoned_junkies #ig_captures_decay #tour_through_desolation #urbex_rebels #sunseturbex #kings_abandoned

[jenbro27]

Bridge in the Fog! #yesitookthisphoto #blackandwhitephotography #creepyfog #outexploring (at Dallas, Oregon)

[gdsalesgroup]

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[qnewsau]

Barrow & Bear Travel: Calling all travel and caffeine addicts

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/barrow-bear-travel-calling-all-travel-and-caffeine-addicts/

Barrow & Bear Travel: Calling all travel and caffeine addicts

Come for the coffee and leave with a holiday! Barrow & Bear Travel is the family-owned travel agency and espresso bar that’s ready to plan your dream holiday, and they’re just as excited as you when doing so.

Owned and operated by husbands Callum and Matt, with their young daughter in tow, Barrow & Bear Travel are a team of exploration experts, backed up by life-giving baristas.

QNews caught up over a coffee with owner Callum to learn all about Barrow & Bear Travel.

Tailored Solo and Group Travel

Barrow & Bear offers a range of travel options, from booking all types of flights and tailor-made dream holidays to hosting travel groups and types of river and ocean cruises and beyond.

“The team are well-experienced and knowledgeable, with a passion for what they do,” Callum says.

“I love building relationships, whether that’s with someone who is looking for a quick flight abroad or deep diving into their ultimate holiday escape.”

Collectively the team have over 35 years’ experience and are ready to craft bespoke group getaways and solo escapes for those seeking the chance to meet new like-minded individuals.

Callum explains, “We host all escorted groups, to give our clients peace of mind that if they need us at a moment’s notice, we are there.

“We also make ourselves available 24/7 to all our clients for any questions or emergencies that may arise.”

OUTExploring Social Group

Barrow & Bear Travel have partnered with OUTExploring – an LGBTQIA+ social travel group for those looking to make new friends and memories with other queer folks and allies.

“We offer multiple occasions for all individuals of OUTExploring throughout the year,” Callum says.

“Our big one is our Main Event Cruise in October, which already has 100+ members booked and the list growing.”

If you have an upcoming holiday on your mind, ready to set sail, come and meet the experienced team at Barrow & Bear.

Make an appointment with Callum, Matt and the rest of the crew and chat about your idea with a friendly face over a pretty delish brew.

Ready to dive into your next big adventure? Visit barrowandbear.com.au or email the Barrow & Bear team at sales@barrowandbear.com.au

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[tripstations]

The Best Pride Parades on the Planet

It’s true, love really does make the world go round.

That’s love, not money. And definitely not the conservation of angular momentum. Insert confused face <here>.

To celebrate Pride month coming this June and all those extraordinary LGBT warriors out there, we gave one of our Round the World routes the rainbow treatment based on the best places to protest and party.

Look lively, you DO NOT want to miss the float on this one.

LGBT – Let’s Go Bloody Traveling! From $1970 (inclusive of love hearts and pots of gold at the end of rainbows…)

New York

@purejoyofphotography via instagram

New York is Pride. The first march took place here in 1970, when a few hundred people marched down Sixth Avenue to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Fast forward five decades, and Pride 2017 saw a month of LGBT celebrations and demonstrations across five NYC boroughs, performances from artists such as LeAnn Rimes, the first ever live televised coverage on a major network, and A LOT of jello shots.

Don’t miss: A cocktail at The Stonewall Inn in Greenwich village, the historic bar that helped launch the global gay rights movement.

São Paolo

http://bit.ly/2EXXYM5

Three words: Shirtless, samba and sunshine. The biggest Pride event in the world, an estimated three million people partied at São Paolo Pride this year.

However, it’s not all carnival, cross-dressing and caipirinhas. In true Pride style, 2017 came with a strong political message, not only for greater protection for the LGBT community, but also for the separation of church and state in Brazilian politics.

Don’t miss: Celeb spotting. Stephen Fry and the cast of Orange is the New Black were just a few of the famous faces spotted in previous years.

London

Celebrating 45 years of being loud and proud, and 50 years since the UK Parliament first voted to legalise homosexuality, Pride in London promises its biggest and most vibrant year yet. Under a banner of ‘Love happens here’, this fortnight of fun, frivolity and flag-flying ends this Saturday with the finale parade.

As well as the usual shenanigans kicking off in Soho, there are also over 60 events taking place across the capital, five stages of music and cabaret, the Pride in the Park festival (hello dog show), and even an app to plan your perfect Pride.

Don’t miss: The 2.3km parade through central London, starting on Regent St on 6th July. Magenta is mandatory.

@pinkdotsg via instagram

Amsterdam

@outexplorer via instagram

Easygoing and enlightened when it comes to, well, most things… it’s no shock that Amsterdam throws a corker of a parade.

A week-long celebration each August, Amsterdam Pride is known for its ‘give a dam’ attitude, wild weekend street parties and Canal Parade. Taking the idea of festival floats to whole new and literal level, they float on barges along the canals rather than parade through the streets.

Don’t miss: The Drag Queen Olympics. The world’s premier cross-dressing sporting event, disciplines include the Handbag Throw and the 100 meter Stiletto Sprint.

Convinced to see the world differently? Find out how to make up your own Round the World route with our exclusive student and under 31 BlueTickets

p.s. Most Pride festivals take place over World Pride Week in June, so unless you’re Superman, the Doctor or Santa, we’d suggest spending a little longer on your Round the World. This ticket is valid for 12 months, make the most of it!

Taipei

@woow_pa via instagram

Asia’s most progressive and gay friendly country has become the first Asian country to legalise same sex marriage, Taiwan Pride is the region’s biggest and most flamboyant parade. Taking place in October and now in its 16th year, over 80,000 rainbow-clad revellers and lesbian brides-to-be turned out last year to strut the streets with messages of love, equality and acceptance.

Don’t miss: The famous Pride pool parties at the W Hotel, Taipei.

Sydney

@gaysydneyaustralia via instagram

Three weeks of sequins and speedos, Australia’s biggest LGBT event takes place over Mardi Gras in March. One of the world’s most outrageous parades – think Priscilla Queen of the Desert en masse – this colourful celebration also isn’t without its dark past.

Sydney’s first march took place in 1978 and saw over 50 people arrested by police. Homosexuality was still a crime in New South Wales until the mid 80s, and media coverage of the marchers saw many outed in their communities and even lose their jobs.

Don’t miss: The famous Mardi Gras Party. Stages of international DJs, crazy pyrotechnics and hardcore partygoers, it’s the hottest ticket of the year.

San Francisco

@Katalicious via instagram

And finally.

No list would be complete without the pride of place, San Francisco. One of the most liberal and gay friendly cities in the world, San Francisco hosts North America’s biggest and most inclusive LGBT celebrations, with over 200 parade contingents and over 20 community-led stages.

Don’t miss: Staking out your spot in the Castro District. The craziest weekend of the year, the population of San Francisco almost doubles as around 1 million people descend on the city

The post The Best Pride Parades on the Planet appeared first on Tripstations.

from Tripstations http://bit.ly/2ZepFb4 via IFTTT

[christinezamudio]

ESCAPE AND BREATHE THE AIR OF NEW PLACES . . . . #discover_earth #travelandexplore #elcastillo #chichenitza #mexico #adventureon #neverstopexploring #stayandwander #ventureout #sheadventures #sheexplores #optoutside #outexploring #getoutmore https://www.instagram.com/p/B69BRr-BeN8WDNMGbtp4vJWEyUXoeV8avDsqo80/?igshid=1vqyypl1tyx1h

[matt-shannon-blog]

I love these stairs! Everything is beautiful in Rome. Enjoyed my time seeing all the architecture and history. #mattshannonphotography - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #stairs #vatican #vaticancity #vaticanmusei #vaticanmusem #italy #rome #romecity #visitrome #rome🇮🇹 #romemuseum #romeitaly #windingstairs #windingstaircase #architecturephotography #architecturedesign #magazinecover #travelmagazine #exploreitaly #amazingplaces #staircasetoheaven #staircasedesign #architecturegram #sistenechapel #italyiloveyou #outexploring #beautifuldesign #designart (at Vatican Museums)

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[christinezamudio]

The sun will come up, the seasons will change. - Nina Nesbitt . . . . #slotcanyons #desertlife #welivetoexplore #utah #utahisrad #utahgram #utahunique #discover_earth #exploreutah #hiking #adventureon #neverstopexploring #stayandwander #ventureout #hikeutah #sheadventures #shehikes #womenwhohike #lovetoexplore #sheexplores #optoutside #outexploring #getoutmore https://www.instagram.com/p/B5ugzwzBYcX3K953dczC0HQLcHzAFg44AmtWlw0/?igshid=klgcx1m87wf2