Spotlight on Qld homophobia

A new survey of same-sex attracted and gender diverse Queenslanders has identified the Sunshine State’s worst hotspots for homophobic violence.

The study, Speaking Out: Stopping Homophobic and Transphobic Abuse in Queensland, is the largest survey of homophobic violence to be carried out in Australia, and was conducted by Alan Berman of Griffith University and Shirleene Robinson of Bond University.

Now at Newcastle University, Dr Berman told Southern Star that interviewees rated some of Brisbane’s gayest suburbs among the worst for homophobic incidents.

“Particular hotspots were New Farm, Spring Hill and Fortitude valley, home to most of Brisbane’s GLBTIQ nightclubs,” Berman said.

“That’s consistent with national and international surveys which have shown that gay men tend to be victims of homophobic violence in inner-city suburbs as opposed to suburbs that are not predominantly inhabited by large gay populations.”

The Sunshine Coast region was rated the worst in the state for homophobia, recording the highest number of incidents per capita.