Mackay Rainbow Pride’s Pride Picnic connected the region’s LGBTQI+ community

Growing up is hard as it is, but add on being queer in a regional Queensland community and life gets a fair bit tougher.

Growing up is difficult as it is, but add on being a minority in a “conservative” regional Queensland city and the experience can get a whole lot harder.

Mackay held its first ever Pride March in October last year and while support for the LGBTQI+ community is growing, those within the community say there is still much to be done.

Nina Moore and Izzy MacNaughton at the Pride Picnic in Queens Park, August 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Izzy MacNaughton has lived in Mackay their whole life and said navigating being queer in the regional city could be tough.

“We get coins thrown at us in school,” Izzy said.

“And when we go skating people yell slurs at us.”

The 16 year old said because of the remoteness of the region, much of their support had come from online communities - which is why they were so excited to attend the Mackay Rainbow Parade’s Pride Picnic at Queens Park on Sunday.

“It’s awesome, we were so excited when we heard, we planned out all the food and invited our friends,” Izzy said.

“It’s just a feeling of being accepted, that we’re not alone.”

Julie Bates, Tania Moses, Jo Day, Ricky Sellick in the back and Sahara Isleta at the front at the Pride Picnic in Queens Park, August 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Mackay Rainbow Pride put on the Pride Picnic to bring together the LGBTQI+ community.

The day connected pioneers of the Mackay’s LGBTQI+ community to the new generation.

One pioneer Jen Patterson said she disliked the term “Queer”, preferring to go by “Queen”.

Ms Patterson did not come out until she was in her 30s after being married to a man and “having two beautiful children”.

Jen Patterson and Meggie at the Pride Picnic in Queens Park, August 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

She went to a Catholic school growing up and said questioning your sexuality was unheard of.

“I always knew I was different, I didn’t like dresses and lace,” Ms Patterson said.

“But we didn’t talk about it, it was never even mentioned.

“That’s why so many people ended up on drugs and alcohol, no one could talk about their inner feelings.

“Men especially took it hard, being called pansies and things.”

Ms Patterson said coming together for events like Pride Picnic important to ensure the LGBTQI+ community grew strong together.

“These days we can come and be who we are,” she said.

Mackay Rainbow Pride is continuing to help change the stigma for LGBTQI+ people in Mackay, offering a safe space and community for young and old.

Mackay Rainbow Pride president Abbey Chester and vice-president Tracy Connors at Queens Park for the Pride Picnic. Picture: Lillian Watkins

President Abby Chester said the Pride Picnic was just a taster in the lead up to the next Mackay Pride March in October.

She said the Pride March was planned to coincide with the National Mental Health Awareness Week as people who identify as LGBTQI+ were more susceptible to mental health issues.

Ms Chester wanted to encourage people to seek out Mackay Rainbow Pride’s group on Facebook for details on events, or to find a safe space in the private group.

The proud faces of Mackay’s LGBTQI+ community at Pride Picnic

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