Drag Queens Bring Glamour and Grit to Rural Queensland

A group of four drag queens recently embarked on a road trip to a country pub in Emerald, Queensland, about 300 kilometres from Rockhampton. The sold-out crowd at the pub was a far cry from the "gaybourhoods" of major cities, but the queens received a glowing reception.

A Unique Gig

Twirling in a wavy brunette wig and gold mini dress, Leisha Luck lip-synced to a Kesha song with seasoned confidence. For Leisha, the Emerald show was a unique gig, saying "The fact that it sold out, like, weeks prior and then … we were over capacity on the night absolutely blew my mind." She added, "It revived my sense of purpose … I felt reinvigorated in what I do."

Welcoming Audiences

Leisha says central Queensland audiences have been largely welcoming, stating "Even though I'm a beautiful woman, the moment I open my mouth and they hear that I'm a bogan, they're much more comfortable." For Emerald theatre director Bailey Simpson, seeing the queens in action in his town was "was the best thing in the world," adding "In an outback rural community to have this representation just shows that it doesn't matter where you are, that you're supported."

Drag History in Central Queensland

Central Queensland's drag history stretches back decades, with Luke Shaw recalling packing out the old Post Office Hotel with a hundreds-strong crowd with his LGBTQIA+ show Venus Rising in 2005. Shaw said, "It was a bit of a push at first, some venues didn't want to be associated with that … because of the stigma then, 'Oh, that's the gay bar', which could be perceived as a harmful brand in the early 2000s."

Queer in the Regions

People in the LGBTQIA+ community have a long-documented history of higher rates of mental health issues compared to their heterosexual counterparts. A study found 57 per cent of the LGBTQIA+ community experienced high or very high psychological distress, and almost 75 per cent had experienced suicidal ideation. Headspace's David Myles says, "We know that young people, particularly regionally, have to change how they dress … or the way they speak or the way they move … because they're not safe to share who they are entirely."

A Safe Space

Back at the country pub in Emerald, Leisha Luck takes to the stage, microphone in hand, and warms up the crowd, saying "When a queen comes out on stage, you f***ing scream!" She added, "I think I might kick it off with a bit of a number, should I, should I do a number?" Leisha hopes she's inspired queers in this corner of country Queensland to feel a sense of safety, belonging and community, stating "The young little queerlings will move away from country towns because they don't feel like there's a space for them here."