The rural town of Cowra, nestled in the central west of New South Wales, recently celebrated a momentous occasion with its inaugural queer community event, aptly named Breaking Out. This gathering marks a significant step forward for local LGBTQIA+ individuals, and it reflects a broader trend of increasing visibility and acceptance for queer communities in regional Australia.

Organized by a small yet dedicated team, including Marc McLeish, the operations manager of Club Cowra, the Breaking Out event has aspirations to become a regular fixture on the town's social calendar. Unlike many events that aim to draw attention and become the talk of the town, McLeish emphasizes the importance of normalizing such gatherings. “It’s just another night, another function, another tick in the community calendar,” he stated. “I hope one day society will allow this to not be a special event.”

Cowra, a town rich in history, is perhaps best known for its role during World War II, particularly the Cowra Breakout, where a mass escape by Japanese prisoners occurred. The name of the new LGBTQIA+ social night, Breaking Out, cleverly draws a parallel to this historical event, symbolizing a new kind of liberation for the queer community.

The inaugural gathering, held in late March, welcomed eight attendees, a modest number that signifies the beginning of a movement. Local resident Carl Erle, who played a pivotal role in launching Breaking Out, expressed optimism for the event’s future. “There are groups in other towns, there's the big festival in Orange, and Headspace is having a big gay event in Bathurst,” he noted. “Obviously we can't do anything that grand, but we just thought of a pleasant social night where people can just drop in, have a drink, say hello.”

Breaking Out’s inception can be attributed to Jon Wright, a fourth-generation cattle farmer from nearby Woodstock. Having come out over two decades ago, Wright is heartened by the evolving landscape for queer individuals in rural areas. “We have queer people working on farms and in a lot of different parts of the community, living and working comfortably and easily and happily,” he shared. For him, hosting an event at the local club signifies a shift in societal attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Advocacy group ACON has noted a surge in regional pride events, highlighting their critical role in providing visibility and support for queer communities. Ben Tart, a regional outreach officer at ACON, reported a growing trend in such gatherings. “They may vary in scale and scope, but we are certainly seeing more of them happening, which is a fantastic thing to see,” he remarked. This increase in pride events is vital for instilling a sense of belonging among LGBTQIA+ individuals in regions that may previously have lacked such spaces.

In March, the nearby city of Orange held its second Rainbow Festival, attracting an impressive 2,300 attendees and featuring a signature Rainbow Walk that saw over 1,000 marchers. Meanwhile, other regional events like Hay’s Rainbow on the Plains and the upcoming Mardi Gras in Wagga Wagga are also contributing to this positive momentum.

As Tart advised the organizers of Cowra’s Breaking Out, starting small can yield significant results. “Rainbow on the Plains Festival in Hay began with a few of them wanting to get together to watch the Mardi Gras on screen down at the local club,” he shared, illustrating how grassroots efforts can evolve into larger, impactful celebrations.

The rise of events like Breaking Out signifies a hopeful trend in regional Australia, paving the way for increased acceptance and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals. With ongoing efforts and community involvement, Cowra’s queer community can look forward to a future filled with connection, celebration, and pride.