As the Capital of Equality, Canberra offers a lot for LGBTIQA+ people who call it home.

For people living here, this isn’t just a saying — it’s something you can see and feel every day. Whether you’ve lived in Canberra your whole life or just moved here, there are many ways to feel safe, meet others, and be yourself.

Across the city, there are support services, social groups, and events that celebrate LGBTIQA+ communities. You can find places to connect, have fun, and get help if you need it.

This guide will help you discover a glimpse of what’s out here and how to get involved.

Art and entertainment

Canberra Qwire is Canberra’s own LGBTIQA+ choir which celebrates a common love of music and singing. With 120+ members from all walks, you can join the choir or attend a concert.

SpringOUT is Canberra’s own pride festival held annually in November. While still a little away, the applications to run a range of LGBTIQA+ events or to hold a stall at the Fair Day will soon open.

FLESH: Queer Life Drawing sessions feature a life model run by and for LGBTIQA+ folks. Join the relaxed, social atmosphere to pursue your own creative approaches.

Queer Variety Show is a bi-monthly event featuring LGBTIQA+ and disabled performers held at Smith’s Alternative.

Smith’s Alternative is one of Canberra’s most iconic and loved performance venues. The bar and performing arts cafe celebrate queerness and local culture. Smiths is known for providing a safe and inclusive space. It offers live music, poetry, comedy, burlesque, theatre, drag, queer shows, cabaret, art exhibitions and dance parties.

She Shapes History is on a mission to promote gender equality through tourism. Join their walking tour to learn about women’s and LGBTIQA+ history of Canberra. You can also listen to the She Shapes History Queer Past podcast about Canberra’s queer history.

Tuggeranong Arts Centre is a creative hub and gathering place in South Canberra. The centre aims to connect people, create new experiences and celebrate the arts. Keep an eye out for events and workshops.

Belconnen Arts Centre is an inner-north hub for visual and performing arts classes. As part of the many LGBTIQA+ events and workshops they run, Kaleidescope, an annual exhibition, celebrating LGBTIQA+ experiences.

Sport and the outdoors

Queer run CBR is an inclusive community of runners, riders, rollers and strollers. If you are looking to find a space that celebrates LGBTIQA+ folks and allies, look no further.

Canberra frontrunners is an LGBTIQA+ group that gets together weekly to run or walk around Canberra.

ACT Water Polo is an inclusive and diverse club that promotes physical activity and friendship in a safe and judgement free space.

Pink Tennis is a welcoming group of LGBTIQA+ individuals who encourages people of all abilities to pick up a racquet and join a bunch of queer people in Canberra who like to play tennis.

Rainbow Racquets Squash is a squash group for LGBTIQA+ people and their allies. They create a relaxed and inclusive space to enjoy squash and connect.

Canberra Roller Derby League are a competitive flat track roller derby club run by the skaters, for the skaters. They are dedicated to promoting health, sport, community and inclusion.

Canberra Burlesque Academy offers classes, studio time, tailored mentorship, resources, and performances for LGBTIQA+ artists.

Pride Fitness Canberra is a business focused on providing a safe space for community to meet and get active. They offer bootcamp, running meets and post workout coffees.

Get outdoors with some of Canberra’s best hiking trails and walking tracks. One of the benefits of living in the bush capital is that there are plenty of trails and spots to see breathtaking sunsets and sunrises. 

Great walks to tick off your list
Canberra’s top spots for sunrises and sunsets

Support for LGBTIQA+ communities and their families

A Gender Agenda is a community organisation that supports intersex, trans, and gender diverse people. Check out their resources and support services.

Meridian is a community organisation that provides health and social support services to LGBTIQA+ communities.

Seahorse Playgroup is a local playgroup and community space for LGBTIQA+ parents, carers, and their children.

Community and support for young LGBTIQA+ people

Encampment 2025 is a locally run initiative that brings LGBTIQA+ young people aged 13-17 years old together. They help to navigate gender identities and sexualities and strengthen their connection to the community. Check their application dates for 2025/26.

Bit Bent offers weekly culturally safe and participant-led groups for LGBTIQA+ young people aged 10 to 25. Whether you’re looking for resources, connections, or simply a place to hang out and be with like-minded individuals, they have you covered.

Rainbow Mob is a local community organisation run for and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQASB+ young people.

Variations in sex characteristics is a psychosocial service at Canberra Health Services that provides support to children and young people born with sex characteristics that do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies.

Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) supports public, private and faith-based schools in Canberra with age-appropriate, accurate and sexuality education. View their resources and education workshops.

Online

Stun Magazine is a Canberra born and bred queer magazine. New to the scene but already making a huge impact. The magazine covers readers across Sydney, Canberra, Wollongong and Newcastle with high-quality entertainment and queer content.

FUSE Magazine is a national gay, lesbian bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer lifestyle magazine. It covers everything from news, entertainment, fashion health and social issues.

LGBTIQA+ Directory is exactly what is sounds like. If you are looking for LGBTIQA+ support, businesses, or community-based connections, look no further.

ACT Government 

The Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs run a community grants program called Capital of Equality Grants, hosts LGBTIQA+ events and engages with LGBTIQA+ communities to help make Canberra the capital of equality.

For more information visit their website, follow their Facebook page for the Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs or subscribe to their newsletter.