Organisers behind a South Australian LGBTQIA+ social group are stressing the importance of maintaining a sense of community in regional areas during lockdowns. 

Key points:

  • Organisers of a Limestone Coast LGBTQIA+ community group are reaching out to others who may have moved into the area during the pandemic
  • They say newcomers can feel accepted and able to be themselves
  • Their active social group promotes visibility and acceptance in regional centres

This follows lockdowns and the pandemic triggering a rise in the number of people moving to regional areas, including those who identify as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

A social group — located in regional South Australia — is reaching out to people to promote connectivity during the pandemic.

LGBTQIA+ Limestone Coast Connect group administrator Patrick Smith said people moving from metropolitan centres could feel isolated and disconnected in regional areas, especially those who are settling in during lockdowns.

He said it was important the LGBTQIA+ community increased its visibility to foster acceptance.

“It’s good to be able to say, `It is okay to be gay on the Limestone Coast because we hear you, we see you, we welcome you’,” Mr Smith said.

Patrick Smith and Eliza Berlage at a community event.(

Supplied: Patrick Smith

)

While isolation was a major problem during lockdowns, he said, there had been a silver lining.

“Some people, because of the isolation, had come to terms with their identities at home and have expressed themselves,” he said.

Mr Smith said the number of people who had joined the group’s social media platform on Facebook had exploded over the past 12 months.

“I think [COVID-19] has had something to do with it, because people have found they cannot connect face to face, so let us try to connect online,” he said.

OK to be yourself

The group wanted to encourage people living in rural areas to be their “authentic selves”.

“We want people to know it is okay to be yourself – there are other people like you around the place,” Mr Smith said.

He said the group was growing in numbers and hoped more people would join.

“We’re getting to a point where we are starting off thinking about some structure to be able to actually have a bit more of a presence in a physical sense.”

When there were no lockdowns nor heavy restrictions, Mr Smith said the group came together for social outings.

“We have envisioned that, at some point, we’ll start having some education sessions for the wider community,” he said.

Mount Gambier’s deserted streets during South Australia’s seven-day lockdown.(

ABC South East SA: Bec Whetham

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Mr Smith said this education could include accessing health services and legalities surrounding transgender issues.

He said he had been living on the Limestone Coast for a few years.

“I have found it quite welcoming in its own way,” he said. “There have been some instances — where, you know, come on, this is 2018 or 2021 — but, really, the understanding and the welcoming have been really great.”

‘Tough time’

Group member Di Ind said the lockdown was “very tough” for people and the social platform had helped to connect people.

Ms Ind said it was a “scary experience” being a proud and open lesbian when she arrived in Mount Gambier in 2003.

“Things have changed incredibly since then thanks to groups like this.”