Out in suburbia

Improving LGBTQ wellbeing and inclusion in outer suburban Australia

LGBTQ people living in Australia's outer suburbs experience significant barriers to wellbeing. This project aims to understand how living in outer suburban areas shapes LGBTQ belonging and inclusion, how local government policy and action impacts LGBTQ wellbeing and community connection, and how these experiences can be improved.

Expected outcomes of the project include identifying approaches to LGBTQ-inclusion in outer suburban areas that can be translated into policy that enhances local government responses to diversity and inclusion and promotes social cohesion and suburban liveability.

Associated publications

The Out in Suburbia team is working on publications based on the findings from the study. These will be added to this webpage as they are published online. If you cannot access them via the links below, please contact arcshs@latrobe.edu.au.

Out in Suburbia: Associations between residential location, mental health, and community connectedness among LGBTQ Australians

This article critically examines the contemporary applicability of homonormativity in understanding LGBTQ experiences in outer suburban Australia. Findings reveal that LGBTQ people in outer suburban Australia experience higher psychological distress and suicidal ideation compared to their inner suburban and rural counterparts. Additionally, they report lower levels of connection with LGBTQ communities, indicating a dearth of supportive resources in these areas.

Differences in LGBTQ young people’s mental health, wellbeing, and community involvement by residential location

Residential location can significantly impact the mental health, wellbeing, and community involvement of LGBTQ young people. While research has explored geographical differences in LGBTQ adult wellbeing, limited knowledge exists regarding LGBTQ young people’s experiences. Using a large Australian cross-sectional survey of 6,620 LGBTQ individuals aged 14–21, this study examined the associations between residential location and wellbeing outcomes.

Meet the project team

• Ruby Grant (she/her) is a leading sociologist specialising in LGBTQ wellbeing, whose research offers novel insights into the complexities of identity, community, and health within a regional context.
• Andrew Gorman-Murray (he/they) is a highly active researcher with global recognition in geographies and planning in relation to sexualities and genders, and changing spatial experiences of home, work and mobility.
• Adam Bourne (he/him) is a globally leading public health researcher specialising in LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing.
• Sean Mulcahy (he/him) is a socio-legal researcher with extensive experience on LGBTIQA+ inclusion initiatives in local government.

Partners and funding

Out in Suburbia is being delivered in partnership with Western Sydney University and is funded by the Australian Research Council (DP260100756).