Josh Bouman (he/him) is the Queer Social Club (QSC) co-founder. The QSC runs events such as, picnics, hiking, queer trivia, beach days, game afternoons, brunches, trips to a café, craft-days, karaoke and craft-days.
‘[The Queer community] is very important because I feel like the trans community are hurting’, Bouman says. ‘And I’m not from the trans community but if I was to put myself in their shoes, I’d feel isolated or I’d feel… there wasn’t a place for me. So, I think it’s kind of cool in a way that we’ve all come together, there’s no judgement’. Many queer people attending QSC have not had much experience with queer community, but attendees seem to be appreciative of the opportunity to connect in a friendly and welcoming space.
‘We often see repeat people that come to the club… and sometimes they’ve approached us and they’re like “this is my first time at a queer event”,’ says Bouman.
All people 18 and over are welcome to join QSC events, though the target demographic is queer and gender-diverse people. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP via Meetup and bring snacks depending on the event, though this is not mandatory.
QSC organises monthly meetups in Sydney’s Inner-West, often Newtown, and will continue to run events monthly, continuing to create queer connections in Sydney’s outer CBD. QSC recently celebrated its second ‘birthgay’ on the 16th August, marking 24 events since August 2023. ‘QSC has brought so many people together – thank you for being a part of it, and making it the welcoming, joyous space it’s become’, they announced in an Instagram post. QSC hosted a second birthday party at Camperdown Memorial Park, Newtown featuring party games, music, drinks, and optional birthday dress up.
Register for the QSC here.
