''QNews'' is an Australian online news outlet based in

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of approximately 2.6 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of the South ...

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

catering to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,

intersex Intersex people are individuals born with any of several sex characteristics including chromosome patterns, gonads, or genitals that, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical b ...

and queer communities in Australia. The first issue was published in December 2000.

History

''QNews'' was formed in December 2000 following the demise of predecessor publication ''Brother Sister'' amidst the collapse of national LGBT publisher

Satellite Media A satellite or artificial satellite is an object intentionally placed into orbit in outer space. Except for passive satellites, most satellites have an electricity generation system for equipment on board, such as solar panels or radioiso ...

. The first edition of ''QNews'' was released on 15 December that year. It was operated by Ray Mackereth, who had previously run ''Brother Sister'' for Satellite Media. A fortnightly publication from the beginning, it was originally printed as a tabloid newspaper, but changed to a fortnightly magazine in 2005. Historian Shirleene Robinson described ''QNews'' as being less "highbrow" than its then-rival publication, ''Queensland Pride''. In 2013, under earlier ownership, ''

The Australian ''The Australian'', with its Saturday edition, ''The Weekend Australian'', is a broadsheet newspaper published by News Corp Australia since 14 July 1964.Bruns, Axel. "3.1. The active audience: Transforming journalism from gatekeeping to gatew ...

'' reported claims that ''QNews'' had inflated its distribution figures, alleging that the publication was claiming that it had distributed approximately double the number of copies than had actually been printed. It suggested that the magazine's distribution at that time was averaging approximately 8,500 copies. In 2015, the company ran into financial difficulties and was facing closure, with the operators needing a

crowdfunding Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising money from a large number of people, typically via the internet. Crowdfunding is a form of crowdsourcing and alternative finance. In 2015, over was raised worldwide by cro ...

campaign to keep the publication alive for long enough to secure a new publisher. It faced further issues later that year after its then owner, Ray Mackereth, filed for bankruptcy. Later that month, it was sold to Queensland businessman Richard Bakker. In October 2018, ''QNews'' appointed a transgender managing editor, Destiny Rogers, reportedly the first Australian publication to do so.

Content

''QNews'' is a Queensland-focused

LGBTIQ Intersex people are born with sex characteristics (such as genitals, gonads, and chromosome patterns) that "do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies". They are substantially more likely to identify as lesbian, gay, bisex ...

fortnightly lifestyle magazine catering to members of the Australian LGBTIQ community and their allies. The magazine covers local and national LGBTIQ current affairs, community issues, health, entertainment and culture. The print publication and website are available for free and supported entirely by advertising. The company regularly partners with LGBTIQ community groups around Queensland and northern New South Wales, including Brisbane Pride, Cairns Tropical Pride and Tropical Fruits. In April 2016, the publication released its 400th issue and celebrated what it claimed was a record for the largest number of issues for a Queensland LGBTIQ print publication.

Distribution

''QNews'' currently has over 450 distribution points, mostly throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales. The print magazine is also published online each fortnight.

References

External links

Official website
{{LGBT in Australia 2000 establishments in Australia LGBT-related magazines published in Australia LGBT culture in Brisbane Mass media in Brisbane Magazines established in 2000 Australian news websites LGBT-related magazines