Welcome to the Bear World Guide to Canberra, Australia
There are a lot of things that you can do and see while you are visiting Canberra. It might be in outback NSW but it is the nation’s capital – quiet and welcoming.
We’re passionate about supporting and promoting queer businesses in your local areas. Whether you live there or are just visiting, check out our guide to queer-owned or queer-friendly businesses in and around Canberra.
Check them out, head to their websites, and follow their social media. To get listed here, contact us at bwmguides@grayjonesmedia.com.
Bear Kindred Group
Canberra Bears and Cubs
Canberra Bears and Cubs is only a social group with no formal structure. This group is for arranging social events in and around Canberra for the bear community. This group is not affiliated with Canbears Inc. and is not an organised/registered group. It is a social group for any bear or cub or admirer to join in.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CbrBears2013/
Nightclubs and Pubs:
Bar 88mph
Canberra’s nostaglic bar for retro, disco and queer vibes.
Address: Level 7/10 Hobart Place, Canberra, ACT, 2601
Website: https://88mph.bar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/88mph.bar/?hl=en
Smith’s Alternative
A creative, queer-celebrating bar and café with regular drag, cabaret, and queer nights for a more varied bar culture.
Address: 76 Aligna Street, Canberra, ACT, 2601
Website: https://www.smithsalternative.com
LGBTIQA+ Health Organisation
Meridian ACT
Meridian ACT are a community-controlled, peer-led Canberrean organisation that provides health and social support services to our community. They celebrate diversity, strengthen community and empower individuals to live their best lives. Community, health and action are the core of Meridian and how they work.
Meridian ACT have a community group called MAGNET, which is the mature age gay network, a social group for older gay and bisexual men that meets for coffee or to see a film throughout the year, and other ad-hoc events for the wider community. They Coming Out workshop for older men coming out as gay later in life to talk about the issues that matter to them looking to the future. Contact magnet@meridianact.org.au for more information.
Meridian is an integrated service for the LGBTIQA+ community, so gay, bisexual and same-sex attracted men may access many programs on offer such as their SMART Recovery program, focusing on Alcohol use in the LGBTIQ community, and major annual events such as Fair Day. They encourage gay, bisexual and same-sex attracted men to check out our events page to see what’s on offer.
Address: Havelock House 85 Northbourne Ave, Turner ACT 2612
Website: https://www.meridianact.org.au
MAGNET Information: https://www.meridianact.org.au/gay_bi_men#:~:text=MAGNET%20is%20the%20mature%20age,a%20film%20throughout%20the%20year
Email: contact@meridianact.org.au
LGBTIQA+ Festivals
SpringOUT
SpringOUT is Canberra’s only pride festival. Held in November each year, it is a month-long pride festival that celebrates Australia’s most LGBTQIA+ friendly city and its LGBTQIA+ community in all its fabulous diversity.
Website: https://springout.com.au
Magazines
FUSE Magazine
FUSE is an Australian LGBTIQ lifestyle magazine, published since 2009 in Canberra.
Website: https://www.fusemagazine.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fusemagazine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fusemagazine/?hl=en
STUN Magazine
STUN is a new queer magazine based in Australia’s capital of equality, Canberra. Its makers, editor Danny Corvini and designer Rob Duong, have over three decades of experience producing LGBTIQA+ and music/nightlife media content. Our goal is to inspire, inform and entertain readers across Sydney, Canberra, Wollongong and Newcastle with high-quality queer content.
Website: https://stunmagazine.com.au
