A Modern Gay's Guide

Sydney, get ready. The UK’s most iconic queer pop festival is officially making its Australian debut, and it’s bringing one hell of a line-up with it. Mighty Hoopla – London’s legendary pop-utopia that’s become a cult phenomenon among gays, gals and everyone in between – is finally touching down under. And in the most fittingly chaotic way possible, it’s landing right on Bondi Beach on Saturday 21 February 2026.

If there’s one thing the queer community knows, it’s that laughter is survival. And if there’s one person who knows how to turn that survival into razor-sharp, whip-smart comedy, it’s ALOK. For those who aren’t already obsessed (fix that immediately), ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed comedian, poet, and all-around icon who’s been reshaping conversations around gender, identity, and queerness for years.

Do you have aN LGBTQIA+ NIGHTLIFE TRAVEL tip that you’d love for us to include in this guide, or maybe you’ve noticed something that’s not quite right? let us know your thoughts BY CLICKING here! Bienvenidos a Madrid, the lively and vibrant capital of Spain! Madrid is known for its beautiful architecture, world-class museums, and lively nightlife scene.

This month’s book pick is the stunning memoir; ‘Born Both; An Intersex Life’ by lifelong activist Hida Viloria. This account spans decades of Hida’s life and touches on the many ups and downs of being born intersex. Hida uses they/them pronouns, and speaks on this complex gender identity which exists both alongside of, and independently of their intersex identity. They were also the second ever American recipient of an intersex birth certificate in the year of 2017.

‘Ello darlings, welcome to the fabulous world of LGBTQIA+ nightlife in London! This vibrant city has a long, long, long history of queer culture, and it shows in the diverse array of clubs and bars on offer. From drag shows to fetish parties, here’s your guide to some of the best queer venues in town. The Two Brewers is an iconic venue located in the heart of Clapham, and it’s been a staple of London’s gay scene for over 30 years.

THIS PAGE IS FOR THOSE 18+ ONLY – GET THE FACTS AT DRINKWISE.ORG.AU Presented by OG vodka baddies themselves, Smirnoff are this month featuring the Meanjin/Brisbane based and enigmatic front person of ‘Platonic Sex’, Bridget Brando, as our LGBTQIA+ identifying, culture creating, emerging artist of the month! Yep, the famed vodka favourite, and subsequent masterminds behind the new ‘Smirnoff Soda’ range (that’s available in three fruity flavours, made with real fruit juice!), and ‘Smirnoff...

That was the sound of my pre-teens. Apparently, everyone in my school thought I needed to be told that I was a ‘gay boy’ or a ‘poof’ because of my somewhat camp tendencies. At this point, pre-puberty, I didn’t really understand what all the fuss was about, primarily because I didn’t really even know what being gay was. Sexuality, feelings and emotions are not something a pre-teen boy really explores – I didn’t even know what being a ‘gay’ really was.

Meet Riley, a normal, exuberant, caring and astute 20-something year-old who I am privileged to say that I share a home with… and I must say, it has been enlightening. In his first proper home since university, and cohabiting with his loving boyfriend, you wouldn’t expect that his path to contentedness would be marred by ignorance and intolerance. However, it is, as Riley is a transman.

At 63, Bianca’s life is a testament to grit, bravery, and the game-changing magic of figuring oneself out. Raised in the restrictive societal norms of the 60s, Bianca’s journey, marked by a stringent Catholic upbringing, was one fraught with challenges and discrimination. “I grew up in a very catholic household and went to a religious school. At the time, these environments were pretty terrifying for someone who didn’t play the ‘right’ part in society.

Welcome to your monthly dive into the colourful universe of LGBTQIA+ news – where the extraordinary, the eyebrow-raising, and everything in between converge. A Modern Gay’s Guide is here to ensure you’re in the loop, whether you’ve got an encyclopedia of queer knowledge or just a thirst for the latest.