''QNews'' is an Australian online news outlet based in
Brisbane
Brisbane ( ; ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and largest city of the States and territories of Australia, state of Queensland and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia, with a ...
,
Queensland
Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...
catering to the
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
intersex
Intersex people are those 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 binar ...
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. 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 daily newspaper published by News Corp Australia since 14 July 1964. As the only Australian daily newspaper distributed nationally, its readership of b ...
'' 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, alternative finance, to fund projects "withou ...
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.
In July 2023, "QNews" launched in New South Wales with 500 additional distribution outlets across the state and is looking to expand across Australia.
Content
''QNews'' is an Australian-focused
LGBTIQ monthly 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 900 distribution points, throughout Queensland and New South Wales.
The print magazine is also published online each fortnight.
References
External links
Official website
{{Online news in Australia
2000 establishments in Australia
LGBTQ-related magazines published in Australia
LGBTQ culture in Brisbane
Mass media in Brisbane
Magazines established in 2000
Australian news websites
LGBTQ-related magazines