In a tiny outback town, locals have brushed off the red dust in favour of glitter for their first-ever Mardi Gras ball.
The small town of Cunnamulla, with a population of just over 1,000 people, is a long way from Queensland's capital, and its dazzling nightlife and gay bars.
Nearly 800 kilometres west of Brisbane, Cunnamulla sits squarely in the federal electorate of Maranoa, where 56.1 per cent voted "no" in the 2017 same-sex marriage plebiscite.
But, as elaborate dresses are chosen, and long eyelashes, delicate nails and makeup applied, Cunnamulla says it's time to celebrate and embrace the LGBTQIA+ community of outback Queensland.
'I didn't think the acceptance would happen as it did'
For 36-year-old Phillip Mckellar, a local gay Aboriginal man from the Budjiti people in Cunnamulla, the outback has come a long way since he came out at 17.
"Growing up here was a bit difficult in coming out that I was gay, but today it's a different lifestyle," Mr Mckellar said.
Mr Mckellar experienced name-calling, hatred, and extreme fear that coming out would isolate him from his family, friends, and his close-knit community.
He said he knew all along who he was but questioned whether other people would accept him living in a small outback community like Cunnamulla.
"My mum was a big support, and as soon as I came out, my family and friends were accepting … it plays such a big part of my life."
He was excited to see an event celebrating queer communities held in outback Queensland, something he could never have imagined as a child.
Faboriginal drag queen takes Cunnamulla
Dallas Webster knows what it is like to grow up gay in a regional community.
The Dunghutti man joined the community with his alter ego, Nova Gina, as the main act for the Mardi Gras ball.
Mr Webster grew up in Kempsey, in regional New South Wales, where he had few gay role models.
"It was obvious to a lot of people, and [I was] not realising myself; I was quite camp as a young boy," he said.
The internal pressure of coming to terms with his sexuality lead to a breakdown in his early 20s.
It was those experiences that motivated him to come to Cunnamulla, with the hope that sharing his story would help others growing up regionally.
"It just isn't fair — it's a set-up for failure."
After a few years living in Sydney, Mr Webster returned to his home town of Kempsey and performed as a drag queen for a community event at the local RSL.
"From that, I thought, 'Yeah the spotlight's alright, I wouldn't mind getting into this career'.
"And nine years later, I'm still at it."
His alter ego and stage persona, Nova Gina, was born, and has gone on to be a leading Indigenous drag personality in Australia.
"A couple of drinks help to get into the psyche of her," he said.
"She can be a bit sassy, not too quick, cheeky but not rude.
A show of support
Cunnamulla local Anna Murphy, an Indigenous worker with Lifeline Darling Downs, is one of the key organisers of Cunnamulla's first Mardi Gras ball.
Beyond acceptance of queer relationships in outback Queensland, the ball had an important message of bringing awareness to domestic violence in same-sex relationships, which Ms Murphy said was largely under-reported.
While the numbers of DV cases in same-sex relationships was high, Ms Murphy believed the change in marriage laws had helped highlight the issue.
Ms Murphy also hoped the ball would address social isolation and homophobia in the outback.
"[The ball] will shine a light," Ms Murphy said.
"We need to move forward as we are in 2022, everyone is an individual, and we are all human."
Glitz, glamour and wisdom
With mainly younger people at Cunnamulla's first ever Mardi Gras ball, Dallas Webster hopes this is a sign of shifting times.
Along with the glitz and glamour, there's plenty of great advice for the younger generation from those who've come before.
Mr Webster hopes to impart some wisdom, particularly to those grappling with their sexuality in regional Australia.
"Acceptance is what it should be all about," Mr Webster said.
"[Queer youth]: there is nothing wrong with [you].
Cunnamulla local Mr Mckellar also had some sage advice.
"Just be upfront to yourself, to your family and your friends … it's so much easier just to come out," Mr Mckellar said.
