Fionnuala Quin, who has two children a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, said lockdowns have been tough on students mentally.

"It's been a difficult year because of lockdowns, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ students who didn't have support from their peers," said Fionnuala.

"It's been really disheartening to say that I feel like we've gone back in time in terms of seeing acceptance.

"The hate speech (LGBTQIA+) students hear every day is so constant. I can't believe they are being called these names when they're just trying to go to class.

"It breaks my heart."

Related:

Fionnuala is part of Vincentia High School's Support Squad and worked with a local queer advocacy and social group, Queers Down South, to organise their first event out of lockdown.

The event is an all ages gathering at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co this Sunday, with a lineup of bingo and performances from local drag artists Connie Bathory and Lucy Furr.

It will support the fundraising efforts of the Vincentia High School Support Squad to collaborate on a Pride Mural at the school, promoting diversity and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ youth on the South Coast.

The Support Squad was established in November last year as part of a whole school response to developing an inclusive school environment for students who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, their allies and parents.

So far, $1000 has been raised for the mural.

Read more:

Fionnuala said local inclusive gatherings are important for young people to feel celebrated in their own region, instead of having to travel for events to feel accepted.

"Initially the Queers Down South group held meet ups for people 18 and over," she said.

"We let them know what a desperate need there was for that connection with the younger generation and how much value they get out of linking with other other young people across the region.

"We also heard a lot of stories about parents driving their children up to Wollongong or further to try and network with other families.

"So we organised events here to help kids can feel seen and a part of their community."

Co-founder of Queers Down South Jem O'Shea encourages anyone to come along to Sunday's event.

"The event is to support local youth and families and to show them it's okay to be yourself in the Shoalhaven," said Jem.

"We have so many people come to events on their own...but our group are really accepting and we always offer the option for people coming on their own to meet us (Queers Down South) beforehand to introduce them to someone."

The Wear It Purple fundraiser is a family friendly event kicking off at 12pm on Sunday, October 24 at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co.

For more details on the event, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/870837933804954/

To donate to Vincentia High School's Support Squad Mural Project, visit: https://www.giveout.org.au/t/support-squad-mural-project?fbclid=IwAR3nHGuCZO81nXmP5Ew39SICZfI8oFxUEnV5KlGw7Mrfa7iMFhgcLXYcEOU

To contact Queers Down South, visit their Instagram.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.