At Lighthouse.lgbt, we amplify authentic LGBTQ+ voices, and today, we share Riley’s nonbinary journey from isolation in rural Australia to vibrant queer community. Riley, a 29-year-old nonbinary artist from Dubbo, New South Wales, navigated stigma and loneliness to find belonging through our Stories and Events. Since 2017, Lighthouse.lgbt has been a beacon for individuals like Riley, and by 2025, their story will join over 1,000 others in our mission to foster inclusion. This nonbinary journey reflects resilience, hope, and the power of connection.
Growing Up Nonbinary in Rural Isolation
Riley was born in 1996 in Dubbo, a small town 400 kilometers northwest of Sydney, where traditional farming culture dominates. “I felt different by age 10, not fitting as a boy or girl,” Riley shares. In high school, they faced bullying for their androgynous style, with classmates using slurs during a 2014 school fair. A 2023 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report notes that 54.3% of LGBTQ+ youth in rural areas experience high psychological distress, compared to 13% of the general population, mirroring Riley’s struggles. “I hid my identity to survive,” they recall. With no local queer role models, Riley’s nonbinary journey felt lonely, compounded by a 2023 Trevor Project survey showing 56% of nonbinary youth face anxiety due to stigma.
Discovering Lighthouse.lgbt’s Stories
In 2020, at 24, Riley found Lighthouse.lgbt while searching online for queer support during a sleepless night. “The Stories category was a lifeline,” they say. A 2019 post about a nonbinary teacher in Melbourne resonated deeply. “It showed me my nonbinary journey wasn’t alone,” Riley reflects. The platform’s Healthcare Blog, expanded in 2021, guided them to a telehealth therapist in Sydney who affirmed their identity. “Lighthouse.lgbt gave me language to understand myself,” they explain. A 2023 La Trobe University study found that 46.8% of LGBTQ+ Australians sought mental health support, with rural youth like Riley facing barriers due to limited local services. Therapy helped Riley process internalized stigma, a common challenge noted in a 2024 Victorian government report on rural queer youth.
Finding Connection at Pride Events
Riley’s nonbinary journey transformed through Lighthouse.lgbt’s Events category. In 2023, they attended Dubbo’s first-ever Pride in the Park, listed on our platform, which drew 500 attendees. “Seeing queer flags in my town felt unreal,” Riley says. The event, held on June 10, 2023, featured local artists and a drag performance, fostering community in a region where, per a 2023 study, rural LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to feel isolated. Riley also joined a virtual Sydney Mardi Gras workshop on February 25, 2023, via Lighthouse.lgbt, connecting with queer activists. “It was my first time feeling part of something bigger,” they share. These events, alongside a 2023 Canberra Pride panel Riley streamed, helped them embrace their identity, countering the 77.2% of nonbinary youth reporting suicidal thoughts in a 2023 survey.
Building a Queer Community in Dubbo
Inspired by Lighthouse.lgbt, Riley started a local queer art collective in 2024. “A story about a nonbinary painter on your site pushed me to create,” they say. Their group’s first exhibit, promoted through Lighthouse.lgbt’s Events page, was held at Dubbo’s Western Plains Cultural Centre on March 15, 2024, drawing 300 visitors. “Art let me express my nonbinary journey,” Riley notes. They also volunteered at the 2024 Broken Hill Pride Parade, listed on our platform, on September 7, 2024, a vibrant event celebrating queer resilience in another rural hub. A 2024 Queensland government report highlights how such pride events foster “stronger communities and connections” for LGBTQ+ individuals. Riley’s parents, initially hesitant, attended, inspired by a Lighthouse.lgbt blog on family support. “They’re learning my pronouns,” Riley says, smiling.
Advocating for Rural Queer Visibility
By 2025, Riley is a vocal advocate, contributing a blog to Lighthouse.lgbt about their nonbinary journey. “Your platform showed me I could be visible,” they say. Their art, showcased at the 2024 Sydney WorldPride Community Hub, reflects themes of rural queer identity. “Visibility changes everything,” says activist Jackie Turner, whose 2023 Melbourne speech inspired Riley. A 2023 study notes that community connection reduces suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth by 30%. Riley’s story embodies this, proving that platforms like Lighthouse.lgbt can transform lives. We invite you to explore our Stories, join Events, or share your journey to build a more inclusive world.
