Welcome The Unwelcome

Established in 2023, this multi-year First Nations grassroots project serves as a vital platform for celebrating and advocating for the human rights of LGBTQIA+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities within the Cape York Peninsula. Led by an international human rights lawyer and photographer, the initiative provides professional services in contemporary portraiture and narrative storytelling, aimed at documenting the rich cultural vibrancy and lived experiences of the Cape York Black Rainbow mob. By challenging colonial stereotypes through high-quality photography and personal histories, the project facilitates community engagement and offers a medium for artistic expression that centres on land and body sovereignty.

The service area is primarily focused on the remote regions of Far North Queensland, specifically across the Cape York Peninsula, while also maintaining an international presence through global advocacy and academic contributions. A key component of the business model is its commitment to financial autonomy; proceeds from the project’s photography book are returned directly to the participants featured, fostering sustainable economic wellness for the local community. Through its events, media presence, and collaborative partnerships, the project continues to drive social change and provide a dedicated space for First Nations queer identities to be recognised and celebrated on their ancestral lands.

Visit: https://welcomingtheunwelcome.com/