Support for the LGBTQIAP+ Brotherboy and Sistergirl community

Updated August 2019

Queensland Police Service has dedicated LGBTI Liaison officers stationed across the state. If involved in any police interactions you could ask to speak with a liaison officer. Unfortunately, not all officers have demonstrated awareness of LGBTQIAP+ Brotherboy and Sistergirl communities and their particular history with the police. Liaison officers may not always be available and at times officers have been unaware of their existence.

Be sure to take notes after any police interactions that indicate discrimination or abuse of power. You can lodge a police complaint.

We recommend seeking advice and information from the LGBTI Legal Service:

You can call or webchat with QLife on 1800 184 527, 3pm till midnight every day. This is a peer counselling service that is free of charge. It is best to first take down a written statement of what happened before discussing at length with anyone else. This may help to combat any suggestion that your testimony has been muddied.

We have identified some particularly problematic police policies relating to transgender and gender diverse individuals. Search “transgender” below to find out more. CW//TW for transphobic and ignorant language. You can also see the Queensland Police Service Good Practice Guide for interactions with transgender clients here. Problematically, the policy states, “Do not be afraid to ask questions. Many transgender people will be happy to answer most questions.” While people may be open to answering questions, this kind of messaging may empower officers to feel they are allowed to ask anything.