Your Lens, Your Voice

A photo voice project to capture the experiences of LGBTQIA+ in SA.

We would love you to share the photos and stories that illustrate your experience!

About This Study

We put this project together because we want to document and celebrate places of safety and belonging for the Queer community in South Australia. This is timely as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of homosexuality being decriminalised in South Australia.

We are using a research method called Photovoice. This is where participants are provided a research question, and then go into their community to take photographs that will help them to respond to that question. The voice aspect of the method is where the photographer writes a brief narrative–this can just be a few words, one or two sentences, or as long as you like to explain the story behind the photographs.

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Have Any Questions?

Have a question or need help? We’d love to hear from you!

What Do I Need To Do To Contribute?

We are so excited you want to contribute! FIRST, think about how you might answer the question “how are Queer identities made visible in South Australia”. Take some time to think about how you might respond to that question with a photo from places and spaces you go to in South Australia. We have created this Photovoice Researcher Handbook which provides some more detailed instructions. You don’t need to be a professional photographer to contribute.

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Acknowledgement of Country

South Australia is home to over 30 Aboriginal language groups, each with distinct beliefs, cultural practices and languages. We acknowledge that the lands where each of us live and work are the traditional lands of the Kaurna people. We also extend our respect to other Aboriginal Language Groups and other First Nations across this beautiful country.

We respect Aboriginal peoples' spiritual relationship with their country, which includes the seas, skies and waterways. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded and that Aboriginal people continue to live under colonial rule. We understand that the nation wide criminalisation & incarceration of Aboriginal, Torres Strait & Tiwi Islander people is systemic and a function of colonisation.

Queering the Streets: Photos of Safety and Belonging for LGBTQIA+ people in South Australia

Project Number: ##206657
Dr Jared Dmello: The University of Adelaide
Dr Kate Toone: University of South Australia
Dr Michele Jarldorn: University of South Australia

You are invited to participate in a Photovoice research study about safety and belonging in the South Australian community for people who identify as LGBTQIA+ or Queer. The study is being conducted by Dr Jared Dmello from The University of Adelaide and Dr Kate Toone and Dr Michele Jarldorn from the University of South Australia.

What is the purpose of this research?

This research aims to learn about your experiences of safety and belonging as a queer person in South Australia. We are interested in finding out if (and how) experiences differ across the state, and to celebrate and capture stories of inclusion and to share those with the SA Queer Community. This research aims to find out where people in the queer community feel a sense of safety and belonging in South Australia.

Why have you received this invitation?

You are invited to participate in this research if you identify as LGBTQIA+ or as queer, live, work or have visited South Australia in the last three years and are 18 years of age or older. Your participation is voluntary (your choice). If you decide not to participate, there are no consequences. Your decision will not affect your relationship with us, the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, or the new Adelaide University when it opens in 2026.

What is involved in participating?

If you choose to take part in this research you will be asked to upload a photo that depicts a place in SA where you feel safe, welcomed and belong. Along with your photo, can you include a few words, sentences (or longer if you prefer) that talks about the photo you submitted. You can submit just one photo, or as many as you like. Please check out the researcher handbook we made to help you think about the photos you take and upload.

You will also be asked a couple of basic demographic questions, although these aren’t compulsory, and you can skip any of all of these questions. It should take about 15-20 minutes to upload each contribution. You can contribute as many times as you like. You’ll be asked to choose one or more of your favourite LGBTQIA+ charities from the list provided, so we can send them a donation on your behalf as a recognition of your contribution to the project. Please be aware that if you provide photographs that include your image, these will only be included where de-identification techniques (such as blurring / pixelating faces and other identifying features or altering voices) can be used.

Are there any potential benefits from taking part in this research?

There are no immediate benefits to you other than being able to share your experiences and stories of safety and belonging in SA. Sharing your photo and story will help to develop a better understanding of what it means to feel safe and belong in a community.

Are there any potential risks involved in this research?

Although we are asking you to reflect upon positive experiences in the community, it is possible that doing so might remind you of experiences that you found distressing and/or sensitive. If you become upset or distressed, we recommend you consider stopping your submission. You may also want to consider contacting one of the support agencies listed below:

Shine SA: https://shinesa.org.au/
SARAA Rainbow Alliance: https://www.saraa.org.au/community/resources-support/
Lifeline (Australia) 131114
Thorne Harbor Health: Phone: 08 7078 4128

What if you change your mind during or after the study?

You are free to withdraw at any time. To do this, simply close your browser window. Any information you have entered up to that point will be deleted from the data set. As participation is anonymous it will not be possible to withdraw your information after you have completed your contribution and pressed the SUBMIT button.

What will happen to the information you provide?

Even if you leave your contact details these will be kept separate from the rest of the data. You’ll be asked to choose a pseudonym (a made-up name). This name will be connected to your contributions. The results of this research, including (anonymised) quotes taken from your responses, will be moderated by the research team, and then shared on this website. We plan to publish papers in peer-reviewed, academic journals, books and book chapters. Results will also be presented during conferences or seminars to wider professional and academic communities. We will upload copies of these to the Queering the Streets Website. You will not be publicly identifiable in any publication, except that we will use your chosen pseudonym alongside any of your submissions.

Will the results of the study be published?

Once the project is finished, and subject to funding, we are planning to hold an exhibition of the work. We are also planning to create a soft cover book from the project, which will be made available through Queer community organisations. A summary of the research findings, including selected images and narratives, and any project publications, will be available on our research website.

Who can I contact if I have any questions or concerns?

If you have any questions about the research, please use the Contact Us button on the website. This project has been approved by the University of South Australia's Human Research Ethics Committee (Ethics Protocol 206657). If you have any questions about being a research participant in general or should you have any concerns or complaints about any aspect of the project or the way it is being conducted, please contact the Executive Officer of this Committee – humanethics@unisa.edu.au / tel: +61 8 8302 6330.

What happens next?

Please read the following statement of consent and indicate your willingness to participate.

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