When Queers on Wheels volunteers delivered food and other essential supplies to those struck by Covid this week – they became the angels of the Lismore LGBTIQ community.

Over 30 Queer Family volunteers dropped off hundreds of meals, puzzles, throat lozenges, vitamins and pain meds to people who were stuck at home, bored in isolation, or sick with Covid.

Queer Family Inc. is a local charity looking after the lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community in the Northern Rivers – and according to managing director, Aiden Gentle, everything delivered contained a “good pinch of queer love”.

Queer family to the rescue

Aiden said the need for the home delivery care service became apparent when people in the community started coming down with Covid and were calling out for help on social media.

“After the holiday social period of Christmas and events at New Year, people were getting sick, testing positive and asking for help on social media to get paracetamol or groceries,” they said.

“We saw their extended circles of friends were also impacted and in the same boat, sick.

“It’s not surprising – Covid is a whole of community thing - and we all are affected.”

So Aiden, and a bunch of other dedicated volunteers, mostly from Lismore, started cooking up nutritious meals and delivering food and shopping to them.

“Queer Family wants to create safe spaces and serve our community, with its many different groups,” Aiden said. “And the queer community is always willing to pitch in

and help.

“We all become chosen family –and Queer Family does great community care and we work together to look after each other.

No resources and networks

“When there are younger queers in share houses and one goes down, they all go down. They also need help because they are often disconnected from their biological families.

“There is also a degree of poverty and lack of resources as many of them have unstable income, or work in hospitality with no sick leave - they can’t afford to pay for takeaway and delivery.

“Some people are immune compromised and others are living alone and quite isolated – but they all need support."

Aiden said deliveries of books and puzzles were welcomed by people who were not sick, but had to isolate – and were bored.

“Some people just wanted a cup of coffee, and some people started feeling better, then got sick again.

“Having someone check in on you is so important.

“We had feedback from others who were sick, but don’t need anything – they said they feel better knowing we are there in case they need us.”

What is Queer Family?

Aiden said Queer Family Inc. has been around for more than two years and is an incorporated, Not For Profit, registered charity, run by volunteers.

“A big part of what we do is to help reduce isolation and improve mental health – and create safety and connection,” they said

“Normally, we do it event style, but Covid restrictions have made it hard.

“We have the networks and resources and can get out into the community to help fast.

“In regional areas, queers are often invisible and the Northern Rivers has a visible and vibrant community that attracts others to come and live here.

“Tropical Fruits has also been instrumental in its role in developing region the way it has.”

Donations needed

As well as a call out for volunteers to cook meal or do deliveries, Queer family has been delivering the helpful service thanks to community donations of food and money. But they still need more to keep it going.

“Anyone who can afford to give a donation, we ask them to do so. Not just money, but donations of canned food or staples,” Aiden said.

Want to help?

If you would like to volunteer or donate, you can visit the Queer Family Facebook page or email  queerfamilynorthernrivers@gmail.com

Donations are tax deductible, just email for a tax receipt:

Queer Family Inc BSB 722 744 Acc 100 134 599