Bernie (she/her) lives and performs on Yuggera Turrbal Country and is a proud queer singer, songwriter, storyteller, writer, and performer based in Brisbane. Her work represents a unique blend of creativity, authenticity, and compassion, seasoned with wry humour and an abundance of music. Bernie is dedicated to helping mature-aged creatives rediscover joy, connection, and inspiration through music and storytelling.

Her repertoire spans heartfelt ballads, soulful folk melodies, vibrant musical theatre, and timeless jazz standards. Immersed in the rich world of jazz, she is drawn to the narratives of love, hope, loss, and life that each performance conveys. Bernie frequently captivates audiences at renowned Meanjin venues, including the Brisbane Jazz Club, Can You Keep a Secret (CYKAS), It’s Still a Secret (ISAS), New Tricks and The Bearded Lady.

One of the highlights of her artistic journey is “Square One: The Journey to Bernie,” a one-woman show which debuted at the 2024 Melt Open Festival at PIP Theatre. This production chronicles her evolution from a shy, closeted teen to the confident, proud queer woman she is today. Through her engaging cabaret-style performances, Bernie warmly invites audiences to leave all their troubles behind, embrace life fully, and celebrate the beauty of self-expression and resilience.

Bernie McKinlay - Writer, Director, Producer

Today, LGBTQ+ people enjoy greater visibility and acceptance, and the world—especially Queensland—has evolved dramatically in recent decades.

This story is unique because it honours the experiences of older lesbians and queer individuals who grew up in conservative Queensland—experiences often marked by rejection and pain.

Younger audiences—and even older, straight viewers—are frequently shocked by the harsh realities of the 'Pig City' era, when police would arrest and physically assault individuals simply for being gay. Yet these accounts echo the lived reality of many. Balancing humour with gravity and weaving song with prose, this narrative appeals to a broad audience.

• Promo footage of live performance at PIP Theater.
• Marketing copy
• Printed promo materials
• Professional photographs of performer
• Images incorporated into show
• FB and Insta ready digital assets
• Script and running sheets

Bernie's engagement activities offer unique opportunities for community connection and lasting cultural impact. Bernie is available to speak in community centres, libraries, schools, and regional LGBTQ+ gatherings, sharing her personal journey as a lesbian navigating a conservative world fraught with the fear of rejection. In these presentations, bernie offers messages of hope and empowerment for those confronting similar challenges.

Bernie also offers an interactive workshop on the creative process behind her show, guiding participants to begin developing their own shows, telling their own stories. Bernie details how she transformed personal struggles and ideas into a compelling performance, sharing insights into the evolution of her narrative, the practical steps taken to develop the show, and the resilience required to embrace authenticity on stage.

Bernie will also develop podcasts for her website, interviewing locals to uncover their own journeys to self acceptance in often conservative social environments. These interviews will anchor the performances to each town bernie visits.

The cultural legacy of the tour will be its enduring influence—a renewed dialogue on identity, acceptance, and the transformative power of art. Bernie's story leaves behind a blueprint for overcoming adversity, inviting communities to foster inclusive spaces where true selves are celebrated and creativity thrives.