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A little-known chapter of Queensland’s history – a romantic relationship between the state’s first premier and his attorney general – is gaining renewed attention as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympic Games. The story of Robert Herbert and John Bramston, and the suburb named in their honor, Herston, is a compelling tale of a clandestine love and progressive politics in 19th-century Australia.
A Portmanteau and a Pioneering Pair
What might seem unremarkable today – two gay men establishing a home together – was a radical act in 1859. Robert Herbert, then the colonial secretary (equivalent to premier), and John Bramston, one of his attorneys general, combined their surnames to christen their Queensland residence, Herston. This seemingly simple act now represents a significant, yet largely forgotten, piece of Australian LGBTQ+ history.
The name endured, eventually becoming the designation for the modern suburb encompassing the area. Remarkably, in less than seven years, Herston will be the site of the main stadium for the 2032 Olympic Games, prompting calls for the recognition of Herbert and Bramston’s story.
Unveiling a “Gay Love Story”
The history of Herston and its namesake figures is detailed in Clive Moore’s 2001 book, Sunshine and Rainbows: the Development of Gay and Lesbian Culture in Queensland. Moore asserts he was not alone in concluding that Herbert and Bramston shared a romantic connection. The two men first met at Balliol College, Oxford, in the 1850s, and subsequently shared living quarters both in Oxford and London.
Moore describes their relationship as a “gay love story,” acknowledging the impossibility of public acknowledgment at the time. Herbert, notably, never married and had no children. A letter penned in 1864 to his sister reveals his apprehension towards marriage, stating it risked “being wretched” for a mere “chance of a little possible additional happiness.” He reasoned, “It does not seem to me reasonable to tell a man who is happy and content, to marry a woman who may turn out a great disappointment.”
Progressive Politics and a Secret Life
Herbert’s government demonstrated an unusual level of empathy towards gay men. Queensland became the first Australian state to abolish the death penalty for the offense of male sodomy, a full two decades before New South Wales followed suit. According to Moore, their relationship was “doubly unlawful, doubly secret,” existing within the confines of cabinet, where even discreet relationships were frowned upon.
The Herston home, once shared by Herbert and Bramston, has since been demolished and is now the location of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
A Legacy Rediscovered
While Herbert served as premier until February 1866 before returning to England, where he died in 1905, Bramston briefly returned to Queensland, marrying Eliza Russell in Brisbane in 1872 and later passing away in Wimbledon in 1921. Their story, however, is experiencing a resurgence in interest.
Timothy Jones, president of the Australian Queer Archives, highlights the significance of uncovering such historical narratives, particularly as 64 countries worldwide still criminalize homosexuality, many of which participate in the Olympic Games. However, Jones cautions against simply “lionising” historical figures, emphasizing the need to acknowledge their potential complicity in colonial injustices while recognizing the progress made.
James McCarthy, president of Brisbane Pride, believes the Olympics present a crucial opportunity to showcase Brisbane as a confident and inclusive city. “It is essential that LGBTQIA+ communities and histories are front and centre in the telling of Brisbane’s story,” he stated.
From Outlawed to Elected: A Century and a Half of Change
The journey towards LGBTQ+ rights in Queensland was arduous. In the 1980s, when Moore relocated to the state, homosexuality was still illegal. Gay school teachers faced dismissal, and openly gay trainee teachers were denied employment. A conservative government, led by Russell Cooper, even attempted to exploit homophobia to deflect attention from corruption scandals, suggesting a “flood of gays” would migrate from southern states.
It wasn’t until 1989 that Queensland police brought some of Australia’s last charges under anti-gay laws. A formal apology and the quashing of a century and a half of convictions followed in 2017. In a landmark moment, Queensland elected its first openly gay MP, Trevor Evans, in 2016 – 157 years after Herbert assumed office.
A Call for Commemoration
Despite the suburb bearing the name Herston, and Herbert’s name gracing geographical features in far north Queensland – including the Herbert River, Herbert Range, the town of Herberton, and the federal electorate of Herbert – there are currently no heritage sites in the Brisbane suburb commemorating the full names of Bramston and Herbert.
“It’s time Queensland faced up to a few things,” Moore asserts. “The gay community knows about [Herbert and Bramston], but basically the straight community in Brisbane doesn’t know about it. It’s never been aired in a public sort of a way.” The upcoming Olympics, therefore, presents a unique opportunity to bring this hidden history to light and celebrate a pioneering couple who, despite the constraints of their time, left an indelible mark on Queensland’s story.
