It’s 6pm on a Wednesday evening in Perth and dozens of people are gathered under a giant blue whale skeleton belting out Cyndi Lauper songs.

This is QUoir, an inclusive LGBTQIA+ singing group that meets monthly at the WA Museum Boola Bardip.

Singer, songwriter and choir master Queency took over running QUoir with fellow singer Tara John just over two years ago.

“A lot of people love to sing but don’t have a space where they can do it freely,” he said.

“The idea of QUoir is to of course create a space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and it’s inclusive; anyone is welcome.”

Almost 10 per cent of Australians between 16-24 years of age openly identify as being LGBTQIA+.

Research suggests those within the queer community suffer from mental health conditions at a higher rate as a result of social marginalisation.

QUoir member Ruth Langmead says she looks forward to attending every month.

“It unequivocally benefits my mental health; I think there’s something that bonds when you sing together, even if you don’t know the people you’re singing with,” she said.

Fellow choir member Kate Goodman says she attends to sing without shame.

“I’ve always thought that I haven’t got a very good singing voice but I quite like to sing so this is an opportunity to just turn up and try,” she said.

Professor of clinical psychology at the University of Queensland Genevieve Dingle has spent more than 15 years studying how music affects people.

Her research shows that people diagnosed with mental health conditions often feel improvements in their health and wellbeing as a result of singing in a group.

“It opens up other psychological benefits from being a part of the group, such as giving and recieving social support, friendship, feelings of social connection and belonging, or a sense of purpose or routine,” she said.

“The choir actually helps to inform who they are and create a social identification as a part of the choir, which is a really important process.”