Gay cowboys denied an Aussie show

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal play gay cowboys in "Brokeback Mountain". Picture / Reuters

Parts of north and central Queensland won't be seeing the controversial cowboy movie Brokeback Mountain.

The film - banned in two cinemas in the US because of its tale of gay cowboy love - won't be seen in Townsville or Rockhampton because of its "limited release" status.

The snub has angered gay activists, who say many could relate to the gay character played by Australian actor Heath Ledger.

Townsville-based Colin Edwards said: "We have gay property owners, jackaroos, jillaroos. They really do exist and they really do fall in love."