With the weather warming up, it’s time to look forward to Victoria’s Pride, a landmark program of pride events held across the state. This celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities is presented by Midsumma in partnership with the Victorian Government. Look forward to 13 regional events, culminating in the iconic Victoria’s Pride Street Party on Gertrude and Smith Streets on Sunday February 11.
Victoria’s Pride
The program for Victoria’s Pride builds on the success of Melbourne Pride, a state-wide event that marked over 40 years since the decriminalisation of sex between men in Victoria. Community groups, organisations and artists from around regional Victoria have come together to support involvement in the events this year.
“I’m delighted to see such diversity in the activities put forward by an ever-increasing number of passionate and dedicated LGBTQIA+ community groups and organisations who are working hard towards a more inclusive Victoria,” said Minister for Equality Harriet Shing. “Our regional and rural LGBTQIA+ communities are strong and thriving, and along with providing more opportunities for rainbow communities across the state to connect and express pride in who they are, events like these give all Victorians the chance to show support for LGBTQIA+ people.”
Highlights
Three towns in Victoria will celebrate with Queer-ways, a project which aims to document queer stories from around the state. The stories will be featured on augmented reality Queer Map, which will be a permanent record of the rainbow communities in town. The project will come to Shepparton on November 18, Ballarat on November 25 and Geelong on December 2.
The whole region of Gippsland will light up with a series of Pride celebrations in six different shires. Gippsland Pride Festival will have stalls, resources, music and food, bringing a sense of connection around the region. The festivities will kick off in November, and end in February 2024.
In the Goulburn Valley, local young people will work with LGBTQIA+ elders to capture and showcase their lived histories at several queer cultural events, including OUTintheOPEN Festival and Under The Big Top. This will run from November 10 to February 10.
Sunbury Aboriginal Cooperation will host, Sounds Gay, I’m In! on February 10. This summer picnic will be an opportunity for the First Nations LGBTIQA+ community, non-Indigenous LGBTIQA+ community and allies to come together in celebration.
Listen to the anthology, Queer Out Here: Words and Art from Regional Victoria in Fitzroy. Presented by Scratch Arts, this collection weaves together poems, essays, short stories and visual arts from queer writers and artists around the state.
For more details about the regional events, click here.