The Victorian Government is celebrating the state’s regional LGBTIQ+ communities through a series of events as part of Victoria’s Pride.
Minister for Equality Harriet Shing has announced the regional program of Victoria’s Pride, which will feature a wide range of LGBTIQ+ events including an inaugural rainbow ball in Shepparton, Pop Up Pride in Bendigo, and a family-friendly pride festival in Gippsland.
“It’s fantastic to see such a diverse range of events will celebrate Victoria’s Pride throughout the state this Summer – providing everyone an opportunity to show visible love and support and for our LGBTIQ+ communities,” said Minister for Equality Harriet Shing.
Victoria’s Pride event locations will span across the state including Wangaratta, Ballarat, Warrnambool, Morwell, Kyneton and Castlemaine, and are expected to be enjoyed by tens of thousands of attendees.
The program includes three touring projects which will visit several regional and rural communities in Victoria to help ensure that anyone across the state who wishes to participate in Victoria’s Pride can get involved.
“This program of regional events will help to connect Victoria’s diverse rainbow communities and remind people that they are supported, that they belong, and help them to feel seen and represented,” said Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando.
The Victoria’s Pride regional program will kick off in December, with the summer-long festival culminating in a one-day street party in Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct on Sunday 12 February 2023.
The Government provided up to $15,000 of funding to 14 different arts and culture projects that showcase regionally based LGBTIQ+ artists and highlight regional LGBTIQ+ voices and stories, through a grants program run by Victoria’s Pride event partner, Midsumma.
“It’s exciting to see the statewide representation of LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural projects which will showcase regionally based LGBTQIA+ artists and highlight diverse voices, their creativity, and their stories from across Victoria,” said Midsumma CEO Karen Bryant.
The festival will give people across the state an important opportunity to demonstrate their pride in and support for LGBTIQ+ people and learn more about the great diversity of sexualities, genders and sex characteristics that make up our Victorian communities.
The Government has invested $6.8 million to bring Victoria’s Pride to life and make it a staple in Victoria’s events calendar for years to come. For more information on the regional Victoria’s Pride program, visit: www.midsumma.org.au for details.
Image: Victoria’s Pride – artwork by Elwyn Murray