The Victorian Government is encouraging groups with ideas for regional activities and projects celebrating LGBTIQA+ inclusion to apply to be part of the 2025 Victoria’s Pride festival.
Minister for Equality Harriet Shing has opened expressions of interest for Victoria’s Pride Regional Activation Program – a summer events program designed to celebrate LGBTIQA+ Victorians.
“We’re celebrating LGBTIQA+ communities right across the state, by delivering events in every corner of Victoria that champion the diversity of people that live in the regions,” said Minister for Equality Harriet Shing.
“This is about building inclusion across communities in the state, enabling all Victorians to show their pride in rainbow communities and learn about their experiences.”
An annual state-wide celebration of diversity, Victoria’s Pride features a series of rural and regional events, finishing with a one-day iconic street party at Melbourne’s Gertrude and Smith Streets precinct on Sunday, 9 February 2025.
As well as providing more opportunities for LGBTIQA+ people across the state to connect and express pride in who they are, the program gives Victorians the chance to show support for and celebrate rainbow communities and their friends and families.
Leading LGBTIQA+ arts and cultural organisation Midsumma delivers Victoria’s Pride in partnership with the Government. The Government has invested $6.8 million for Victoria’s Pride over four years to help celebrate LGBTIQA+ communities while promoting diversity and inclusion.
“We are thrilled that this initiative plays such a vital role in the development of regional artists, art forms and communities, extending the reach and impact for LGBTQIA+ communities, sharing their creativity and their personal stories, through the arts, and ensuring that regional community voices and diverse identities are central to Victoria’s Pride, for now and for the future,” said Midsumma CEO, Karen Bryant.
Proposals are encouraged for regional and rural Victorian activities in the lead-up to 9 February 2025 and may include artworks, community celebrations, historical exhibitions and other projects documenting or highlighting the experiences of LGBTIQA+ people.
Applications are now open and close Tuesday 6 August 2024. For more information and to apply, visit: www.midsumma.org.au for details.