June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community, including people with disability.
Amidst the rainbows, sparkles, fun and frivolity, there’s a serious side to Pride Month. The historical roots of Pride trace back to the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York. While equality has come a long way since then, there is still a long way to go.
This month is an opportunity to continue pushing for equality and inclusion for all LGBTQIA+ people, including people with disability who live at the intersection of these two identities.
In the spirit of Pride Month, we go around the country with some top event picks that highlight the importance of inclusion, acceptance and love. Happy Pride Month!
VICTORIA.
Victorian Pride Centre – all month.
The Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda has a packed program of events and activities including queer film screenings, art and craft workshops including gay life drawing and musical nostalgia events. There’s even a free trans and gender diverse clothes swap on Sunday 30 June.
Every Friday afternoon throughout the month is Friday Social, where the centre opens to provide a space for drinks, snacks and the opportunity to connect. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
Visit Victorian Pride Centre for details.
Headspace Morwell annual Pride Party – Friday 14 June.
This event offers the Gippsland LGBTQIA+ youth community and friends/allies (ages 12-25) the opportunity to come together in a safe, inclusive, discrimination-free environment and celebrate pride. Anyone aged 15 and under is required to attend with a parent, guardian, or person over the age of 18.
Held at Kernot Hall, Morwell this year’s Pride Party theme is…… FANTASY! It’s a fabulous opportunity to don a magical or otherworldly costume.
Get your free tickets at Eventbrite.
NSW.
Sydney Pride Festival – all month.
Compassion and Courage is the theme for this year’s Sydney Pride Festival which is set to unite the community through grassroots celebration, as well as honouring and sharing the history of Pride.
Every Sunday on the Burdekin Rooftop enjoy Sydney’s best bottomless Brunch and a drag show. Find out why Breko’s Music Bingo has developed a cult following over the past five years at the Newtown Hotel on 13 and 20 June. Or get along to one of the many theatre, art and community events throughout the month.
Get the lowdown at sydneypride.com.
bentART exhibition, Blue Mountains – until 16 June.
bentART was established in the Blue Mountains in 2005 to celebrate the visual arts of Australian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and other sexually or gender diverse artists. You can find the exhibition at Rex-Livingston Art + Objects, 182-184 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.
More at bentART.
QUEENSLAND.
Brisbane Pride Queens Ball, Brisbane City Hall – 29 June.
Join the 69th annual Brisbane Pride Queens Ball to celebrate this incredible milestone and continue the tradition the longest continuously running Queer event in the world. Funds raised through tickets sales go directly back towards benefiting Brisbane’s LGBTIQ+ Community. This is an Auslan interpreted event.
Tickets available at Eventbrite.
Sunshine Coast Pride Skate, Caloundra Rollerdrome – 23 June.
Look out Sunny Coast! Rainbow rollerskating is coming your way to celebrate Pride Month. A vibrant celebration of queer culture, Pride Skate welcomes everyone to the rink to enjoy great music and a chance to dress up and have fun with friendly people in a welcoming environment.
Get your skates on 5:00pm – 7:30pm at Rollerdrome Caloundra, 19 Caloundra Rd, Caloundra West. Entry is $14.50 + Skate or Blade Hire $6.50 if required. No booking is required.
For more details see Gay Skate.
Happy Pride Month!