Film festival and women’s sports club among Victorian Government funding recipients for their celebration of LGBTIQ+ communities  

In celebration of diversity, inclusion, and connection across Victoria, the State Government is funding a diverse range of events and activities with grants of up to $10,000. Among the 20 recipients are the Geelong Pride Film Festival, Darebin Women's Sports Club and Black Apple Theatre.

Victorian Minister for Equality Martin Foley announced the 20 recipients of the Pride Events and Festival Fund, which helps community organisations and LGBTIQ+ social enterprises host events that help to connect Victoria’s diverse rainbow communities.

Minister Foley notes “these grants are just one example of our ongoing commitment to creating safe, strong and sustainable LGBTIQ+ communities across Victoria.”

Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando adds “this funding recognises just how powerful celebratory events and activities for our communities can be, right across this state of Victoria. These events help remind our diverse rainbow communities they are supported, we belong, and helps us feel seen and represented.”

Greater Geelong City Council secured $10,000.00 for its Geelong Pride Film Festival which will consciously address intersectionality through wide-ranging film representations, disability access and priority seating in cinemas (also for elders), protocol training for volunteers, and providing accessible and affordable online film content to strengthen participation from those in rural areas.

Mount Alexander Shire Council also secured $10,000 for Black Apple Theatre which will deliver Thrive: Queer voices, Out Loud for its second year. Thrive connects LGBTQIA+ communities throughout regional Victoria, reflecting the lived experiences of many Victorians within those communities through story telling and theatre. Thrive helps challenge the misconception that LGBTQIA+ culture and communities only exist in metropolitan areas.

Darebin City Council received $5,180.00 to support the Darebin Women's Sports Club to formally launch their Gender Policy, through events to promote the policy across the club. All events will be coordinated by the club with support from LGBTIQ+ specialists consultants, such as Proud to Play who have been consulted on the policy.

Almost half of funded activities will be in regional Victoria, including ‘Queers on the Catwalk’, an event that will support LGBTIQ+ people of all ages in the Macedon Ranges and surrounds to express their identity through clothing.

All events will include LGBTIQ+ people with disability, and some will be delivered digitally, either to complement or in place of in-person gatherings, to ensure they can be accessed by all people across Victoria.

Along with providing opportunities for LGBTIQ+ communities to connect with each other, activities will improve the visibility of LGBTIQ+ people in their communities and promote understanding of their experiences.

The program aligns with the Victorian Government’s long-term plan to create safe, strong and sustainable LGBTIQ+ communities under Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ strategy 2022-2032, which was released last month.

The strategy will drive the Government’s work to change laws and policies, strengthen state-based services and support LGBTIQ+ organisations and events over the next decade to drive meaningful change.

For a full list of successful grant recipients, please visit: vic.gov.au/successful-recipients-pride-events-and-festivals-fund