Regional Victoria events celebrate LGBTIQ communities

A range of events across regional Victoria - as part of Melbourne Pride - are offering Victorians the opportunity to celebrate the State’s LGBTIQ+ communities.

Melbourne Pride is a landmark LGBTIQ+ event for Victoria, featuring a series of activities in the regional communities over the summer and a one-day street party in Melbourne on 13th February 2022.

Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando advised “It’s so important that our diverse LGBTIQ+ communities right across rural and regional Victoria have the opportunity to tell their stories and histories, and that we all have the opportunity to celebrate their identities through events such as these.”

Marking more than 40 years since the decriminalisation of sex between men in Victoria, this event will help heal historic wounds by giving all Victorians the chance to show their pride in and support for LGBTIQ+ communities.

Melbourne Pride’s regional activities are now underway, with community events, art exhibitions, theatre shows, podcasts, documentaries and a range of other initiatives across regional Victoria.

Among the activities was Pop-Up Pride in Bendigo on Saturday, which featured drag performances, live music, stalls, a Trans Clothing Swap, short films from the Bendigo Queer Film Festival and exhibitions.

Meanwhile proud Nguri-Illum Wurrung / Dja Dja Wurrung / Wurundjeri / Wamba Wemba artist Vince Partington has created sculptural work PIRNBIAL (meaning rainbow in Woiwurrung language), which examines the connection between traditional culture and identity based on Vince’s own experiences. It is showing at Healesville’s Hearth Gallery from now until late January and on 13th February.

The State Government has delivered more than $1.9 million to support Melbourne Pride, as part of our broader work to achieve equality for LGBTIQ+ Victorians.

Victorian Minister for Equality Martin Foley noted “Melbourne Pride is a celebration of our LGBTIQ+ communities and everything they contribute to our state.”

Local State Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards added “It doesn’t matter whether you live in Melbourne or Bendigo – we support and celebrate every LGBTIQ+ Victorian.”

Leading LGBTIQ+ arts and cultural organisation Midsumma is delivering Melbourne Pride on behalf of the Victorian Government.

A list of regional Melbourne Pride activities will be kept updated at midsumma.org.au/regional-activations with events already scheduled for the Macedon Ranges, Ballarat, Geelong, Morwell and Wangaratta.

Image courtesy Midsumma. Credit: Lisa White. Produced by ChillOut Daylesford Inc