Category: LGBTIQ

What to expect this Sydney Mardi Gras 2024

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Get ready to paint the town rainbow as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival returns with all its fabulous flair from 14 February to 2 March 2025. With its theme “FREE TO BE,” the festival is set to illuminate the city with a dazzling display of pride, culture, and community spirit, celebrating decades of progress while championing the individuality and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. Gil Beckwith, CEO of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, captures the essence of this year’s celebration: “Each year, Mardi Gras brings together people from across the globe for a vibrant celebration of community, visibility, and progress. The 2025 festival embodies this spirit, reflecting the resilience, creativity, and unity of our LGBTQIA+ communities. We are thrilled to welcome everyone to this year’s festivities.” Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO echoes the excitement, noting, “Mardi Gras is one of my favourite times of the year. Sydney truly sparkles with diversity, inclusion, and love proudly on show. We’re delighted to welcome people from around the world to our wonderful city – a place that embraces and celebrates everyone, where you are truly Free to Be.” With over 80 events on the agenda, this year’s festival promises a kaleidoscope of experiences, from the grand parade to intimate theatre performances. Signature events like the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade remain at the heart of the festival, with the newly revamped Taylor Square Takeover offering a fresh block party vibe for parade-goers. After a brief hiatus, Fair Day returns to… Read More

‘The unsaid says a lot’ campaign making Trans visible

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The Victorian Government is proud to announce the launch of The Unsaid Says a Lot, a groundbreaking campaign aimed at raising public awareness about the everyday discrimination faced by trans and gender diverse communities and driving systemic change. This campaign is the first government-led initiative of its kind in Australia and is a crucial part of Pride in our Future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022-32, which is dedicated to promoting equality and inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ communities across the state. The campaign highlights the often overlooked, non-verbal cues and microaggressions that contribute to a culture of discrimination and exclusion for LGBTQIA+ communities and takes place alongside the blatant physical expressions of discrimination and reduced opportunities that these communities endure. The campaign is supported by research revealing that discrimination, stigma, and unequal treatment are commonplace for trans and gender diverse Victorians. Findings from a national survey by La Trobe University show that more than three in four trans and gender diverse people were treated unfairly because of their gender identity in the preceding 12 months. This discrimination contributes to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among LGBTIQA+ people compared to the general population. Leveraging a series of creative campaign materials such as videos, posters, social media initiatives, and community engagement activities designed to foster empathy and inclusivity, the campaign aims to emphasise the significant impact that seemingly minor moments can have on the well-being and mental health of trans and gender diverse individuals. Creative inclusive communications specialist agency Think HQ led the co-design approach, which included input… Read More

Where to see Bob the Drag Queen in Sydney

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Fresh from guest starring on Madonna’s The Celebration Tour, comedian Bob The Drag Queen is set to dazzle Australian audiences with his first headline stand-up comedy world tour, THIS IS WILD! Presented by ITDEVENTS, this tour marks a significant milestone for Bob, the winner of season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, who has since evolved into a Peabody Award, GLAAD Media Award, and Television Academy Honours-winning artist for his contributions to HBO’s We’re Here. Beyond his television success, Bob has made waves as a musician with his debut EP ‘Gay Barz’, and as an acclaimed podcaster alongside Monét X Change on Sibling Rivalry. Currently captivating audiences as the special guest MC for Madonna’s The Celebration Tour, Bob’s Australian tour promises to be a high-octane mix of humour, storytelling, and his uniquely inventive performance style. THIS IS WILD! will journey through four major Australian cities on the following dates: Aimed at adults, this 18+ event will showcase Bob’s unparalleled ability to blend comedy with thoughtful commentary on a range of topics, all while entertaining his audience with the charisma and flair he is renowned for. Known for his roles beyond the stage and screen, including being recognized by NBC as one of their Pride 30 for making herstory in drag, performing at the Outside Lands music festival, and making notable appearances on NPR’s All Things Considered and a virtual panel with MoMA in 2023, Bob’s tour is a celebration of his multifaceted career and the diverse ways he connects with fans across the globe. THIS IS… Read More

Los Angeles Tourism celebrates the 54th Annual LA Pride

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LA Pride returns, promising an incredible lineup of events, including LA Pride in the Park headlined by Ricky Martin, the LA Pride Parade & Block Party on Hollywood Boulevard, LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium and PRIDE is Universal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Discover Los Angeles (@discoverla) Stay & Slay: LA Tourism Offers Exclusive Hotel Deals for LA Pride Attendees Los Angeles Tourism will join the 54th annual LA Pride festivities this June through its support of the organization and its annual lineup of events. LA Pride stands as one of the largest Pride celebrations in the United States and the world. Throughout LA Pride, local Angelenos and travellers can secure a nearby hotel with the best available rates and enjoy welcome amenities, discounts, and more at select properties. “LA Pride beautifully captures the spirit of our City of Angels with its focus on unity, inclusivity, and self-expression,” said Adam Burke, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. “We are incredibly proud to invite both our fellow Angelenos as well as travelers from around the world to join us in celebrating our LGBTQ+ community.” LA Pride in the Park will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, across more than 20 acres of lush green space at LA State Historic Park. The event will feature dozens of local and LGBTQ+ vendors, a huge variety of food & beverage, beer gardens, and a special lineup. The global icon Ricky Martin will headline LA Pride in the Park,… Read More

‘WHAT A FEELING’ World Premiere at BFI FLARE

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The World Premiere of WHAT A FEELING by Kat Rohrer is set to debut at the BFI Flare, London’s LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, on March 15, 2024. WHAT A FEELING marks Kat Rohrer’s first entry into fiction features, weaving a tale of love across cultural divides and societal expectations. This romantic comedy shines a spotlight on two middle-aged women, Marie Theres (Caroline Peters) and Fa (Proschat Madani), who boldly step out of societal margins to claim their space in a world ripe with possibilities. Supported by the Austrian Film Institute, the film boasts a stellar cast including Nicole Ansari-Cox, Barbara Spitz, Anton Noori, Gohar Nurbachsch, Allegra Tinnefeld, Heikko Deutschmann, Rafael Haider, Petra Morzé, Joseph Lorenz, Ines Kratzmueller, Adriane Gradziel, and many others. The storyline captivates from the start, with Marie Theres, a dedicated doctor gearing up for her 20th wedding anniversary, only to have her world turned upside down by her husband Alexander’s (Heikko Deutschmann) confession, leading to a fateful encounter with Fa at Bigi’s (Barbara Spitz) queer bar. Fa, with her carefree, spontaneous nature and openness about her love life, is starkly different from the more reserved Marie Theres. Despite the initial mismatch, an unexpected and complicated romance blossoms between them. Their story is a testament to the unpredictable, often winding paths love takes, reminding us that finding one’s place and person in the world can defy norms and expectations. WHAT A FEELING is set to be released in theaters across Austria on April 19, 2024, promising audiences a heartwarming, thought-provoking film that celebrates love… Read More

Mardi Gras wrap up for 2025

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The vibrant and diverse streets of Sydney were illuminated with the spirit of pride and celebration as the 46th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade took center stage on Saturday, 2 March. A staggering estimated 250,000 spectators flocked to Oxford St, Flinders St, and Anzac Parade, uniting in solidarity and bearing witness to a spectacular procession of over 12,000 participants who brought the night to life with their creativity, advocacy, and unapologetic pride under the theme “Our Future…”. Reflecting on the electrifying Parade, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Gil Beckwith, expressed, “Tonight’s Parade was a vibrant testament to the strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. As we marched under the banner of ‘Our Future…’, we not only honor the past 45 years of history and progress but also took a bold step toward shaping a more inclusive and diverse future.” Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Sydney’s role as a beacon for LGBTIQA+ communities, stating, “Sydney has always been a beacon for LGBTIQA+ communities and that pride is most spectacularly on show during Mardi Gras. This year’s March was another triumph of sequins and spirit.” Amid the celebration, the Parade also served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing fight for equality within the LGBTIQA+ communities. Mayor Moore reinforced this, noting, “These past few weeks have been particularly hard for our LGBTIQA+ communities but tonight we all came together for a wonderful celebration of queer love, culture, and struggle. When the biodegradable glitter settles, the fight… Read More

Virgin Australia’s Mardi Gras flights

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More than 500 travellers, including legendary drag performers and renowned celebrities, celebrated high in the skies onboard Virgin Australia and United Airlines’ dedicated Pride Flight services. These special flights took off from San Francisco, Melbourne, and Brisbane, landing in Sydney just in time for Australia’s premier LGBTQIA+ celebration. Upon arrival, festivities continued as passengers were greeted by Tinder Glambassador Danni Issues and later joined the vibrant Landing Party at The Beresford, featuring performances that included a Virgin Australia dance troupe and a soul-stirring ballad by Hugh Sheridan. In a generous show of support for the LGBTQIA+ community, Virgin Australia announced that $30 from every Pride Flight ticket sold would be donated to Minus18, a charity devoted to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth. Similarly, United Airlines committed to a $125K USD donation to The Trevor Foundation as part of their annual contribution to LGBTQIA+ causes. The flights themselves were a spectacle of celebration and inclusivity. Virgin Australia’s Pride Flight from Melbourne to Sydney, numbered VA1978 in homage to the year Sydney hosted its inaugural Mardi Gras Parade, along with the Brisbane to Sydney VA2017 flight – commemorating the year same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia – included pre-flight departure parties complete with drag performances, celebrity appearances, mid-air entertainment, and endless refreshments. The San Francisco to Sydney Pride Flight, a codeshare flight VA8005 with United Airlines, offered an international bridge to the festivities. Passengers on these flights were entertained by iconic figures such as RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under star Maxi Shield and the beloved Melbourne drag duo The… Read More

G Flip and Uber Pool for Mardi Gras

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Get ready to ride with pride this Mardi Gras parade day, because Aussie singer, drummer, and queer icon G Flip is riding around festivities exclusively via Uber Pool on March 2nd, and you could be in with a chance of sharing a ride with them. To celebrate Mardi Gras, Uber has teamed up with global superstar G Flip, giving Sydneysiders the chance to share a ride with them to the festival. Fresh off setting the record for the most entries in the Hottest 100 ever, G Flip is ready to start the Mardi Gras party by giving a few lucky riders the Uber Pool ride of a lifetime as they head out to parades, parties, and other festival events. For one day only, G Flip will be riding around Sydney in the queerest Uber vehicle, decked out with rainbow good vibes and offering everything you need for the perfect Mardi Gras pre-game. Share a karaoke classic with the Aussie singer-songwriter as you share the journey and impress them with your renditions of their iconic hits as you get pumped for the night ahead. To be in with a chance to ride with G Flip, just register your interest here and tell us why you’d love to be part of G Flip’s pride ride. G Flip said: “I’m so stoked to be back in Australia for Mardi Gras! It’s one of my favourite days of the year. I’m going to be hopping in a few Uber Pool rides on the day of the parade, so stay… Read More

Mardi Gras Debutante Ball in Sydney

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On Thursday, Kinselas Hotel in Darlinghurst set the stage for a momentous occasion as it hosted the inaugural Mardi Gras Debutante Ball by Johnnie Walker. This event marked the first steps of Mardi Gras first-timers as they ventured to join their community for the iconic celebration. Eight first-timers from the LGBTQIA+ community had the opportunity to share their stories and win tickets to attend the Debutante Ball, making it an unforgettable experience for them. As they walked the Gold Carpet, these individuals debuted proudly, warmly welcomed by festival custodians, the community, and the trailblazers who have paved the way for them. The evening unfolded at the iconic Darlinghurst venue, where the Mardi Gras Debutante Ball became a fabulous celebration of all queer identities, truly honoring the progress, strength, and diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community. The highlight of the Ball was none other than Natalie Bassingthwaighte, who made her debut for her first Mardi Gras since openly identifying as queer last year. Her presence added an extra layer of significance to the event, symbolizing the ongoing journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and pride within the community. The Mardi Gras Debutante Ball by Johnnie Walker exemplified the spirit of inclusivity and acceptance, serving as a testament to the progress made and the unity embraced within the LGBTQIA+ community. It was a night of joy, empowerment, and celebration, representing the collective strides towards a more diverse and welcoming society. As the festivities unfolded, it became clear that this groundbreaking event has redefined the traditional concept of the Debutante Ball,… Read More

Queer art after hours in Sydney

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Get ready to mark your calendars because on Wednesday, February 28th, the crowd-favorite Queer Art After Hours event is set to make a vibrant return to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This year’s edition promises an exciting lineup that has just been unveiled, and it’s one you won’t want to miss! Renowned as one of the most eagerly anticipated annual events at the Art Gallery, Queer Art After Hours has continually stood out as a highlight among the free offerings of the Mardi Gras festival. It serves as a powerful platform for LGBTQIA+ artists, performers, and storytellers, bringing the community together for a night of celebration that honors diversity, resilience, and creativity within the Queer community. In light of the recent cancellation of Fair Day, this year’s Queer Art After Hours aims to keep the party vibes alive with a spectacular FREE offering. Visitors can look forward to a kaleidoscope of interactive pop-up performances, installations, workshops, and DJ sets, all while embarking on their own unique art adventure exploring the exhibitions and collections on this unforgettable evening. The 2024 lineup is nothing short of extraordinary, featuring a diverse range of experiences. From the thought-provoking video and spoken word installation “Queers as in Crip” to performances delving into butch and leather culture in “Dyke Vignettes,” the stage will come alive with fierce and fabulous drag performances by Miss First Nations queens Nova Gina, Josie Baker, and Shaniqua Empirè. Additionally, visitors can expect a captivating performance inspired by the occasional presence of pigeons in the… Read More