Category: LGBTIQ

Pride Month: unveiling a new chapter, Pride Action North

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In alignment with the closing of Pride Month, we are excited to announce a major rebranding of Northumberland Pride, a leading LGBTQIA+ charity. To better reflect our expanded services and broader geographical reach, we are now Pride Action North. Founded in 2017, Northumberland Pride started as a volunteer-driven initiative to organize an annual celebration for the local community. Since then, it has grown exponentially, now employing eight dedicated staff members to cater to the increased demand for specialized support and advocacy. Our services extend to various critical areas such as youth work, domestic violence, hate crime, and mental health and wellbeing. The transformation to Pride Action North is not just a name change, but a comprehensive brand makeover that includes a new mission statement, values, and soon, a revamped website. Darren Irvine-Duffy, the charity’s chair, shared, “From our humble beginnings as a local pride event organizer, we’ve evolved into an organization that provides holistic support and meaningful services. Our aim is to ensure every member of our growing community feels accepted and safe.” The rebranding represents a significant milestone in our history. Under the banner of Pride Action North, we are enthusiastic about expanding our presence and support throughout the North. As our name suggests, we are committed to action, striving to make the region a safer, more inclusive, and accepting place for everyone, particularly members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Our rebranding process involved extensive engagement with service users, stakeholders, and staff through focus groups. The outcome is a reflection of their valuable insights and… Read More

Live music at Sotheby’s London for Pride Month

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Experience the Symphony of Diversity with Sotheby’s and The Barbican. This summer, immerse yourself in a unique celebration of diversity and classical music. Join us as we pay tribute to the influential queer composers who have shaped our musical history. On 30th June 2023, Sotheby’s galleries on New Bond Street will be transformed into a stage for the award-winning conductor, Oliver Zeffman. Witness the London-born maestro leading a programme that highlights the radical contributions of queer classical composers such as Handel, Caroline Shaw, and Henriette Bosman. This event is more than a concert; it’s an homage to the LGBTQ+ narrative within the musical canon. But the melody doesn’t stop there. The Sotheby’s concert sets the tempo for an expanded performance at The Barbican Centre on 7th July. Nick Grimshaw presents this landmark event, where Zeffman will conduct the renowned Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. This occasion marks the first classical Pride concert by a major orchestra anywhere in Europe. Experience the world premiere of Julian Anderson’s Echoes, along with masterpieces by Tchaikovsky, Poulenc, and Bernstein. Here are the details for the Sotheby’s event: The performance will take place amidst major Old Masters, creating a harmonious fusion of visual and auditory arts. These masterpieces will be up for auction during the week of 3rd July. This event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is essential. Reserve your spot today and get ready to sway to the rhythm of equality and pride. Grab your tickets through Sotheby’s website here. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity… Read More

Best countries around the world for LGBTIQA+ travel

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MyDatingAdviser.com has released a report titled “The Best Countries for LGBTQ+ Travel in 2023” to raise awareness of global attitudes during LGBTQ Pride Month. Australia has secured the eighth spot on the list, with an impressive LGBTQ+ travel index score of 94.3 out of 100. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, some countries are more welcoming than others when it comes to travel and adventure. While there have been significant changes in laws and norms surrounding same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights around the world, public opinion on accepting homosexuality remains divided by country, region, and economic development. Australia’s high ranking on the list is due to its public acceptance towards homosexuality, with 81% of Australians accepting homosexuality, according to a ‘Global Attitudes & Trends’ survey by Pew Research. Additionally, same-sex sexual activity has been legal for women and men (in some states and territories) since the mid-1970s. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2017, and adoption rights were granted nationwide in 2018. Australia also boasts anti-discrimination laws that ban all anti-gay discrimination and allows for military service rights for gay men, lesbians, transgender, and intersex people. However, some states legally require sex reassignment surgery to change sex on a birth certificate. Overall, Australia stands out as a gay-friendly country that welcomes visitors from all walks of life and all backgrounds.

Best places to eat in Sydney this World Pride

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This Sydney World Pride is all about openness, being your best self and living the life you want. And if that involves eating at quality restaurants around the city, then get that too! Here’s a short round-up of some top places we’ve found, offering some of the nicest experiences around the city this Pride. North Bondi Fish For one day only, Bondi Beach will become the city’s hottest club for 12,000 people from 3pm, starring pop sensation Nicole Scherzinger, and featuring an all-Australian DJ line-up including dameeeela, Jarred Baker, Jacqui Cunningham, DJ Charlie Villas and DJ Dan Murphy. Naturally, North Bondi Fish is hosting a pre-beach party, complete with music, margs, love and golden glitter. A line-up of much-loved DJs will be hitting the decks to pump out tunes that evoke nothing but fun, and beats that’ll make you sizzle and dazzle down to Bondi’s sands to continue through til’ late in the night. Plus, their Summer of Margs menu has been extended to Sunday 5th of March to satisfy any margy cravings in conjunction with WorldPride. Go by on Saturday 4 March. Reign at the QVB Indulge in a decadent shared menu and an array of bubbles to suit your palate. Whether you’re looking for a Sunday recovery or a pre-game spot before heading out, Reign at QVB is the perfect destination. Join MC Lady Francesca every Sunday from 10am to 2pm for a four-course brunch with paired bubbles of your choice, served by topless waiters. Lady Francesca is one of the fiercests queens around…. Read More

COS x Courtney Act design World Pride charity totes for Black Rainbow

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Courtney Act has been all over everything lately – from eloquently defending herself on TV, to singing live at the World Pride Sydney opening event, she’s the woman who does it all! And now to, in celebration of the 2023 Sydney World Pride, COS is unveiling a limited-edition tote designed by all-round performer, activist, and advocate Courtney Act. 100% of the funds raised will go towards First Nations LGBTQIA+SB (Sistergirl, Brotherboy) organisation Black Rainbow to support positive health and well-being for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community. Find your own at COS stores around the country.

Sydney World Pride surprise – Ava Max to perform!

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Just when you thought this season’s Sydney World Pride and annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebration couldn’t get larger, think again! Ava Max has recently announced she will perform in Sydney’s open air knoll that is The Domain, right in the heart of town, as part of the epic line-up at the official closing concert Rainbow Republic presented by Optus at The Domain on Sunday 5 March 2023. The event will be Ava Max’s first public performance in Australia, and her only Australian appearance this summer. And if that’s not enough, G Flip and Keiynan Lonsdale will co-host Rainbow Republic and perform at the seven-hour closing concert at The Domain, as Sydney hands to baton to the WorldPride 2025 host city Washington DC. Ava Max and Kim Petras are appearing exclusively at Rainbow Republic. Sydney WorldPride has started and runs for 17 days. To mark the start of the festival, for one-night only, the Sydney Opera House will be lit up with the Pride Progress Flag tonight as part of the #RainbowCity public art project. Final tickets to Rainbow Republic presented by Optus are available now at SydneyWorldPride.com.

Pride floral exhibition at The Calyx in The Domain

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Presented as part of Sydney WorldPride Pride Amplified, the world-renowned floral show Fleurs de Villes PRIDE is coming back with an exclusive Preview Night, and a groovy Floral Disco, alongside the intriguing guided Queer Plants Walk and botanical Archie Rose Spirits Tasting and Garden Walk adventures all coming to life in the central events hub, The Calyx in The Domain park, Sydney. Minus the alcohol, loud music and obscene (-ly lovely) nudity that takes over Oxford Street and Hordern Pavillion when Mardi Gras is in town, this is a way for friends and members of the rainbow community to celebrate with a little more peaceful contemplation. Flowers have always been a way to express one’s feelings. There is a reason why different flowers emit different meanings. If you have been thinking about gifting a bouquet, why not get flowers online from this website. Here’s a run down of what’s on: Fleurs de Villes: PRIDE The famous international floral show Fleurs de Villes is returning to The Calyx at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney between 17 – 26 February for another fresh celebration. Fleurs de Villes: PRIDE is a stunning 10-day exhibition celebrating joy and inclusivity by featuring 15 beautiful floral mannequins paying homage to inspirational members and allies to the LGBTQIA+ community. These stunning masterpieces will be designed and created by talented Sydney florists including Uncle & Ghost Botanics, Rose Moon Flowers and Hayfever flowers to name a few. To get a sneak peek of the profound display guests can attend the exclusive Preview Night on 16 February to meet and greet the florists and have their say on… Read More

The Veronicas will own Oxford Street this Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade 

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In possibly the second-gayest piece of news to come out about the upcoming annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for 2023 – after the news that Kylie Minogue will smash the after party – The Veronicas will dominate the famous Oxford Street parade! The Veronicas will provide a knockout rendition of ‘Untouched’ supported by 80 members of the American Express Pride+ Colleague Network who will march and celebrate alongside them.   This comes after they headlined the afterparty at Hodern Pavillion for the 2023 Sydney Mardi Gras, the sisters will again stir the clubber within of every attendee along Oxford Street in their positions as the official ambassadors of American Express’ With You & Proud community initiative which will see LGBTQIA+ champions from around Australia receive the opportunity to attend a special Sydney WorldPride experience including tickets to sold out events as well as dining and entertainment vouchers. They said, “For Jessie, as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and for both of us as passionate allies, we’re honoured to bring American Express’ With You &Proud initiative to life – we can’t wait to celebrate this incredible community and share our personal stories of pride together.    “Having grown up deeply connected and involved with the LGBTQIA+ community from a young age and creating safe space for all at our shows for 18 years, representing Australia for WorldPride and being part of this incredible initiative will be an absolute personal and career highlight.”  See them on the Oxford Street circuit! For more about where to watch the parade, head here

Ride the Vengabus this Sydney World Pride

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There’s no secret that the Vengaboys are coming and everybody’s jumping this Sydney World Pride 2023! And to celebrate, they’ve partnered with Uber to shuttle an actual Vengabus around town to cart guests from party to party. From February 17 until March 5 the ultimate party bus called Uber Pride Ride will run throughout the festival, and be jam packed with on-board performances from drag icons like Jojo Zaho, Carla from Bankstown, Coco Jumbo, as well as educational talks from Black Rainbow, which advocates for LGBTQI+SB first nations voices.  So get your gladrags on and prepare to party, because Uber is bringing the ultimate inner city disco onwheels to Sydney for Pride. Hosted by 90s pop icons the Vengaboys and drag queen royalty, the UberPride Ride is a free hop-on, hop-off bendy bus, helping festival-goers navigate around events easily,safely and with heaps of fun en route.

See drag queens Trinity The Tuck, Monét X Change, Jinkx Monsoon in May

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After the glitter has settled this Sydney World Pride 2023 and the day jobs kick back, your next opportunity to check back out of reality and get your drag on won’t be too hard behind! See more about Sydney World Pride 2023 here. This May along the eastern seaboard of Australia, the Queens will be serving up the ultimate eleganza extravaganza in the LEGENDS Tour has already proved a hit with Aussies and Kiwis, with a number of shows already sold out (Brisbane, Sydney and Perth) and final tickets on sale for Melbourne and Adelaide. Due to unprecedented demand, more dates have been added for Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, with all ages performances also added to the schedule to keep it inclusive. With meet and greets on offer, too the time is now for tickets.