Victoria's Pride, running from October 2023 to January 2024, is a testament to the diversity and strength of LGBTQIA+ communities across regional Victoria.
Victoria’s Pride, a vibrant program of pride events and initiatives presented by Midsumma in collaboration with the Victorian Government, is set to illuminate regional Victoria with LGBTQIA+ celebrations this summer.
As part of this initiative, Geelong, alongside regional cities Ballarat and Shepparton, will host a unique event, Queer-ways, aimed at preserving and sharing queer stories from communities across the state.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Queer-ways is a groundbreaking project that seeks to document the rich tapestry of queer narratives in various Victorian towns. These stories will be featured in an augmented reality Queer Map, offering a permanent record of the rainbow communities that thrive in these regions. Geelong, situated on Wadawurrung Country, will be a significant stop for Queer-ways, scheduled for December 2nd at Platform Arts.
The project, titled “Retracing Geelong’s Queer Footprints,” is part of the 2024 Victoria’s Pride celebrations. It’s a collaborative effort involving Queer-ways, the Victorian Government, and Midsumma, with the goal of ensuring comprehensive representation of LGBTQIA+ communities across the state.
“Retracing Geelong’s Queer Footprints” will enable participants to delve into the rich queer history of the Geelong area, situated on Wadawurrung Country. Queer-ways is inviting submissions of queer locations of significance and experiences in Geelong, embracing a diverse range of stories, whether happy or poignant. The project acknowledges the importance of representing the entire spectrum of LGBTQIA+ experiences, emphasizing that no story is too insignificant.
To contribute to the project, individuals can share their stories and add their footprints to the Digital Queer Map of Geelong using the online submission form here.
In addition to Queer-ways in Geelong, other towns in Victoria will also participate in this unique project. Shepparton, on Yorta Yorta Country, will host Queer-ways as part of the OUTintheOpen Festival on November 18. Ballarat, located on Wadawurrung Country, will join the celebration at the Art Gallery of Ballarat on November 25.
It encompasses 13 events that will paint the state with rainbow colors, culminating in a grand celebration, Victoria’s Pride, scheduled for February 11, 2024, in Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct. The initiative aims to provide opportunities for LGBTQIA+ communities to connect, express pride, and foster inclusivity throughout Victoria.
The full program for Midsumma will be unveiled on November 28, 2023, at midsumma.org.au.
