Hoping to rival Sydney's famed Mardi Gras, the Government has invested $6.8 million to make Victoria’s Pride a staple in Victoria’s events calendar for years to come.
Regional Victoria will be the home of a new, two-month-long festival celebrating pride, which organisers hope will rival the famed Mardi Gras.
The Andrews Labor Government today announced Victoria’s Pride, which will become an annual celebration across the state for the next four years to support and celebrate our LGBTIQ+ communities. The festival will feature pride events throughout Victoria this summer to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Victorians.
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Running from December through to February, the series of events across regional Victoria will close with a one-day street party in Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct on Sunday 12 February 2023.
In a move away from metro-centric celebrations, grants of up to $15,000 will support arts and culture projects which showcase regionally based LGBTIQ+ artists and highlight regional communities’ voices and stories, from community parties and art exhibitions to theatre shows and festivals.
The events will provide an opportunity for LGBTIQ+ people to connect with one another and feel represented, and for people across the state to demonstrate their pride in and support for LGBTIQ+ communities.
The Government has invested $6.8 million to make Victoria’s Pride a staple in Victoria’s events calendar for years to come – building on the success of Melbourne Pride, a statewide event held across the 2021-22 summer to mark more than 40 years since the decriminalisation of sex between men in Victoria.
“Victoria’s Pride will be a welcoming and inclusive celebration ofLGBTIQ+ communities across the state – a chance for all Victorians to show visible love and support and for our community to celebrate who we are,” says Minister for Equality Harriet Shing.
More than 67,500 people are estimated to have attended last years’ events, with almost 30,000 people participating in 22 regional activities last summer, with events including a pop-up festival in Bendigo, art exhibitions, theatre shows and a movie screening.
The Government has partnered with leading LGBTIQ+ arts and cultural organisation Midsumma to deliver Victoria’s Pride.
“It’s fantastic to see that right across Victoria we will continue to have opportunities for people to showcase their support for our diverse LGBTIQ+ communities. Whether you are a member of our fabulous rainbow communities or an ally, I encourage you to attend Victoria’s Pride events this summer,” adds Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando.
To apply for a Victoria’s Pride regional grant or to find out more, please visit . Applications are open from now until Monday 26 September at 5pm.
