Victoria’s pride celebrated in kyneton
Kyneton is set to enjoy an open art prize and exhibition this summer as part of Victoria’s Pride – a statewide celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) communities.
Minister for Equality Harriet Shing today announced the regional program of Victoria’s Pride, which will feature a wide range of LGBTIQ+ events across regional Victoria.
This will include That’s Soo Gay! by Macedon Ranges Accessible Arts Inc at the Old Auction House in Kyneton, providing locals with an opportunity to enter an open art prize and view an exhibition celebrating the richness of the queer community’s contribution to society.
Victoria’s Pride event locations will span across the state including Wangaratta, Ballarat, Warrnambool, Morwell and Castlemaine and are expected to be enjoyed by tens of thousands of attendees.
The program includes three touring projects which will visit several regional and rural communities in Victoria to help ensure that anyone across the state who wishes to participate in Victoria’s Pride can get involved.
The Victoria’s Pride regional program will kick off in December, with the summer-long festival culminating in a one-day street party in Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct on Sunday 12 February 2023.
The Labor Government provided up to $15,000 of funding to 14 different arts and culture projects that showcase regionally based LGBTIQ+ artists and highlight regional LGBTIQ+ voices and stories, through a grants program run by Victoria’s Pride event partner, Midsumma.
The festival will give people across the state an important opportunity to demonstrate their pride in and support for LGBTIQ+ people and learn more about the great diversity of sexualities, genders and sex characteristics that make up our Victorian communities.
Victoria’s Pride is brought to life through Government funding of $6.8 million, which confirmed this statewide celebration of rainbow communities will be a staple in Victoria’s events calendar for years to come.
For more information on the regional Victoria’s Pride program, please visit www.midsumma.org.au/regional-activations
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"Congratulations to Macedon Ranges Accessible Arts Inc for bringing this project to life for our community. I can’t wait to see the fantastic work from our local artists."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Equality Harriet Shing
"It’s fantastic to see this exciting event come to Kyneton this summer. This is an important opportunity to come together to support and celebrate our fabulous LGBTIQ+ communities."
Quotes attributable to the Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando
"This program of regional events will help to connect Victoria’s diverse rainbow communities and remind people that they are supported, that they belong, and help them to feel seen and represented."
Quote attributable to Midsumma CEO Karen Bryant
"It’s exciting to see a statewide representation of LGBTQIA+ projects which will showcase regionally based LGBTQIA+ artists and highlight diverse voices, their creativity, and their stories from across Victoria."
