Sydney Pride Festival is ready to take off again this year, staging events from the Blue Mountains to Darlinghurst.
What began in 1998 as a grassroots event undertaken in the name of pride and charity has become a highlight of Sydney’s queer calendar and in the ensuing years has raised thousands for LGBTI organisations.
According to Sydney Pride Festival organiser Glenn Hansen, last year’s festival raised over $100,000 for worthy community causes.
“Last year approximately $110,000 was raised for charity and this year we are supporting the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, ACON, Twenty10, Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Beyond Blue and St Vincent’s Hospital,” he said.
This year, Hansen has expanded the scope of the event and he feels confident there is an event for everyone to attend, including club shows, short story competitions, trivia, art and even history walks.
Some of last year’s most popular events included the Aurora Ball, the annual art competition and the ACON Orgy of Drag.
“We are also pleased to welcome this year Trans Pride Week, who are doing a Q&A night, and also Sports Sydney are on board this year,” Hansen added.
This year’s theme is ‘Young Heroes’ and will see the festival expand its length to encompass over two weeks of activities, kicking off on June 10 and running until the month’s end.
Hansen said it’s important to acknowledge the work of LGBT activists, but also to look forward to new generations fighting for our future.
“The pioneers have lead the way and fought for our rights and it is time for our young heroes to come forward and create the future,” he said.
This year’s young heroes include singer Greg Gould, actor Francis Mossman, DJ Mickey and dancer Bruno Batalha.
Batalha is looking forward to Sydney Pride festival: “I’m really excited for all the activities throughout the month and celebrating pride with everyone,” he told SX.
He said it blows his mind to know how much the older generation fought for gay rights, “and how much they have been through for us to be able to be standing where we are now”.
“It's time to show that the new generation will keep up with the great work and we will keep fighting for the simple fact that we are all human beings with feelings and emotions.”
For 2016 Pride there will be a focus on LGBTQI youth to lead the way in the pursuit of equality.
Sydney Pride will be helping homeless youth and young people who are struggling with sexual identity, bullying and drugs or just feeling that life is too hard to stand strong and ask for help.
“We will pass on the history and learn from them and see things through their eyes,” Hansen said.
The festival came about 18 years ago when the Sydney Pride Centre and Stonewall Hotel joined forces to bring Pride Week together, but in 2008 the Pride Centre closed and the event became ‘Stonewall Pride Week’.
In 2010 the decision was made to open the event up to the wider community and Hansen says the response has been very welcoming: “We have received a great response and it has continued to grow,” he said.
Batalha said it’s important to celebrate pride and be the real you: “Pride is to be able to be yourself without being afraid of what people will think about you. Live your life!”
What began in 1998 as a grassroots event undertaken in the name of pride and charity has become a highlight of Sydney’s queer calendar and in the ensuing years has raised thousands for LGBTI organisations.
According to Sydney Pride Festival organiser Glenn Hansen, last year’s festival raised over $100,000 for worthy community causes.
“Last year approximately $110,000 was raised for charity and this year we are supporting the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, ACON, Twenty10, Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Beyond Blue and St Vincent’s Hospital,” he said.
This year, Hansen has expanded the scope of the event and he feels confident there is an event for everyone to attend, including club shows, short story competitions, trivia, art and even history walks.
Some of last year’s most popular events included the Aurora Ball, the annual art competition and the ACON Orgy of Drag.
“We are also pleased to welcome this year Trans Pride Week, who are doing a Q&A night, and also Sports Sydney are on board this year,” Hansen added.
This year’s theme is ‘Young Heroes’ and will see the festival expand its length to encompass over two weeks of activities, kicking off on June 10 and running until the month’s end.
Hansen said it’s important to acknowledge the work of LGBT activists, but also to look forward to new generations fighting for our future.
“The pioneers have lead the way and fought for our rights and it is time for our young heroes to come forward and create the future,” he said.
Image: Actor Francis Mossman
This year’s young heroes include singer Greg Gould, actor Francis Mossman, DJ Mickey and dancer Bruno Batalha.
Batalha is looking forward to Sydney Pride festival: “I’m really excited for all the activities throughout the month and celebrating pride with everyone,” he told SX.
He said it blows his mind to know how much the older generation fought for gay rights, “and how much they have been through for us to be able to be standing where we are now”.
“It's time to show that the new generation will keep up with the great work and we will keep fighting for the simple fact that we are all human beings with feelings and emotions.”
Image: Dancer Bruno Batalha.
For 2016 Pride there will be a focus on LGBTQI youth to lead the way in the pursuit of equality.
Sydney Pride will be helping homeless youth and young people who are struggling with sexual identity, bullying and drugs or just feeling that life is too hard to stand strong and ask for help.
“We will pass on the history and learn from them and see things through their eyes,” Hansen said.
The festival came about 18 years ago when the Sydney Pride Centre and Stonewall Hotel joined forces to bring Pride Week together, but in 2008 the Pride Centre closed and the event became ‘Stonewall Pride Week’.
In 2010 the decision was made to open the event up to the wider community and Hansen says the response has been very welcoming: “We have received a great response and it has continued to grow,” he said.
Batalha said it’s important to celebrate pride and be the real you: “Pride is to be able to be yourself without being afraid of what people will think about you. Live your life!”
Source: gaynewsnetwork
Search best gay hotel in here:
Booking.com
0 Comments