Days of Our Lives is no longer purely a television drama, but a revolutionary theme for this year’s OUTintheOPEN festival.
From November 10 to 19, GV Pride is championing LGBTIQA+ pride and diversity in the Goulburn Valley with a myriad of events centred on the theme, ‘These are the days of our lives’.
“This year’s festival theme reminds me that we stand on the shoulders of giants with a strong and proud queer history that no-one ever gets taught,” GV Pride president Deb Chumbley said.
“(The theme) allows us to explore and savour our pioneers and all that has gone before us in the time that we are living in — in a fun way.”
Kicking off the festival is Masquerade at the Museum, held on opening night at the Shepparton Art Museum, boasting entertainment, networking and celebrations.
The festival’s main event, Carnival Day, returns to Queen’s Gardens in Shepparton on Saturday, November 18.
Hosted by Frock Hudson, the free event includes market stalls, local inclusive organisations, activities for all ages, food trucks and an immersive queer museum on-site.
Carnival Day also features an all-day line-up of live music from LGBTIQA+ artists, with Bec Sandridge headlining.
To celebrate queer culture through cinema, the Shepparton Queer Film Jamboree will play a selection of LGBTIQA+ films throughout the festival, including The Matrix and Speed Racer.
Additionally, on the agenda will be Drag Bingo Spectacular, Sunday Serve with Gabriella Labucci (Drag Race Down Under season three) and Daisy Chain, Rainbow Storytime at Shepparton Library and a pop-up at the Fryers St Food Festival.
GV Pride invites all community members to join in on the celebrations, regardless of sexual identity.
For information regarding the 2023 events, visit http://outintheopen.org.au/events-2023/ or contact Georgina Poort (she/her) on 0401 168 229.