Echuca Moama Pride has recently become incorporated in the area, creating a platform for the LGBTIQA+ community to connect and share information.
Echuca Moama Pride Inc chairperson Lady Lou Bricant is overwhelmed that the Pride community has “finally got our own little organisation”.
“Echuca has come a long way, but there is still the occasional bigotry,” Lady Lou said.
“We are shining a light on that there are safe spaces available especially for our trans and gender diverse communities.
“Which allows people to feel included, comfortable, represented, safe and loved.
“That’s the key thing, it is all about showing that you don’t have to be afraid of who you are.
The group has formed a Facebook group where locals can meet up and support each other in a safe queer space called ‘Echuca Moama and Surrounds Pride group’.
“It is also a space where parents can come and not be judged for asking questions,” Lady Lou said.
“They can reach out to the committee and ask things like ‘my child has come out as non-binary. How can I support them? How can I help them go through this?’
“We are available as that resource.
“We are willing to meet up with people and have a cup of coffee and go over things in a more personal way than a pamphlet or a website.
“Because we know what it’s like in the local community.
“There can be lots of resources available out there, compared to what there was back in my day, but sometimes it is the personal touch we need to understand all of it.”
The group has plans for things in the future to support the community.
“At Echuca Moama Pride we have had our little events over the years, but now that we have become our own incorporation, we are coming out, flying,” Lady Lou said.
Recently the Echuca Moama Pride held a trans and gender diverse clothing swap.
The fun, free non-gendered clothing swap was held at the Echuca Neighbourhood House with the help of Trans and Gender Diverse Bendigo and Beyond.
This meant the Landsborough St house was transformed into the biggest wardrobe possible for three hours.
The trans and gender diverse clothing swap allowed everyone locally to celebrate the full diversity and opportunities of self-expression through fashion while socialising in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.
But really it was an excuse for the community to pick up something to wear to Echuca Moama Pride’s upcoming cocktail party.
“We plan to have it before the cocktail party so that trans and gender diverse people could feel safe going to an environment and if they couldn’t afford an outfit, they could get one for free,” Lady Lou said.
“It is about creating an environment that our local prides and allies can come to as a safe space.
“It is not your normal nightclub, because it is not like there are any queer spaces in Echuca for people to go to.
“So this is the one night of a queer space, and if it takes off, we will do more.
“Basically, fly like a butterfly and spread your wings, we are coming out of our cocoon.”
The cocktail party will be a safe space for everyone to be themselves, with a dress code of come as you would like to be seen.
As being a part of the LGBTIQA+ community can be anyone at any age, the cocktail party is open to people who are 16 and over.
If you are under 18 you will be given a wristband on the night so not to be served alcohol.
DJ Strap will be spinning the tunes, drag queens Lady Lou Bricant, Pizzazz Jackson and Polly Filla will be putting on an amazing performance, while Chloe Elisabeth’s music also features throughout the night.
The Echuca Moama Pride cocktail party is on Saturday, June 3, at Fuzion Cafe, from 6.30pm.