The Victorian Government is holding a landmark festival of pride events throughout Victoria this summer to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Victorians.
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.
State Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp welcomed the launch of the annual celebration.
“I want to encourage not-for-profit organisations across northern Victoria to apply for Victoria’s Pride Regional Activation Program,” Mr Gepp said.
“This statewide festival and grants program is a great opportunity to celebrate LGBTIQ+ communities from every corner of the state.”
The government is funding a series of events across regional Victoria, which will kick off Victoria’s Pride in December.
The summer of pride will close with a one-day street party in Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith St precinct on Sunday, February 12.
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.
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.
Midsumma chief executive officer Karen Bryant welcomed the news.
“This is an exciting opportunity for all diverse LGBTQIA+ Victorians and our wider communities to come together and celebrate our journey, our voices and our Pride,” Ms Bryant said.
Applications close Monday, September 26, at 5pm.
For more information, visit www.midsumma.org.au/regional-activation