Funds for fests of all colours of the rainbow

A COMBINED total of four hundred thousand dollars in grants have been made available to event organisers to produce events that celebrate Victoria’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual communities.

Money from the Pride Events and Festivals Fund 2024-25 is on offer across two streams – funding of up to $10,000 for eligible small LGBTIQA+ events and festivals, and funding of between $10,001 and $25,000 for large LGBTIQA+ events and festivals.

Organisers on city fringes, rural, regional and remote Victoria are strongly encouraged to apply.

Minister for Equality Harriet Shing said events that recognise LGBTIQA+ people, their families, and allies send a powerful message.

“By creating these opportunities for people to connect, we are making it clear that everyone has the right to live equally, and with dignity and safety,” she said.

“We are determined to support LGBTIQA+ communities and to combat the stigma, exclusion and discrimination that all too often lead to life-long trauma and disadvantage, because in Victoria, equality is not negotiable.”

Since 2018, more than 200 events across Victoria have been supported by the program including regional writers’ festivals, family friendly events, Pride Cups, film festivals and music and arts events.

Last year, the Geelong Pride Film Festival received more than $9000 for its volunteer-run film festival and LINE Wangaratta received $25,000 to expand its Pride Fair Day.

Applications are open until 11 September. To apply for a grant or to check your event’s eligibility, visit vic.gov.au/pride-events-and-festivals-fund.