BENDIGO Pride Festival held its media launch last Friday with the unveiling of posters and the advanced program for this year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n
Local drag icon Deborah Triangle was on hand for the launch and said holding the Bendigo Pride Festival sent an important message to those struggling with their identity.<\/p>\n
\u201cBullying unfortunately does still exist, especially between young people,\u201d she said. \u201cBut the Pride Festival is a message saying that it\u2019s alright, we are here for you, and it will get better.\u201d<\/p>\n
The festival will be held across two plus weeks from Friday, 17 March till Sunday, 2 April and will include performances, films, events, art exhibitions, parties, and more.<\/p>\n
Bendigo Pride director John Richards said the festival was more than just celebrating the LGBTIQ+ community, but the whole community itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe say the word pride in Bendigo Pride Festival means two things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s for the local LGBTIQ communities\u2019 pride in being oneself, but it\u2019s also our pride in Bendigo because it is such a great place to live.<\/p>\n
\u201cBendigo is full of amazing things and amazing people. With Pride Festival, we don\u2019t want to put fences around it, we are here to say we belong in this town.\u201d<\/p>\n