Geelong Rainbow Festival returns

Geelong Rainbow festival returned to Johnstone Park last Saturday (February 17) with a celebration of inclusion.

The festival invited the LGBTQIA+ community to be in non-judgemental or intimidating space where people can celebrate what makes them so diverse and colourful.

The day kicked off with a rally leaving from Johnstone Park and down Malop Street, before heading to the rainbow crossing on Yarra Street.

Following the rally, the festival was officially opened with several speeches at Johnstone Park around 11am.

Geelong Rainbow president Dean Cardigan said they run the event for inclusion, recognition, and awareness, with internalised homophobia not uncommon for people in their community.

“We are in a very discriminated and marginalised community that is not understood, is not heard, and isn’t recognised a lot of the time.

“The festival lets us shout out to the world we’re here, we’re queer, we’re not going anywhere and creates a space for our community to come together.”

The event has been held since at least 2018 and has now become an annual celebration for the region.

Geelong Rainbow is committed to enabling connection, creating awareness, and facilitating support, something that Mr Cardigan said holding the festival achieves.

Drag queens, singers and guitarists entertained the crowd, including performances from 2Joocee and Izzy Inyette.

The festival also showcased a number of stalls and food trucks.

Mr Cardigan said they have come a long way but still have a long way to go and the information sharing that takes place at the festival is hugely valuable.

“All our attendees, the things they could learn, the things that they could take away, the benefits that they would gather is just immeasurable and hugely significant.”

It’s estimated around 400 to 500 people attended the event, which drew to a close at around 4pm.