Statewide fest gets local launch

A STATE Government and Midsumma Festival initiative is aiming to support LGBTIQA+ led events throughout Victoria for the next four summers.

Minister for Water, Regional Development and Equality, Harriet Shing, visited the Ballaarat Mechanic’s Institute on Friday to launch the program, called Victoria’s Pride.

Queer event organisers will be able to access grants of up to $15,000 from the program’s $6.8 million funding, which Ms Shing said will help celebrate LGBTIQA+ communities throughout the state.

“Whether it’s in the middle of Melbourne, in our big regional centres like Ballarat or in the smallest towns and districts… there’s an opportunity for everyone to get involved,” she said.

“I would love to see everyone who is interested in putting in an application… so we can in fact provide everyone, every community and every part of the state with the best chance to participate, to showcase pride.”

Applicable events include community projects and parties, and arts and culture activities like theatre productions, festivals and shows.

The program builds on the similar Melbourne Pride 2021-2022 initiative, which saw an estimated 67,000 people including 30,000 throughout 22 regional events.

Using a grant from that initiative, Sage Akouri, CEO of Speak, was able to showcase six local LGBTQIA+ people, and said they intend to apply for the Victoria’s Pride program.

“We’re going to be doing a fantastic Ballarat Pride festival. Upon the success of another grant, we’ll be able to add to that and make that event even bigger and better,” they said.

“It’s so important to be able to showcase those experiences, those people, those identities but how they differ as well from someone living in Mildura to someone living across Gippsland.”