Festival makes proud return

BENDIGO Pride Festival held its media launch last Friday with the unveiling of posters and the advanced program for this year’s event.

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.

“Bullying unfortunately does still exist, especially between young people,” she said. “But the Pride Festival is a message saying that it’s alright, we are here for you, and it will get better.”

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.

Bendigo Pride director John Richards said the festival was more than just celebrating the LGBTIQ+ community, but the whole community itself.

“We say the word pride in Bendigo Pride Festival means two things,” he said.

“It’s for the local LGBTIQ communities’ pride in being oneself, but it’s also our pride in Bendigo because it is such a great place to live.

“Bendigo is full of amazing things and amazing people. With Pride Festival, we don’t want to put fences around it, we are here to say we belong in this town.”

For more information and the full advanced schedule keep an eye out head to bendigopridefestival.com.au.