Have you been seeing a lot of rainbow flags lately? Heard a lot about ‘Pride’, but not sure what it’s all about?
In Australia and many other countries, June is Pride month. This is a time of celebration for people who identify as LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual or otherwise sexuality or gender diverse), as well as their friends, families and other supporters.
Read on to learn more about Pride month in Australia and how you can get involved in the celebrations.
Australia’s LGBTQIA+ history
Today’s Pride month celebrations are bright, colourful and joyful, but they also serve as a reminder of the struggles the LGBTQIA+ community has faced to get here.
The first Pride marches were held in the USA in 1970 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. The movement quickly spread across the world, and Australian groups organised marches and rallies of their own.
At the time, it was risky for LGBTQIA+ people to live their lives in the open. Gay relationships between men were illegal, and lesbian relationships were mostly unrecognised. Discrimination was rife, and violence was not uncommon.
However, thanks to the tireless efforts of activists, campaigners and allies, things began to change. South Australia was the first state to decriminalise homosexuality in 1975, but the last – Tasmania – wouldn’t do the same until 1997.
June 1978 also saw Australia hold its first Mardi Gras march. Participants faced arrest and police violence, but this drew much-needed attention to the awful treatment of LGBTIQA+ people in society. The event continued year after year, and has transformed into one of the largest and most well-known Pride celebrations in the world.
This activism helped make significant changes to Australia, not just in its laws and regulations, but in public attitudes towards people with diverse gender and sexual identities. In December 2017, following overwhelming public support, Australia legalised same-sex marriage.
Today, Pride month is a chance for LGBTQIA+ people to celebrate being out, loud and proud about who they are – as well as an opportunity to remember the hard work and sacrifices others made to help our country become the welcoming, inclusive place it is today.
Pride month events in Australia
Wondering how to make the most of Pride month in Australia? Get out and get involved!
In Sydney, you’ll find lots to do, from dance parties and trivia nights to marches, theatre and more. In Darwin, check out Top End Pride for plenty of fun activities and events.
Most other states and territories celebrate Pride at other – warmer – times of the year. But you can still find lots to do in June, such as:
- The Queen’s Ball in Brisbane
- The Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF)
- The South Australian Pride Gala
Other Pride events
If you’re not in Sydney or Darwin, have no fear! You’ll find Pride month festivities happen in the warmer months, when it’s more fun to get out and about. Find out more about your nearest Pride festival below.
- Brisbane Pride – held in September
- Adelaide Pride – held in November
- Victoria’s Pride – November to February, ending with Midsumma Festival
- SpringOUT – Canberra’s November Pride festival
- Pride WA – held in November
- TasPRIDE – Hobart’s Pride, hosted in February
And, of course, don’t miss your chance to get along to the famed Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in February and March!
Resources for international students
Pride might only last a month, but you’ll find it easy to connect with support and community all year round.
For free and anonymous help with everything from gender and sexuality to relationships and mental health, you can reach out to QLife by phone or web chat. Transcend Australia is a great resource for transgender, gender diverse and non-binary people, and Minus18 helps LGBTQIA+ people under 18 connect with one another.
You can also check out LGBTQIA+ clubs and societies at your university or educational institution.
