The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) communities across central Victoria are being highlighted through a swag of events supported by the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Equality Harriet Shing is highlighting that the activities in Castlemaine, including an art exhibition, evening with a legendary entertainer and podcast launch, are an opportunity to learn more about Victoria's LGBTIQ+ communities.
An exhibition at the Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM), David Radetzky: Air to Atmosphere, explores the diversity, resilience, and pride of LGBTIQ+ communities in central Victoria. Commissioned by CAM, artist David Rosetzky has collaborated with members of LGBTIQ+ communities on Dja Dja Wurrung Country to bring together a major body of work, which features photography, filmmaking, performance, publishing, music, song and choreography.
The Labor Government has contributed $6,750 through its Pride Events and Festivals Fund towards the event, which opened in late March and will run until September.
A grant of $6,930 has also been provided through the Pride Events and Festivals Fund to Vintage Drag in Mint Condition - An Evening with Stan Munro on Saturday 29 April.
The event will involve Kevin Markwell in conversation with legendary drag entertainer Dame Stan Munro - a one-time resident of Castlemaine - about his glamorous career stretching across three continents and six decades.
There will also be a launch of the second series of the Pride Across the Ages Podcast created by the team from community radio station MainFM's Queer and Now program.
Supported through the Labor Government's state-wide LGBTIQ+ celebration Victoria's Pride, the podcast captures intimate, heartfelt generational stories of pride over the years of LGBTIQ+ people living in the Shrine of Mount Alexander. Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pride-across-the-ages-podcast-ii-launch-tickets-546572953417.
Both Vintage Drag in Mint Condition - An Evening with Stan Munro and the launch of the Pride Across the Ages Podcast Series II are part of Castlemaine Pride Week, which is running from 28 April to 6 May.
The Government's support for pride events is part of its broader work driving equality for LGBTIQ+ communities through its 10-year plan for LGBTIQ+ equality, Pride in our Future.
As stated by Minister for Equality Harriet Shing
"We are proud to support events that tell the stories of LGBTIQ+ people across Victoria. Events like this matter to visibility, dignity, pride and safety and they tackle the stigma and vilification so often experienced by LGBTIQ+ people.
As stated by Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
"We are proud to support these important pride events in Castlemaine that are a regional celebration of diversity and equality for all ages."
As stated by Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando
"Regional pride events such as these are fantastic opportunities for LGBTIQ+ people across our state to express joy in who they are, come together with their partners, families and friends as supportive communities and for allies to continue learning and showing their support."
