The Andrews Labor Government is celebrating Victoria's lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) communities with a state-wide festival and huge street party in Melbourne's inner north.
Minister for Equality Harriet Shing today announced a range of artists who will feature in the line-up of the Victoria's Pride Street Party - a one-day, free pride festival along Gertrude and Smith Streets in Fitzroy and Collingwood on Sunday 12 February 2023.
Nigerian-Australian musician, actor and queer advocate Keiynan Lonsdale will headline the Party, fresh from making waves across the globe.
Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti woman and critically-acclaimed performer Casey Donovan will perform ahead of her co-hosting gig at WorldPride later that month.
Fellow performers will include transgressive pop musician Banoffee, international acclaimed synth-pop singer and songwriter Chela, and Melbourne-based queer bubblegum punk band Cry Club, amongst other local and international talents.
Running from 11am to 9pm, the street party will have multiple stages with free, live entertainment showcasing a range of performances including music, comedy, guest speakers, circus, drag and art installations.
The regional program for Victoria's Pride, featuring 14 diverse pride events like an inaugural rainbow ball in Shepparton and a family-friendly pride festival in Gippsland, is underway - held in regional and rural communities throughout the state in the months leading up to the Melbourne street party.
The Labor Government has invested $6.8 million to bring the event to life for the next four years, cementing this statewide celebration of rainbow communities as a fixture in Victoria's events calendar.
This was backed up last month by an additional $22.25 million pledge to progress LGBTIQ+ equality in Victoria by boosting LGBTIQ+ community organisations, looking after older LGBTIQ+ people, supporting pride events and building inclusive health services, including $8 million to support vital rainbow organisations.
Victoria's Pride is being delivered by leading LGBTQIA+ arts and culture organisation Midsumma. For more information about the Victoria's Pride street party, please visit www.midsumma.org.au/vicprideExternal Link.
As stated by Minister for Equality Harriet Shing
"Pride can change lives through visible love and support of our communities, and the inner north street party is the perfect end to our state-wide celebration of who we are - Victoria's Pride.
As stated by Midsumma CEO Karen Bryant
"Victoria's Pride will showcase some of the very best rainbow artists, performers, and musicians. Across three stages there will be non-stop arts entertainment for ten hours as we celebrate pride."
