Capital effort turning 21

Canberra may be a sleepy little town, but its gay community is thriving. That’s the message the national capital’s Camp-Berra Mardi Gras parade float wants to send as it gears up for its 21st entry next year.

Float organiser Richard Allen said most participants only turn up at the last minute, but there were already 170 people interested.

Community United As One it’s called, bringing all the community groups together. We’ve got the AIDS Action Council, PLWHA, transgenders, the gay tennis club, the Ying Yang, the bears, the drag queens -” like me -” the lesbians with children, the Australian Federal Police and the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers network, they march with us now.

Allen said the motivation to keep producing the float came from being proud of the diverse and thriving GLBT community despite Canberra’s small size.

It’s not a boring place, it’s got a lot to offer. For me to keep on doing it, I enjoy doing it for my community. I’d do anything for my community. As a HIV positive man, if I die, I want to be recognised that I’ve done something to get the community together, working as one, and not being segregated.

Allen said he and his partner had already picked out the frocks they intend to wear, but most Canberrans wouldn’t end up coordinating until the last minute.

The float plans to tell the rest of the country just how much Canberra has to offer its GLBT community, including services for young people, a vast array of social and activity-based clubs, regular functions, and the annual Spring Out and Bush Dance.

Politicians, including out ACT Education Minister Andrew Barr and supportive Opposition leader Brendan Smith, are planning to march this year.