Brisbane Pride Festival seeks new members

Brisbane Pride Festival seeks new members
Image: Brisbane Pride Festival 2013

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ORGANISERS of Brisbane Pride are leading a drive for new members following a successful year in 2013.

Vice President Peter Black told the Star Observer that they hoped to attract a variety of new members, as well as participation on the board, and urged those with ideas and skills to become involved.

He also believed that the festival was only as strong as the people involved.

“The festival is all about the LGBTIQ community in Brisbane and Queensland, and so it is important that our membership reflects the diversity and energy of our community,” he said.

“It is important for the wider Brisbane community to support the festival as a symbol of acceptance and tolerance.

“The festival and the LGBTIQ community more broadly also make important contributions to the cultural and business life of the city, and in part the festival is also about celebrating that contribution.”

In 2013 Brisbane Pride experienced growth, which was marked by the a financial return to the black and a decision by Brisbane Council to provide funding for the next three years.

For 2014, Black said he hoped to focus on expansion, and representing and celebrating the Brisbane LGBTI community in a greater variety of ways.

“The focus of (Pride) over the past few years has to been to rebuild the festival and return it to a sound financial situation,” he said.

“Thanks for the tireless efforts of the management committee over the past few years, that has been achieved.”

Black added that the new route for Pride March and possible move to a new home for Fair Day has raised awareness and visibility for Brisbane Pride and the city’s LGBTI community as a whole.

He also said the council funding gave the festival a chance to grow and possibly come close to matching other successful LGBTI festivals around the country, such as Mardi Gras and Midsumma.

“Those are examples we are looking at and hoping to emulate in the future… there is no reason why in five years or so, we cannot be the size of Midsumma,” he said.

“However, if we are to achieve that it will require not just the support of the LGBTI community up here, but also government and business.”

DETAILS: To become a member, express interest in joining the board or for more information on what the BPF has planned for 2014, visit www.brisbanepridefestival.com.au

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