New regional gay night

A new social night to be held in Ballarat for LGBTI people in Victoria’s north-west is set to start next month.

Friends of Herz will be open to all colours of the rainbow over 18 years old.

Organiser Belinda Woodruff said the new monthly event is about offering LGBTI people in regional Victoria a place to be themselves.

“I’m starting this event because there’s a lack of social opportunities in Ballarat, a lack of social inclusion, lack of representation,” Woodruff told the Star Observer.

“There is a large population who do identify as GLBTIQ in the area and from my communication with people, and experience with the scene … there’s nowhere for us to go that’s safe, that’s comfortable.

“That was the inspiration.”

The new night — named after Woodruff’s DJ name, DJ Herz — will be the second of its kind in the regional city. LGBTI night Dorothy’s Friends has been running for several years.

Woodruff was formerly part of the Dorothy’s Friends organising group but said she has parted ways with the group, to branch out to offer bigger events.

“There were people queueing [at the Dorothy’s Friends] events so there is certainly enough interest out there,” she said.

“We’re having the event at Bluestone [nightclub] which has a 500 capacity.”

Woodruff said she expects partygoers to travel from as far as Ararat, Bendigo, Geelong and Daylesford to attend the event.

A number of social groups operate in central Victoria to support LGBTI people, including Friends Alike of Bendigo – Central Victoria (FAB-CV).

Regional sexual health organisation the Country Awareness Network has this month released a resources booklet for LGBTI people in rural and regional Victoria.

Woodruff stressed Friends of Herz will operate as a business, not a community organisation. It will run every second Friday of the month.

The first event will be a masquerade night with burlesque performers on Friday, May 11, at 103 Mair St, Ballarat, 9pm-2am. Cost $10.

INFO: www.friendsofherz.com