One-Day LGBT Street Party Will Return To Melbourne In February 2023
Image: Minister for Equality Harriet Shing (second from right) and Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando (extreme right) announce plans that the one-day Melbourne Street Pride will return in February 2023. Image: Supplied
After the overwhelming success of its first edition, the one-day LGBTQI street party will return to Melbourne’s inner north on February 12, 2023.
The first Melbourne Pride Street party was held on February 13, 2022 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of homosexuality being decriminalised in Victoria. The celebration on Smith Street and Gertrude Street in Fitzroy was planned as a one-time event by the Victorian government.
The Melbourne Pride celebrations this year attracted over 67,500 people, including 38,000 who attended the one-day street party.
The government estimates that an additional 29,700 people participated in over 22 events, including art exhibitions, the Bendigo pop-up festival and movie screenings, that were held across regional Victoria. Besides celebrating the community, the event also helped local traders along the route of the party.
Victorian Government Earmarks $6.8 Million For Melbourne Pride
“Visible acceptance, love, and support for LGBTIQ+ communities, and opportunities to express pride in who we are can be life changing – and it doesn’t get much more visible than a huge street party in Melbourne’s inner north,” Victoria’s new Minister for Equality Harriet Shing said in a statement.
The Daniel Andrews-led Labor government said that it has earmarked around $6.8 million to make the Melbourne Pride and other state-wide LGBTQI events, an annual celebration over the next four years. Like this year, the one-day street party will feature live performances and celebrate LGBTQI art and culture.
“These statewide festivities are a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the progress we have made towards LGBTIQ+ equality and reflect on the work we still need to do – and everyone’s invited,”said Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando.
Victorian Government Announces Grants For LGBTQI Events
Midsumma will deliver both the one-day party in Melbourne and other state-wide events. “Midsumma is proud to deliver this statewide celebration of LGBTIQ+ communities, which will celebrate the many parts that make up our diverse communities and continue the journey to equality,” said Midsumma CEO Karen Bryant.
Last week, the Victorian had announced that around $220,000 was available for grants up to $10,000 to organised LGBTQI events and projects in the state.
