By Sarah Assink
June marks Pride month; a globally celebrated event that elevates LGBTIQA+ voices and highlights the many barriers faced to reach equality for a diverse range of individuals.
Major cities such as Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney are known for their colourful Pride events that typically involve marches and queer safe-space activities events.
However, Gympie local Emily Smith decided the region was in dire need of its own Pride celebrations after attending several events in Victoria.
“The idea of Gympie Pride Festival was formed when I was in Victoria for work earlier this year,” Emily said.
“The town I was staying in had a pride festival when I was there, and then a neighbouring town that was only 20 minutes away also had a pride festival around the same time.
“It made me wonder why two towns so close together have their own pride festivals, but for Gympie residents the closest Pride festivals are about an hour away.
“I went to both of those Pride Festivals in Victoria, and they were absolutely amazing.
“The environment felt so inclusive, supportive and safe.
“It was a really revolutionary moment for me, I felt like I had finally found my people.
“So when I came back to Gympie, I wanted to find a way to give the people here a chance to feel the same way.”
This is Gympie’s first Pride Festival, and Emily said while the town is relatively accepting of queer people, it’s important to celebrate Pride to tackle discrimination, prejudice and harassment that many LGBTQIA+ residents experience here.
“The queer youth who live in the Gympie Region are growing up in a place where they have to suppress themselves in fear of being harassed, bullied or assaulted,” she said.
“The Gympie Pride Festival strives to show Gympie that the queer community won’t keep quiet and tolerate discrimination anymore.
“We aim to create environments where everybody can feel safe; a series of events that tell queer youth that there is a place for them to be themselves and be supported, and to help bring Gympie into the modern age.“
The Gympie Pride Festival is comprised of a fantastic and dedicated team of individuals who share the same passion and vision.
The team consists of Emily Smith, founder and Space Girls Ambassador, Cindy Vogels, founder of Space Girls Festival and talented fashion designer, Justin O’Mara, dance teacher and founder of the Art is Everywhere Initiative, Sarah Taylor, owner of the Maker’s Corner Gympie and Anna Brennan, a local comedian and creative.
This is just a some of the team that have contributed towards creating Gympie’s first Pride Festival.
The festival is something that Emily is hopeful will turn into an annual event.
For more information on upcoming events this June and in the future, you can visit the Gympie Pride Festival Facebook page.