The Goulburn Valley's LGBTIQ+ community members are gearing up to celebrate GV Pride’s 21st birthday with a Rainbow Glam Gala following its Emerald Ball last year (pictured).
Goulburn Valley Pride has got the key of the door; it’s never been 21 before.
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To celebrate the LGBTIQ+ social support charity’s milestone birthday, it’s holding a Rainbow Glam Gala in July.
While it celebrated two decades of operation with a lavish Emerald Ball last year, GV Pride’s Damien Stevens-Todd said this year’s event would be a touch more modest, but just as much fun.
“Last year we catered a lot to a contemporary, young, hip audience, but our older audience is just as important,” he said.
“You don’t have to be as stressed about finding an outfit this year; it’s more about community and connection, which have never been more important.”
Mr Stevens-Todd said this year’s all-inclusive rainbow glam party was for everyone, including those in the LGBTIQ+ community, allies, family members and friends.
Switchboard Victoria’s Pride in Ageing program has provided GV Pride with funding to ensure there are no barriers in cost to LGBTIQ+ community members aged over 50, with free or sponsored tickets.
Damien and Cris Stevens-Todd.
“Many people over 50 don’t necessarily have solid, regular opportunities to connect with like-minded LGBTIQ+ people,” Mr Stevens-Todd said.
“There are not opportunities every day to be with your people.”
He said with global pushback and commentary the community had been receiving recently, it was important to provide a safe event for people to come together and reconnect with their peers.
GV Pride has offered a peer-led, social-support space for the Goulburn Valley’s LGBTIQ+ community since 2005.
It is among the oldest continuous regional pride organisations in Victoria.
“It’s amazing to have seen the group evolve from some passionate individuals gathering around a kitchen table, to an organisation that offers a huge range of services, workshops, advocacy programs and event to people of all ages, genders and sexualities,” Mr Stevens-Todd said.
“It has really led the way for similar groups across the state.”
Entertainment on the night will include performances by singer-songwriter Mieke, drag artists Polly Filla, PizzAzz Jackzon and Kandy Jackzon, and tunes by DJ Tonky.
There will be a photobooth to capture souvenir snaps and a local queer history display.
Steff, Georgie, Alison and Nicole Poort at last year’s Emerald Ball.
The “bring the rainbow glam”-themed gala will be held at The Woolshed at Emerald Bank in Kialla on Saturday, July 4, from 6pm.
It includes a drink on arrival, two-course meal and a raffle.
Mr Stevens-Todd said he was aware that “partying isn’t everyone’s jam” and that GV Pride’s Big Bold Brunch the following morning (July 5) at Elsewhere at SAM might be more suited to those who want to be a part of the charity’s 21st birthday celebrations without attending the gala event.
For more information and tickets to both events, visit gvpride.org/event/
Freddie Merkin performed at the 20th birthday celebrations last year.
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