The month is packed with events covering film, food, performance, literature, sports and more. To help navigate what’s on, we asked Kate from the City of Perth’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Group for her top picks.
Five stories of identity, reflection and pride by a panel of speakers from the LGBTQIA+ community, accompanied by music in an intimate laneway setting at sunset, and concluding with Q&A from the audience. Featuring Kaya Ortiz (poet and writer), Carl Gopalkrishnan (Australian GLBTIA Multicultural Council), Natalie Latter (Rabble Bookstore), Emery Wishart (TransFolk of WA) and a special guest performance by Cougar Morrison.
Kate: “We all know one of our favourite queer inclusive bookstores is Rabble Books. Last year I went to a similar event and I have to say, being in a space with the collective trauma, wisdom, strength and welcoming arms of our queer community was entirely engaging.
This is a clear winner for me - with an excellent venue and a really interesting panel, I'm sure to learn, grow and make meaningful new connections.”
Homopolitan and Boorloo Justice are teaming up to throw another huge edition of this inclusive Pride party and charity fundraiser. The event draws inspiration from the roots of the Pride movement, alternative queer culture and community, and holds a strong focus on First Nations and QPOC talent.
Kate: “I've got to be honest, I wasted my ticket last year when I made the mistake of thinking this event was too quiet and kicking on too early. From what my friends had to say, I really missed out, so don't leave early!
Boorloo Justice never fails to impress when they put on an event. With amazing drag and alternative performances, I'm looking forward to dancing the night away.”
Rave Relief x Decolonise This special PrideFEST Stories on Stage event is a very topical conversation between Holden Sheppard, Craig Silvey and Monique Mulligan. They will talk about Holden’s confronting young adult book Invisible Boys, and Craig’s tender, profoundly moving novel, Honeybee.
Kate: “I'm furiously scrambling to finish Invisible Boys in time for this event, but I read Honeybee by Craig Silvie months ago after a release at the Freedom Centre. Wow, what a ride. This book changed my life and I'll never shy away from an opportunity to support sharing of queer literature. I'm sure the night will be an emotional rollercoaster, but thoroughly healing.”
See the full program at the PrideFEST website and read about the headline PrideFEST events.
