Hot on the heels of same sex marriage being legalised in Australia comes news the small Western NSW town of Hay will be hosting its first ever Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
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The event, which will take place in March 2018, will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the popular Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Hay stalwarts Kerry Aldred, Kerri Mijok and Krista Schade developed the idea over dinner, and from there the concept blossomed.
"We are overwhelmed with the response so far," Mrs Aldred said. "We have people lining up to help, which is amazing!"
Ms Schade, ex-organiser of Hay’s B&S Ball – an event legendary for giving birth to new relationships, is delighted her town will now be known for something else.
“The response to our Festival has been overwhelmingly positive and the support offered is both humbling and wonderful”
"Our purpose is to educate and celebrate diversity and promote inclusion in all its colourful glory," Mrs Mijok said.
"This is for those who can't travel to the Sydney parade, but still want to mark the occasion."
The Hay Mardi Gras working committee recently welcomed a community partnership with NSW’s leading HIV and LGBTI health promotion organisation, ACON in the lead up to what they are calling the Rainbow on the Plains Festival.
Three events form the Festival - Mardi Gras Street Parade (Saturday March 3 from 1pm, travelling from Hay Lions Park, down Lachlan Street, to the lawn area at Hay Pool; Hay Mardi Gras Party (from 6pm Saturday March 3 at Hay Services Club) and Rainbow Recovery Brunch (Sandy Point Beach Sunday March 4).
DJ Josh Kirby (Sydney) will appear at the Mardi Gras Party. Josh has played at several Sydney Mardi Gras events in past years. Dragology, and Albury based drag troupe, will also perform live, and other acts will be announced in the new year.
Nicolas Parkhill, ACON CEO said the Rainbow on the Plains Festival provides a great opportunity for ACON to reach people living in regional NSW.
“ACON is here for the health and wellbeing of our communities’ right across NSW – and we are proud to be a community partner of the Rainbow on the Plains. Having been born in Hay and having a long family association with the town, I am incredibly proud of the leadership that the people of Hay are taking in promoting equality, dignity and respect for all Australians, ” Mr Parkhill said.
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Oliver Jacques
Moved to Griffith as a refugee from Sydney traffic and housing prices. Previously freelanced for The Guardian, ABC, SBS and Daily Telegraph. Email story ideas to oliver.jacques@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Moved to Griffith as a refugee from Sydney traffic and housing prices. Previously freelanced for The Guardian, ABC, SBS and Daily Telegraph. Email story ideas to oliver.jacques@fairfaxmedia.com.au
