Feb 1
Bruhhhh im at pride and i lost the flag OFF MY BACK 😭😭😭 i wore that to mcr im devvo
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Bruhhhh im at pride and i lost the flag OFF MY BACK 😭😭😭 i wore that to mcr im devvo
Apply now for Victoria’s Pride Regional Activation Program
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Apply now for Victoria’s Pride Regional Activation Program
Expressions of Interest are open for Victoria’s Pride Regional Activation Program, where LGBTQIA+ communities across the state show and share their pride.
Victoria’s Pride is a landmark program of pride events and projects that takes place in Victoria each year.
Giving LGBTQIA+ communities and creatives across the state the opportunity to demonstrate their pride.
Victoria’s Minister for Equality, Vicki Ward, opened applications this week.
Sharing in the Allan Labour Government’s joy at backing new ideas and local events that celebrate LGBTIQA+ pride.
“We want every LGBTIQA+ Victorian – no matter where they live – to feel proud, seen and celebrated.” Minister Ward said.
“These grants will help bring communities together in powerful, joyful and creative ways across regional Victoria.”
People with ideas for regional activities and projects celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender-diverse, intersex, queer and asexual inclusion are encouraged to apply to be part of Victoria’s Pride.
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Supporting regional and rural LGBTQIA+ events.
Grants of up to $10,000 are available for community groups, councils and organisations to deliver inclusive events that help connect LGBTIQA+ communities and celebrate pride across the state.
Victoria’s Pride is a statewide celebration of pride that culminates in a one-day street party in Fitzroy’s Gertrude and Smith streets in February 2026.
Delivered in partnership with LGBTIQA+ arts and cultural organisation Midsumma.
The most recent Victoria’s Pride Region Activation spotlighted brilliant regional programs, spotlighting and celebrating community groups and artists in regional Victoria.
Activations included a ‘Colour My World’ exhibition in the Goulburn Valley, a Queer Cakes & Butch Bakes A Community Bake-off in Castlemaine, a Short Film and Community Gathering Mildura & Murray River a a day of clothes swapping, free makeup and hair tutorials and portraits in Warragul and more.
Through the Regional Activations, our community is stronger, more intersectional and diverse, and stretches beyond the city to every corner of the state.
This regional program gives more Victorians the chance to support and celebrate rainbow communities.
While amplifying the stories, creativity and contributions of LGBTIQA+ people.
More than 25,000 people took part in Victoria’s Pride regional events this year.
“We are so proud to deliver this initiative on behalf of the Victorian Government,” Midsumma Festival CEO and Creative Director Karen Bryant said.
“That not only supports the growth of regional artists and communities, but amplifies LGBTQIA+ voices.”
“This initiative celebrates creativity and lived experiences through the arts, and places diverse regional identities at the heart of Victoria’s Pride, both now and into the future.”
Applications are open from now until Tuesday, 5 August.
Click here to apply and for more information.
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Karan Nagrani says it's time to come out of the disability closet
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Karan Nagrani says it's time to come out of the disability closet
Proving laughter is the best medicine, Karan Nagrani is using his disability to break down barriers in the community and nationwide.
Karan was diagnosed at eleven with usher syndrome, a rare degenerative genetic condition that causes blindness and hearing loss.
It has no cure.
Born with normal sight, he now has less than three degrees of sight and uses a cane and hearing aids.
“When normal people look ahead, they see 180 degrees.”
“I see 3 degrees,” Karan told us,
“And in a few years, that’ll be gone too,”
“Usher syndrome is rare; approximately 4 to 7 people per 100,000 have it.
“To put that in perspective, 1 in 10 has diabetes.”
Image Supplied – Blindr photo by Matto Lucas
The blinder I got the better I could see myself.
For many years, Karan lived in what he refers to as his ‘disability closet’.
“In our queer community, there’s so much judgment and emphasis on the way you look or handle yourself.”
“I focused and fixated on things, knowing I was going blind, like picking a career in marketing and graphic design.
“I was living in denial.
“That’s just a hobby now, but I didn’t want to have a sense of regret.
“I don’t want to sound super philosophical, but the blinder I got, the better I could see myself.
“That’s when I realised this disability is not going anywhere, but how I live with it could change.
“I had these skills and didn’t want to waste them.
“I realised there were no resources out there showing people what someone with my condition sees.
“And with so many misconceptions and stereotypes, I took to social media.”
Karan always had a twisted sense of humour.
Making videos and reels, what started as a way to heal himself became a form of art.
Blossoming with community and connection online.
“People were telling me how refreshing my outlook was, and I started to realise that I wasn’t alone,” he said.
“Laughter is the best medicine, and once you’re genuinely comfortable in your skin, you’re sort of invincible.
“The worst thing that’s going to happen to me is going completely blind, and I know that.
“How I live with it now is up to me, so I go with a larger-than-life approach.
“Like anyone, I still hit rock bottom.
“But you have to be your own best friend and hold your hand because only you can lift yourself up.”
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A post shared by KARAN NAGRANI (@karannnagrani)
Celebrate every form pride comes in.
“What kept me going was the response I’d get whenever I posted comedy content and the love I’d receive,” Karan said,
“I realised that not only did I need to do this for myself, but for other blind people as well.”
“Not everyone has the mental and emotional strength to do what I’ve done, or the support.
“So I made it my responsibility to do whatever I can to make other blind people feel better about themselves.
“Disability is such a heavy subject that people want to walk on eggshells around you.
“I want to encourage people to start conversations about disability.
“This is how we are going to normalise it.”
You don’t have time to walk on eggshells around Karan.
Using his humour, heart and energy to say things when others may hesitate.
As a disability advocate for Midsumma Festival, ChillOut and the upcoming Bendigo Pride Festival, he understands the importance of celebrating every form our pride takes.
“People see me at events and DM me sharing they have a disability, but it is hidden.”
“And they didn’t want to talk to me publicly because they were scared their friends would find out.
“It makes me realise how important disability representation is within the queer community because you don’t see it.
“Talking to many people in wheelchairs, they don’t want to go to many queer event,
“Because they’re scared to be judged or that their needs aren’t considered.
“I don’t care if people laugh at me because I have bigger fish to fry.
“I don’t care if I’m the butt of all jokes as long as someone else with a disability sees that if I can do it, so can they.
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Accept the differences in our communities.
“We put so much pressure on ourselves in queer spaces, with so much internalized homophobia and racism we all have insecurities.”
“Now imagine having a disability as well and think about what that does to you.”
“We ask other communities to embrace and accept us as normal in their eyes, yet within our community, there’s so much hatred and discrimination.
“I wish everyone would open their eyes and focus on accepting people who are different within their community.
“To those with disabilities who feel like they want to hide, I encourage you to get out there.
“Not only are you going to make it easier for others with disabilities, you’re going to love yourself more.
“Come out of the disability closet, it comes with a big sense of relief.”
“And honestly, if your friends don’t accept you for having whatever disability you do,
“They’re not your friends and you shouldn’t be around them.
“When you’re out and about with your disability, the right people come to you.”
Follow Karan on Instagram and find out more about him via his website.
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A post shared by KARAN NAGRANI (@karannnagrani)
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
We asked Naarm's fave DJs for their go-to Pride anthems
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We asked Naarm's fave DJs for their go-to Pride anthems
Ahead of Victoria’s Pride this Sunday, we ran around asking local legendary DJs what pride anthems make their dance floors shine.
Midsumma Festival rounds out with Melbourne’s best free summer street party this Sunday – Victoria’s Pride.
Transforming Fitzroys iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct into one massive pride party from noon till late.
The grand finale of the three-week art and culture festival brings iconic artists to its stages, including Bec Sandridge, Leroy MacQueen and Thndo.
But we know what really hits your heart and soul throughout the day and night parties, and that’s the beats by the DJs.
They lift us bringing us together, whether in a bar, on a dancefloor or in the streets.
So we decided to ask them about their go-to pride tune that makes their dance floors shine with queer joy.
In news that may shock you, Kylie did very well.
But I must confess, I didn’t think asking this simple question would be such a difficult question for DJs to answer.
What is your go-to pride banger?
“I can’t possibly answer with just one, because every room is different (also, how very dare you!).” Sugar Plump Fairy who hosts Bruno said,
“Ultimately it’s whatever lights up the dancefloor and has people surrendering to the moment,
“Surrounded by friends, strangers and, if you’re lucky, someone sending a furtive glance your way.
“Whoops, whistles, hugs, tears – the whole lot.
“A Deeper Love by Aretha Franklin is easily the first that comes to mind, but I’m gonna go with one populist choice,
“A personal favourite and a dark horse that’s worth discovering.
“Kylie’s All the Lovers because it’s just so goddamn euphoric, to the point it once made me a bit teary watching the dancefloor erupt.
“Standing in the Way of Control by Gossip because of the timely message and because of queer icon Beth Ditto.
“Hope. Happiness by Luke Solomon (feat. Amy Douglas & Queen Rose) because it’s the other unifying message we need – Freedoms ain’t free!
“Look Ma! No Village Persons!”
“Oooh that is a tough question!” DJ Gay Dad said when asked,
“I don’t think I could ever play a set without some version of Murder On The Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
“I’m soon getting one of the lyrics tattooed on my body, it’s just a magic brilliant timeless song.”
DJ Cliterally didn’t hold back when naming as many artists as they could.
“Britney, Mariah, Gaga, Katy, Whitney, Madonna, Cher, Kylie how can you choose?”
“Though Mr. G – Naughty Girl is an absolute banger.
“But when it comes to pride you can’t go past When Lover Takes Over by David Guetta & Kelly Rowland.
“For pride events by default, it’s always going to be at least 3-4 KYLIE songs,” Miss Katalyna told us,
“Better the Devil You Know, Shocked, One Me Time.
Plus Edge of Saturday Night by The Blessed Madonna and Kylie. People seem to really dig that track.
“I think it’s the beat because it’s an 80s-inspired beat with a house vibe and a heavy bass line.
“When I first played that track in Brisbane for FEM FALE as part of the Melt Festival the bar folks came out to the dance floor.
“But my personal favourite is Must Be Love by Tseba feat Electric Fields,
“That song just makes you feel all kinds of good things, powerful, happy, love and joyful.”
“Each year I relish dropping Aretha’s ‘(Pride) A Deeper Love’,” Gavin Campbell told us,
“Which may be an obvious choice, but it is gold on an ecstatic Pride dance floor!”
For TANZER, whose pride playlist video you can check out below, the answer was easy.
“Better The Devil You Know by Kylie Minogue”
“It is a bittersweet lyric dipped in pure sugary gay ecstasy.”
Ready for Victoria’s Pride?
This Sunday come together with the community for the 4th edition of Victoria’s Pride Street Party.
A celebration of progress, love, and diversity!
“In just four years, Victoria’s Pride has established itself as a solid landmark in our queer arts and cultural landscape”
“And is the perfect closing event forthe Queermusic Midsumma Festival.” CEO Karen Bryant said,
“Through our ongoing partnership with the Victorian Government, this statewide celebration brings together communities,
“Supports the economy through local businesses, and showcases the strength and creativity of Victoria’s LGBTQIA+ artists.
“This year’s incredible lineup highlights our theme of Collective Identities—a vibrant and joyful reflection of diversity, pride, and unity.”
The day is filled with LGBTQIA+ art, live music, performances, community and culture, with stalls showcasing local treasures.
Open to all – families, friends, and allies – there’s something for everyone, from morning to night.
Close off your Midsumma Festival season with this vibrant party and take over the streets with the community!
Check out the full Victoria Pride schedule of the stages, stalls and street party here.
Source: midsumma.org.au
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Victoria Family First Senate candidate targets family-friendly Midsumma drag event
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Victoria Family First Senate candidate targets family-friendly Midsumma drag event
Family First Victorian Senate candidate Bernie Finn has pledged to de-fund councils promoting family-friendly drag events.
“Victorian kids need protecting,” Finn said on Facebook,
“We will not hesitate to fight for them!”
Family First Victorian Senate candidate Bernie Finn has taken to social media to denounce “rainbow family-friendly” events.
Stating that “LGBTIQA+ drag queens are not for kids”.
He has pledged that, if elected, he will de-fund councils that promote such events to children.
Finn targeted a life drawing event as part of Midsumma and said it “raised concerns among parents and community members.”
The Midsumma Festival is Victoria’s premier festival of LGBTQIA+ art and culture with inclusive events.
Targeting of Midsumma event
Finn said if elected, he will “fight to withdraw Commonwealth grants from local councils that allocate public funds to promote LGBTIQA+ drag queen events.”
“This is to protect children from exposure to gender-fluid and sexualised role models, which are inappropriate,”
“Especially in public spaces such as beaches.”
The event in question was Drag Life Drawing Out West.
The sold-out event at Altona Beach saw LGBTQIA+ artists come together for a free afternoon of life drawing.
The “rainbow family-friendly” event captured the “beauty, humour and glamour of the drag model” on display.
Artist and event producer Matto Lucas told QNews that everyone involved had a great time.
“The beach was full of a cross-section of the community of all ages having a wonderful time.”
“And participants all drew performers who were fully clothed.”
“Everyone walking by had a joyous smile amazed by the glam and magic of the drawing session.
“People asked to have photos with the performers and went on with their day.
“I don’t give this kind of rhetoric from a Family First candidate a second thought,” Lucas said,
“They didn’t attend the event, nor contribute free, accessible events for the community.
“And that is what our community asked for, inclusive, accessible events to enjoy.”
The event was part of Midsumma Westside, a program celebrating the West’s local LGBTQIA+ communities.
Marking its 15th year, this partnership is between Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley and Wyndham councils.
Other events in the program include a First Nations Showcase and the Queen of Icelandic Eurovision Hera Bjö.
As well as an unforgettable evening of celebration and community just gone with Park Lounge.
There are still plenty of fantastic events as part of Midsumma Westside for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to enjoy.
Check out the program here.
Defending the rights of children?
Finn continued his outrage that this “rainbow family-friendly activity featured drag performers engaging with participants in a public setting”.
“Our children deserve to be nurtured in environments that respect their innocence, and promote clear, consistent values,”
“Using public money to fund events that blur these lines is irresponsible.
“If elected, Family First will ensure that councils prioritising such activities will no longer receive Commonwealth grants.”
“Family First believes that such events, even when labelled as ‘family-friendly’ introduce children to harmful concepts of gender fluidity and expose them to sexualised role models.”
Finn doesn’t account for children and families that enjoy safe, inclusive family-friendly events.
Former long-serving Liberal member, Finn joined Family First in 2023 as the lead Victorian Senate candidate.
“On social policy, Labor and Liberal have capitulated to LGBTIQA+ activists who are indoctrinating children in schools and public libraries.” Family First website says,
“I aim to take my passion for defending the rights of children, and protecting their innocence.”
Finn was expelled from the Liberal Party for his pro-life and pro-family views.
On Sunday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan joined the 30th annual Midsumma Pride March.
Premier Allan delivered a powerful pledge to protect LGBTQIA+ folk from hate and discrimination.
“Even though it’s 2025, we’re seeing efforts not just to wind back the gains of equality that have been made over the past 30 years,”
“But worse, to continue to marginalise, continue to inflict hate and hurt on our LGBTIQA+ community.”
Finn reposted Allan’s pictures Frock Hudson and the Victorian Commissioner for LGBTQIA+ Communities Joe Ball.
Calling to vote Family First in the Werribee byelection this weekend.
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Classical gets queer as composers & Queerstories unite for Midsumma
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Classical gets queer as composers & Queerstories unite for Midsumma
12 Queerstories equals 12 world premieres, as Divisi Chamber Singers and the LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories combine for Midsumma.
Classical music meets club and cabaret as stories of resilience, resistance and fierce queer pride are set to music sung in soaring harmony this Midsumma.
Composing an anthology of completely new work, twelve queer composers have drawn inspiration from twelve queer writers.
Taking their inspiration from the national LGBTQI+ storytelling project directed by Maeve Marsden Queerstories.
Youth-lead Divisi Chamber Singers have been working on Compose Queer X Stories for a very long time.
Divisi Chamber Singers is a youth-led, not-for-profit organisation that supports early-career creative artists.
They challenge what audiences and the industry expect from vocal concerts.
Breaking down established norms of classical music through commissioning and performing innovative creative works and projects.
“We formed when we were in the Conservatorium, and are a vocal ensemble with a focus on social activism, particularly for LGBT people.”
“Classical music’s pretty stuffy.” Bailey Montgomerie from Divisi laughed,
“There’s a lot of ivory tower elitism and not much emphasis on new composers, particularly diverse voices.
“The works are very male-dominated, you’re performing old, dead, white European music.
“We want to sort of change that and help classical music uplift modern, living composers,”
“Composers who have different stories to tell from different parts of the community.”
Our mission is to tell diverse stories
Twelve emerging and established LGBTQI+ composers have taken their inspiration from the Queerstories archives.
Putting stories into songs creates connections across the community.
They selected works that spoke to their own identity, creativity or experience.
With more than 400 personal stories speaking of queer history, creativity, identity and experience that can’t have been easy.
“The chair of our board Cody Green is a force of nature,”
“He and Maeve from Queerstories have been in discussions about this project for a couple of years.
“It’s our mission to tell diverse stories and open classical music to the world of experiences in the queer community.
“Drawing on the dramatic inspiration from these stories is the perfect way to do it.”
Composers Sia Ahmad, Lucy Blomfield, Gabi Cadenhead, Connor D’Netto, Olivia Diamant, Leila Harris, Lillian Hearne, Cameron Lam, Caerwen Martin, James Rushford, Alex Turley and Sally Whitwell were asked to create works.
Drawing inspiration from stories by Liz Duck-Chong, Teddy Dunn, HANDSOME, Dmetri Kakmi, Paul Kidd, Fiona Kelly McGregor, Tommy Misa, Bastian Fox Phelan, Fletcher Quilty and Omar Sakr.
“They found a story that connects with them and they approached the authors, sort of collaborating to bring this new musical work into existence.”
This combination of authenticity, enthusiasm and drive to share uniquely diverse stories makes this an experience not to miss.
“For some of the younger composers, this is their first professional commission,” Bailey told us,
“We wanted to give them a platform to write their first commission in a bit of a non-normative setting.”
“The synergy that it has created is really exciting.
“We’ve selected and performed emerging composer’s work before, but never to this scale.”
Source: Facebook
This isn’t a stuffy matinee
This project marks the second iteration of Divisi’s Compose queer programming.
Developing work by emerging queer composers to tell our stories in new ways.
Breaking through classical barriers it’s an opportunity for composers to express their queerness at a professional level.
This isn’t a stuffy matinee.
These programs give voice to tell stories at a professional quality of musical expression.
“These are really established voices in the queer community, both from the musical and literary ends of the spectrum.”
“We feel this will do a lot of good in terms of opening up the classical canon to new voices,
“But also a lot of good for these emerging composers,” Bailey said,
“We’re hoping that it’ll give these younger composers an opportunity to shine and get recognition.”
“The life it creates for new works and the beating heart within a queer and creative world that still exists today is really exciting.”
Compose X Queerstories runs from the 6th – to the 9th of February at FortyFiveDownstairs during the Midsumma Festival.
Get your tickets here.
Source: Midsumma Website
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
PHOTOS: Midsumma Pride March 2025 - Gallery 2
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PHOTOS: Midsumma Pride March 2025 - Gallery 2
Celebrating 30 years of marching with pride, the community came together (on a very hot day) and marched down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda with pride, passion and lots of rainbows.
Pictures by Dean Arcuri
Midsumma Pride March 2025 – Gallery 2
55 photos
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
PHOTOS: Midsumma Pride March 2025 - Gallery 1
New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/photos-midsumma-pride-march-2025-gallery-1/
PHOTOS: Midsumma Pride March 2025 - Gallery 1
Celebrating 30 years of marching with pride, the community came together (on a very hot day) and marched down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda with pride, passion and lots of rainbows.
Pictures by Dean Arcuri
Midsumma Pride March 2025 – Gallery 1
60 photos
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.