The state government will be investing $220,000 into this year’s Pride Events and Festivals Fund, to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Victorians.
Equality Minister Harriet Shing opened the grants on Friday, July 29, for events and festivals to better connect LGBTIQ+ communities, celebrate diversity, build resilience, and promote inclusion.
“We’re supporting LGBTIQ+ pride across Victoria – funding events and festivals throughout the state that drive equality, connection, recognition, and celebration of our diverse communities,” Ms Shing said.
“Celebrating LGBTIQ+ lives is as important as ever. I encourage organisations that are planning events that promote rainbow arts and culture, raise visibility or combat discrimination to apply for a grant.”
Organisations and community groups can apply for grants of us to $10,000 for the planning and delivery of events that celebrate diversity in queer communities, raise awareness to combat discrimination and promote rainbow arts and culture.
In a statement, the government said the fund is “underpinned by a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring all activities are welcoming and accessible to all communities, including LGBTIQ+ people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those based in regional and rural areas”.
“Previous recipients include the Gippsland Pride Initiative, who used funding of $10,000 to deliver a regional Pride Gala earlier this year, and the Australian Queer Archives who received $7,000 in 2021 to support a series of online workshops about Australian LGBTIQ+ history for Victorian youth groups,” the government said.
“The government has supported 132 diverse events across Victoria since the Fund launched in 2018, providing $2.83 million in funding for vital opportunities to celebrate LGBTIQ+ communities and foster community connection.”
Applications are open until Wednesday 28 August 2022.
Details: vic.gov.au/pride-events-and-festivals-fund.
