Organisers respond to push to cancel Bay Pride march at Wynnum Fringe Festival

One of Brisbane’s fastest-growing festivals is fending off calls to cancel a pride march, putting a dampener on preparations for its biggest event yet.

Director of the Wynnum Fringe Festival, Tom Oliver.

One of Brisbane’s fastest-growing festivals is fending off calls to cancel a pride march, putting a dampener on preparations for its biggest event yet.

The Wynnum Fringe Festival, created by actor and musician Tom Oliver, is in the final stage of preparations for its fourth year with the event kicking-off on November 15.

It reached new heights last year with more than 36,000 people attending.

That number is expected to grow once again this year on the back of an even more packed schedule, including a Pride March from Wynnum Jetty to the Fringe Garden.

The march, at midday on November 26, is part of the second week’s theme “Pride’’.

Director of the Wynnum Fringe Festival, Tom Oliver.

But organisers have been left devastated by attempts from some prominent bayside residents to stop the march, including staging a “peaceful protest” on the day.

It was believed sponsors were called and asked to pull their support for the event.

Quest Newspapers approached some of the opponents for comment.

Mr Oliver said he contacted the residents, who then called a “town hall” meeting with others also apparently concerned.

Mr Oliver said those behind the push claimed he was organising a “sexualised mardi gras event in a space for children”, which he said was not the case.

“I assured them it’s a family-friendly event,” he said.

“We have so many LGBTQIA+ couples and families in the bayside and Brisbane (that) the bayside deserves a pride event.

“To honour the past and look to the future, to celebrate love, kindness and every colour of the rainbow.

“It’s just about showing pride in who you are.”

Crowds at the popular Wynnum Fringe Festival last year.

Mr Oliver said he could not believe what had happened, especially as it was now weeks from the festival launch.

“It’s frustrating in 2023 that we are still having this conversation,” he said.

“We have huge support for this event from the majority of the community already.”

“It’s a really dated approach … I’ve asked them to give Bay Pride a chance before dismissing it but they just don’t want to let it go.”

“We had a drag show on Pandanus Beach in 2020 and 2021 of Wynnum Fringe and they didn’t know. The world still went around after that.’’

State Labor MP for Lytton, Joan Pease, said she was extremely disappointed in the efforts to shut down the march and insisted the event had her 100 per cent support.

“I’m disappointed because we as the bayside are a very inclusive community,” she said.

“I am 100 per cent behind Tom and the event and am always proud to support to support an inclusive community event.

“The Wynnum Fringe Festival has had a huge positive impact on the bayside, bringing more than $2.5 million into the local economy, benefiting our local businesses and created more employment opportunities as well as opportunities for artists.”

Ms Pease also posted on her Facebook page how disappointed she was in the push to abandon the march.

The event starts on November 15 and runs until December 3.

Bay Pride day runs from 10am until 6pm on November 26.