Hot and Steamy LGBTIQ+ Festival to kick off in Port Douglas
With world pride coming down under this year a Far North LGBTIQ+ festival is set to get Hot and Steamy. Read what organisers have in store.
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World Pride is set to kick off early in the Far North as Port Douglas whips out the rainbows and sequins for the Hot and Steamy Festival this weekend.
Festival director Nathan Clarke said the festival offers international travellers as well as the local community a chance to meet open and like-minded people while enjoying all the Far North has to offer.
“It’s definitely a very inclusive atmosphere that makes sure that everyone is welcome, so we hope to see a mix international travellers as well as people from around the region here enjoying themselves.”
The festival will be held from February 16-19 and spans a number of events including a welcome Luau, a lunch serving the tastes of the tropics, reef tours, and of course a number of parties with drag acts, DJ’s and performers from the Far North and across the country.
Mr Clarke said they also worked with the community to empower LGBTIQ+ people in the Far North.
“This year we have Le Cage Aux Douglas working with The Clink Theatre so its great to get the local community more involved.”
Organisers have been working away for the last year to prepare for what is set to be a big year for the festival as it leads into World Pride celebrations at Sydney Mardi Gras.
“It’s definitely a big year for us with World Pride coming down under,” Mr Clarke said.
“We hold the event the weekend before Sydney Mardi Gras every year to get those international travellers involved.”
The festival was launched just before the pandemic but with the return of international travel in greater numbers organisers have been working overtime to present the event to the world.
“Last year we travelled to Palm Springs Pride in the USA to present the event to a greater audience to really capitalise on the unique tourism opportunity for queer travellers,” Mr Clarke said.
“We are always looking for ways that we can grow the festival internationally.”
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Originally published as Hot and Steamy LGBTIQ+ Festival to kick off in Port Douglas
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