LGBTIQA+ float brings even more colour to Carnival of Flowers grand parade
The Rainbow Pride Float aims to “outcolour” all other entries in this year’s Carnival of Flowers grand parade.
Community News
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The Carnival of Flowers parade is always a colourful event but for brightness and colour it will be hard to beat the Rainbow Pride Float in next Saturday’s parade.
A community group known as Toowoomba Bimonthly Action Meeting (TBAM) is behind the entering of an LGBTIQA+ float in the carnival parade for the first time in 26 years.
And, fresh from the success of its Empire Theatre production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Toowoomba Choral Society has also jumped on board and will provide actors and costumes for the float.
“The first LGBTIQA+ float was in 1995 but there hasn’t been one since,” Rainbow Pride Float co-organiser Petria Grabham explained.
“Toowoomba might not have been ready for such a float back then and the people on the float had to wear masks.
“But things have changed and this is a sign of the community coming together and it’s just so great to have the Choral Society.
“This is about Toowoomba being an inclusive city.
“We want to change attitudes while having fun.”
The group has been busily working on the float which is tucked away from public gaze in a North Toowoomba shed until it makes it’s grand entrance in the parade next Saturday.
Helping with the project is Courtney Ruler who was set designer on the Priscilla production and Kyle Dever who was assistant director of the show.
“This really came out of the first meeting of TBAM,” Courtney said.
“We thought it was a chance to bring the community together and it involves a wide range of community groups.”
The group is promising a spectacular re-entry into the Carnival of Flowers parade with the Rainbow Pride Float.
“There will be a surprise that you can’t miss,” Petria grinned cheekily.
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