Community out loud and proud for Cairns Pride festival

The Far North LGBTIQA+SB community has come together for a week of excitement as they celebrate tropical-style with the Cairns Pride Festival. See the pictures.

A group of LGBTIQA+SB people and supporters paraded along the Cairns Esplanade with a huge rainbow flag for the Pride Stride, part of the Cairns Pride Festival. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Far North LGBTIQA+SB community has come together for a week of excitement as they celebrate tropical-style with the Cairns Pride Festival.

The week kicked off with the opening of the Cairns Pride Art Exhibition at the Tanks Arts Centre at the Botanic Gardens, showcasing works from local artists celebrating themes of identity, resilience and pride and celebrating the diversity and creativity of the Far North’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities.

A group of LGBTIQA+SB people and supporters paraded along the Cairns Esplanade with a huge rainbow flag for the Pride Stride, part of the Cairns Pride Festival. Jules Seabright and CJ led the march for the majority of the parade. Picture: Brendan Radke

And on Saturday morning there were dozens of marchers bedecked in all the colours of the rainbow – plus a giant flag – along the Cairns Esplanade for the Pride Stride, celebrating people from all walks of life.

SEE THE ART GALLERY HERE:

Erin Seaton was there, draped in the colours of the transgender flag, in support of her 16-year-old son Matt.

She said it was great to meet other members of the community, share stories and speak to people from specialist organisations like the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health.

She also said it was important for events like this to be visible to help tell people they were not alone.

“It was really good for Matt to meet older successful queer people,” she said.

She said the response from people on the Esplanade was mostly positive.

“People were waving, smiling and saying hello, so the general consensus was very welcoming.”

Erin Seaton marched in support of her son Matt Seaton, 16, in the parade along the Cairns Esplanade for the Pride Stride on Saturday, part of the 2024 Cairns Pride Festival. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Seaton, who teaches at her son’s school, said kids these days were becoming much more aware and accepting of LGBTIQA+SB students.

“One of the ladies from QC was saying that she went to the same high school as Matt and was saying she had a horrible time,” she said.

“She said she was bashed, and it was a horrible experience and we were able to tell her it is different now.

“Matt is part of a group called the Alphabet Empire which is a gay/straight alliance and the kids are fully supported by the staff, so it was nice to have that conversation with someone who has gone through that struggle.

A group of LGBTIQA+SB people and supporters paraded along the Cairns Esplanade with a huge rainbow flag for the Pride Stride, part of the Cairns Pride Festival, on Saturday. Billie Stimpson and Jo Sampford hold a huge rainbow flag along the march. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I’ve been a teacher for 20+ years and I know that when I first started it was very hard for kids. We are very lucky now in the age of the internet where you can kind of feel out what an organisation is about before you engage and that is helpful.”

Ms Seaton said Matt has thrived since being able to express his true self.

“He’s so much happier, I’m super proud of him and how he tries to be that advocate for other people too.”

The day’s celebrations were capped off with the Pride launch party, which featured beats from local DJs and drinks specials at Club Reservoir in Manoora.

Liz Walton, Gotham Stevens and Holly-Rose Powell marched along the Cairns Esplanade for the Pride Stride on Saturday, part of the 2024 Cairns Pride Festival. Picture: Brendan Radke

The celebrations continued into Sunday with the family-friendly Fair Day, the heart of the festival.

The Tanks Art Centre was again the home of the celebrations as families enjoyed the entertainment – including a puppy show, and food and merchandise stalls – before the party kicked off into the evening for a night of fabulous drag performances.

Anne-Marie Bollier marched along the Cairns Esplanade with hula hoops for the Pride Stride on Saturday, part of the 2024 Cairns Pride Festival. Picture: Brendan Radke

The festival will continue through the week with more events including trivia, a seniors morning tea, and a games day, all coming to a close next Saturday with the Tropical Pride Party at O’Shea’s On the Waterfront in Machans Beach.

Why pride matters

Pride is celebrated to promote the constant fight against inequality in our society.

It is a platform to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Pride also gives young LGBTQIA+ people the chance to attend events where they can meet others who are like them and feel part of the wider LGBTQIA+ community.

Treasurer for the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health Janet Wilson said events like Pride were incredibly important for the community in the Far North.

“We live in an incredibly diverse part of the world and we want to be visible,” she said.

“It’s important that folks can be seen, so we can be recognised, connect with each other and to reach out to those who need help.

“We are just humans like everyone else and our diversity needs to be visible so we are not ignored in the decisions that affect us.

“We need to make sure that we are heard and that there is access to things like specialised healthcare.

“It is also about acceptance, we shouldn't be excluded just because of our sexuality or our gender identity.

“We should be able to live our lives just like anyone else does, we are just a bit more fabulous.”

Originally published as Community out loud and proud for Cairns Pride festival