‘It shows how far we’ve come’: 1000 people march Hobart streets for annual TasPride Parade
In 1994, a young Rodney Croome marched in the inaugural TasPride Parade, with just 50 others. On Saturday, things couldn’t be more different, with 1000 LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians storming the streets dressed in rainbows. SEE THE PICS >
Tasmania
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IT WAS 29 years ago when a young Rodney Croome marched in the inaugural TasPride Parade alongside just 50 others, with a handful of Hobart spectators jeering from the sidelines.
Fast-forward to 2023 and things couldn’t be more different, with a thousand proud LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians marching the streets of Hobart as scores of shoppers cheered on in support.
“It’s a source of great pride for me to be marching today with a thousand out and proud LGBTIQA++ Tasmanians,” the high-profile activist said.
“The size of the Pride Parade and the fact it was welcomed so warmly by crowds in the city on the footpaths shows that Tasmania has changed immensely since the first Pride march in 1994.”
After the Parade wrapped up, Mr Croome performed a bagpipe solo at Party in the Park, held in Franklin Square, with the Tasmania Police band.
“That also shows how far we’ve come. In 1994, we turned ourselves in to Tasmania Police for being criminals. Being gay was still against the law,” he said.
“Here I am 29 years later playing pipes with the Tasmania Police band.”
Among the crowd were Holly Sluijter, and her 15-year-old daughter, Ella Bridges-Thomsen.
“Everyone looked like they were really being themselves, which was amazing,” Mrs Sluijter said.
“It was so much fun and the vibe at the end was brilliant – everyone was friendly and talking to everyone and in really great spirits.”
Miss Bridge-Thomsen said she came out a few years ago, with the Pride Parade creating “a really positive environment”.
“I think it’s really cool that these Pride marches happen and they get bigger and bigger every year,” she said.
“It really makes people like me feel accepted.”
Emerging burlesque performer and Miss Kitty’s Meow student Sarah Mackey, along with her co-dancer Asha Billings, designed a special costume for the event – with showgirl headpieces, rainbow bustles and rhinestone sunglasses.
Ms Mackey, who identifies as part of the LGBTIQA+ community, said for her the TasPride Parade was about inclusivity and embracing diversity.
“For me personally, this has been absolutely amazing and affirming and supportive. It’s been very touching,” she said.
“People were clapping and waving to us. I actually got a little bit emotional during it, because it was so beautiful, the positivity.”
On Sunday, Mr Croome and trans activist Martine Delaney will host a TasPride history walk.
The walk begins at 1pm, and leaves from Parliament House.
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