PERTH and the surrounding region have come to embrace the LGBTIQ community in recent times, and now it’s Mandurah’s time to do the same as Pride in Peel kicks off with the Hollywood Extravaganza, the first LGBTIQ to be held in the Peel region.
Pride in Peel is one of the first LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning) events outside of the Perth CBD area.
The family-friendly event, which will be held at Sunbreakers on Mandurah terrace on Friday, March 12, will see drag shows, DJs and a whole lot more entertainment dedicated to embracing the inclusiveness of our community.
Organiser Stephen Carter said he organised the event after trealising there was very little that celebrated the LGBTIQ community outside of Perth.
“There’s places that are gay-friendly in the city, obviously places like The Court and Connections, but there’s almost nothing outside the city,” he said.
“What I want to do is establish an ongoing event that allows the community to really embrace the idea, and a place where gay people in the community can feel comfortable expressing themselves.”
Prior to the night, Sunbreakers will also be hosting a karaoke night in conjunction with moonlight karaoke to make it a full weekend of fun and frivolity.
“It’s been really great to set up. We’re actually taking the tables and chairs out of Sunbreakers and setting the stage up, so it will be a great venue,” Mr Carter said.
The weekend will serve as an alternative to the usual events that occur in Perth, specifically for those in regional areas.
“It’s great that we have all these events in Perth, but a lot of people who don’t live there can’t get there every weekend,” Mr Carter said.
“Having it in Mandurah kind of serves as a middle-point for people in Rockingham and Bunbury and further down south, and there’s not the stress involved with having to get to the city.”
Organising the first LGBTIQ event in the area is admittedly a bold undertaking, but Mr Carter is sure there is enough support in the community for it to be a success.
“I’ve tried to set up a similar thing in the past but it didn’t get enough interest, really,” he said, “but now there’s a lot of people telling me they’re really behind the idea, which is great. And everyone – gay, straight, whatever – is welcome to come along.”
Go to prideinpeel.com for tickets to the March 12 event. Karaoke on March 11 is non-ticketed.
PIC CAP: Queens Veronica Jean Jones and Fay Focious.
