Human rainbow flag launches Moreton Bay PrideFest

Hundreds of Moreton Bay Region locals, including business leaders, Councillors and school children have today created a human pride flag to celebrate the launch of Moreton Bay PrideFest.

The event, to be held on Saturday, June 10, will coincide with World Pride Month and celebrate the region’s growing LGBTIQAP+ community.

Moreton Bay local Courtney Act will headline the entertainment, which includes Sneaky Sound System, Thelma Plum, DJ Havana Brown and DJ Harry K, and the Fluffy Superstars.

Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism Founder and CEO Shane Newcombe says PrideFest will highlight support services and networks available to the LGBTIQAP+ community.

“Moreton Bay PrideFest has a vision to make the region a happier, healthier, safer and more culturally rich and diverse place for the LGBTQIA+ community,” Mr Newcombe says.

“The event will empower current and future generations to be their true selves and feel accepted and proud of who they are, regardless of their gender identify or sexuality.”

Serious message behind the fun

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery says he wants the Moreton Bay Region to be a place where everyone feels accepted and included for who they are.

“This is a community celebration, so I hope to see a broad cross-section from our whole community turning out to not only support our LGBTIQAP+ community but also enjoy a stellar line-up of superstar performers,” Mayor Flannery says.

“It will be an explosion of colour, music, dance, and comedy like nothing Moreton Bay has ever seen - but there’s a serious purpose to this party amid all the celebrations.

“Young LGBTIQAP+ people are five times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers and transgender people are 15 times more likely to attempt suicide.

“That’s something that has to change, so we will be donating $5 from the sale of every ticket to assist Headspace and help them deliver their important outreach programs.

“In fact, here in Moreton Bay one-in-three young people who use Headspace services come from the LGBTIQAP+ community.

“By coming along to PrideFest you will help this great charity to support people in our community.”

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway, who represented the mayor at the launch while he’s in the United States on a trade mission, says it is important the region comes together to celebrate diversity.

“We celebrate race, age … everything else, so it’s about time that Moreton Bay caught up with the times and came out and celebrated people and their choices in life,” she says.

“I can’t wait for June 10 down here, the line-up is amazing. I’m a big Sneaky Sound System fan, so I cannot wait to be here and celebrate.”

“One of the most important things for us was when we found out that $5 from every ticket was going to Headspace. I only learnt recently that one in three of the people who reach out in Moreton Bay identify from the LGBTI community. That for me was really important. I’m a mum, I want to make sure my kids are happy to be themselves, whatever that is.”

Festival will make a difference

Headspace General Manager Jamie Thompson says this event will be a strong show of support for young people from the LGBTIQAP+ community.

“It’s a group that we see a lot of through headspace. It makes up more than 30 per cent of the young people who come to our services and it’s really important for us to be in the community supporting such a large group of people,” he says.

The money raised will enable the organisation to boost training for its team and expand services in the region.

“We’re also going to look at the ability to do work within schools as well where we can find schools who would like that support onsite because we know that’s an area where young people will first potentially come out and need support. We’re very excited about the opportunities that’s going to give us,” he says.

Moreton Bay PrideFest is organised by Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) on behalf of Moreton Bay Regional Council.

The event will donate a portion of ticket sales to LGBTIQAP+ charities and organisations in the Moreton Bay Region and South East Queensland.