Victoria is now home to Australia’s first purpose-built community hub for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) communities, with the opening of the landmark Victorian Pride Centre.
The local government has invested more than $25 million to deliver the centre, which will celebrate our LGBTIQ+ communities, honour their past, and support organisations and groups driving equality across the state.
Opened today, LGBTIQ+ communities can now access inclusive services, connect with each other, celebrate who they are, learn about LGBTIQ+ history and appreciate LGBTIQ+ art and performances at the centre’s theatrette and gallery.
A range of deeply-trusted LGBTIQ+ organisations will be based at the centre on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda, including health services, LGBTIQ+ media outlets, and others such as Minus18, the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council, Transgender Victoria, Switchboard Victoria, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Thorne Harbour Health and bookshop Hares and Hyenas.
The Australian Queer Archives will be based at the centre, enabling the public to have unprecedented access to its collection. The centre also includes a reflection room and other event, social and co-working spaces.
Designed by Brearley Architects and Urbanists and Grant Amon Architects, the centre is one of the largest purpose-built pride centres in the world, with the City of Port Phillip generously donating the land on which it stands.
The building is accompanied by a virtual Pride Centre. This online directory of LGBTIQ+ resources and events will support LGBTIQ+ people to celebrate who they are and connect with each other, wherever they are in the state.
“Everyone deserves to be supported and celebrated, and the Victorian Pride Centre is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure this is the case for LGBTIQ+ communities – because in Victoria, equality is not negotiable,” Premier Andrews said.
Dan Andrews also announced that the state is investing $1.9 million to deliver Melbourne Pride 2021, which will be one of the most significant LGBTIQ+ events in Victoria’s history.
Marking the 40-year anniversary of the decriminalisation of sex between men in Victoria, Melbourne Pride will let Victorians show their support for LGBTIQ+ communities with activities across regional Victoria and a one-day street party in Melbourne’s inner north, which the Premier today announced would be held on Sunday 5 December and then every year after.
“We can’t have enough of these events in our state – somewhat cheeky to announce a northern-suburbs event in the south, but we built the place and we can get away with it,” Mr Andrews said laughing.
“To everyone who has had to hide, to everyone who has had to fear, to everyone who’s had to be not quite themselves, this is your space. Every space in Victoria is your space, because equality is not negotiable in this, the most progressive part of our nation.”
Last Updated on Jul 12, 2021
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