22nd February 2024 09:47
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:47):
With all the sparkles and sequins that we have been seeing around Melbourne over the last few weeks, anyone would think that it is Pride. On Sunday I attended Casey rainbow community picnic at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick. There were not many Swifties there, but there were definitely many from the LGBTIQA+ community. My partner and I threw down a picnic rug and enjoyed some of the festivities on offer, including a food truck – it was incredible.
But the thing that I love about rainbow community events is that they bring community members together. In particular, for our young LGBTIQA+ people, events like these give them the opportunity to connect with elders within their community who make them feel loved and supported. This provides them with just that little bit of reassurance that they are brilliant, that they are as they are and that they have a sense of connection with our community.
I spoke to the fabulous drag performer Freida Commitment, who performed an incredible Cher routine. Their experiences growing up in Casey were interesting to say the least, from what they reported, but it is so good to see that they could connect with community members and the young people of today in that area. I would love to give a huge shout-out to Pam and Chris from Casey Cardinia Pride. Thank you for having me.
[ENDS]
