On December 7, Pride WA held the first in a series of community forums aimed at discussing the future direction of the Pride Festival and its events, in particular the Pride Parade.
The invite-only forum was attended by approximately 20 members of the community directly involved in this year’s Pride Parade and organisers say they received great feedback and suggestions.
‘The forum went very well with some constructive discussion about how Pride can improve moving forward,’ said Pride Treasurer, Andrew Baietta.
‘From where I was sitting, the Parade is seen as an important part of this community, as is Pride.’
Pride Co-President Charles Denham told OUTinPerth that while the consensus was the Pride Parade and Fairday should continue, the organisation will be taking on board suggested changes to the festival’s overall structure.
One such suggestion is that the festival duration be shortened, with Fairday being held on a Saturday in mid-October and the Pride Parade and party at the end of the month.
‘Another suggestion was having Fairday and community group events in October with The Pride Ball to finish it all up and having the parade and a party in the summer – maybe February,’ said Denham.
‘Another was to split the festival events into single events and spread them throughout the year.
‘These will then be considered and a course of action decided upon by Pride.’
The Pride Parade and festival were not the only discussion points at the forum, with Denham saying the general theme was how community groups can work together and communicate efficiently.
‘Pride is still seen as the umbrella group in the Perth GLBTIQ community and a central point from which people can get information,’ he said.
A second community forum, open to Pride members and other interested parties will be held at Loton Park on Monday, February 8 at 7pm. Pride are also asking people to take part in their online survey at www.pridewa.asn.au
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