The Pride Wellbeing Festival will return to Busselton in October, expanding into a two-day conference focused on LGBTQIA+ wellbeing, inclusion and community connection.
Organised by Busselton Pride Alliance, the free event will be held at Saltwater Performing Arts & Conference Centre on 10 and 11 October, coinciding with Mental Health Week.
Now in its fourth year, the festival has evolved from a community event into a conference-style program featuring speakers, panel discussions and practical wellbeing activities aimed at LGBTQIA+ people, allies, professionals and the wider community.
The conference has received support from Busselton Water, Rio Tinto and the City of Busselton, allowing organisers to offer free attendance.
Among this year’s speakers is researcher and PhD candidate Kai Schweizer, who will examine the intersections of neurodivergence, gender diversity and eating disorders. Tanesha Bennell, a Bibbulmun Noongar advocate, storyteller and community organiser, will also present on First Nations LGBTQIA+ perspectives.
The program has been divided into two themes. The first day will focus on LGBTQIA+ identities, history, law reform and the social systems that shape community experiences. The second day will centre on wellbeing, belonging and lived experience, with sessions covering intersex perspectives, accessibility, meditation and creative approaches to mental health.
Festival Director Clare Paine said the event was designed to create opportunities for education, connection and support in a regional setting.
“Pride is about much more than celebration. Discrimination, stigma and exclusion continue to have a profound impact on the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people,” she said.
“Creating communities where people are safe, respected, visible and able to participate without fear of discrimination is an important part of addressing those impacts.”
Paine said regional communities should have access to the same conversations and support networks available in metropolitan areas.
“Bringing an event like this to Busselton is one small but important way of building visibility, connection and understanding, and showing that LGBTQIA+ people belong and can thrive in regional communities,” she said.
The festival will begin on 9 October with Pink Pony Club, an opening-night event hosted by Saltwater and featuring drag performer Kane Enable. Unlike the conference, the opening event will be ticketed.
The Pride Wellbeing Festival takes place during Mental Health Week, reflecting growing awareness of the links between social connection, inclusion and positive mental health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ communities.
Further information about the program and registrations is available through the festival website.
