So how is Charles Denham, the man who donated $35,000 to help Pride survive, coping with the prospect of now being the convener responsible for the entire Pride Parade?

‘It’s somewhat daunting!’ he laughed. ‘The experience is very interesting. I’ve been in the parade on many occasions but I’ve never actually had to organize it, and The City of Perth have changed their rules which has put a whole new ball game into place. There are certainly some challenges there!

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‘Where before they used to organize things and pay for them as part of our sponsorship now we have to organize everything before they will pay for it. So we’re in a situation where we now have to organize things we’ve never had to organize before, like road closures. We might have stopped traffic once or twice in our time, but we’ve never actually had to close roads!’

This years Pride Parade happens on Saturday October 25, with reportedly 25 plus Dykes on Bikes opening the whole shebang in the usual rip roaring fashion at 8pm sharp. What will follow will be a cavalcade of colour, an onslaught of campness, sound and outrageousness – all sure to be marked by some more poignant moments. One of those moments is sure to be the Patron float which will feature this year’s patron, Aram Hosie, someone who is all familiar with reinvention since he now lives his life as a successful young trans-man.

Elsewhere in the Parade and The Freedom Centre are reportedly combining forces with True Colours and uber-drag legend Strykermeyer to create a giant human Pride flag. Uniting Church will be joined by the Christians in Pride group, while Connections will be visiting the beach ala the 1920’s. The Court’s float will be featuring the winner of this October’s The Queen of The Court drag competition while a new Samba during group from Fremantle will be joining the frivolities, bringing the total number of Samba drumming groups in this year’s parade up to three. Now that’s something to bang a drum about… as are the cash prizes. Yes – cash prizes!

‘People are keeping fairly close to their chest what they are doing this year,’ explained Denham. ‘They’re giving us an outline but not huge detail and I think that’s because we’re offering good prizes this year We’re hoping its going to have a big effect.

We have had some criticism – mainly not from the gay organizations – about the standard and interest the parade has been receiving in the last couple of years. We listened to that and decided that there is no incentive for people to do a float when it is an expensive thing for people to do. For a non-funded community group to get a truck with some lights and some sound… that usually will set them back $500. That’s a lot of money if you’re a non-funded community group. Now I believe the way to get around that is to offer them an incentive. So the cash prizes mean that they can not only recoup all their money but also make some for their association too.’

So, how much exactly are we talking here? Well, the Best Float entered into this years Parade will be awarded $1,500 hot cash… on the spot. Yes, judging will take place in Russell Square immediately after the Parade with cash prizes awarded instantly. But wait, there’s more! The Best Walking Group will walk away with $1,000 while the Best Individual Costume will be awarded $500 cash. Oh, and don’t forget the drag queens (who could forget the drag queens) who will undoubtedly be battling it out tooth and stiletto heel to win the $500 prize for Best Drag. But that’s not all – there will also be a People Choice Award which will take place online, the winner of which will be awarded a trophy. All up that’s 3,500 good reasons to enter this years Parade… 3,501 if you include the giant trophy!

If this has piqued your interest well, yes, there’s still time to enter this years Pride Parade. Head to www.pridewa.asn.au, download a Participation Pack, fill it in and send it off ASAP because the competition is sure to be fierce. Well, not nearly as fierce as the hair on the winner of the Best Drag Award, but fierce none the less.

Scott-Patrick Mitchell