Pride WA have announced that Chief Executive Officer Dr Laurie Butterly will step down from
her role at the end of May.
The organisation said Dr Butterly leaves after three years of significant growth and major organisational
achievements.
During Butterly’s tenure, Pride WA has expanded its programs, deepened its engagement across the community, secured ongoing multi-year grant funding, and delivered the organisation’s largest Pridefest celebrations to date.
Under her leadership, Perth also secured the Gay Games 2030, a milestone that will bring global LGBTQIA+ sport and culture to Western Australia for the first time.
The board said while these achievements have shaped Pride WA’s recent trajectory, Laurie is best known for the relationships she has built across the community — relationships grounded in trust, visibility, and genuine care. Her leadership has been marked by a commitment to ensuring LGBTQIA+ people feel seen, valued, and connected.
Dr Butterly’s tenure also saw moments of friction with some parts of the LGBTIQA+ community. During the 2024 PrideFEST there were disagreements about political signage, and the following year new guidelines for participation in the annual festival were criticised for being over zealous about limiting political statements.
Pride WA Chair, Peter Foster, thanked Dr Butterly for her contribution.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to sincerely thank Laurie for her extraordinary leadership over the past three years. She has strengthened Pride WA, delivered major outcomes for our community, and helped secure a historic win with the Gay Games 2030.
“We are grateful that Laurie will continue her involvement with Pride WA in a volunteer capacity following her departure. She has been offered a new professional opportunity that builds on the skills and experience she has demonstrated in this role, and we look forward to continuing to work with her in her new capacity.
“Laurie’s journey is a reminder of how vital LGBTQIA+ community roles are in developing the next
generation of leaders who continue to give back to our community.” Foster said.
Reflecting on her time at Pride WA, Dr Laurie Butterly said it had been a privledge to serve in the role.
“It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve as CEO of Pride WA over the past three years. While strengthening the organisation’s foundations and securing Gay Games 2030 have been defining achievements, the moments that will stay with me are the countless personal interactions with community members.
“Often it was someone approaching me whilst I was wearing a Pride WA vollie shirt – not knowing I was the CEO — to share that it was their first Pride Parade and that they finally felt seen and visible. Those moments capture the true purpose of this work, and they are what I will carry forward with immense gratitude.”
The Pride WA Board will take time to review the organisation’s current operating structure before
commencing any recruitment, particularly in light of the continued growth of Pridefest and the evolving relationship between Pride WA and the Gay Games.
Prior to joining Pride WA Dr Butterly was a distinguished law academic and broadcaster.
Dr Butterly was the second person to hold the role of CEO. Choon Tan was the organisation’s inaugural CEO filling the role from 2021 until 2023. Prior to this the organisation has been run by volunteers, and through the engagement of events management companies.
