Rainbow Futures WA, the state’s peak body for LGBTIQA+ communities, has announced that Pride WA has rejoined the organisation.
This week, the board of Rainbow Futures WA approved an application from Pride WA to become a member organisation. Pride WA will now have voting rights, opportunities to participate in sector advocacy, and involvement in Rainbow Futures events and community gatherings.
“Pride WA holds a special place in the hearts of many LGBTIQA+ people and plays an important role in our community. Every November, it offers us safe places to congregate, celebrate, express ourselves and protest,” said Rainbow Futures WA CEO, Dr Misty Farquhar.
“At a time when our safety is under threat because of a rise in anti-LGBTIQA+ sentiment, combined with outdated discrimination laws and a lack of protection from hate speech, that role is more important than ever.
“I am genuinely delighted to welcome them back to Rainbow Futures.”
Rainbow Futures WA was founded in 2019 in response to the need for community-led advocacy for LGBTIQA+ people in Western Australia. In 2024, it secured State Government funding to become the state’s LGBTIQA+ peak body.
Many key organisations are members, including Living Proud, WAAC, Transfolk WA and Youth Pride Network, alongside a wide range of metropolitan and regional Pride groups. However, Pride WA remained outside the organisation’s membership, while GRAIL GLBT Rights in Ageing also chose not to join Rainbow Futures.
Pride WA was established in 1989, growing from a community movement protesting laws that actively discriminated against members of the LGBTIQA+ community. It has since evolved into the organisation responsible for Western Australia’s largest celebration of the state’s vibrant and diverse LGBTIQA+ community.
Pride WA and Rainbow Futures WA say they are now looking forward to working together as Rainbow Futures continues its campaign for discrimination and hate speech law reform, while Pride WA prepares for PRIDEFEST 2026.
“The theme for PRIDEFEST 2026 is ‘Side by Side: Every Identity, One Community’. Pride WA applied for Rainbow Futures membership because we believe deeply in those words. As a community, we are stronger together,” said Pride WA Chair, Peter Foster.
“In just six years, Rainbow Futures WA has made great strides in strengthening and defending Western Australia’s LGBTIQA+ community. Pride WA is looking forward to supporting that mission as both our organisations work and plan for our community’s future.”
