They work tirelessly throughout the year to make sure Perth’s premier LGBTI event, the Pride Festival runs without a hitch. 2010’s Pride Committee has also overseen the procession of monthly events that connect the community. The Pride Parade; Fairday; the glamorous Pride Ball; Women’s Sundowners; Fruits in Suits … the list goes on. OUTinPerth took a moment to recognise the people who work behind the scenes of Pride WA.
Dean Cahill – Secretary
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride is an organisation that brings the community together. It’s showing the broader community about our community.
What’s improved this year?
It’s the community that will make 2010 Pride better. The committee works very hard and as a whole does a fantastic job to put on a month long festival. For me it’s everything.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to everything, seeing the community come together in the relaxed atmosphere and meeting up with long lost friends.
Shane Jeffrey – Membership
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride means community. I guess it’s a pool of information and an organisation to back you in day-to-day life.
What are you looking forward to this year?
The event I’m most looking forward to is Fairday. It’s a great opportunity to sit back relax with friends and reflect on what we’ve gone through in our friendships.
Jason Chrisp – Marketing
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride plays a pivotal role in helping to bind the gay and lesbian community together.
What’s improved this year?
This year at Pride it has been great to have a lot more people on the committee as we were very slim on numbers last year.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m most looking forward to the 2010 City of Perth Pride Fairday. We have an excellent range of local performers and we will have the largest and most entertaining family area that Fairday has ever had.
Sharlene Dixon – Female Co-President
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride means education and involvement with the GLBTI community, helping to bring and involve community groups together.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to everything: meeting up with new friends as well as the Pride Parade and Fairday.
Wendy Houlahan – Festival Convenor
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride is about community involvement and providing activities and events for the queer community.
What’s improved this year?
This year’s Pride has improved with more people involved; the festival is more concise and offers variety and something for everyone.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m most looking forward to films and local performances, they’re fab.
Charles Denham – Male Co-President
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride means there is always someone there to support my lifestyle, to champion my rights and form the basis of important social events for my community.
What’s improved this year?
This year’s Pride is shorter and sharper with other events being spread throughout the year.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m most looking forward to Fairday and the Parade; these are the two major events of the year. One for our community and its supporters and one to be public about who we are and being proud to be gay.
Sarah Smith – Sponsorship
What does Pride mean to you?
To me, Pride means acceptance and working towards a day when there is no need for a distinction between gay and straight people.
What’s improved this year?
I only moved to Australia at the end of last year so I wasn’t here for Pride last year but I know that Pride is going to be even more fabulous this year than it was in 2009.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m not looking forward to any one thing in particular – I’m looking forward to getting together with friends (old and new) at my first Perth Pride.
Mark Hamer – Treasurer
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride means community involvement and getting your hands dirty. Pride means a willingness to work hard for great results at the end. Pride is supporting the community.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m most looking to the Festival. Fairday is a great day out. Closing the festival with the parade is a great climax for the community.
Paul van Lieshout – Youth
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride for me means festival time. In the words of this year’s Pride Patron, ‘it’s Christmas time for queers’. Get your gay on; your community needs you like your dance floor.
What’s improved this year?
This year’s Pride will have a larger youth focus that’s desperately needed.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m most looking forward to the Youth Underage Party. It’s going to have Swish Eveready involved and it’s the first ever underage party for Pride. It’s going to rock your socks.
Compiled by Benn Dorrington
***
