It's hard to believe that it's only been a few short years since the world has collectively paused to celebrate Pride. The last few years have seen so many watershed moments for LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies all over the world, from the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots to the Black Lives Matter movement and social distance amidst a global pandemic. Each was a significant moment that served to highlight the importance of support, love, and togetherness — whether or not a physical celebration in honor of these things was able to take place.

Photo credit: Janelle pictured with Dirty Versachi

With the bulk of Australia's pride festivities happening in March during our summer season, World Pride Month in June is often overshadowed in Melbourne – Even though the weather is not ideal for short shorts and frozen cocktails, However in spite of this, and everything else going on in the world,  Melburnians are committed to coming together to celebrate Pride.

What are the greatest events to attend in Melbourne during Pride Month in 2022?

No 1 Drag

If you haven't seen a drag show - this should be your first stop! It should come as no surprise that the drag scene is presently exploding, thanks to Ru Paul's Drag Race.

SUNDAYS: SIRCUIT & MOLLIE'S ALL STARS

Sircuit & Mollie’s ALL STARS – New to Sundays for a limited run season - leading up to our EPIC Staff Drag on July 24 (details of that to come 😉)

​This week representing the Drag Bingo crew is Jemima Handful and Leasa Mann - Watch as they turn out their best production shows, duets and spot numbers for you! Plus ALL STAR DJ Argonaut on the decks.

​Open from 9pm – Free entry all night long

Drag performances are fun and fabulously over-the-top, and there's no better place to catch one than at Sircuit & Mollie's ALL STARS. With a lineup of leading drag performers, this is sure to be a night you won't want to miss.

 

Exhibitions at NGV

If you are after something more quiet and relaxed then head to one of the many exhibitions on during Pride Month at the NGV.

'QUEER shines a light on the NGV Collection to examine and reveal the queer stories works of art can tell. This exhibition of works from the NGV Collection spans historical eras and diverse media including painting, drawing, photography, decorative arts, fashion, video, sculpture, and design and explores queerness as an expression of sexuality and gender, a political movement, a sensibility, and as an attitude that defies fixed definition.'

“Queer as a concept runs against all definitions, all fixed meaning, forever questioning, redeploying, twisting terms, texts and itself from conventional usage.”

Christoph Ribbat, Professor of American Studies at the Universität Paderborn in Germany, and author of Queer and Straight Photography, published in the journal ‘Amerikastudien’, 2001.

 

Rising Festival

'Woven through RISING are stories on the queer experience, told by multifaceted artists. Take a look at this list of RISING 2022 works including blockbuster theatre crossing the boundaries of screen and stage; ritual explorations of gender from Indonesia; intricate knots and Australian Rules football; and a chaotic temple to capitalist excess.'