The Andrews Labor Government is giving Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ community pride of place, as the Pride Street Party takes over an iconic precinct in Melbourne’s inner north to round out a month of events celebrating the community.
A huge, free one-day party along Gertrude Street and Smith Street in Fitzroy and Collingwood is underway as part of Victoria’s Pride, a celebration of LGBTIQ+ Victorians which is becoming a staple in the state’s events calendar.
Attendees will enjoy a vibrant program of local and international LGBTIQ+ performers across two stages, including headline act Keiynan Lonsdale, and proud Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti woman and multi award-winning musician Casey Donovan.
Beyond these stages, the festival site will be filled with wellness activities, creative activations, community stalls and roving street performers. A range of local businesses will also be offering unique specials to mark the occasion.
The street party follows more than a dozen Victoria’s Pride activities in regional and rural communities over the summer, including a touring queer writers’ festival and a vibrant pride party in Warrnambool.
Victoria’s Pride builds on the success of a similar statewide festival held last summer to mark more than 40 years since the decriminalisation of sex between men in Victoria, which drew tens of thousands of people to events.
The Labor Government has invested $6.8 million to make Victoria’s Pride an annual event, as part of our broader and relentless work to achieve equality for rainbow communities in every corner of the state.
But there’s always more to do – and we’ll deliver a $22.2 million package to progress equality and celebrate LGBTIQ+ communities, which will go towards boosting and celebrating vital LGBTIQ+ community organisations, looking after older LGBTIQ+ people, supporting pride events and building more inclusive health services.
Victoria’s Pride is being delivered by leading LGBTIQ+ arts and culture organisation Midsumma. For more information about the Victoria’s Pride Street party, please visit
Quote attributable to Minister for Equality Harriet Shing
“This is a celebration of our LGBTIQ+ communities – it’s an expression of our connection, inclusion and pride and a wonderful example of why we are the equality state.”
Quote attributable to Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Dr Todd Fernando
“Today’s party is a wonderful way to celebrate Victoria’s Pride and is an important visible celebration of our communities, their families, and their allies.”
Quote attributable to Midsumma CEO Karen Bryant
"Victoria's Pride is an exciting opportunity for all Victorians to celebrate the remarkable journey of equality through inspirational arts, community involvement, food, and culture."
Reviewed 11 February 2023