Rural pride festival puts LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing in the spotlight
Tough mental health conversations were had at the first ever rural Pride in the Park Festival held in Coonabarabran in March.
More than 350 people travelled from as far as Sydney to attend the festival.
Organiser of the Pride in the Park Festival and member of the LGBTIQ+ community Kodi Brady says the festival included all things pride festivals should.
“It was an afternoon full of rainbows, with music, dance, and education on full display,” Mr Brady said.
“It was great to see so many people travel to take part in the monumental event.
“When I was first organising the event, I thought it would be just a small barbeque at the park with less than 20 people. We were so surprised and overjoyed to hear so many people from within our small, rural community wanting to be involved,” he said.
Key Points:
PHOTO: Danielle Smith, Sue Smith, Joe Ryan and James Ryan enjoyed an afternoon full of rainbows and laughter.
PHOTO: Danielle Smith, Sue Smith, Joe Ryan and James Ryan enjoyed an afternoon full of rainbows and laughter.
PHOTO: Indigenous singer- songwriter Scott Hunter wowed the crowds with his musical performances.
PHOTO: Indigenous singer- songwriter Scott Hunter wowed the crowds with his musical performances.
PHOTO: Indigenous singer- songwriter Scott Hunter wowed the crowds with his musical performances.
PHOTO: Indigenous singer- songwriter Scott Hunter wowed the crowds with his musical performances.
PHOTO: LGBTIQ+ flags were showcased throughout Coonabarabran.
PHOTO: LGBTIQ+ flags were showcased throughout Coonabarabran.
PHOTO: LGBTIQ+ flags were showcased throughout Coonabarabran.
PHOTO: LGBTIQ+ flags were showcased throughout Coonabarabran.
Performers at the festival included Indigenous singer-songwriter Scott Hunter, Tamworth based drag queen Missy Sparkles and DJ duo from Signal Creative Emma Hoy and Caroline Wallace.
NSW Health, Coonabarabran Suicide Prevention Network, Aids Council of NSW (ACON), Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Stand by Post Suicide Community Support, and the Drug Action Task Force joined the entertainment team to provide much- needed mental health education for the community. All organisations are driving forces regarding LGBTIQ+ mental health and wellbeing across Australia.
LGBTIQ+ members within rural and remote communities are at a higher risk of suicide, with many members facing stigma, prejudice, discrimination, and abuse.
Nearly half of transgender and gender-diverse people aged 14 to 25 had reported that they had attempted suicide in their lifetime according to the 2021 Health Australia Snapshot.
PHOTO: Emma Hoy, Kodi Brady and Caroline Wallace enjoying the colourful photo booth.
PHOTO: Emma Hoy, Kodi Brady and Caroline Wallace enjoying the colourful photo booth.
Community organisation ACON, is NSW's leading LGBTIQ+ health organisation, providing community health, inclusion and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders.
CEO of ACON Nicholas Parkhill says the LGBTIQ+ community is suffering at an alarming rate.
“Research shows that LGBTIQ+ people are at a significantly increased risk of a range of preventable health problems, including situational distress, suicidal ideation and suicide, much of which are attributed to experiences or fears of discrimination, stigma, social exclusion, and abuse,” Mr Parkhill said.
“LGBTIQ+ people in Australia are between three to 19 times more likely to attempt suicide or self-injury than the general Australian population.
They also experience suicidal ideation at even higher rates,” he said.
Mr Brady says that suicide is sadly a common occurrence within many rural communities.
“Many members of our community know of or know someone that has unfortunately taken their life or suffered due to their sexuality," Mr Brady said.
“Throughout the festival, community members heard personal stories that were both heart- warming and sometimes hard to listen to, with many re-telling horrific experiences from the past of their personal struggles and hostility due to their sexuality.
“Bringing in health and wellbeing organisations was one step taken by the festival organisers to ensure LGBTIQ+ members of our community feel safe and know there is always someone that they can reach out too, not just within our community, but also from outside our community as well,” he said.
PHOTO: ACON volunteer Kage Gold spoke about alarming LGBTIQ+ statistics at the festival.
PHOTO: ACON volunteer Kage Gold spoke about alarming LGBTIQ+ statistics at the festival.
PHOTO: ACON volunteer Kage Gold spoke about alarming LGBTIQ+ statistics at the festival.
PHOTO: ACON volunteer Kage Gold spoke about alarming LGBTIQ+ statistics at the festival.
PHOTO: Organiser of the Pride in the Park Festival, Kodi Brady.
PHOTO: Organiser of the Pride in the Park Festival, Kodi Brady.
PHOTO: Organiser of the Pride in the Park Festival, Kodi Brady.
PHOTO: Organiser of the Pride in the Park Festival, Kodi Brady.
PHOTO: Former School Captain of Coonabarabran High School Claudia Eastburn with Scott Hunter.
PHOTO: Former School Captain of Coonabarabran High School Claudia Eastburn with Scott Hunter.
PHOTO: Many members of the crowd danced all afternoon.
PHOTO: Many members of the crowd danced all afternoon.
PHOTO: Tamworth based drag queen Missy Sparkles ensured the crowd was entertained.
PHOTO: Tamworth based drag queen Missy Sparkles ensured the crowd was entertained.
PHOTO: Joe Ryan wore just one of many rainbow outfits.
PHOTO: Joe Ryan wore just one of many rainbow outfits.
Mental health and suicide prevention programs are in place across Australia including the LGBTIQ+ Health Australia MindOut prevention initiative and North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network’s National LGBTIQ+ Suicide Prevention Trial.
Former school captain at Coonabarabran High School Claudia Eastburn had never attended a pride event before.
“It was exciting to see so many young and old members of our community gather to learn more about LGBTIQ+ mental health issues and stigmas,” Miss Eastburn said.
“It is so important to take part in the conversation, be an ally and show support for those most vulnerable in our community,” she said.
Mr Brady says the future is looking bright for Coonabarabran’s Pride in the Park Festival.
“I hope LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing issues continue to be at the forefront of government conversations, and more health initiatives and programs continue to be implemented all across Australia, particularly within rural and remote communities like Coonabarabran,” he said.
Mr Brady hopes the Pride in the Park Festival can continue annually, with the ongoing support from local businesses and the community.
“This year’s festival will be hard to top, but we think next year's will be bigger and better than ever seen before.
“It has been over a month since the festival took place and I am still on a high. This festival has ignited something inside of me, and I hope we can continue to spread the love with these kinds of festivals in rural areas like Coonabarabran in the future”.
The Pride in the Park Festival was held at the Coonabarabran Sport and Recreational Centre on Saturday 25 March and will hopefully be returning at the beginning of 2024.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Rural & Remote Mental Health on 1300 515 951
QLife on 1800 184 527.
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
