Orange throws support behind inaugural Rainbow Festival

The inaugural Orange City Rainbow Festival is set to be a weekend of colour, fun, acceptance and love, say organisers.

The weekend celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community is the first of its kind for Orange, but a number of Orange City councillors want to see it become an annual event. 

“[The Festival] is mainly about reflecting and making people feel accepted, and also for children to accept those who are maybe different in their communities,” Orange City Council Deputy Mayor Gerald Power said. 

“It’s vitally important that we have that inclusion with these wonderful folks in our community.”

The weekend will kick off on Friday, March 22, with Drag Bingo at the Greenhouse. The main events will take place on Saturday, March 23, with a street parade, festival and street party, concluding with a Sunday Brunch with the (Drag) Queens.

Hosted by the Orange Youth Action Council’s Sincerely Queer group, the festival is supported by Orange City Council’s Community Services, and is fully funded by the NSW Government’s ‘Our Region, Our Voice’ Regional Youth Investment Program. 

Earlier this month, a motion by Orange City Councillor Kevin Duffy called for the council to cancel support and involvement in the festival. However, the motion was defeated nine votes to three at the March 5 meeting, and the festival is set to go ahead as planned at the end of the month. Hundreds of people turned out to the council meeting in support of the event, with over 20 registered speakers having their say.

“I’ve been receiving emails and text messages since the meeting, just saying how much they felt loved, how much they feel accepted in our community,” Cr Power said.

“They can be who they are without hiding now because we’ve made it a public show that we as a city, the majority of the city, will not tolerate anybody that is discriminated against, in whatever shape or form.”

Speaking at the council meeting was Jonathon Hoskings, one of the organisers of the Bathurst Mardi Gras, now in its fourth year. Mr Hoskings spoke about the importance of the event, and what it will bring to the community. 

“I spoke about how we want to be on the right side of history when it comes to overcoming social injustices,” he said.

“I spoke about how beneficial this will be for our local economy… but I also spoke about how the festival runs alongside other important events such as International Women's Day, NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Day, Harmony Day, and how this is the next step in recognising people within our community.”

Event organisers have said that attendees can expect a lot of love and support at the Rainbow Festival, which includes a number of free events over the weekend of March 22-44. For the full schedule, visit: www.orange.nsw.gov.au/rainbow-festival