Growing sense of pride

The final celebration in the Pridefest calendar will feature a dog show with pooches out to strut their summer coats and try out some treats.

It is just one of the activities planned for Pride WA’s Fairday, with this year’s theme centred on picnicking in the park.

Picnic hampers will be available for purchase, with other local food and retail stall holders and musicians also setting up in the park for the day.

Groups supporting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community will also be on hand, including Equal Opportunity Commission of WA, Living Proud Inc and Beyond Blue.

There will also be opportunities for people to get involved in local activities, with OUTdance, Swan City Derby and Loton Park Tennis Club recruiting new members on the day.

Pride WA co-president Michelle Rigg said the annual event was an opportunity to connect people with LGBTI communities.

‘It is really an opportunity for people within the gay and lesbian community to get involved in community events, whether that is gay and lesbian singers, OUTdance or information from the Freedom Centre and Headspace,’ she said.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Pride WA and Ms Rigg said work had already started on anniversary celebrations.

‘The Pride Parade will go back to a night time event and we are hoping lots of people will get on board to make it a big event,’ she said.