MEDIA RELEASE | OUTintheOPEN Festival Shepparton turns TEN!

OUTintheOPEN Festival 2021 is here! From October 28 through November 7, whether online or in person, you can celebrate with us no matter where you are! Our big event, Carnival Day, will be online this year on Saturday afternoon November 6…and it’s our 10th birthday! Join superstar drag co-hosts Frock Hudson and Pattie Choux as they bring local music, fun and frivolity to your screens while showcasing 10 years of OUTintheOPEN’s fondest memories ‘live’ online.

Numerous events fill the Festival calendar this year, starting off with a bang at GOTAFE! Our “Think About It? Did it!” launch is first up, where you will view portraits and read anecdotes of regional LGBTIQA+ elders experiences, as we celebrate and commemorate their joys and sorrows, acknowledging the 40 year anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality. Their full stories/podcasts will be shared on ONE FM 98.5’s Pride in Diversity radio show each Thursday night during the Festival.

Thorne Harbour Country, and Uniting’s Diversity Project in partnership with LINE Wangaratta will host a sexual health forum and an ‘LGBTIQA+ Regional Community of Practice’ professional development event with a focus on workplace inclusion journeys. The Val’s LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care team will be “Celebrating & talking LGBTIQA+ histories” and (20th century) impacts, exploring the community development/growth from social disapproval to overcoming adversity, celebrating the achievements we have made!

If you’re looking for some more in-person events, the BIG Milestone Café & Bistro Brunch will be offering two sessions on Sunday October 31, and the BIG Lemon Tree Brunch on Sunday November 7 offers the same. Perhaps you’d prefer an evening meal at our “Winner, Winner, Schnitz for Dinner” event on Wednesday November 3? Either way, we’d love to see some friendly faces.

“Many of our 30+ Festival events have been re-imagined ‘online’ which means no masks, stay in your pjs, sip a glass of wine or 2, and attend from your couch (or backyard picnic blanket)! From trivia nights to queer nature connections, family-friendly rainbow story time sessions to business networking, there’s something for everyone!” says Festival Co-Convenor, Damien Stevens-Todd. “Even with lockdowns and restrictions we have big plans to celebrate! Whether online for singalongs or in person at our art therapy sessions, you can celebrate with us wherever you are! Just don’t forget to jazz it up with all things rainbow, sparkle and shine; we want to see it all! Show us your pizazz – tag us on Instagram or Facebook!”

With less than 2 weeks to go we are so excited to see everyone get involved and “out in the open” – help us celebrate the last 10 years of what has been Greater Shepparton’s own OUTintheOPEN Festival celebrating LGBTIQA+ pride and community diversity in all it’s forms! Absolutely everyone welcome!

Visit www.outintheopen.org.au/events-2021/ to check out all the events or phone Georgina Poort (Co-Convenor) on 0401 168 229 for more information.