Five remarkable everyday Australians have been recognised for their leadership, support and advocacy for people living with HIV. 

Now in its fifth year, the Community Champions program continues to highlight the extraordinary contribution individuals make to the HIV response in Australia through their compassion, commitment and community leadership.

This year saw a record 56 nominations from within the sector, reflecting not only the breadth of experience within the community but also the significant role played by those who walk alongside people living with HIV. 

Among this year’s recipients are four peer workers whose lived experience strengthens the care they provide and a GP who has been a strong advocate for embedding peer support within clinical practice.

Together, they represent the many allies who offer insight, connection and practical support at some of life’s most challenging moments. 

NAPWHA President Scott Harlum said this year’s recipients demonstrate the power of lived experience in action.

“Peer support has always been at the heart of Australia’s HIV response and this year’s Champions embody that more clearly than ever. They remind us that progress is driven by people with lived experience, and by those who stand in solidarity alongside them. Their work brings dignity, hope and connection at a time when stigma and inequity still shape the lives of too many.” 

Gilead Sciences ANZ Director Public Affairs Lisa Maguire said the growth of the program reflects its deepening impact.

“Gilead is honoured to support the Community Champions program in its fifth year. The record number of nominations this year illustrates the continuing growth of the program and the enormous respect communities have for their peers, advocates and allies,” Maguire said. 

“We are proud to stand with NAPWHA and recognise those in the community who share our continuing commitment to reducing stigma and improving outcomes for everyone living with HIV.”

The 2025 Community Champions include two people from Western Australia. WAAC Peer Support worker Charlie Manley and Dr Fergus McCabe.

Manley spoke to OUTinPerth at Sunday’s commuity gathering ahead of World AIDS Day and shared that he’d found out about the honour while he was on holiday in Argentina.

“I was on holiday was getting all these phone calls and messages from people from work.” he shared, but like anyone away on leave he completed ignored their messages, until his team leader managed to get through.

“I was just so shocked, surprised and super grateful. It was really surreal, but it was really amazing.” he said.

In recent years Manley has often spoken about his own experience of discovering as a young man that he was HIV positive. Now he helps other people who are newly disagnosed with their journey. Work that he’s committed to and passionate about.

“It’s amazing to be honest, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I’m so grateful I work in the space and help the amazing people I work with. I’m just really grateful to support people and guide them through something that I have also lived through.

“I know what its like, and I know how painful and lonely it can feel. To be that support person it is amazing for me, and its incredible work.”

Find out about all the Community Champions

Babi – Overseas Born Community Champion. A trailblazing transgender woman and community leader, Babi supports migrants, international students and people living with HIV to navigate stigma, identity and complex systems with dignity, strength and care. 

Helen – Peer Community Champion. A Peer Navigator with Queensland Positive People (QPP), Helen walks beside people living with HIV with empathy and calm assurance, helping them reconnect with care, rebuild confidence and find community. 

Charlie – Emerging Community Champion. A peer worker and case manager at WAAC, Charlie provides grounded, compassionate support to people facing isolation, migration challenges and stigma, creating welcoming spaces where connection and belonging can grow. 

Ron – Bolder Community Champion. A social worker, researcher and long-time advocate, Ron champions the rights, visibility and wellbeing of older people living with HIV, using lived experience to guide connection, community and change. 

Dr. Fergus McCabe – Health Ally Community Champion. A respected HIV GP and strong advocate for peer-led care, Fergus centres patient choice and collaboration, empowering peers as leaders within a community-driven model of care. 

The post HIV Community Champions announced on World AIDS Day appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Making her debut was performer Nikki Minogue, and while many performers opt for lip-syncing and dance moves, Minogue had something different to offer.

The performance was a mix of stand up comedy and magic.

Reaching into her bag of tricks Nikki Minogue pulled out a contraption which she claimed gave her the power to read people’s minds.

To the naked eye it did look like a tin foil hat which a colander added via a hot glue gun, but she promised it was laden with technology and special powers.

She proceeded to invite audience members on the the stage for a card trick. It was a rambling and shambolic presentation, but we were strangely hooked.

Along the way she tripped over her own stage props, and then she broke a heel, but it all added to the chaos and built suspense.

Watching the haphazard performance, and a growing feeling it could all end badly, I recalled captivating performances at Connections years a go by British performer Scottee.

Scottee performed the classic Vaudevillian routine of Yellow ‘Bandana’ where a performer plays a ‘how to’ cassette tape of learning a magic trick. It all goes pear shaped when instead of a yellow bandana, they pull out a yellow banana. The beauty of the act, that had been done by many performers over the years, is that when it looks like its all gone wrong, it suddenly works out.

Watching Nikki Minogue tackle a magic trick, I was worried we were just going to be left with a smashed banana.

But it all came good and she pulled off, accurately guessing the correct card for each of the three guests on stage.

She then got her wig tangled in her special hat, adding another level of comedy to the proceedings. It was an impressive debut, and I could help but heel that there’s an entire Fringe World show waiting to happen.

Head down to Connections every Thursday night for the unexpected.

The post A moment of magic at Dragathon appeared first on OUTinPerth.

It brought the curtain down a political career that spanned from student politics to LGBTIQA+ rights advocacy, a historic election to the state parliament, followed by a long career in the federal parliament.

Highlighting Pratt’s achievements will be the focus of the Rainbow Labor float in this year’s parade through the streets of Northbridge.

When Senator Pratt delivered her valedictory speech in parliament back in March she dressed n the colours of the lesbian flag, making her final moment in the politics echo back to where she began fighting for LGBTIQA+ rights in the 1990s as a leading campaigner for law reform in Western Australia.

In the 2001 state election she unexpectedly won a seat in the Western Australian Legislative Council as Labor came to power under Premier Geoff Gallop and ousted the Court Liberal government. She became the youngest woman to be elected to the Upper House.

She played a central role in the 2002 law reforms which saw a complete ban on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, an equalizing of the age of consent, the removal of legislation that made it illegal to promote homosexuality in schools, while also allowing gay couples the right to adopt and inherit from a deceased partner.

In 2007 Pratt switched to federal politics as a Senator for Western Australia and worked on a wide range of issues in the federal parliament, including the long campaign for marriage equality in Australia.

At the 2013 election Senator Pratt was initially returned, but on a recount she lost, but when it was revealed that some ballot papers had gone missing, the High Court ordered that a new half-Senate only election be held. At the second poll Senator Pratt lost her seat, but she returned at the 2016 election and was successful once again.

Speaking to OUTinPerth ahead of the annual Pride Parade Louise Pratt said that while she missed many of the people she’d got to know in Canberra, she definitely did not miss the constant travel across the country.

“I miss some of the people, and I miss some of the stakeholders too. But I do not miss the travel.” she said emphatically.

“I do not miss, not feeling human.” she adds describing how the travel and time difference between Western Australia and the east coast.

Since returning to Western Australia Pratt has been spending her time building a home office, researching woodwork and has recently started working with the Cancer Council.

“But mostly I’ve just been enjoying family, and getting reacquainted with some of my friends who I haven’t seen enough of.”

“I’ve quite liked going to ground and not having to talk to too many people.” Pratt said with a smile.

Asked what, besides the obvious answer of marriage equality, she considered to be the highlights and memorable stages of her time in politics. Pratt has a long list.

“Anti-discrimination law reform absolutely, even things going back to the McGinty years equal de-facto rights with married couples, and the fact that it was for all heterosexual couples and queer couples, that was really great for not only the queer person in me, but also the feminist in me.”

Pratt notes that before the Western Australian laws were changed women who were not married to their partner would often lose property they had contributed to if a relationship ended. Fixing the laws extended far beyond the LGBTIQA+ community, it benefited everyone.

“Things like that are really powerful, and I’ve seen the very real change that has made to people’s lives.”

Stopping the Morrison government’s attempt to push through their religious freedom bill is also one of the big moments Pratt reflects on.

“They were some pretty tense moments in the senate around that.”

Work on climate change is another highlight, but she also shares her frustration at the rate of progress.

“It’s been done, and then undone, and done and undone, and then done and undone again.” Pratt says of the back and forth debate on how to tackle the challenge.

“Things like that I wish we’d seen more progress on, the rights of children is another area where I wished there had really been more progress as well.

“All of the comings and goings and tragedies around refugees that has been absolutely epic as well. All of the drownings on boats, to before that detention. Today I’m hoping for a sense of optimism. Australia has just welcomed it’s millionth refugee, and there are LGBTIQA+ people making new lives here as part of that.

Her long career saw Pratt spend time in both government and opposition.

“It’s so much better to be in government,” she said. “But its not always as much fun as a backbencher in government.

“Opposition can be really useful for people like me, because we were quite successful in stopping a bunch of regressive things around worker’s rights, religious freedom and a whole range of issues.” Pratt said.

“Ministerial process and cabinet processes can make it hard sometime for you to have your say.” Pratt said.

“It’s a good time to have left parliament.” Pratt said noting the strong majority Labor has on both a state and federal level, but she also points to across the political spectrum there are more LGBTIQA+ people than ever before.

” I fell like out community is represented and I hope in the future it will continue to be. In the Labor party queer people are present in all party forums.”

Asked what advice she’d give to an LGBTIQA+ person considering a political career, Pratt is encouraging.

“You should give it a go – absolutely.” she said. “But they way to do it is to really just start participating. I never became political to become a politician. I started out of my concern for a whole range of issues, really starting a student, and as a queer person, and then as a unionist.”

As she prepares to be honoured by her party colleagues in the Pride Parade, Pratt said it felt “really weird”.

“I’m not always someone who wants the spotlight, but I’m taking it in good grace and I’ll enjoy the night.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing a bunch of comrades I haven’t seen in recent months, and there so many people in Rainbow Labor who made an extraordinary difference, so I’m very honoured.”

The post Louise Pratt to be celebrated at Pride Parade appeared first on OUTinPerth.

A little light rain didn’t deter the colourfully dressed participants from heading out along the run route with an option for a 3km, 5km or 7pm undertaking.

Afterwards the crowd were entertained by DJ H. Sailor and drag stars Donna Kebab, Cougar Morrison, Jaxson Coke and Faye Rocious. The quartet also handed out medals to particpants as the crossed the finish line.

A giant dancing quokka set the mood, and dignitaries addressed the crowd to celebrate the season of Pride and the exciting news that the Gay Games are coming to Perth in 2030.

Frontrunners Co-Presidents Ritchie Yates and Bec Powell welcomed the participants to the annual Pride Run & Walk.

Powell explained how Perth Frontrunners is a 100% inclusive club that encourages connection and participation, and for many members their regular Saturday morning gatherings in Kings Park are as much about meeting people, and gathering for a coffee after the run or walk, as they are about exercise.

Lord Mayor of Perth Bruce Reynolds joked that his choice of a suit may have left him slightly overdressed for the event and he was surrounded by a sea of people clad in rainbow colours ready for an early morning run.

“What a vibe!” Reynolds said of the energetic gathering.

“The City of Perth is so proud to support this event, for so many reasons.” the Mayor said. “The most important thing is because its a part of what makes us so strong as a community. Its the visibility, it’s the opportunity through friendship, through fun and through fitness that we do something that is just so positive for our whole community.”

Pride WA CEO Dr Lauren Butterly shared the news about Perth being awarded the 2030 Gay Games.

“We have won the world’s largest sporting event, coming to Perth in 2030 – The Gay Games!” Butterly said to rounds of cheers.

The Pride CEO shared that the judges who picked Perth to host the event had been impressed by the closeness of the local LGBTIQA+ community.

Check out all the pictures from the big event!

The post The 2025 Perth Pride Run & Walk was a huge success appeared first on OUTinPerth.

The event will run from 4:30pm at the Hyde Park Amphitheatre, Perth, featuring culturally diverse entertainment, food from local vendors, and reflections on the HIV response in Western Australia and globally.

This year’s theme “No-one left behind” highlights the urgent need to tackle inequities in HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and quality of life. It focuses on improving access and outcomes for First Nations peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and those in regional and remote areas.

The theme also acknowledges Australia’s responsibility to support global initiatives and reminds us that stigma and discrimination must be addressed as they continue to hinder testing, treatment and wellbeing. It is a call for collective action to create supportive environments that enable people living with HIV to live free from stigma and discrimination.

“Australia’s HIV response is, in many respects, a public health triumph. Declining rates among gay and bisexual men prove that prevention and treatment work,” said Dr Daniel Vujcich, CEO of WAAC. “But this success story isn’t complete until all communities benefit equally. The tools that have transformed HIV outcomes – things like PrEP, rapid testing, effective treatment – must reach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and regional Western Australians who still face barriers to care.

“On World AIDS Day, we recommit to ensuring that HIV advances are accessible to everyone. The community spirit that saved lives in the 1980s must now fuel our commitment to health equity. Our job is not done until everyone is included in the public health response to HIV.”

The event will feature vibrant performances from culturally and linguistically diverse and First Nations entertainers, food from local vendors, and reflections honouring lives lost to AIDS-related illnesses.

Everyone is welcome at this community gathering to celebrate inclusion and progress in the HIV response. WAAC is inviting Western Australians to bring picnic blankets and chairs for an easy, enjoyable evening under the trees with friends, family and community.

“On World AIDS Day, we stand with communities worldwide,” Dr Vujcich added. “Recent cuts to global HIV funding should alarm us all; they remind us that the progress we’ve achieved can be reversed without sustained investment and advocacy. We cannot be complacent. We must continue to fight for the resources, policies and programs that ensure every person living with HIV, everywhere in the world, can access the care, dignity and support they deserve.”

The free event is open to all members of the community and represents WAAC’s commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive HIV services across Western Australia.

The post WAAC World AIDS Day event focuses on equity in HIV Care appeared first on OUTinPerth.

From 9:00am to 10:00am, teams from businesses and community organisations will compete to pack the most condoms in one hour, establishing the first-ever baseline for this unique event. The condoms packed will be distributed throughout Western Australia as part of WAAC’s sexual health and HIV prevention programs.

“World AIDS Day is a time to remember those we’ve lost, celebrate the incredible progress in HIV treatment and prevention, and recommit ourselves to ending HIV transmission,” said Dr Daniel Vujcich, CEO of WAAC.

“It also reminds us of the extraordinary community response to the early HIV epidemic when communities came together to care for each other, advocate for change, and take practical action to save lives. This Pack-a-thon continues that spirit of community mobilisation, providing a practical, fun way for people to contribute to the public health response while learning about the full range of prevention tools.”

In the last financial year alone, WAAC distributed 113,521 safe sex packs throughout Western Australia, making free condom access a crucial part of the state’s HIV and STI prevention strategy. The condoms packed at Monday’s event will contribute directly to this vital public health initiative.

The Pack-a-thon represents a shift toward innovative, engaging public health events that combine education, community participation, and practical outcomes. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase merchandise from the WAAC Store, with all proceeds supporting WAAC’s community programs.

Register your team to take part in the event!

WAAC is a leading sexual health organisation providing HIV prevention, treatment support, and advocacy services across Western Australia. WAAC operates M Clinic for sexual health services, the Freedom Centre for LGBTIQA+ young people, and delivers comprehensive health promotion programs. In 2025, WAAC celebrates 40 years of community service.

World AIDS Day, observed annually on 1 December, is dedicated to raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, remembering those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses, and celebrating advances in prevention and treatment. The day highlights ongoing efforts to end HIV transmission and support people living with HIV.

The post Teams to compete in condom-packing challenge while raising awareness of HIV prevention tools appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Held in The Pride Gardens at the end of PrideFEST’s first Club Day gathering the awards recognised the people who help create community sport and drive participation, connections and wellbeing.

Hosted by Team Perth’s Chair Justin Barnes the handing out of the trophies brought together the ever-growing array of sporting clubs in the LGBTIQA+ communities.

“We should be encouraging our sporting clubs to keep doing what we have been doing, but we should also be raising awareness of the incredible things that people do,” Barnes said.

Barnes thanked the three judges who had considered all the nominations for the awards.

A panel of three independent judges undertook a rigorous assessment process, reviewing each nomination against criteria including clarity of purpose, significance of impact, authenticity and initiative, inclusive leadership, communication and storytelling, reach and scope, measurable outcomes, resilience, adaptability, and reflective growth.

This judging framework emphasised that these awards recognise far more than achievement alone—they acknowledge courage, determination, community impact, and long-term contribution.

The judging panel including Professor Sophia Nimphius, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Sport at Edith Cowan University. An internationally recognised leader in sport, organisers said she broight subject-matter expertise and lived experience together to connect diverse perspectives and improve both sport itself and how sport can drive broader social change.

Also on the panel was Alyce Schotte, Senior Relationship Manager for Pride in Diversity for Western Australia and the Northern Territory. In the role since November 2020 working collaboratively with member organisations on policy, process and workplace culture improvements.

The third judge was Kristina Mitsikas, Senior Manager – Inclusion and Performance at UWA Sport. With extensive experience working within the diversity and inclusion space across both local government and not for profit environments, Kristina is a positive advocate and leader for social inclusion and an active ally for people with diverse sexualities and genders.

Rebecca Ruthven was named the winner of the Visibility in Media Award which was presented by Professor Nimphius.

The award is for individuals or campaigns that have amplified LGBTQIA+ sporting voices, issues, or achievements through media, journalism, storytelling, or content creation. Presenting the award Professor Nimphius said it was vitally important that there were people who could present information with journalistic rigor at a time when LGBTIQA+ people were often misrepresented in the media.

Ruthven, a journalism student at Curtin University wrote a story in the university’s Western Independent publication about a friend who is transgender and had been barred from playing softball. The story had huge traction and saw Ruthven speaking about the subject on radio and other media platforms.

Accepting the award Ruthven said as an athlete herself she’d always found it a great privilege to play alongside many different members of the LGBTIQA+ communities.

“You guys are honestly some of the best team mates I’ve had.” Ruthven said. “It’s a real privilege to be able to use my platform to tell your stories and to continue to amplify them, not to talk over the top, but to really amplify them.”

Ruthven who has just graduated from university said she was attracted to sport journalism to be able to tell the stories behind the athletes.

Toby Burridge from the AFL team Perth Hornets was the winner of the Youth Campion of the Year, an award given to a person under the age of 25 who has made a significant contributions to LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in sport.

Presenting the award Pride WA President Michael Felix and Gay Games Co-chair Catherine Jensen said Burridge had made a big impact as the President of the Perth Hornets.

“Over the past eighteen months Toby as dedicated himself to strengthening LGBTIQA+ awareness in the AFL and building a truly welcoming and supporting environment for all players.” Jensen said.

Alyce Schotte presented the award for Inclusion Initiative of the Year which was won by the Perth Front runners. The award is given for a specific project, program, policy or campaign that has driven positive
change for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport.

Schotte said the club had many initiatives in the last year to drive inclusion but at the forefront of this was their ‘Femmes and Thems’ events which aimed to encourage participation by women, non-binary and gender-diverse members.” The initiative had grown the gender balance within the club which previously was dominated by cis-male members.

The award was accepted by Club Presidents Bec Powell and Richie Yates.

Brendon Entrekin was given the Team Perth Achievement Award, an honour celebrating an individual’s sustained and long-term contribution to LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport.

Entrekin was a founding member of the White Pointers Water Polo club but has also worked across many different sporting clubs in recent years, including being a co-founder of the Perth Spectres Basketball Club. Brendon had also been a member of Surf Life Saving and worked with many clubs on building good governance practices.

Accepting the award Entrekin said it was great to be involved in so many different LGBTIQA+ sporting groups and noted that they’re had been an explosion of clubs and inclusivity in recent years.

Kristina Mitsikas returned to the stage to present the Volunteer of the Year award to Amy Doherty from Roller Derby. Doherty was praised for her fifteen year commitment to increasing LGBTIQA+ inclusion from grass roots clubs to international coaching. Doherty’s contribution was described as one on a global level.

Accepting the award an emotional Doherty said she was truly humbled by the recognition, but said the world of Roller Derby was created by many passionate volunteers.

Doherty said all members of the LGBTIQA+ sporting realm had a responsibility to speak up for teammates who are transgender or gender-diverse.

“Speak up for your trans and gender-diverse siblings and team mates, including those who lives outside of the binary, be loud when they are systematically silenced. Trans people belong in sport. They belong everywhere, and especially in Roller Derby.”

Danielle Parker founder of Netball team Shooting Stars was the recipient of the XCEED Real Estate People’s Choice Award. The award Celebrates the most nominated individual or organisation across all categories, this award recognises a person whose impact has resonated strongly with the community.

Handing out the trophy was Harvey Dinh who said Parker was a remarkable leader who had made a massive impact in a short period of time.

Parker said she surprised, shocked and honoured to be the recipient.

Scott Telfer from Connections Nightclub presented the award for Event of the Year, recognising an event that has showcased best practice in LGBTQIA+ inclusion, visibility and celebration.

Telfer highlighted that this year Connections is marking it’s 50th anniversary and it was a moment to think back to what life was like for the LGBTIQA+ community in 1975 when attending or organising an LGBTIQA+ focused sporting event would have seemed unfathomable.

Perth Frontrunners were a winner for the second time awarded for their popular Pride Walk & Run. The recognition was for the 2024 event, while just the same morning they’d delivered the 2025 edition.

Richie Yates said the credit needed to go to club member Steve Wellard who had served as the event manager for the 2024 outing. While Bec Powell said they hoped to return next year for the amazing 2025 event that had attracted a record crowd.

Rugby club the Perth Rams were named Team Perth LGBTQIA+ Club of 2025. Presenting the award Justin Barnes said their formation in2018 The Rams had created a safe and inclusive pathway for people wanting to get into rugby not only on a local level but also on a global scale.

Chantelle Cummins was given the Ally of the Year Award. Cummins has been an advocate for transgender and gender diverse inclusion as a member of the Perth Frontrunners, as well as her advocacy in school communities.

Cummins thanked her trans and gay son, saying he’d opened her up to a beautiful world that she loved being part of.

The final award of the day was for President or Club Leader of the Year which went to Callan Kneale from hockey team The Pythons.

Barnes said Kneale had providing outstanding leadership as the club’s co-president and created genuine belonging for club members.

Reflecting on the first outing of the awards, Justin Barnes from Team Perth said the experience of putting together the event had been an emotional experience.

“I have been dreaming about a day when we can finally showcase the exceptional, talented and wonderful people and organisations that put in the effort and contribute in creating safe places for LGBTQIA+ people to participate in sport.”

“I am delighted and thrilled to share our winners; however, I stress that all of the submissions melted my heart and every single person and organisation judged has honestly done incredible things.”

“People forget that communities, especially our LGBTQIA+ sporting community, are run purely by volunteers. Their contribution to our community is second to none and we need to celebrate every one of them.”

“I cannot thank our allies and supporters enough, such as our wonderful sponsor XCEED Real Estate. People think mentioning them so much is due to their monetary contribution, but the reality is that organisations like XCEED Real Estate, who outwardly champion our community, create safety for their own employees while also contributing outwardly and helping drive inclusion.”

“These awards make clear to our community and to the world exactly what our LGBTQIA+ sporting community stands for: strength, visibility, unity and pride. They highlight our readiness—not just for today, but for the future—and that momentum will carry us all the way to the Perth 2030 Gay Games, which our community cannot wait to celebrate.”

“It was a huge task for our judges. I am so thankful to them for signing up to this process and being such an important part of these awards.” Barnes said.

The post Champions celebrated at the LGBTQIA+ Sports Awards appeared first on OUTinPerth.

The name and theme of this the, Walkern Wirin, means Rainbow Spirit in Noongar language and was created to honour all LGBTIQA+ First Nations people, as well as the beautiful friends and family supporting them.

The multi-faceted event featured many different parts including interviews, a fun quiz experience, as well as DJs and amazing performers.

Tanesha Bennell, Aboriginal Community Organiser Rainbow Futures, hosted the quiz night section of the evening, while earlier Dr Misty Farquhar interviewed television host and journalist Narelda Jacobs.

Jacobs and her wife, communications specialist Karina Natt, have just published a satirical picture book for adults and kids titled If Queers Weren’t Meant to Have Kids.  

The entertainment line up for the big night included Boorloo Ballroom sensation Conway Chunnery, drag star Miss Phoria, plus DJs DJ Bordean, DJ Onike, DJ Agapantha and DH E-V.

Declaration: OUTinPerth co-editor Graeme Watson is an employee of ECU.

The post Indigenous Pride takes centre stage at Walkern Wirin appeared first on OUTinPerth.

As one of the longest-standing staff members at The Moon Café and a pillar of the LGBTQI+ community, Marc has welcomed generations of late-night diners with kindness, humour, and his signature sparkle.

This weekend Marc will be taking part in the Pride Parade for the 37th time, but after the disco music stops, and the glitter is swept away, he’s going to need some help.

Marc’s impact on our community reaches far beyond the walls of The Moon, he’s one of the pioneers of LGBTIQA+ pride in Western Australia.

In October 1989, when being openly gay carried real fear and consequences, Marc was one of the original 300 people who marched to the steps of the Western Australian Parliament, calling for the end of discriminatory laws targeting gay men and called for the passing of the Law Reform Bill.

That historic protest became the seed that grew into Perth’s first Pride Parade, and Marc has marched every single year since.

For 35 years, you could count on Marc, marching at Pride, decorating The Moon Cafe, and giving everything he had to celebrate his community’s visibility, resilience and joy.

He is, quite literally, part of Western Australia’s LGBTQI+ history.

A Tough Diagnosis

Last month, after weeks of feeling unwell and undergoing numerous hospital tests, Marc received difficult news:

He has been diagnosed with cancer.

As a self-described “tough old bitch”, in true Marc style, he has refused to let this diagnosis dim Pride Month. For the 37th time, Marc will march in the parade and soak up November, his favourite month of the year.

Treatment will begin in December, right after Pride.

Why his Moon Cafe family are asking for help

Marc is a proud, independent man who would never ask for support himself.

With most of his family interstate, no car, and only a small support network, we are coming together to help him through the months ahead. Treatment and recovery will bring new pressures, physical, emotional and financial.

His friends and colleagues hope to raise funds for transport to and from hospital, groceries and meal deliveries, rent and utilities, medical and recovery expenses and day-to-day living costs while he undergoes treatment.

Marc has spent decades uplifting others, often quietly, without fanfare. Now, it’s our turn to show up for him.

If you can contribute, no matter how small, it will make a meaningful difference.

Head to the GoFundMe Page.

The post Marc Highett is ready for Pride, but after that celebration he needs some help appeared first on OUTinPerth.

The gathering also celebrated 10 years of the event which was started by a small group of volunteers before being taken over by Pride WA to a few years ago.

The packed gathering heard that the monthly door prize was backpacks filled with PVC gear donated by one of the event’s sponsors, before host Joey Kessler looked back at his notes at corrected his announcement to PPE gear!

The packed room celebrated long into the evening as Perth’s annual PrideFEST celebrations got underway.

The post Pride Networking Drinks celebrates 10 years appeared first on OUTinPerth.