City of Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said it was inspiring to see the community come together in such a powerful show of support.
 
“The Pride Parade is always one of the brightest nights on Perth’s calendar – and this year’s celebration was truly extraordinary,” Reynolds said.
 
“Our City of Light shone brilliantly as Northbridge transformed into a sea of colour, energy, and inclusion. Congratulations to Pride WA for once again creating an event that brings people together and reminds us that Perth is a place where everyone can proudly be themselves.
 
“Further strengthening our reputation as a city of inclusion, Perth has officially won its bid to host the Gay Games in 2030 – a global event that will bring together thousands of participants and spectators from around the world,” he said.

The Lord Mayor made many appearances during the festival appearing at the Pride Walk & Run, Fairday and other events.

Saturday night’s parade saw over 100 floats weaving their way through the streets of Northbridge with a sound of disco tunes and a display a rainbow colours.

Take a look at some of the photos from the big event.

The post Perth’s Pride Parade brings Northbridge streets to life appeared first on OUTinPerth.

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.

The performer had an extensive career in vaudeville, cabaret and the theatre, as well as appearing in films and on television. She appeared on stage in memorable roles in Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver, and My Fair Lady, while on television she appeared in Number 96, The Unisexers and The Last Frontier.

She had been awarded the Order of Australia for fer service to the entertainment industry, and a centenary medal for her service to the arts community, alongside many other accolades.

Lamond was born into a show business family in 1932. Her mother was comedian Stella Lamond, hee father was actor Joe Lawman.

Her career began as a child performer singing on the radio and soon she was working on the Tivoli theatre circuit and appearing in vaudeville and cabaret shows.

She made her name in musical theatre starring in productions of Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pajama Game and Gypsy.

One of her career milestones came in 1961 when she stepped in and compared the nightly variety show In Melbourne Tonight making her the first woman anywhere to host such a show.

Her career took her around the globe, she appeared in the US series Murder She Wrote, and spent time living in both the United Kingdom and the USA. She made her New York stage debut at the age of 67 when she appeared in Cabaret.

Upon returning to Australia she appeared in many more productions including 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, and My Fair Lady. She worte several volumes of her memoirs and also created a one-woman show about her life.

Her step-sister was the Australian singer Helen Reddy, who died in 2020 at the age of 78. She is survived by her son, the actor Tony Sheldon, best known for his long running role on the musical version of Priscilla – Queen of the Desert.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford was one of many well know Australians playing tribute to her long career.

“Very sad to hear of showbiz legend Toni Lamond’s death at 93. What a life and career! A list of TV, stage and movie credits as long as your arm – both here and overseas.” Ford said on social media.

Marty Fields, the son of fellow vaudevillians Maurie Fields and Val Jellay also paid tribute.

“So saddened to learn of the passing of Toni Lamond. A great friend to our family for decades, sister to Helen Reddy, and multitalented veteran of the Australian showbiz scene. A legend. Vale.’ he wrote.

Actor Sally-Anne Upton, who is currently performing in Black Swan State Theatre Company’s production Carol also shared her recollections of working with Lamond.

“Honoured to have worked with Toni on a one-off Cabaret event with a full symphony orchestra — an unforgettable experience. Her warmth, generosity and knockout stage presence stay with me always.” Upton said.

Todd McKenney, currently appearing in the Perth season of Cats also recalled a close friendship with Lamond.

“I owe her so much of my career success.” McKenney posted to Instagram. “To say Toni was just a mentor of mine would be a gross understatement. Back when I was starting out in theatre, in the musical 42nd Street, she took me under her wing and taught me how to connect with an audience and how to deliver a gag!

“She gave me the confidence to be myself on stage and I’ll be forever grateful for that. I really thought twice about posting about Toni’s passing but I want to publicly express my gratitude to her for teaching me the ropes in a way she knew I would benefit from.” he shared. 

The post Australian performer Toni Lamond has died aged 93 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.

Inside the fish tank inside the Big Brother House Dierdre was worried, the other three fish-mates were all opting to swim near the top of the tank while she plunged to the bottom.

Her depth reflected her mood, after three weeks inside this tank with the other goldfish she’d had enough of their petty squabbles and overblown egos.

She didn’t mind Russell so much, they had a lot in common. Golden orange scales and flowing fins, they could have been siblings. She found his jokes to be hilarious.

Timothy on the other hand was doing her head in, what a total kipper he was. It wasn’t his endless swaying back at forth through the water that grinded her gears, more his incessant singing. For days on end he’d been doing on his own recreation of Nikki Minaj songs from over a decade ago.

When it came to Gloria, the fourth remaining fish-mate Deirdre was undecided. They’d gone on a long swim together and found they had a lot in common. They both had orange complexions and a deep interest in bubbles.

But Gloria was adoring Timothy and they were increasingly spending all their time together. When Timothy launched into his fiftieth rendition of Starships – just to be additionally annoying, Diedre had sought revenge by hiding his toothbrush in the rock at the bottom of the tank, but Timothy soon found it. Dierdre suspected that Gloria had tipped him off.

Now she worried that the toothbrush incident would lead to her getting nominated for eviction, and if Timothy could convince Russell to turn on her, she’d probably be scooped out of the tank on Sunday night. She felt Gloria was a lost cause, she’s completely under Timothy’s spell.

She took a moment to look at the bubbles passing though the tank and she wondered what people outside would be making of all of this drama.

She really missed Petunia, who had been voted off after the first week in the tank. it was no secret that Deirdre had quickly developed a huge crush on the bigger goldfish. At least he she was evicted this week she could catch up with Petunia in a different tank, they’d really hit it off.

“Bring on Sunday” she thought, “If I’m going to go, I’m going to go.”

Determined to go out with a bang, she swan upwards towards the spot where Gloria, Russell and Timothy were swirling about. It was time she had it out with Timothy, her heart was now beating like a drum and she was heading his way, but she was going to lay down the law, her law, it was time for Timothy to sing a different song.

The post Big Brother: The Alternative Version appeared first on OUTinPerth.

The parade will involve a mix of community groups, businesses, individuals as well. The parade will make its way from Russell Square down Aberdeen Street, round on to William Street, and then along James Street.

The popular viewing points are along Williams Street and James Street. The live commentary will be taking place from the Pride Pizza on the corner of Lake Street and James Street.

Entertainment in Northbridge begins from 6pm, the Smoking Ceremony to commence the parade is at 7:45pm and the floats will start rolling around 8pm. It is expected to finish around 9:30pm

If you can’t make into the city the parade will be live streamed at So Perth

The Official Party

The official Pride WA party will be at Russell Square immediately after the parade. Access is only via James Street entry from 9:30pm. No tickets are required and entry is free.

Connections Band of Gold party

Connections are in the midst of celebrating their 50th year and there 2025 Pride celebration promises to be epic too. They’ve got Alexas Armstrong, Barbie Q, Bushrat, Delvira Midnight, Ella Nova, Flynn V, Haydn, Kandi Kisses, Lotta Voltage, Moesha, Rudi, Serenity Von Varda, Veronica Jean Jones, Yolky Kid and 6 Inch Minx! Plus on their DJ line up is Scout, Amanda Power, Hello Sailor, DJ Tasty, Boston Le Rouge and Jaydream!. Tickets are available.

The Court Pride Street Party

The Court’s party features Hannah Conda, Rojar, Bang Bang, Kayty Banks with Fay Rocious, Cougar Morrison, Donna Kebab, Sassie Cassie, Bebe Babow, Jovi, Brandyn and Jesse. There will be a takeover by Poof Doof, a silent disco, drag shows, karaoke and food trucks. Tickets are still available.

The Brass Monkey’s Yassss Qween Party

Head to this event if you want some Balcony views of the parade going by and then stay on to party into the night. They’ll be a packed dancefloor and multiple DJs.

Steamworks

Steamworks Fluid Pride Party is completely sold out, they’ve got Matthew Pope and Lotta Voltage on their bill alongside Miss Cara and Samuel Angoran on the decks.

Frisk Small Bar

This year Frisk came out, nailing the rainbow colours to the mask, we’ve always oved getting a drink there, especially on Pride night. This year they’ve got Drag Bingo with Blake Cassette ahead of the parade from 4pm – 6pm, and will then be partying on through the night. They’ve developed some cocktails for the occasion, order a Lipstick, Cumdrop or a Transition.

The post Get ready for the Pride Parade and so many parties 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.

Artistic Director Maitland Schnaars was enthusiastic about the program for the year ahead.

“2026 will see the continued growth and development of Yirra Yaakin as a significant theatre company with its ongoing and deep commitment to telling Aboriginal stories our way, and creating opportunities for Aboriginal artists both on and off stage.”

Schnaars is excited to announce that the season features “three amazing, contemporary and powerful mainstage productions that speak to who we are, where we come from, and where we’re going. These stories all WA premieres, deserve to be seen, shared, and celebrated and explore themes as varied as Father/Daughter relationships, tick a box Blackfullas and Black exploitation.”

Opening the year is Katie Beckett’s Which Way Home, a heartfelt journey of love, legacy, and belonging. It is a beautiful Father-Daughter road trip, based on Beckett’s own memories of growing up with her single Aboriginal father.

The company said it was a story infused with humour and heart as the pair reconnect on the drive back to Country. Which Way Home features real life father and daughter and much-loved Yirra Yaakin performers Derek and Shaquita Nannup. This personal story offers profound insight into father-daughter relationships and challenges traditional ideas of parenthood. The season runs from 28 April to 9 May in The Studio space at Subiaco Arts Centre.

At What Cost? by Nathan Maynard is the second production of the year and is set in Tasmania and raises the issues of ‘tick-a-box blacks’ and asks what it is to be Aboriginal? Every year, more people turn up claiming to be Palawa, where have they been all this time? Are they genuine? Or just ticking a box? Who gets to decide who is Aboriginal or not? What happens when your identity is up for debate?

Maynard’s bold an unflinching play asks these urgent questions. At What cost? is presented in the main auditorium at Subiaco Arts Centre from 17 July to 1 August.

The company will finish the year with Jacky by Declan Furber Gillick, a co-production with Black Swan State Theatre Company, a razor-sharp tale about the cost of keeping it all together.

Jacky is a smart, enterprising young Aboriginal man making a life for himself in the city. He’s skilfully navigating the gig economy, skipping neatly from office internships to cultural performances to sex work. But when his little brother Keith shows up unannounced, Jacky’s carefully compartmentalised lives are thrown into chaos. This, funny and unflinching play about family, work and culture, explores the compromises we are prepared to make to survive as Aboriginal people. 

The play which tackles multiple themes around race and society has been highly praised when its been performed in Melbourne and Sydney. This production will be co-directed by Maitland Schnaars and Black Swan’s Artistic Director Kate Champion.

Jacky runs from 23 October to 8 November in the main auditorium at Subiaco Arts Centre.

To complement the year Yirra Yaakin will continue to run our Community, Young Artists’, Education, and Emerging Storytellers’ programs.

In 2026, they will continue their commitment to regional WA. The 7 Stages Of Grieving by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman, is scheduled (subject to funding), for a regional tour reaching as far north as Karratha and as south as Margaret River.

For more information please visit www.yirrayaakin.com.au. Tickets are available here.

The post Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company plan big bold stories for 2026 appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Following on from her success with Barracking for the Umpire, which has been staged on two occasions by the company, Gibbs has once again created a story which is incredibly funny while at the same time head on tackles some serious issues.

It’s about the joy of Christmas, family gatherings, traditions and connections, while at the same time delivering emotional scenes about deception in relationships, making fresh starts, homelessness and empowerment of women.

The show opens with Santa unexpectedly dropping in, and he’s delivering a musical number. Mark Storen is an ocker, bogan, rough around the edges take on Santa.

The first section of the show is a stand up comedy set from Santa, it’s simply captivating and Storen had everyone’s complete attention. Santa really does know who has been naught and who has been nice. He can separate the good from the bad, even in this modern world.

He serves as an opening act for the bigger story, and remains as our guide as we dive into the world of the titular Carol.

Sally-Anne Upton, known to many as Lucy Gambaro on TV’s Wentworth, plays the grandmother who hosts her multi-generational family at her house every Christmas. The traditions of long established, what they eat, who undertakes which roles, who does the cooking and who goes and gets the ice.

Filling out the cast is Bruce Denny, Isaac Diamond, and Ruby Henaway who play a variety of characters, while Diamond joins Musical Director Jackson Harper Griggs on stage to provide a live musical soundtrack. The stage hands who leap into to move the set around to create a wide variety of locations are also part of the cast. Some of them even get names – you’re a star Marzipan! (you have to see the show).

This year for Carol is different, there’s been big changes in her life, she’s faced a mountain of challenges that she did not see coming, and they’re so humungous, they’re even going to change Christmas.

Andrea Gibbs has spoken about her desire to create a story about a woman later in life, noting that women over the age of fifty-five are the fastest growing group of people in Australia without secure housing.

She created this story after speaking to many women who had experienced housing challenges in their fifties and sixties, before putting pen to paper to create this story. Cleverly she’s found a way to present us with a very serious and hard-hitting topic, while also bringing in a mountain of joy.

Upton’s engaging performance is central to the plays success, as Carol she’s bold and brassy, but you also have an overwhelming urge to just go and give her a hug. By half way through the play, we’d completely fallen in love with Carol.

Director Adam Mitchell has described this as a small story that speaks to something much bigger. It tackles a serious topic, but it does with a mountain of love, festive cheer and hope for the future. A great way for Black Swan to sign off 2025.

Sally-Anne Upton takes hoe the award for Grandma of the Year, Mark Storen wins Best Santa Ever.

Carol is playing at the State Theatre Centre until 14th December. Tickets are on sale now.

Photographs: Daniel J Grant.

The post Black Swan ends the year on a high with ‘Carol’ 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.

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