GOLD COAST PRIDE FESTIVAL 2021
The inaugural celebration that brought the community together.
From May 23 to 30, the Gold Coast came alive for its first ever Pride Week. The festival was a vibrant celebration of the LGBTIQA+ community, featuring a diverse range of events from social gatherings and parties to workshops and historic firsts for the region. It was a powerful statement of unity and a showcase of the Gold Coast's unique natural beauty.
Gold Coast Set to Shine
The Gold Coast, home to many gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and gender-diverse people, had long lacked a dedicated event for the community to gather. The 2021 Pride Week changed that. The city came alive with events for all ages, marking a new chapter of visibility and celebration.
The festival included the Genderfluid Picnic, a White Party on a yacht, various social events, a Pride Walk on the beach, and the first ever Miss Gold Coast Drag Queen Pageant at the Pride Beach Party.
Genderfluid Picnic & Community Events
The week kicked off with a picnic, guided creek walk, and activities at the beautiful Coombabah Wetlands Reserve. This event offered an opportunity for gender-questioning, gender-neutral, and gender-diverse people to gather in a low-key social setting. Designed with teen and mixed ability audiences in mind, the picnic was a collaboration with the NDIS and Seaweed Society, making it an all-inclusive, all-ages event.
Other activities over the course of the week included Paint & Sip sessions in Burleigh Heads, an LGBTIQA+ community-focused Movie World excursion, a Dracula's dinner event, and a stylish all-white party on a yacht at Marina Mirage.
The festival aimed to offer something for everyone, hosting a number of firsts for the Gold Coast, including the first ever genderfluid-focused event, the Beach Walk with Pride, and the Pride Festival itself.
Festival Highlights
The final weekend featured three unforgettable events: a Pride Walk on the beach and afterparty on Saturday May 29, and a Pride Beach Party featuring DJs and the Gold Coast's first ever Drag Queen Pageant on Sunday, concluding the festival in style.
The Drag Queen pageant saw a bevy of glamorous competitors battle it out for the crown of Miss Gold Coast in a light-hearted contest hosted by renowned local drag darling, Miss Carmen Taykett. Families and teens were also catered for with dedicated spaces and activities, while market stalls and food trucks provided information and sustenance throughout the day.
Gold Coast Pride Director, Vince Siciliani, shared his pride in presenting the city's first ever Pride Week, seeing the festival as an opportunity to do good for the community after a difficult year. Director Danni Zuvela added that they were proud to bring the event to the Gold Coast, offering something for everyone and celebrating the vibrant and diverse community.
The White Party on the Yacht
One of the festival's flagship events was the White Party, held aboard the luxury YOT Club Pontoon. Guests sailed into the sunset on the Broadwater, enjoying a night of DJs, drag queens, and glamour. A strict dress code encouraged attendees to dress to impress, with VIP tickets offering exclusive access to the upper deck for the best views of the shows.
All tickets were sold online, with a full refund policy in place in case of cancellation due to COVID-19 or other unforeseen circumstances. VIP Tickets were on sale with limited tickets remaining.
Book here: eventopia.co/event/Pride-White-Party/420827
YOT Terms apply: No cash onboard, COVID safe contact details required, photo ID, strict dress and tattoo policies.
Pride Festival Gallery
Relive the Memories
The 2021 Gold Coast Pride Festival was a historic moment for the community. Explore the gallery and remember the joy, unity, and celebration that marked the beginning of an annual tradition.