Greg Anderson, Endeavour Group & Kylie Le Lievre, Drinks Assoc.
As part of Pride Month celebrations, the Pride in Drinks committee visited Qtopia in Sydney and the Victorian Pride Centre in Melbourne. These two remarkable spaces are dedicated to preserving and celebrating LGBTQIA+ history and culture.
Sydney: A visit to Qtopia
A special thank you to committee member Greg Anderson of Endeavour Group, a proud sponsor of Qtopia, for inviting us to tour the Sydney space.
Located in the former Darlinghurst Police Station on Forbes Street, Qtopia Sydney officially opened its permanent home in 2024, launched with the support of former NRL player Ian Roberts and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore. As the world's largest centre dedicated to queer history and culture, Qtopia features immersive exhibitions, performances and installations exploring themes of activism, identity, human rights, media representation, the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the ongoing pursuit of equality.
The print by artist Jeremy Smith is titled, Queer Sydney: A History.
One of the most powerful aspects of the experience is the tribute to the 78ers. The brave activists who participated in the first Mardi Gras protest in 1978. Many were arrested following the march, with some detained at the very police station that now houses Qtopia. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder of the progress that has been achieved and the importance of continuing to champion inclusion and respect.
The "Joyce Maynge 25" installation celebrates the 25-year career of drag icon Joyce Maynge (the alter-ego of Shane Pascoe).
A particularly moving exhibition honours the late David Polson, Qtopia Sydney's Emeritus Founding Chair and one of the first 400 Australians diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The Dr David Cooper AIDS installation pays tribute to the pioneering doctor whose work helped save Polson's life and transformed HIV/AIDS treatment for people across the globe.
The HIV/AIDS Memorial stands as both a remembrance and a celebration of those lost to HIV/AIDS.
Thanks to Scott Whitmont, Community Engagement Manager at Qtopia Sydney, for hosting the visit and providing such valuable insights into the history, resilience and ongoing contributions of Australia's LGBTQIA+ community. With Qtopia's Pride Fest currently on and BWS a proud partner, we'd encourage you to head down and experience it for yourself. For more information visit qtopiasydney.com.au.
Melbourne: A visit to the Victorian Pride Centre
In Melbourne, the Committee toured the iconic The Victorian Pride Centre located in the vibrant area of St Kilda. CEO Paul Horwell gave a tour of the complex which houses important community organisations such as Minus18, Pride Foundation Australia, JOY FM, Thorne Harbour Health Switchboard Victoria and the Australian Queer Archives - the only curated queer archive in the country. The centre also features a rotation of queer artists showcasing their works.
The VPC and many of their resident organisations are fully self-funded, relying entirely on community support through patrons and public fundraising to keep providing their excellent services. With EOFY approaching, consider supporting them with a tax deductible donation.
Loud and Proud Range
Pernod Ricard, Treasury Wine Estates, Asahi and Endeavour Group joined their pride forces for the annual Loud & Proud range in support of the Australian Pride Foundation.
Through the campaign, a donation is made from every sale of Absolut, Squealing Pig and Brookvale Union products at Dan Murphy’s and BWS contributed to a total donation of $250,000, helping to support LGBTQIA+ people in regional and First Nations communities across Australia.