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It’s more important than ever to show support for the LGBTI community in the Sunshine State, and it intends to throw down the welcome mat this year during the Brisbane Pride Festival.

Being held in September for the first time — having previously been held in June — the local LGBTI community will host a month of events in the warmer part of the year, with the highlight being the parade, Fair Day and the official after-party on Sunday, September 16. The theme of the festival will be “We Are Family”.

“This year’s Brisbane Pride Festival is set to be a new, vibrant and positive event for a community that needs it so very much in Queensland at the moment,” Pride president Deeje Hancock said.

“We want to issue an invite to all our southern brothers and sisters to come up and join us for the festival, forget the politics and have fun with your extended LBGTI family. We need your support.”

Starting from the Wickham Hotel at 11am, this year’s procession will be in the form of a protest parade. Brisbane Pride is now welcoming themed floats and entries celebrating the community’s diversity. They’re also hoping interstate visitors will join the celebration.

The parade’s destination is Fair Day at Perry Park, Bowen Hills, returning after a hiatus which saw it replaced with the non-Pride Carnivale last year.

“Pride is encouraging everyone to come out and be part of the family,” Hancock said. “From prams to chaps, bears to babies, it’s time for Queenslanders to join together in a celebration of our community’s unique cultural diversity.”

After Fair Day, the official after-party will be held at the Wickham Hotel — a short stroll away.

The Wickham has big plans for the event, with the introduction of a sideshow-themed outdoor “extravaganza area” similar to its popular Big Gay Day event. The Dunk a Drag fundraiser also looks likely to draw plenty of laughs.

See Brisbane in bloom

The first ever Brisbane Rainbow Memorial Garden event was held last month as part of a commemoration of Stonewall and saw LGBTI community members and their friends visit Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens for the symbolic planting of seedlings representing loved ones lost. When the Brisbane Pride Festival is underway in September, the garden will be in full bloom.

Other Key Events

Mr Gay Oz: The Mr Gay Oz competition will scour Australia for the ‘boy next door’ during Brisbane Pride this year.

Art: A Pride art show will run at South Brisbane’s Art Factory, September 7 – 12.

Bears Get Balls: BrisBears will hold a Bearfoot Bowls Community Challenge at Merthyr Bowls Club in New Farm on Sunday, September 9.

INFO: Brisbane Pride Festival runs September 1-30, with the parade, party and Fair Day on Sunday, September 16. More at www.brisbanepridefestival.com.au