Today, on Wear It Purple Day, the Andrews Labor Government announced ongoing support of $150,000 over three years to ChillOut Festival.
Since it began over 20 years ago, ChillOut has grown to become Australia’s number one Queer Country Pride festival.
The iconic festival has cemented Daylesford as the LGBTIQ capital of regional Australia and brings thousands of visitors annually to the area.
ChillOut is one of six large LGBTIQ community organisations that will share in over $700,000 of funding to promote LGBTIQ arts and culture and celebrate acceptance and diversity.
This funding is being delivered under the Andrews Labor Government’s Pride Events and Festivals Fund for 2019-20.
This is the first announcement under the Fund’s stream for larger, established community organisations.
Another stream for smaller, local events opens on 18 September 2019. For more information visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/pride-events-and-festivals-fund This initiative builds on Labor’s support for LGBTIQ Victorians, investing more than $82 million since 2014.
The 19/20 Victorian Budget delivered a $10.6 million package to tackle stigma and exclusion, boosting mental health and family counselling services, homelessness providers, and survivors of conversion therapy.
It also included $800,000 to community radio station JOY 94.9 to support its relocation to the Victorian Pride Centre.
Quotes attributable to Mary Anne Thomas, Member for Macedon:
"At ChillOut, thousands of visitors celebrate Queer Country Pride through a terrific program of dance parties, parades, food and wine offerings, comedy shows, live music and other entertainment".
"Victoria leads our nation on equality – and we want to give our LGBTIQ communities the chance to celebrate their diversity with festivals right across the state".