Queernarvon Pride Group hold Pride Festival in Carnarvon, as more than 100 march and dance in unity

The Gascoyne community joined forces to celebrate love and acceptance at the second annual Carnarvon Pride Festival at the weekend. Off the back of a successful inaugural event last year, the Queernarvon Pride Group committee made sure this year’s festival was bigger and brighter. On Friday, the festival kicked off with a screening of Black Divas at Camel Lane Theatre, a documentary in which six Aboriginal drag queens compete in the Miss First Nation Pageant. Rainbow flags and colour filled the streets of Carnarvon for the morning markets and pride parade on Saturday, where more than 100 people marched along the fascine to Baxter Park in support of Carnarvon’s LGBTQIA+ community. This year, St John WA’s Glambulance made an appearance at the family fun day, with Kura Bear travelling up from Perth to attend the festival. Community paramedic Sabrina Fontana said it was the first time St John WA had been involved in the local event, and she praised local volunteers who marched along with the community. “It’s great to be involved with this event, and to have the Pride ambulance up here for the event was awesome,” she said. From 7pm, partygoers attended the Tropical Fruits Party, where drag and DJ beats took over until late. Bebebabow, DJ Emma, Ayleesha Tryed and Ida-Ho lit up the stage as attendees danced the night away. Queernarvon chair Carmen Reilly said she was “so happy” with the turnout and thanked St John WA for joining the festivities. “We’ve had overwhelming support from local businesses and services. This is only our second event, but I hope it’s just the beginning,” she said.