Glitter Fest up for debate
THE Gold Coast’s annual celebration of gay pride is facing the axe – but only because organisers say it is something championed year round nowadays.
In the wake of Australia’s historic overwhelming ‘yes’ vote in favour of legalising same-sex marriage, the Arts Centre Gold Coast is weighing up whether to continue the annual Glitter Festival.
The event, which has run the past two years, wasn’t held in its normal timeslot last month.
Arts Centre director of marketing, partnerships and engagement Lindsay Wallace said it was because of space and logistical issues arising from Arts Centre renovations and construction of the city’s new cultural precinct.
But she also revealed the festival’s long-term future as an annual event was up for discussion in terms of whether a concentrated celebration of the gay and lesbian community was still necessary.
“The festival was initially built to celebrate members of that LGBT community,” she said.
“It was really more about being able to talk about their identity in a safe place where they weren’t under the watchful eye of a critical audience.
“We continue to do that every day through different artistic elements whether performance based, visual or conversation series.
“I wouldn’t say Glitter Festival is dead in the water, we just haven’t made that call,” she said.
Ms Wallace said in discussions with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community it emerged they would prefer the vibe of the Glitter Festival be something always considered as part of the year-round program “rather than a couple of days of condensed activity”.
The result of the vote on Wednesday – in which 7.8 million Australians voted for legalising gay marriage and 4.8 million voted against – has sparked vigorous debate on the Gold Coast over how to best target the so-called pink tourism dollar.
Gay Gold Coast public relations supremo Andrew Meadow has said the city didn’t need to go to the level of Port Douglas, known for its gay-friendly resorts and festival events, but “we are resting on our laurels”.
Meanwhile, the yes lobby is hoping federal Parliament will pass legislation before it rises at the end of the year.
Yesterday, Gold Coastbased Federal Minister Steve Ciobo posted to Facebook clarifying he would be voting to legalise same-sex marriage.
“The people of Moncrieff, like the balance of Australia, voted yes to same sex marriage. I have said consistently there is no point asking people to have their say and then ignoring their message. They voted yes, and as the elected representative of the seat, I will vote yes,” Mr Ciobo wrote.