Get your Pride on in 2010

This year’s Sydney Pride festival delivers a smorgasboard of over 20 events celebrating the history of Sydney’s GLBT community, with satellite events stretching as far as Greater Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

A highlight of the festival’s historical themed events will be the Pride History Group’s forum celebrating the 40-year anniversary of the gay rights movement in Australia which began with the founding of the Daughters of Bilitis in Melbourne and the Campaign Against Moral Persecution in Sydney in 1970.

With that generation now entering its autumn years, two seminars in Sydney and Katoomba on older GLBT people and the law will educate and inform community members about recent reforms to federal legislation, while providing general information about a range of legal issues of interest to older community members.

And for those looking to celebrate Pride with a night out on the town there are parties and events throughout the festival, including a karaoke night, a ’60s-themed dance party commemorating the Stonewall Riots, and more drag shows than you could poke a stick at.

OLDER GLBT PEOPLE AND THE LAW
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16
FREE. This two-hour information session will provide generic legal information on important legal issues faced by older GLBT people. Topics will include changes to federal legislation affecting same-sex couples plus advice about wills, enduring powers of attorney, and appointments of enduring guardianship.
6pm-8pm, Hotel Gearin, 273 Great Western Highway, Katoomba

SYDNEY PRIDE FESTIVAL LAUNCH
THURSDAY, JUNE 17
FREE. Sponsored by the Sydney Star Observer, join us for the Sydney Pride Festival launch at the Stonewall Hotel’s Cocktail Bar from 7.30pm. Champagne on arrival and canapés. The history is remembered, the future is here.
7.30pm, Stonewall Hotel, 175 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

ORGY OF DRAG
FRIDAY, JUNE 18
Orgy of Drag is now in its 12th year as a Pride Week event at Stonewall Hotel. Sydney showgirls donate their time to raise funds for ACON. $5 entry to ACON and continuous shows from 9.30pm–2am. This is a night not to be missed.
9.30pm, Stonewall Hotel, 175 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

SYDNEY STINGERS TRIVIA NIGHT
FRIDAY, JUNE 18
Come and join the Sydney Stingers water polo team as they hold their inaugural Trivia Night to help take them to this year’s Gay Games in Cologne, Germany. $25 to register and book through [email protected]
7pm, -Paddington RSL, 220-232 Oxford St, Paddington.

MANHUNT BLACK PARTY 2
FRIDAY, JUNE 18
‘A Man’s Party’ dress code: Black Speedos, footy shorts or leather. DJs David Jago, Adam Love and Sandy Hotrod. Featuring the Manhunt male dancers. $25 pre-sale, $30 at the door. Tickets available at Hum Records, Sax, Bang Clothing, and Bodyline.
10pm, Arq, 16 Flinders St, Darlinghurst

PRIDE HISTORY GROUP FORUM
SATURDAY, JUNE 19
FREE. Many people believe that gay and lesbian activism in Australia began with the first Mardi Gras. It didn’t! The first openly lesbian and gay groups were formed in the extremely homophobic social environment of the early 1970s. The first was in 1970, 40 years ago this year. The first demonstration was held in 1971. Come and explore with us some of the social and political background and the consequences of the beginnings of gay and lesbian activism in Sydney.
3pm-5pm, Stonewall Hotel Cocktail Bar, 175 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

STINGERS @ AUSSIE BOYS
SATURDAY, JUNE 19
FREE. Come meet the Sydney Stingers water polo team in-store at AussieBoys on Oxford St. Help support the Stingers get to Cologne for the Gay Games and buy a raffle ticket — tickets are $2 each. Amazing prizes to be won!
1pm-3pm,  Aussie Boys, 102 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

HEAVEN SOCIAL DANCE
SATURDAY, JUNE 19
Heaven’s third birthday and charity night. Music by Dan’s Mobile DJ. Shows at 10pm, 11pm and midnight. Entry is $7 before 10pm or $10 after.
8.30pm, Northmead Bowling Club, 166 Windsor Rd, Northmead

ALL STAR TAXI SHOW
SATURDAY, JUNE 19
Join host Sandy Bottom for lucky door prizes and raffles. Gold coin donation proceeds to the Taxi Club Community Chest Fund which supports GLBT charities.
11.30pm, The Taxi Club, 40-42 Flinders St, Darlinghurst

BLESSING OF SYDNEY PRIDE FESTIVAL
SUNDAY, JUNE 20
FREE. The ‘Blessing of the Sydney Pride Festival’ will take place during a special evening service.
6.30pm,  Metropolitan Community Church, 96 Crystal St, Petersham

POLLIES FOLLIES REMEMBERS THE ’60s
SUNDAY, JUNE 20
Hosted by the legendary Polly Petrie and a cast of thousands. Gold coin donation, proceeds to Twenty 10.
7pm, Stonewall Hotel 175 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

GAY INTERFAITH SERVICE
TUESDAY, JUNE 22
FREE. Supported by the Uniting Network, Metropolitan Community Church, Dayenu and Acceptance, with the theme, ‘Strength of Friendship, Sense of Community’.
7.30pm, Seaview Street Community Hall, Seaview St, Dulwich Hill

KARAOKE @ STONEWALL
TUESDAY, JUNE 22
Sing your heart out on stage at Stonewall! Gold coin donation for the AIDS Trust.
9pm, Stonewall Hotel, 175 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

THE PRIDE ART EXHIBITION GALA OPENING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23
FREE. A range of works by emerging and established gay and lesbian artists.
6pm – 8.30pm, TAP Gallery 45 Burton St, Darlinghurst

STONEWALL MALEBOX CHARITY FUNDRAISER
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23
Sydney’s biggest pick-up night. Hosted by Keren St James and Maleman Peter. Entry by gold coin donation.
8.30pm, Stonewall Hotel, 175 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

QUEER SCREEN 2010 PRIDE SCREENING
THURSDAY, JUNE 24
Fresh from three sell-out sessions in Melbourne, From Beginning to End is a sumptuous (and slightly controversial) tale of two half-brothers who fall in love. In the spirit of Pride it’s a story that explores love in its many forms. A portion of every ticket sold will go towards raising much-needed funds for the 2011 Mardi Gras Film Festival. Presented in association with Love Films, Palace Cinemas and Stonewall Hotel.
7pm, Chauvel Cinema, Cnr of Oxford St and Oatley Rd, Paddington

BOYLESQUE
THURSDAY, JUNE 24
Featuring Wil Sabin and Daniel G. Hosted by Verushka Darling, this event will raise money for Camp Goodtime.
9pm, Stonewall Hotel, 175 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

OLDER GLBT PEOPLE AND THE LAW
FRIDAY, JUNE 25
This two-hour information session will provide generic legal information on important legal issues faced by older GLBT people. Topics will include changes to federal legislation affecting same-sex couples plus advice about wills, enduring powers of attorney, and appointments of enduring guardianship.
4pm-6pm, The Rex Centre, 58A Macleay St, Kings Cross

FRONTRUNNERS ANNUAL PRIDE RUN
SATURDAY, JUNE 26
FREE. Sydney Frontrunners are holding their annual Pride 5km run. Details: www.sydneyfrontrunners.org.
9am,  Paddington Gates of Centennial Park

PLC OPEN DAY
SATURDAY, JUNE 26
FREE. This is special opportunity for people living with and affected by HIV to see how ACON’s Postive Living Centre can help improve their health and wellbeing. The PLC has developed significantly over the last few years to become an important health promotion hub for people affected by HIV. There are heaps of new programs (many in the evening for people who work), improved facilities and lots of new faces. At the Open Day you’ll get to meet staff and find out more about the PLC’s range of free programs and services.
Noon-4pm, Positive Living Centre, 703 Bourke St, Surry Hills

STINGERS @ AUSSIE BOYS
SATURDAY, JUNE 26
FREE. Come meet the Sydney Stingers in-store at AussieBoys on Oxford Street. Help support the Stingers get to Cologne for the Gay Games and buy a raffle ticket — tickets are $2 each. Amazing prizes to be won!
1pm-3pm, Aussie Boys, 102 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

10TH ANNIVERSARY AURORA DINNER
SATURDAY, JUNE 26
The 10th anniversary Aurora Dinner with the theme ‘All you need is love’. Hosted by Helpmann and Green Room Award winner, Mitchell Butel (Avenue Q) and featuring a showstopping line-up of live performers and musicians, including the divine Tamsin Carroll (Dusty, the original pop diva), and dancing into the night with our wonderful DJ Richard Weiss. Sir Ian McKellen will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $225 per person, with corporate and community tables available. To book, email [email protected] or call 8323 4041.
6.30pm, Paddington Town Hall, Cnr of Oxford St and Oatley Rd, Paddington

STONEWALL PRESENTS- RIOT 69: THE DANCE PARTY
SATURDAY, JUNE 26
Back to where it all began! Shows, celebrities, three party levels, DJs. Hosted by Tora Hymen. Dress code: ’60s-style. A Sydney Pride Festival event for Twenty10.
9pm, Stonewall Hotel, 175 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

POLLIES FOLLIES: PRIDE FINALE
SUNDAY, JUNE 27
Hosted by the legendary Polly Petrie and a cast of thousands.
7.30pm, Stonewall Hotel, 175 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

GLBT NSW 2020 COMMUNITY FORUM
MONDAY, JUNE 28
FREE. Planning for the future of NSW’s GLBT community is the aim of a unique community initiative called GLBT NSW 2020. Over the last 18 months, organisers have consulted with a broad range of individuals and organisations, connected with the GLBT community and collected feedback from more than 1000 community members. They’re now ready to present their findings and seek ideas about how this new knowledge can help inform and coordinate the activities of our community organisations between now and 2020. This is the final stage of the initiative so if you want to help shape the future GLBT NSW, make sure you get along.
6.30pm, The Aurora Room, Twenty10, 45 Bedford St, Newtown
info: Visit www.sydneypride.org