General News
7 January, 2025
Pride float an important symbol
In amongst the bands and vintage cars of the Highland Parade returned the Pride Goldfield’s float for its second year.
Pride Goldfields is a local social and support group for the LGBTQIA+ community. This initiative is embodied by the Pride float, according to Adrian Master-Smith, which is intended to better reflect Maryborough’s community in the parade.
Mr Masterman-Smith said it’s important that Pride Goldfields is visible in the community to remind everyone that there is a queer support group in town.
“They’ve got us as a social group that supports anyone who comes along. And that includes people like the parents, grandparents, and brothers and sisters who have realised they’ve got a queer kid. They want to come along and they need some reassurance,” he said.
Mr Masterman-Smith said, while fun, there’s more to the work than the Pride float and the group’s winter Pride festival, Outburst.
“It’s about quietly being there, being supportive, normalising in a world that is very heteronormative,” he said.
While Pride Goldfield’s efforts in the parade have previously been dismissed by a vocal minority in the community, both this year and last, Mr Masterman-Smith chooses to “not give them oxygen” and instead focus on the support in the community.
“Last year there were no boos. There were more people present, and we got more cheers than I could ever have dreamt of. It was so beautiful and so encouraging,” he said.
“We really enjoy [the community’s] support. We love having you come along to Outburst. We look forward to seeing you in 2025.”
Outburst: Winter Pride Maryborough will be happening on the 20th and 21st of June, 2025.