What's On for Pride Amplified

In addition to the program of official Sydney WorldPride events and offerings, Pride Amplified offers a directory of LGBTQIA+ satellite events happening alongside WorldPride and Mardi Gras. The lineup includes offerings such as performances, exhibitions, film screenings, and conferences. Here’s a list of some highlights of the upcoming Pride Amplified program.

From the 17th to the 26th of February, stop by CALYX in the Royal Botanic Gardens to view Fleurs De Villes: Pride, a show-stopping display of floral garments designed by Sydney artists. Each mannequin will represent a queer icon, decked out in an outfit entirely made of flowers. On the 17th and 24th, stay late for a Floral Disco from 7pm.

For something a little more daring, Bridgeclimb Sydney is hosting a Pride Climb, with sessions from the 17th of February to the 5th of March. Climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge, snap a photo with some fabulous Drag Queens, and fly your pride flag from one of the highest points in the city. Once you finish your climb, celebrate with a complimentary drink!

When you’ve wrapped up your climb, consider celebrating at BAR BOMBAY. For one night only, on the 17th of February, surround yourself with Bollywood performances, drag queens and kings, and dance the night away at Australia’s biggest queer Bollywood dance party!

If you would prefer a quieter celebration of pride, come to one of QTPIES’s board game nights at a local library! Suitable for anyone 13 and over, these board game nights will provide a safe place for queer youth to get together, connect, and celebrate their community. Snacks and games will be provided, and entry is free! Just be sure to RSVP for one of the three sessions. Alternatively, head to Watsons Bay Library for the Sapphic Literary Lounge on February 23rd to celebrate queer authors and sapphic literature with like minded book lovers.

You could also gather some friends and head to Dendy Cinemas Newtown for Karangalan (Honour): Cultural Film Night. This event will feature a screening of the award winning film The Dance of the Two Left Feet, an emotional drama from the Philippines. With themes of love, friendship, and attraction explored through dance, the film is sure to move you.

If dance is something that interests you, you can also consider attending the Sydney Pride Dance Championships on the 3rd of March. Set in the Marrickville Town Hall, this event will feature ballroom dance events including waltz, tango, salsa, and swing. Cast your vote for your favourite dancers as you enjoy a middle eastern banquet and drinks from the bar.

Pride Amplified also includes several informative and educational events. CLOAK: Queer Science, Fashion, & Photography is an exhibition highlighting the experiences of queer people in scientific fields. A collaboration between designer Rodd Robinson and artist Cherine Fahd, the artwork features lab coats reimagined by fashion designers to tell the stories of queer scientists. This project resulted in a video work which will be displayed at the University of Technology Sydney in addition to the redesigned lab coats.

In a similar vein, An Evening with 500 Queer Scientists will dive deeper into the stories and experiences of queer scientists as they attempt to increase visibility for queer people in STEM fields. Including panels, workshops, and talks, this event will inform and inspire the next generation of queer scientists. For the past three years tickets to this event have sold out, so get yours soon!

Tackling a different topic, Celebrating Trans Allyship: What Does Trans-Affirmation Look Like? is an interactive seminar developed and delivered by community to improve Trans-Affirming practices in all elements of work and life. This event is hosted by ACON Pride Training, an organisation with 10 years of experience in the field of LGBTQIA+ inclusivity and diversity training.

If you want to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community, you could also consider attending the International Asexuality Conference, taking place on the 4th of March. Largely an online event, there will also be in-person activities including an afterparty for Aces and Aros, to celebrate the ‘A’ in LGBTQIA+.

Be sure to check out the Pride Amplified website to explore all of the events that are taking place during the WorldPride festival! For more ideas of what to do during the festival, check out our Guide to Official WorldPride Events, WorldPride: Visual Arts Highlights and Best of WorldPride Sports.