ACON at Sydney Mardi Gras Parade 2020
ACON’s ENDING HIV ‘THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITIES’ | 35th ANNIVERSARY FLOAT
In 2020, ACON’s float in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will showcase our latest Ending HIV campaign, ‘Thank You’, as well as celebrating our 35th anniversary. Since our establishment in 1985, ACON has been working with our communities to support their health and wellbeing. We are a fiercely proud community organisation. For our entire history, ACON has been of, and for, the communities we work with. Our early years were defined by the community coming together to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in NSW, and as we have grown we have been proud to work with a diverse range of people to ensure their voice, heart and health needs are represented in the work that we do. In 2019, NSW saw the lowest HIV rates on record since surveillance began. That’s because our communities mobilised around keeping themselves and their partners safe. In 2020, our 35th year, it matters to us to say ‘thank you’.
FIRST NATIONS FLOAT
The First Nations Float, produced by ACON’s Aboriginal Project, will once again lead the parade and will feature a host of Indigenous celebrities, community figures, community members and supporters.
PRIDE INCLUSION PROGRAMS
ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs, which supports corporates, sporting organisations and healthcare providers, returns to the Mardi Gras Parade this year with float celebrating their 10-year anniversary. The float will showcase Pride Inclusion Program’s Pride in Diversity, Pride In Sport and Pride in Health+Wellbeing and will comprise of member organisations, allies and supporters.
Mardi Gras Parade, Saturday, 29 February, 7.30pm, Oxford and Flinders Sts, Darlinghurst and Moore Park
ACON at Sydney Mardi Gras Party 2020
This year’s Mardi Gras Party is set to be one of the biggest yet, and ACON will be there to help ensure our community keep well and stay safe. We’ll be on hand with information and resources at the ACON Info Desk. The ACON Tradies will be handing out safe sex packs throughout the night. And, of course, ACON Rovers will be patrolling the party to provide information, support and assistance.
ACON is also supporting the Fair Play project, which is a partnership between Mardi Gras, Inner City Legal Centre and ACON. There will be a strong police presence at the MG Party. Through this project we work closely with police to make sure the community is treated fairly and with respect. Fair Play volunteers provide drug law and rights info to Mardi Gras partygoers and support people who get strip searched or arrested. There will be a Fair Play tent at the entry to the party as with previous years. Find out more about Fair Play here.
Mardi Gras Party, Saturday 29 February, 10pm-late, Playbill Venues and Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
ACON at Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival 2020
ACON, NSW’s leading HIV and sexuality and gender diverse health organisation, is a long-standing partner of Queer Screen. In 2020, we are proud once again to present several key films at this year’s Mardi Gras Film Festival, running from February 13 to 27.
5B
4pm, Sat 15 Feb – Event Cinemas, George Street
Presented by ACON
Book tickets here
5B is the story of Ward 5B: the forerunner for genuine human care for patients living with HIV in San Francisco. With a lack of knowledge about the virus at the time, doctors and nurses risked infection to provide this basic care. This heartfelt documentary brings a new, personal perspective to the early days of the HIV epidemic in the USA.
The Archivettes
5pm, Sun 16 Feb – Dendy Newtown, King Street
Presented by The LOVE Project
Book tickets here
This documentary is the story behind the Lesbian Herstory Archives, which tells the story of Deborah Edel and Joan Nestle who co-founded, in their own apartment, a library of artefacts that speak to the lesbian experience. The film helps to reinforce the importance of community and inspires viewers to participate and understand more about not only lesbian, but LGBTIQ+ history.
Song Lang
6:30pm, Mon 17 Feb – Event Cinemas, George Street
Presented by ACON: Here For Asian Gay Men
Book tickets here
Song Lang tells the story of an underworld debt collector and an opera singer whose paths cross in 1980s Saigon. The film is a gorgeous and dreamy melodrama of two men who unexpectedly find solace in each other’s company.
Straight Up
8.30pm, Thur 20 Feb – Dendy Newtown, King Street
Presented by ACON’s SPARK.
Book tickets here
What could possibly go wrong when despite all evidence to the contrary, a young gay man believes the answers to his loneliness could be found by going straight? This super-witty and urbane comedy, which is having its Australian premiere at the Mardi Gras Film Festival, is all about setting up camp within your own boundaries.
Changing the Game
1pm, Sun 23 Feb – Event Cinemas, George Street
Presented by ACON’s Pride in Sport
Book tickets here
Changing the Game is a timely and urgent documentary following three transgender teens fighting for their right to compete in the sports they love. Supported by their families, friends, and coaches, but facing discrimination from parents of other children and the media, the film ultimately becomes a striking portrait of three teens chasing their dreams in a world yet to catch up to them.
The Glass Room
7pm, Wed 26 Feb – Event Cinemas, George Street
Presented by ACON LGBTIQ Women’s Health Projects
Book tickets here
Shot on location at the historic Villa Tugendhat in the Czech Republic, this film captures the unwavering hope of love as seen through the eyes of Hana and Liesel who share an intense friendship which frequently verges on more.
The 27th Mardi Gras Film Festival, presented by Queer Screen, runs from 13-27 February. For the full program, visit the Queer Screen website here
Bingay | ACON Fundraiser
BINGAY PRIDE – WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2020 – SOLD OUT
Join us as we get into the Mardi Gras spirit with a special rainbow edition of Bingay … BINGAY PRIDE! On Wednesday 26 February – during Mardi Gras Week – we’re camping it up to the max as we celebrate the wonderful diversity, strength and all-around fabulousness of our communities. Expect lots of rainbow paraphernalia and gay pride anthems. It’s the perfect warm-up to the parade so bring your whole float.
DATE: Wednesday 26 February 2020
TIME: 7pm-late
LOCATION: The Beresford, 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills
TICKETS: $20 all games, all night with 100% of proceeds supporting ACON
BOOK: www.bingay.org.au
UPDATE: ALLOCATION EXHAUSED – TICKETS ARE NOW SOLD OUT
NB: PLEASE NOTE THE DAY FOR THIS SPECIAL MARDI GRAS EDITION OF BINGAY IS WEDNESDAY (NOT OUR USUAL THURSDAY). SEE YOU THERE!
BINGAY CELEBRATES ST PATRICK’S DAY – THURSDAY 12 MARCH 2020
Join us on Thursday 12 March for our first St Patrick’s Day edition of Bingay. To help us ring in Ireland’s iconic holiday, we have teamed up with Sydney Queer Irish to deliver a knock-out, green-themed Bingay. We’ll be turning The Beresford into an emerald wonderland, complete with a camp Irish pop soundtrack.
DATE: Thursday 12 March 2020
TIME: 7pm-late
LOCATION: The Beresford, 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills
TICKETS: $20 all games, all night with 100% of proceeds supporting ACON
BOOK: www.bingay.org.au
ABOUT BINGAY
Bingay is gay bingo which means there’s classic disco tunes, weird rules and penalties, outrageous antics, hilarious repartee, deliciously lewd bingo calls, and prizes that range from the silly and camp to great theatre tickets and restaurant vouchers.
Bingay hostess Charisma Belle oversees the madcap proceedings and Bingay’s long time barrel babe Naomi Palmer spins the balls and sings up a storm.
Bingay takes over the upstairs bar of The Beresford Darlinghurst on the second Thursday of every month, with each monthly event having a fabulously flamboyant theme.
Bingay’s balls first dropped in 1999, making it one of Sydney’s longest running LGBTQ community events + it raises money for our HIV and LGBTQ health services.
So whether you’re a regular or a novice, or a local or visitor to Sydney, if you’re up for a wonderfully camp mid-week entertainment experience, then you can’t go wrong with Bingay.
For more information and bookings, visit the Bingay website here
TransHub – Official Launch
Join us on Trans Day of Visibility to launch TransHub, a ground-breaking new digital platform for all trans & gender diverse (TGD) people in NSW, our loved ones, allies and health professionals.
Presented in partnership with Trans Pride Australia and featuring imbi the girl, Jordan Raskopoulos, DJ Passionpop, speakers, refreshments and community celebration.
Trans Day of Visibility is celebrated on 31 March every year. It is a day to celebrate TGD people around the world, our stories and our achievements.
Date & Time: Tuesday 31 March 2020 | 6pm – 9pm
Location: The Barnet Long Room, Customs House, Circular Quay
LOVE Club Gathering
The LOVE Club Gathering is a community activity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people who are 55 plus, their supporters and friends. The Gathering aims is to create a safe, respectful and welcoming space to share regular social time and activities.
All sexualities, gender identities, cultures and backgrounds are welcome. The LOVE Club is all about maintaining connections, making new ones and building ongoing support networks. Activities may include:
- Sharing lived experiences and stories
- Writing, arts or music
- Supporting physical and emotional wellbeing
- Field trips
- Intergenerational conversations
- Community speakers
This is a new community initiative and one that will evolve with time and community input. Led by community, for community! Donations welcome.
When: Every fourth Thursday of the month starting Thursday 23 January.
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm
Location: ACON Ground floor Café 414 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills
For enquiries contact Russ Gluyas: T: (02) 9206 2017 | E: rgluyas@acon.org.au
Border Pride Fair Day Registration
Border Pride Fair Day returns for the third time to Albury Wodonga, and will coincide with International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). This is an outstanding, family friendly, fun, and community-based event that will bring together local community, businesses, artists, and community services to provide entertainment for all who attend. The event builds on the second Border Pride Fair Day in 2018, which included over 30 stalls, local talent, and a community pet show!
The event will be held at QEII Square Saturday 16th May, from 10am – 3pm.
About the Alliance:
The Alliance, established in 2017, brings together lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer people, plus people of all other sexualities and genders, as well as services, and local government from the Albury Wodonga region. We promote equality, inclusive communities, andare committed to advocacy, education and the development of quality and equitable service provision. Members of the Alliance include: Hume Phoenix, WayOut Wodonga, ACON, AlburyCity Council, NSW Police, Victoria Police, City of Wodonga, Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Gateway Health, Murray PHN, and Albury Wodonga Health.
Note:
- This year stalls hosted by not-for-profits and other services providers will have a focus on being entertaining and interactive. We ask that stallholders think about an activity they can run at their stall during the day to engage with the community.
- Stallholders will be required to bring all that is needed to set up their stall – including marquee, tables, and chairs.
- There are limited powered sites available, and these will be allocated with priority to food vendors, on a first come, first serve basis.
- All stallholders will receive an email containing an information pack before the end of February.
If you have any questions, or require more information, please contact Tyson on tarapali@acon.org.au
Applications close Monday 25 April 2020
