The changing function of LGBTQI+ events

Australia hosts several world-renowned events catering to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and gender diverse (LGBTQI+) people such as Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and Melbourne Midsumma Festival. Such events enable LGBTQI+ communities to celebrate their identities, political achievements, and self-acceptance. The objective of this study was to capture how the function of LGBTQI+ events in Australia has changed over the last decade, particularly before and after the 2017 Same Sex Marriage vote. To address this objective, the annual reports of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Melbourne Midsumma Festival between 2010 and 2019 (inclusive) were analysed. Five overarching themes related to the function of LGBTQI+ events were identified: 1) Mainstreaming LGBTQI+ events as tourist attractions; 2) Supporting LGBTQI+ communities; 3) Encouraging the visibility and education of and about LGBTQI+ culture; 4) Challenging the political and social status quo; and 5) Addressing and enabling intersectionalities.