For the second year in a row, local visual artist Nathan J Lester celebrates Pride Month with a photoshoot outside Parliament House. This Saturday 24 June, local LGBTQIA+ community members and allies are invited to be part of the fun.
Hoping to capture a sea of rainbows and glitter in the shot, Lester, an ally to the community, wants to give those who love to dress up an opportunity to do so while the sun is out. Some go all out, while others are in their streetwear, and everyone is encouraged to dress in one colour of the pride flag. Once everyone is present, like colours will be divided into groups, creating a human Pride flag.
While the day is about fun, meeting friends old and new, and connecting with the community, Lester says it also helps draw attention to the LGBTQIA+ community and shows their message is ‘Loud and Proud’. According to Lester, here in Canberra we’re lucky to be in a progressive place, however across the world members of the queer community still face prejudice.
Lester says at the moment there is a lot of fuss about drag and the drag reading in libraries. He says the events are inclusive and support the queer community by showing drag is more than a nightclub show. He says the torment and abuse that has come from the cancellation and backlash of the events have been felt globally.
“It does ripple across the community,” he says. “I think one of the big things is to help every bit we can as allies to stand with our people; to show these aren’t people who cause problems, these are wonderful people.”
Already anticipating more than the 20 people who came by word of mouth last time, Lester is expecting some local drag alumni to make an appearance. Last year, his drag king and queen friends were unable to attend; however, this time, he expects some extravagant entrances to be made.
“One in particular, Guy Alias, is coming directly from a Drag Storytime. So, I expect Guy Alias will turn up in their usual flamboyance, not just in the outfit.”
According to Lester, everyone’s choice of outfit will be appreciated in the safe and welcoming space.
“I expect people will dress up in all sorts of bright colours, obviously for the different elements of the progress Pride flag. I expect to see some boas and feathers, some big jackets – probably it might be a bit fresh,” Lester smiles.
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Come dressed in your Saturday best to Federation Mall in front of Australian Parliament House on Saturday 24 June at 2pm for a 2.30pm shoot. Registration is encouraged. To receive a digital copy of the photo afterwards, register via nathanjlester.com
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