Pride March Victoria will see significant changes this year, with an earlier starting time, more local groups than ever before, and an enlarged and improved community village at the end of the march.

“We’ve had positive feedback about the earlier starting time, because it means families with kids can join the march, still spend some time in the community village at the end and get the kids home for six o’clock,” Pride March president Brett Hayhoe tells MCV.

“Older members of our community can catch earlier public transport rather than trying to cram onto the last tram home. It also means mainstream media can cover the event in time for the nightly bulletins and deadlines.”

The last point is important, because, Hayhoe says, Pride March is all about visibility of the gay and lesbian community.

“With visibility comes a great deal of power,” Hayhoe says. “I’ve said this before: we may have made a lot of progress over the last three decades, but imagine how long that will last if we don’t remain visible as a significant part of society?”

One of the unique aspects of Pride March is that it is a “whole of community event,” Hayhoe says. “There are very few events on anybody’s calendar that are as inclusive as a Pride event.”

Another change to the march this year is that the iconic arch of rainbow-coloured balloons at the forefront of the parade is no more.

“Apparently the helium in the balloons is an environmental hazard,” Hayhoe explains. “So to replace them we have purchased six, large rainbow flags to lead the way and we’re confident they’ll have just as good an effect.”

The march will be made up of 97 different community and political groups, including contingents from Labor, the Liberals, Greens and the Australian Sex Party.

“We’ve been blessed over several years now to have Victoria Police march with Pride, too,” Hayhoe adds. “I’m very pleased to say current Police Commissioner Simon Overland will be continuing that tradition and leading his men and women down Fitzroy Street.”

This year’s march will see expanded and improved facilities in Catani Gardens, including for the first time the Gasworks Arts Park Community Village.

“There will be many stalls, including our Pride Patrons, and a much larger bar than previously so people don’t have to queue for ages,” Hayhoe says.

Other stalls include community groups and small community businesses, plus there will be three stages providing entertainment.

Alex Schoeffel from Gasworks Arts Park said the partnership with Pride March was part of the City of Port Phillip’s commitment to improving access to the arts for all sections of the community.

“We became involved to resource Victoria’s largest LGBT event with the best queer artists from around Australia,” he tells MCV. “We’ll have dance music, comedy, circus, big bands and roving performers.

“I think this partnership takes Pride March up to the next level. We would like to see that continue into the future.”

Pride March 2010: assemble on the corner of Fitzroy St and Lakeside Drive, St Kilda, at noon, Sunday, February 7. March begins 2pm sharp!

Click Here for the stage program, location maps and marching order.

Pictured:Pride March president Brett Hayhoe

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