An accessible guide to celebrating Pride Month in Adelaide

Pride is often associated with the street parade variety seen in San Francisco, New York and, in Australia, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. But for many LGBTQI+ folks, such set definitions of publicly acceptable forms of queer celebration – often white, cisgendered and able-bodied – can still spell exclusion. Even Adelaide’s own regular November Pride March drew criticism in 2018 for adopting a route that was not wheelchair or mobility aid friendly, with organisers initially responding to accessibility concerns by proposing the option for people with disabilities to ride in provided vehicles. Well intended or not, failure to accommodate accessibility can adds to the erasure of LGBTQI+ disabled people from public spaces.

While Pride Month is undeniably empowering for many, it can also be a particularly sore reminder that the queer community is still lacking in its efforts to promote inclusivity and visibility to queer disabled folks. Luckily, Adelaide has some wonderful, welcoming and proudly queer events that occur all year ‘round. Here are some events hosted by LGBTQI+ locals and allies at accessible venues for the remainder of June, so you need not celebrate Pride from behind a screen.

Daring To Be Different

This exhibition celebrates our South Australian rainbow elders. Daring To Be Different pays tribute to LGBTQI+ community members past and present who have lived through criminalisation and violence, but also liberation, love, and acceptance.

With a particular focus on diversifying the age ranges of queer representation, this exhibition showcases queer memorabilia and personal photographs of times gone by, but not forgotten.

Migration Museum
Until November 24
Free

The Daring To Be Different exhibition is wheelchair accessible with access to toilets

Draw Your (S)words: The Relaunch of Mindshare

Draw Your (S)words have teamed up with the Mental Health Coalition of South Australia for a special spoken word poetry event promoting the creative works of people living with mental illness. DYS has been a platform for the Adelaide LGBTQI+ community to share experiences and artistic expression in a safe and inclusive environment.

Feature poet and mental health advocate, Alison Paradoxx, will be performing along with live music from the soulful Georgy & Delilah, as well as visual art from local contributors at Neami National’s arts program.

Herbal teas and kombucha will be provided adding to the warm atmosphere that Draw Your (S)words always invites.

Chateau Apollo
Wednesday, June 26, 6:30pm,
$10

Chateau Apollo is wheelchair accessible with access to toilets

Stitch ‘n’ Bitch

Stitch ‘n’ Bitch is all about getting crafty, tactile, and creative. Whatever your artistic medium – or even if you’re yet to find one – creative forces  Calamity Tash and Ruby Allegra will help bring your project to life.

Plus, the name is totally tongue-in-cheek. The Studio Adl promotes safe spaces and inclusivity with a hefty dose of humour. Go as a group or arrive solo to meet like-minded folks and enjoy the drinks and snacks provided.

The Studio Adl
Friday, June 28, 6pm
$15, or free for First Nations peoples

Studio Adl is wheelchair accessible with access to toilets

Theatre of Global Majority

Established exclusively for People of Colour, Theatre of Global Majority aims to diversify theatre in South Australia. ActNow Theatre Associate Director, Yasmin Gurreeboo, encourages people of diverse backgrounds aged 18 and over to participate in this fortnightly program, regardless of prior experience or expertise.

Theatre of Global Majority aims to bridge the racial diversity gap within South Australia’s professional theatre scene by assisting participants in honing their skills and championing creativity.

MakeSpace
Thursday, June 20, 6:30pm
Free

MakeSpace is wheelchair accessible but please note nearest accessible toilets are offsite in Adelaide Train Station – please get in touch at info@actnowtheatre.org.au or 8123 0346 if you have further queries about accessibility

Thursday-Night Radiothon Special

Radio Adelaide’s beloved hosts of HER, Pink Rabbit, and Pride and Prejudice present a special late-night show, live on location at Sparkke at the Whitmore. Expect a musical line-up with a focus on women and non-binary artists, live musical performances, special guests, discussions on queer politics, and an abundance of laughs.

This is requisite Pride Month attendance for all night-owl-identifying queers.

Sparkke at the Whitmore
Thursday, June 20, 9pm
Free

Sparkke at the Whitmore is wheelchair accessible with access to toilets

Header image:
Stitch ‘n’ Bitch at Studio ADL (Photo: elle ds photography / Studio Adl)