The contemporary role of urban LGBTQI+ festivals and events
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Event Management
Publisher
Cognizant Communication Corporation
School
School of Business and Law
RAS ID
45155
Abstract
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's Midsumma Festival. Such events enable LGBTQI+ communities to celebrate their identities, political achievements, and self-acceptance. The objective of this study was to understand the role urban LGBTQI+ festivals and events are designed to play in contemporary Australia. To address this objective, the annual reports of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Melbourne Midsumma Festival between 2010 and 2019 (inclusive) were analyzed and five overarching themes related to the role of LGBTQI+ events were identified. These were: 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 intersectionality and including other marginalized groups.
DOI
10.3727/152599522X16419948694720
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Vorobjovas-Pinta, O., & Fong-Emmerson, M. (2022). The contemporary role of urban LGBTQI+ festivals and events. Event Management, 26(8), 1801-1816. https://doi.org/10.3727/152599522X16419948694720