Elsie Lange
A panel of LGBTQIA+ voices, championing diversity and connection, will take part in the Birds of a Feather lunch in Kyneton on Friday, March 11.
Coinciding with Daylesford’s 25th ChillOut Festival running over the Labour Day long weekend, the panel will include ChillOut Festival president Matt Clarke, army veteran Yvonne Sillett, Pride Foundation Australia board member Ian Gould and Bendigo drag queen Polly Filla.
Guests will discuss a range of topics, from work, to finding community, to the experience of being queer in a regional area.
Open to adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex, the Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s Country LGBTI Inclusive Program (CLIP) is set to be “shining”.
“With a nod to ChillOut’s silver jubilee theme of ‘our time to shine’, we pay homage to LGBTIQA+ people shining across central Victoria, ” said CLIP volunteer and organiser Nathan Allwood.
“The Birds of a Feather quarterly luncheons aim to enrich the lives of local LGBTIQA+ adults by providing a safe and affirming space to share their stories and create meaningful connections.”
Belinda Brain from CLIP reiterated the value of coming together in person, to share a meal and conversation.
“We know through the work that we do in the community that older LGBTI people are more likely to be single, live alone, and may find it challenging to live openly and feel accepted,” Ms Brain said.
“We welcome all ages including community members living in residential aged care.”
The lunch and panel session will take place from 12pm to 2.30pm at the Shamrock Hotel in Kyneton and it is essential to RSVP.
Details: sunburycobaw.org.au/birds-of-a-feather-4/
