Organiser Carly McDonald is gearing up for a great first Rainbow Wave Festival at Oaklands on Saturday, April 13 having secured not only the Priscilla bus but also Catherine McGregor to talk twice during the event.
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The youth driven Mardi Gras style event festival aims to promote inclusiveness for the Bega Valley LGBTIQ community.
Supported by Headspace Bega, the Rainbow Wave Festival will kick off with celebrations for all ages from 3pm, a Mardi Gras parade at 7pm and a party into the evening for ages 18+.
Ms McDonald, a peer support worker at Headspace Bega, was delighted to have Ms McGregor attend.
"We reached out to her and she got back to Headspace and said she was happy to do it," Ms McDonald said.
Ms McGregor is well-known as a public face for the transgender community. Ms McGregor undertook gender transition in the midst of two male dominated environments, the Army and global cricket. She is an author and commentator and writer on Australian politics.
Ms McGregor will speak for about 30 minutes in the afternoon and the evening.
There will be a number of local musicians playing at the event including Sara Lingard, Heidi Sharples and Bournda Rock. Unmanned Band - an all girl group from Canberra - will also perform and there will be music from the Bega Sound Collective DJs.
If you love to dance check out the flashmob dance on the Rainbow Wave Facebook page and join in on the day.
The parade at 7pm is the close for the under 18s and the start of the evening event which will start with a talk by Teddy Cook from ACON about HIV prevention and HIV support.
Local drag queen Alicia Zamann and drag king Guy Curious will perform. Pablo the bearded drag performer will do a DJ set. Don't forget there's a prize for the best dressed of the day.
Local musos including Sam and Robyn Martin will make up Soultrain and mid evening Ms McGregor will give a talk.
Ms McDonald said there would be mental health support, sexual health advice and on-site testing available.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite and cost $16.91-27.46 depending on whether you opt for part or all day passes. Tickets are available on the door but only with cash.
"A lot of good has already come from this because people have started talking and the youth have come up to me to talk about it; it's already having an effect," Ms McDonald said.
"It's all about the youth in the area and making their experience of growing up different to mine when I was growing up here," she added.
"This is an event to bring lots of different people together, that includes the LGBTI community - young and old, as well as their allies, friends and family," she said.
"We want to encourage families and youth to feel comfortable in a safe environment," Ms McDonald added.
