Gather, Dream, Amplify: the social impact of Sydney WorldPride

The economic and social benefits of Sydney WorldPride were realised by many stakeholders, from attendees and participants to global communities and advocacy groups.

CEO of Sydney WorldPride Kate Wickett (she/ her) described the festival as a ‘party with a purpose’,1 recognising that the social and wellbeing benefits of global pride events are well established, including in academic literature.

These benefits include:

• facilitating social connectedness and a sense of belonging across the community – which can combat systemic discrimination and bolster resilience, including to suicidality.2

• strengthening visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community.3

• challenging norms, assumptions and dominant discourses about sexuality and gender, to normalise and validate LGBTQIA+ identities.4

• mobilising the ally community and raising awareness of the role of allies.5

• providing opportunities to foster activism and advocacy against inequalities, where experiences of distress can be transformed into actions for social change.6

Summarised in the figure on the right, the festival theme Gather, Dream, Amplify provides a framework for understanding the social benefits and legacy of the festival for a diversity of stakeholders.

Gather

Amplify a diverse set of voices and experiences

Belonging Allyship Intersectionality

Increase the sense of belonging, safety and pride among the LGBTQIA+ community

• Co-design and host events with and for a broad set of audiences within the LGBTQIA+ community, including First Nations peoples

• Promote Sydney as a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ people across Asia Pacific

Mobilise and welcome a network of active allies and strengthen global connections

• Co-design and host events with and for a broad set of audiences within the LGBTQIA+ community, including First Nations peoples

• Promote Sydney as a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ people across Asia Pacific

Celebrate diversity and amplify the experiences at the intersection of LGBTQIA+ and other identities

• Host a range of event types (e.g., sport, art and culture, education)

• Co-design events with and for First Nations peoples

• Organise events that support the Asia Pacific LGBTQIA+ community

Revitalise Sydney Advocacy Commercial returns

Showcase Sydney as a safe and welcoming city to LGBTQIA+ visitors and residents

• Reinvigorate key precincts, including Oxford Street and Bondi

• Support the NSW Government in their drive to make Sydney the event capital of the Asia-Pacific

Advocate for the rights and freedoms of LGBTQIA+ people in Asia Pacific

• Deliver an effective Human Rights Conference which centres the experiences of First Nations peoples and other key audiences

• Advance social, policy and legal change in Australia and Asia Pacific

Enable a commercial return for participating partners

• Increase the commercial value of WorldPride to InterPride

• Contribute to the legacy and sustainability of Sydney Mardi Gras

• Increase the revenue of local and other participating businesses