WorldPride is a global LGBTQIA+ event that celebrates, promotes and advocates for LGBTQIA+ issues and human rights around the world. Sydney will host WorldPride from 17 February to 5 March 2023, the first time the event will be held in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sydney WorldPride will incorporate all Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events, plus a broad offering of over 200 events across arts, sport, theatre, concerts, parties, and the Sydney WorldPride Human Rights conference.  

Macquarie University is proud to host a program of events, created by the MQ Ally Network Steering Committee, Campus Life, Student Diversity & Inclusion and Workplace Diversity & Inclusion. Everyone is invited to show their support for our LGBTQIA+ community and take part in the celebrations.  

A number of these events will be donating their profits to Black Rainbow. Black Rainbow is a national volunteer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBQTIA+SB social enterprise to pursue positive health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBQTIA+SB community.  

Check out Macquarie’s Pride events 

Event	Date	Details
600-metre Pride Stride	From Friday 17 Feb – 5 March	Follow rainbows along Wally’s Walk and seek out rainbow crossings and stairs along the main route. Or visit in the evening when the Pride Stride will light a path to the heart of the university and the rainbow-illuminated Service Connect Building.
Pride drinks at the Twilight Markets	Fri 17 Feb, from 4pm	Celebrate the start of Sydney WorldPride 2023 at Ubar.
Mardi Gras/WorldPride Fair Day stall	Sun 19 Feb, 10am – 9pm	Show your support and visit the Macquarie University Stall which will be run by student and staff volunteers. There will be fun and interactive science activities, an MQ LGBTQIA+ community showcase, and giveaways. Learn more about Macquarie’s commitment to creating a socially inclusive and safe space. Venue: Victoria Park, Camperdown.
Drag Queen trivia	Thu 23 Feb,  6pm – 8pm	The event will be hosted by Dakota Fann’ee, a multi-talented performer, drag queen and showgirl. Dakota draws inspiration from the likes of Celine Dion, Kylie and Cher. Get your team together. Bookings essential. Email Ubar@mq.edu.au. All profits from the two Pride-themed cocktails  and sales from the raffle tickets will be donated to Black Rainbow.
Rainbow cupcakes	From Tue 21 to Thu 23 Feb	No event is complete without these delicious colourful cupcakes. Available only at Esc Café, Library Café, Wally’s Coffee & Toasties and Crunch Café. $4 each. All profits will be donated to Black Rainbow.
Pride-themed Zumba®	Tue 28 Feb, 7.30pm – 9pm	Shake your feathers, leathers and booty and get your heart racing at Pride-themed Zumba®. Venue: Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre. The class will be available for booking from 7:30pm on Sunday 26th February.
Sydney WorldPride on-campus celebration	Tue 28 Feb, 10.30am – 2pm	Join staff and students in the Central Courtyard to share in the Sydney WorldPride 2023 celebrations. Empower yourself with plenty of information and educational resources available on the day. Raffle ticket sales will be donated to Black Rainbow.
Pride and Professionals: Lunch and learn at Macquarie	Wed 1 Mar, 12pm – 1.30pm	Meet other members of the queer and ally communities, learn about inclusion initiatives at Macquarie University and the Macquarie Park Innovation District. Hear from keynote speaker Dr Leigh Boucher, speaking at the Arts Function Centre C122 about the history of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Register now.
Pride-themed Bingo	Wed 1 Mar, from 3pm	It’s Bingo – but not as you know it. Prizes to be won. Ubar. Free event. Book tables by emailing Ubar@mq.edu.au. All profits from the one Pride-themed cocktail and raffle tickets will be donated to Black Rainbow.
Queer Prom	Fri 3 Mar, 6pm – 10pm	Express yourself and dance like you mean it at Queer Prom at Ubar. Organised by City of Ryde. Find out more here.

 

---

You can also show your support by saving the email banner below and adding it to your email signature, or by saving the Zoom banner and adding it to the background of your meetings. 

Email signatures 

Add a ‘learn about pronouns’ link after your pro-nouns. https://www.transhub.org.au/pronouns 

Zoom banners

Pride Chalkboard Wall  

If you want to share a message of support, draw a picture or write a poem and help celebrate WorldPride at Macquarie then come to the chalkboard wall located between 16 and 18 Wally’s Walk and be inspired. 

Additional resources  

• Pronouns – read here about why you should not say ‘preferred gender pronouns’ 
• History of the rainbow flag