- Mark McGowan is the first WA Premier to march in PrideFEST
- State Government, through Lotterywest, contributes $375,000 towards PrideFEST
- PrideFEST parade to start on Beaufort Street, Perth at 8pm tonight
Premier Mark McGowan will be the first Western Australian Premier to walk in unity with the LGBTIQ community, in the annual PrideFEST parade.
The 2017 'FREEDOM' themed parade, which promotes inclusion, diversity and fun, will take on a new route through the streets of Perth.
The State Government, through Lotterywest, is a proud supporter of PrideFEST 2017 and has contributed $375,000 towards co-ordinated events across Perth and regional WA.
Since 2004, organisers Pride Western Australia Incorporated have received Lotterywest grants totalling more than $800,000 to deliver the Pride cultural festival and parade.
The McGowan Labor Government is committed to stamping out inequality and discrimination in the community and recognises events such as PrideFEST help promote the rights of people of diverse sexuality and gender, living in WA.
Honouring a key election commitment, last month, the Premier apologised to members of the LGBTIQ community convicted of historical homosexual offences and introduced legislation to implement a scheme for the expungement of convictions for historical LGBTIQ sex offences.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"I am pleased to be involved in events that aim to promote equality through the celebration of diversity and cultural expression, and the PrideFEST parade is one of these.
"I look forward to continuing Labor's proud tradition of supporting equality for people of the LGBTIQ community and promoting diversity in our State.
"FREEDOM as this year's PrideFEST theme is fitting as it encourages everyone to act, speak or think and embrace who they are and what they stand for."
Premier's office - 6552 5000
