Visibility the key to Pride March future

Although the annual Pride March taking place this Sunday is in St Kilda as usual, Pride March Victoria president Brett Hayhoe says Pride represents our community across the state.

In addition to the mayor of Port Phillip and newly elected mayor of Hobsons Bay Tony Briffa marching, the cities of Brimbank, Moonee Valley, Marybynong, Wyndham, Melton, Melbourne City and Darebin are also represented.

“It’s the biggest contingent we have had of councils at PMV,” Hayhoe told MCV.

And with entrants from areas like Shepparton, Geelong and Ballarat, PMV is an event representing more than just the metropolitan community.

“PMV has an enormous part to play in providing visibility and from that visibility come many things,” Hayhoe said.

“It tells those who want us go away that we are not going anywhere and that we are certainly a part of the world community.”

With the controversial comments of Margaret Court attracting so much attention, PMV affirms “to the youth of today that it’s OK to be whomever you happen to be”.

“The other angle is that it reminds governments ‘we’re here’,” Hayhoe said.

“All the laws that are instigated to protect and recognise our community can easily and equally be turned back, and the moment we become invisible it becomes very easy for governments to do that.”

Hayhoe said having the newly appointed Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay at PMV was an important and symbolic presence.

“Christine Nixon started this. I remember the day she first marched very well. I was standing on the balcony of the Prince of Wales Hotel and the whole balcony shook. People were so excited about her and the police contingent at Pride.

“It’s significant on many levels, too. It indicates to the police members who are GLBT that their boss recognises all members of the police organisation.

“But equally significant for PMV and the people attending PMV is that it’s not that long ago the relationship between the police and the GLBT community was less than amicable.

“We need the police and it’s lovely that the Commissioner continues to support PMV as well.”

In relation to the fence around the Catani Gardens after-Pride precinct introduced last year, Hayhoe said they are well prepared for 2012.

“What we have done this year is doubled the size of the entrance,” he said.

One side of the entrance will be for people with a lot of bags, prams and such; the other side will be for people who have very little or nothing.

“If you have nothing in your hands you should essentially be able to walk straight through but if you have a bag or pram then unfortunately there will be that bag checking,” Hayhoe said.

The introduction of the fence last year was down to council regulations, Hayhoe said. “It was a policing matter based around a local law that allows people to drink in public until 8pm.

“I was presented with three choices: close the event at 8pm without a fence, increase the police contingent, or fence the function.

“The most fiscally responsible was fencing the event – I’m sure nobody would want to be sent home at eight o’clock.”

Pride March, Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, 2pm, Sunday, February 5, 2012. Pick up MCV today for details of the marching order, Catani Gardens site map and stage program.

IMAGE: Jamie Lee Skye and friends at Pride March 2011. Photo: David Hume