Cumberland Council, which spans from Lidcombe westwards through Merrylands until Pemulwuy, passed a motion in February to ban drag storytime events. A subsequent motion was passed in early May banning books about LGBTQ+ parents from all council libraries. At the following council meeting, hundreds of protestors gathered outside the Cumberland Council chambers, one half opposing the ban and the other supporting it. Wrath surged through the pro-ban protestors, who made evident their vehement disgust at our presence through their chants that declared us satanic paedophiles, proclaimed that we were going to hell, and most alienatingly of all, that told us to “Go back to Newtown”.
I was eleven when I first experienced homophobia. On the school playground at my local school in Cumberland, my best friend and I would walk around together, her arm wrapped around my shoulder. Our classmates would remark, “lesbehonest”. The two of us also shared an Instagram account where we posted vlogs of our weekend outings. One time, a boy in our grade commented on one of these posts, calling us “f*ggots
Although we’re anything but a hop, skip and jump away from Oxford St and its bustling event calendar, us Westie queers still know how to host. Want to spend some period in community &#; in person and locally? We’ve got you and The Area covered. From bottomless brunches and drag bingo to workshops and theatre productions, here are some of the best queer events in Western Sydney.
But first, some event etiquette
Whether you’ve come to boogie, watch, or learn (or all of the above), it’s always important to be mindful and respectful of the space you’re in. Drink and partake responsibly, and show extra love to your LGBTQIA+ elders. Back your rainbow siblings wherever you can, and hold space for those still figuring it out. Verb out for instructions in case of emergency, stay sun-safe & hydrated, but most importantly, verb on serving slay!
This article will be updated periodically. For any inaccurate listings or if you&#;d like your event to be added, please send us a direct message on either Facebook or Instagram and the team at Ending HIV will peek into it!
Coming
We&#;re here to help LGBTQ people and people with HIV in Western Sydney take control of their health by providing a range of local services and supporting a variety of local community groups.
ACON Westie
Hey Westies, introducing ACON Westie, a community for all LGBTQ+ people in Western Sydney – whether you grew up in the area or now call Western Sydney your home.
ACON Westie is ACON&#;s modern platform dedicated to all things LGBTQ+ in Western Sydney, showcasing feature stories, cultures, events, and support from the area. If you are an LGBTQ+ person from Fairfield, Bankstown, Penrith, Auburn, Campbelltown, Blacktown, Liverpool, Parramatta, or any suburbs in between, ACON Westie is place for you!
Follow ACON Westie on Instagram (@aconwestie) now to connect with fellow queer Westies, and find the latest updates dedicated to you!
Parramatta Pride Picnic | Saturday 11 October
Proudly a free event, EVERYONE is welcome! As western Sydney&#;s largest Pride event, Parramatta Pride Picnic is proudly a collaboration between ACON, Inclusiv Events and Parramatta
New show Tender puts queer storytellers from Western Sydney centre stage at opera house
The first moment Mohammad Awad, also known as 3awadi, felt love was when he held a boy's hand inside the private confines of a car, outside his academy in Western Sydney.
Growing up in a religious Muslim household, he kept his sexuality hidden and was told this kind of love did not exist in their area.
"I call it the Great Depression era," Mr Awad said.
"I went through a four-year depressive episode; [age] 11 was like, 'I'm not gay, I'm not gay. I'm not gay'."
He explored love and sexuality through poetry, written in the notes app on his phone to ensure it was private and secure.
But at the age of 14, his mindset shifted.
"I just didn't believe in a god who made me this way and wanted me to reside in suffering and wanted me to be a different person,"
Mr Awad said.
Contrary to what he was continually told during his adolescence – that affection is only between straight couples – he longed to detect happiness within his communi