The concept of a Pride March is the Queer Community and our supporters publicly marching in celebration of pride, courage, solidarity and diversity.

Pride Marches are held the world over and involve community groups and community members marching to promote tolerance, acceptance and affirm the diversity and resilience of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Queer (GLBTIQ) communities.

Adelaide’s first Pride March was held in 1973 when homosexuality was still illegal in South Australia. Pride March Adelaide was founded in 2003 following a community meeting and produced Adelaide’s second Pride March in November 2003, the 30th anniversary of the first, as part of the Feast Festival, Adelaide’s annual Queer Cultural Festival.

Pride March Adelaide 2003 attracted over 2,000 participants, and has since grown to be a much anticipated annual celebratory event in the South Australian GLBTIQ calendar.

How is Pride March Adelaide organised?

Pride March Adelaide is organised by a voluntary committee open to all interested members of the queer community.

The committee's skills include event and project organisation, community consultation, media liaison, fundraising and sponsorship, plus they represent a broad cross section of the queer community.  

Committee members meet monthly to plan Pride March, liaise with community groups, fundraise, initiate community skill development projects to enhance and expand the reach of Pride March and undertake the variety of tasks involved in organising a large scale community March and celebration.

Pride March works closely with the South Australian Police, Transport SA, Adelaide City Council and the Feast Festival on logistics for Pride March and to ensure the March has the appropriate public liability insurance necessary to undertake an inclusive, safe community celebration.

Community organisations actively supporting Pride March Adelaide include Gay and Lesbian Community Services (GLCS), The AIDS Council of SA, Blaze Media, the Feast Festival and the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Pride March Initiatives

Pride March works within a community development framework and aims to assist both established and fledgling groups to build and sustain their communities, promoting community arts to increase queer visibility, health, pride and creativity.

To this end Pride March achieved funding from Health Promotion Through the Arts and Arts SA to provide artist led workshops in design and construction of banners, flags and portable artwork, percussion and  movement for individuals and community groups, culminating in displays of these new skills at Pride Marches from 2003 – 7.

We achieved ongoing sponsorship from the AIDS Council of SA, GLCS, who also provided admin and accounting support, and Blaze Media, publishers of Adelaide’s GLBTIQ community newspaper.

Who takes part in Pride March?

Everyone is welcome to be part of Pride March Adelaide! Adelaide’s wonderful diversity of queer community groups and organisations take part plus friends, family and a growing number of queer community members of all ages, sexualities and genders.

The March is led by over 30 motor bikes ridden by Adelaide’s lesbian and gay bikers.

Each year more and more people march together carrying a huge rainbow flag in what we call everybody’s group. The number of young people taking part in Pride March continues to grow. Pride March just gets bigger, louder, prouder and more outrageous.

The March is essentially a walking, dancing march featuring a number of vehicles with sound systems playing music to march by and live music.

Over 40 Community groups took part in Pride March 2007 including –

Moolagoo Mob – a social support group for Indigenous gay, lesbian and sista girls

Adelaide Same Sex Dancesport – ballroom and latin dancing for same sex couples

Adelaide Gay and Lesbian Qwire – dedicated to a fun, quirky sound for all to enjoy

Evolve and Inside Out – social and support groups for same sex attracted youth

BFriend – supporting  newly indentifying and socially isolated same sex attracted and trans people

Gay Men’s Health and AIDS Council of SA

Flagmania – a gay men’s community flagging troupe

3G’s Social Club – social activities for mature gay guys

Dale Street Women’s Health Centre – providing medical and counselling services for same sex attracted women

Hot For Joe – a Women’s Morris Dancing group

Pink Parents – a social, support and lobbying group for LGBTIQ parents and their children

Australian Lesbian Medical Association – welcoming lesbian doctors and medial students

Gay and Lesbian Community Services – a counselling, support and referral service

Adelaide Happy Wanderers – a walking group for gay men

Drum Chix – a drumming group of over 20 women

Country Health SA – gay and lesbian health workers from the Murray Mallee, Southern Fleurieu and Adelaide Hills Community Health Services

BiAdelaide – an organisation for bisexual people and people attracted to more than one gender

Lets Get Equal – fighting via political means for equality

Bear Men of Adelaide – a group for gay men who are happy to be who they are irrespective of body shape, size, origins and race

Bush Amazons 4WD Club – focussed on women participating in 4WD experiences

Greens SA – long term supporters of the GLBTIQ community

Dykes in the Bush – friends who meet for country weekends

Golden Club – social group for same sex attracted women over 30

SHINE SA – specialising in services relating to sexual and reproductive health

Blaze Media – Adelaide’s GLBTIQ fortnightly newspaper

Lesbians are Everywhere – a community group for lesbians

Seasponges – a social group for same sex attracted women in the south of Adelaide

PLWHA (SA) – major provider of services and support for people living with HIV/AIDS 

City Gym and Fitness Centre – gay friendly gym, supporters of the queer community  

Where does the March take place?

Pride March takes to the main streets of the City of Adelaide including King William Street, North Terrace, Hindley and Morphett Streets. To date Pride March has finished at the site of Feast’s Opening Night Party.

Watch this website for details of Pride March 2008.

How do I get involved?

We are always on the lookout for new committee members and marshals.

Pride March Adelaide welcomes new marchers to take part in what is a highlight of Adelaide’s queer community calendar.

Email Margie Fischer at margiefischer@ozemail.com.au for more info, or phone her on (08) 8388 5572.

Copyright © 2008 Pride March Adelaide

Pride flag image by Peter Holderness