CHERIE LEE
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
NOMINATED FOR
Adelaide
Profiles on this page have been prepared and submitted by nominees or their representatives as part of the South Australian Pride Awards process. Content reflects the words, achievements, and information provided in those submissions. Pride Adelaide has not edited profiles beyond minor formatting or clarity adjustments. Inclusion on this page does not represent an endorsement, assessment, or ranking and does not influence the independent judging process.
How would you describe yourself or your work in one sentence?
I’m Cherie, Adelaide’s Girl Meet Girl (GMG) Ambassador, passionate and committed to creating safe, accessible and inclusive spaces for the sapphics of Adelaide to meet, connect and belong in real life and in community on Kaurna Land.
Tell us a little about what you do
I am the Adelaide Ambassador for Girl Meet Girl Sapphic Social Picnic host. GMG is a free Facebook community for bi, lesbian, sapphic, queer women, trans women and non-binary folk looking for connection, community and the opportunity to make real life friendships, and perhaps even fall in love.
A key part of my role is hosting at least 4 free sapphic social picnics throughout the year. Picnics are usually held on a Sunday morning in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens on Kaurna Land and are a relaxed, safe, inclusive and alcohol-free space for sapphics from all stages of life to bring a rug and some snacks to meet, share, learn and laugh without the expectation or pressure of dating, drinking or partying.
I also moderate the Adelaide GMG Messenger group chat where Adelaide’s GMG community stays in touch outside of picnics, sharing events and other ways to connect socially in real life.
In addition to my role with GMG, I also run Facebook groups/pages for bisexual women and women navigating perimenopause.
What impact or achievement are you most proud of this year?
I am very proud that in the 18months that I have been Adelaide's GMG Ambassador, the GMG community in Adelaide has grown to over 200 members. Our Adelaide Messenger Group Chat is very active, with members regularly sharing and attending queer events and other things happening around Adelaide.
Over the past 12 months GMG members have gone to a wide range of events and activities, suiting different interests and availabilities, including Feast and Fringe events, Two Lips and Third Rodeo meet ups, cheering on the Matildas and the AFLW Crows, and visiting the Art Gallery and the Planetarium. In 2025 we also entered Pride March for the first time as a GMG group which was such a queer affirming experience for us.
Why does your work matter to the community?
As a bisexual woman, I know only too well how daunting it can be to step into queer spaces, and not know whether you will be welcomed and accepted without question. I was drawn to GMG because at its heart is the principle that there is no single “right” reason or “right” way to be sapphic. Whether you are bi, lesbian, pan, queer, trans, cis, binary, fluid, questioning, monogamous, polyamorous or any other part of our rainbow community, GMG welcomes and accepts you.
I'm truly inspired when I see members connecting organically, forming friendships, going on dates or even just having the courage to ask if there is anyone who would like to go with them to a queer event for the first time.
What would you like voters to know when voting for you?
People should vote for me because my work with Girl Meet Girl is about turning courage into community—creating welcoming inclusive, accessible spaces that didn't exist before - Where sapphics can meet, connect, build friendships and experience genuine belonging.